Scrambler C

[bernard]

if the plastic is hard, is there any way to "soften" it up like sanding?

Why do you want your wheels to be softer? I think sanding would just make them slightly smaller >.<

[someusername]

if the plastic is hard, is there any way to "soften" it up like sanding?

Why do you want your wheels to be softer? I think sanding would just make them slightly smaller >.<

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it when you sand a surface (not using fine paper), it roughs up the surface a bit, which possibly could act as a softer rubber and/or increase surface area.

[InfiniCuber]

Why do you want your wheels to be softer? I think sanding would just make them slightly smaller >.<

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it when you sand a surface (not using fine paper), it roughs up the surface a bit, which possibly could act as a softer rubber and/or increase surface area.

Um, I think it would just make it harder for your wheel to grip to the floor, as now after sanding there will be raised areas and lowered areas (very small tho) and might make the plastic even smoother...I've never heard of what you said about sanding, maybe I'm wrong, but from what I can tell, that would only be useful if you needed like treads for different terrain or something, and well you will just be going on floor:p

[someusername]

So the only way to fix hard rubber is to buy a wheel with softer rubber or use some form of latex?

[InfiniCuber]

So the only way to fix hard rubber is to buy a wheel with softer rubber?

Well if you are talking now about rubber, that is a bit different. But only a little. The only way to temporarily soften hard rubber on wheels that I know of would be to warm them up. Get the rubber to warm up, and it will give and become slightly softer, but again, only slightly. You are better off buying a lower durometer rubber wheel.

[someusername]

So the only way to fix hard rubber is to buy a wheel with softer rubber?

Well if you are talking now about rubber, that is a bit different. But only a little. The only way to temporarily soften hard rubber on wheels that I know of would be to warm them up. Get the rubber to warm up, and it will give and become slightly softer, but again, only slightly. You are better off buying a lower durometer rubber wheel.

That might be tough because the axles I am using are square, so that would really limit my wheel choices.Are there any good stores or websites that you know of that sell good wheels for this event?

[bernard]

So the only way to fix hard rubber is to buy a wheel with softer rubber?

Well if you are talking now about rubber, that is a bit different. But only a little. The only way to temporarily soften hard rubber on wheels that I know of would be to warm them up. Get the rubber to warm up, and it will give and become slightly softer, but again, only slightly. You are better off buying a lower durometer rubber wheel.

That might be tough because the axles I am using are square, so that would really limit my wheel choices.Are there any good stores or websites that you know of that sell good wheels for this event?

Here's a post I made about Servocity wheels. If you want really light wheels, you could design your own and 3D print them (which could work with any axles!)

If you are using CDs for wheels, Servocity sells rubber tires that fit CDs well. I prefer buying Servocity's wheels, hubs, and shafts because they're made precisely so you have minimal amounts of friction when rotating and the wheels are naturally parallel when assembled. In the past I've bought bearings to reduce friction but I've found that with their 1/8" shafts, it's more efficient without bearings.

Buying their wheels ($20 for four hubs, $1 for a shaft/axle, about $10-15 for four wheels depending on size) is more expensive than making your own CD wheels but having gone through the frustration of making perfect wheels, paying more is worth it.

[someusername]

Thank you for the lead. And we have tried printing the wheels with our schools 3d printer, but it isn't high enough resolution to make an accurate enough wheel.

[iwonder]

If your school has some type of shop, try printing a wheel, then putting it in some sort of lathe (or maybe very carefully in a drill press) and sand it smooth. Though honestly a laser cutter would be best.

[someusername]

If your school has some type of shop, try printing a wheel, then putting it in some sort of lathe (or maybe very carefully in a drill press) and sand it smooth. Though honestly a laser cutter would be best.

I might try out that lathe idea, our laser cutter isn't hooked up at the moment and it isn't easy to set up, unfortunately.Thank you for the feedback.