Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: ksquared on October 17, 2009, 02:06:12 PM

Title: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: ksquared on October 17, 2009, 02:06:12 PM
As the tin implies, I was trying to make my own wheels.  My best  (I think) idea at the moment was to pack two large washers onto a short cut-off from a wooden doll and put a rubber band over them (if that becomes an issue, glue the Rubber Bands.  What kind of Adhesive? )  Not that I'm precluding manufactured wheels. 

As it were, I figured that someone else might be so kind as to share some other schemes that might be used to construct them.  I tend to find mechanical schemes in general interesting and enlightening, and I would appreciate all ideas.  PCV pipe, wood, you name it.

Thanks!
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: Joker94 on October 17, 2009, 07:36:07 PM
(if that becomes an issue, glue the Rubber Bands.  What kind of Adhesive? ) 

Contact cement should suffice.
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: SmAsH on October 18, 2009, 12:29:44 AM
What diameter are you looking for?
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: ksquared on October 18, 2009, 01:11:12 AM
2 or three inches, since you ask; although I could take a little larger. 

Gracias, Señoir. 
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: ArcMan on October 19, 2009, 08:33:10 PM
I'm certainly not against improvising when necessary, but you are wanting a very common wheel size.  There are hundreds of cheap wheels out there of that size.  Why not just drop a couple bucks on already made wheels?
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: radhoo on October 20, 2009, 01:53:28 AM
2 or three inches, since you ask; although I could take a little larger. 

Gracias, Señoir. 

Here are my CD wheels:
http://www.pocketmagic.net/?p=789 (http://www.pocketmagic.net/?p=789)

3CD's fixed together in screws for a wheel.
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: MangoBot on October 20, 2009, 05:21:42 PM
cardboard and rubber bands, CD's, circular things from old stuff like a heat changing dial on a microwave.
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: ksquared on October 20, 2009, 11:06:16 PM
Self-Hijacking (to cut down on threads): How do you mount those tiny metal shafts to wheels, or even anything else?  Also, does anybody have any good techniques for mounting the motors themselves to anything?  Not that I'm not still into wheels.

And thanks again, I really appreciate the help I've been given so far.

Also this could be kinda useful, but still: http://www.societyofrobots.com/mechanics_chassisconstruction.shtml#wheels (http://www.societyofrobots.com/mechanics_chassisconstruction.shtml#wheels)
Contemplating the first method. 
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: SmAsH on October 20, 2009, 11:38:52 PM
To mount a motor to a chassis, or anything else for that matter, most people use a bracket...
Does the motor shaft have a shape to it, or is it just round?
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: ksquared on October 21, 2009, 09:41:15 PM
Round, but two would be basically flat bodied with semi-cylindrical sides.  But these brackets you say... what exactly would you be referring too?  I suppose I could use some simple ties and contact cement.... not sure exactly what kind of ties I'd be using.  I'm open to ideas.  (Jury is still out about attaching wheels to motors.  Servo Horns?  Finite Supply.)

Thanks Again!
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: SmAsH on October 22, 2009, 04:51:42 AM
About the mounts, something like this would suffice:
(http://www.theworkshop.ca/energy/Wind/5/motor_mount.JPG)
Title: Re: The Joy of Improvised Wheels
Post by: blackbeard on October 23, 2009, 06:56:41 PM
well i made some here

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=9313.0 (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=9313.0)

they're really good and they only need cardboard and just about any adhesive you have. if you need tips on how to make them then let me know