I recently posted some pictures of my homebuilt exercise wheel in another thread. The pictures were in a format that some people had trouble viewing. Candiflip was kind enough to wipe the icing off her hands long enough to convert the pictures into a format that everyone can view......thanks for the help, Candice!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />
All materials are readily available locally.....this one took me about an hour to build and cost $7.75 for materials.
The attached picture is a front quartering view. [/]
No, I don't have any pictures. Let me paint you a quick verbal pictures. If that doesn't do it for you. I'll try to get a couple of photos.
The "bearing" is nothing more than a wheel from a roller blade skate that is attached to the disk with four sheet metal screws.(you have to measure very carefully to get the "bearing" centered on the disk.)
A 1/4" carriage bolt with the square ground off goes thru the "bearing" and is locked in place by two jammed nuts.(the bolt must be in place before the bearing is screwed to the disk.)
Another nut, two flat washers, a lock washer and a wing nut connect the entire wheel assembly to the stand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinkerg.gif" alt="" />
Grinding the carriage bolt is kind of cumbersome; but, the store did not have any 1/4" round head machine screws long enough for my needs.(3" I think) Next time, I'll either shop for the proper hardware or maybe I'll try a nylon bolt. [/]
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> [:"blue"] All materials are readily available locally.....this one took me about an hour to build and cost $7.75 for materials. [/]
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What happened to "disposable because they should cost under $5 to make"?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />
Thanks for the kind words. The pictures are a little misleading. Actually, the wheel is quite large.....probably bigger than most travel cages could handle.....in fact, you might reasonably call it a monster. The wheel, itself, is 11" in diameter and nearly 6" wide. Add to that the stand and it is huge.
I really never intended to get into the wheel building business.... just did it for fun and to save a few $$$ for myself. Did figure that one day, I might write up some instructions for those who wanted to add a homebuilt wheel to their homebuilt cage!!!
I'm still testing it.....actually the gliders are testing it......and a couple of the techniques that I used to build it are a bit tricky for your average home craftsman. I want to let my guys have a little more time on it and maybe build one or two for independent testing and work on simplifying the construction technique before writing up a set of instructions. I'm thinking you might volunteer to be a test site if I should decide to go that route.....?????
Rowdy sells a wheel(INDY) that is similar to mine. Only thing is his doesn't have a stand. But if you want a stand they are real easy to build and don't cost but a buck or two depending upon what materials you might have on hand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> [/]
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> .....What happened to "disposable because they should cost under $5 to make"?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />
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I thought I was going to be able to get a salvage bearing at no cost. That didn't happen the first time and I had to pay $2.50 for a new one. I finally did find some "freebies" so the next wheel will cost me about $5.25!!! [/]
Re: Homebuilt Glider Wheel-Pictures
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#8956 08/16/0312:07 AM08/16/0312:07 AM
I got my stand for my Rowdy wheel built! Thanks for the help Randy. It's not perfect - doesn't quite lay flat against the ground and the arm that comes up to hold the wheel tilts back a ways, but it works great. Right now I only have pics of the stand itself. Early next week I'll try to remember to get some pics of the Rowdy wheel on the stand. It's really easy to make everybody and my Rowdy wheel transfers from cage to stand perfectly.
RANDY's wheel
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#8957 08/16/0310:32 AM08/16/0310:32 AM
RANDY, you just keep on keepin' on! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> I think it's great that you have shown the rest of us that the high cost of a wheel is not necessary - I vote MASS PRODUCTION - quit your day job and just make wheels <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />
We could have the best of both worlds! I love Rowdy's wheels, but I've always wanted to be able to take them into the bathroom for playtime and on trips. So, with Randy's advice I was able to make a stand for my Rowdy wheel! Its just as quiet and works great - even though I didn't get the stand very straight <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Here's some pictures .
BTW- I doubt Randy EVER goes in the wheel business. He knows how easy this stuff is to build and just wants to help us all with directions to build things ourselves. If he went into the business, how would he have time to research all our really tough questions here on GC!? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for all you do Randy!
Re: RANDY's wheel
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#8961 08/17/0301:03 AM08/17/0301:03 AM
Hey, Brenna. I figured that the "offset" in your wheel stand was a geographical compensation to keep the wheel vertical on all of that sloping land in the mountains of Colorado!!! On the other hand, maybe it was built the morning after a big frat party.....??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />
On a serious note, did your Rowdy wheel come with that long axle or did you have to buy another one to get the length necessary to hook up to the stand??
Your cage was great; but, please don't apply for a stand builders job with my new production company........ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> [/]
Re: RANDY's wheel
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#8962 08/17/0301:11 AM08/17/0301:11 AM
Randy, That had to be an addition to my (Brenna's) wheel. My axles never extend more than 1 1/2" to 2" past the back of the wheel to facilitate the wheel being placed on the back wall of the cage, and the cage moved as close as possible to the wall.
I really had thought about making stands such as those, but with Pro-Flex already making stands much like Brenna made, I would be infringing on their patent if I sold them. I am still toying with a similiar desing though, but I do not like the idea of glider wheels bouncing all over the cage or floor while the gliders are in them, much like an unattached WW or Pro-Flex.
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> .....but with Pro-Flex already making stands much like Brenna made, I would be infringing on their patent.....
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Do you suppose/know if their patent is on the whole device or just the wheel?? Since the stand is nothing more than a few simple pieces of PVC stuck together, it's hard to see how that would be patentable...it is hardly what you would call a unique design. But, if the stand is patented, it shouldn't be too hard for you to come up with another design.
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> .....I do not like the idea of glider wheels bouncing all over the cage or floor while the gliders are in them.....
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I agree. All of my wheels are cable tied to my cages. On the other hand, you being a businessman know that you gotta give the customer what he wants....... [/]
What?! No job! It was fine craftsmanship! LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> You live, you learn, you make better wheel stands! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Rowdy's right, his wheel didn't come with the longer piece. I bought that for less than a buck a Home Depot (guess that won't help your stock much! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) The whole stand was probably less than $5, I'd guess. And the tilt - I knew that had to be for a reason!
Brenna, one bit of advice.....Next time, have the upright go the other way....towards the wheel. That may just eliminate the need for a longer axle.........maybe. It would take a little bit of work to make it so that you do not need the extra bit of axle. First, you would have to have a biger piece of pvc, then make a hole large enough to get a socket through...only through one side tho. Next, make a 1/4" hole for the axle to go through...across from the bigger hole. Now just thread the axle through the 1/4" hole, start the nut with a socket, then tighten. Hopefully, the axle leftover is not enough to extend past the outside of the pvc, so that our little freinds can't get their patagium caught on it as they play. I think if you use a 45 degree elbow at the very top, and make the holes in that, that might work to get the wheel to sit straight. If not, see if they have a 23 1/2 degree elbow (1/2 of a 45 degree elbow).
Thanks Rowdy, but that sounds like a different language to me! I actually thought this way worked great for me. The longer axel was easy to swich and cheap. Its just like the one you had on already, just longer! It has to be easy enough for a child for me to do it! I may show my dad what you said and he could help me with my next stand.