Notes on specialized parts for hwheel
It turns out that we had some learnin’ to do about sizes, and names of parts. Other than the wood with metal reinforcements for the wheel, we decided on the following:
Generator driver parts:
Pillow block bearings
Size 4L, V-belt pulleys (2×10in, 2×1.75in)
½ in axle/bore size
Hamster wheel special parts:
5/8in threaded axle, pillow block bearings
4 spokes: 1.5in square tubing, machined end fittings, welded to ends and axle
By accident, cut hwheel axle too short, but since it is threaded, we machined a “nut” that is attached to a ½ in axle (to go to pulley). It would have been easier to keep one side of the axle sticking out so that it was long enough to go right into a pulley, and get a pulley with a 5/8in bore.
The lab manager, Amanda, made a hamster of appropriate size, named Al. We will eventually post pictures. 