I just finished my first prototype/proof of concept chin wheel.
Goals:
1. Large size for chin safety
2. Minimum 4" deep for chin safety
3. Ease of install on cage (FN cage first)
4. Heavy duty, continuous use
5. Whisper quiet operation
Construction:
Heavy duty all metal construction, utilizing two ball bearings, stainless steel shaft, aluminum bearing retainer/mount and aluminum wheel.
Just to be sure there's no question about size:
Size:
16" Diameter
4" Deep
Mounting on FN cage. Note: This is prototype for proof of concept of wheel and operation, not mount. The board will be replaced with a stainless or galvanized steel panel. The board is designed to support the weight of wheel and distribute it on a wide area of the cage for support.
Angle shot of mounting:
The verdict:
The wheel has been in use now for about 3 days. My little guys took to it within the first 10 minutes. (They had prior wheel experience) The wheel so far is COMPLETELY quiet. The only noise is what the chins make with their feet on the wheel as they run. There is no wheel noise. There is no flex of the wheel during use.
I do hear a slight sound from the cage when they run. The FN cage has a small amount of rattle due to the trays and floors being hung in the cage frame.
I also have a second mount that has a lower profile, so it only puts the wheel about 2" from the back cage wall. (The one pictured above is approx 2 1/2" from the back wall. My chins can and have managed to walk behind under and over the wheel with no issues. The lower profile may make it harder, I'm not sure.
I have taken some video, but am not sure how to get it from my HD camcorder and uploaded/ convert for use on YouTube.
What do you all think? I'm considering producing these for sale (hence the water mark on my pics), but as of right now I only have parts for maybe 3 wheels. This thread is to solicit opinions and ideas, not as a forum to sell these.
Goals:
1. Large size for chin safety
2. Minimum 4" deep for chin safety
3. Ease of install on cage (FN cage first)
4. Heavy duty, continuous use
5. Whisper quiet operation
Construction:
Heavy duty all metal construction, utilizing two ball bearings, stainless steel shaft, aluminum bearing retainer/mount and aluminum wheel.
Just to be sure there's no question about size:
Size:
16" Diameter
4" Deep
Mounting on FN cage. Note: This is prototype for proof of concept of wheel and operation, not mount. The board will be replaced with a stainless or galvanized steel panel. The board is designed to support the weight of wheel and distribute it on a wide area of the cage for support.
Angle shot of mounting:
The verdict:
The wheel has been in use now for about 3 days. My little guys took to it within the first 10 minutes. (They had prior wheel experience) The wheel so far is COMPLETELY quiet. The only noise is what the chins make with their feet on the wheel as they run. There is no wheel noise. There is no flex of the wheel during use.
I do hear a slight sound from the cage when they run. The FN cage has a small amount of rattle due to the trays and floors being hung in the cage frame.
I also have a second mount that has a lower profile, so it only puts the wheel about 2" from the back cage wall. (The one pictured above is approx 2 1/2" from the back wall. My chins can and have managed to walk behind under and over the wheel with no issues. The lower profile may make it harder, I'm not sure.
I have taken some video, but am not sure how to get it from my HD camcorder and uploaded/ convert for use on YouTube.
What do you all think? I'm considering producing these for sale (hence the water mark on my pics), but as of right now I only have parts for maybe 3 wheels. This thread is to solicit opinions and ideas, not as a forum to sell these.
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