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Author Topic: How to build a gravity wheel.  (Read 53361 times)

AB Hammer

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How to build a gravity wheel.
« on: June 11, 2010, 07:26:12 PM »
Greetings All

 This string is to help those who want to build there ideas into gravity wheels. Drawing and simulations are fine but until a real build is done. Your idea will only remain an idea. I am a part of Arrache, a group of private builders. But there are several of open source people out there, and this string is to help give information on how to build a wheel with what you may have available or can purchase.

 For example - Most all of test wheels will be of a full axle (the axle goes through the wheel), split axle (two side attached normally on the edges and an single axle on each side but don't need double bearings)  and a single side axle ( A flush to one side axle but the need of two sets of bearings to level the disk or wheel)

More what will be discussed will be. How to build with less friction, and more control of the actions.

Alan
« Last Edit: June 11, 2010, 11:10:21 PM by AB Hammer »

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2010, 03:39:10 AM »
Bearings for smaller test wheels need to have the grease cleaned out of them and use only a light oil. Larger bearings for larger wheels, can also be done this way but not always necessary.

1st you remove the cover by prying carefully not to dig into the bearing which can cause damage to the guide that hold the bearing balls.

2nd soak into mineral spirits, sloshing and spinning the bearings to clean out the grease.

3rd dry and blow out if you have an air compressor available.

You can also just in some types of bearings, just spray a little WD-40 into the bearings to loosin them up. This is what I like doing with larger bearings for larger wheels. 


Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2010, 03:30:09 PM »
How to cut a wheel with a true center.

When using plywood, mdf or many other types. You will want a well centered wheel. I like to use a wood router with a circle guide. Test wheels up to 3 feet. A 1/2 inch hole is what I use. for smaller wheels 1ft or less I use 1/4 or 3/8 holes. Before you cut, make sure you have your 4 corners marked for reference. I learned a trick from Ralph that if you measure square off and mark a cross and drill your center hole you will end up with 4 equal pie sections for references for what ever design you are going to do.

If you are going to try some form of ball/disk wheel, and you need to cut it out of wood. You will want a template for your layout. Scroll saws, jigsaws, and the later rotary side cutters to make your cuts. A router can cut grooves making tracks or you will need a flat surface and you may have to clean it up with files and sandpaper.

For those who have a little spare change. You can go to a toy store and get an erector set, legos, or other builder toys for quick modeling. Never underestimate modeling toys.

Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2010, 03:35:50 PM »
If anybody has questions or suggestions please post, I don't have all the answers so please join in. This string is to help everybody. Also to promote build testing for only a build can be used as evidence of a running wheel.

Thanks
Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2010, 05:49:11 PM »

   Alan,
 You can take it personal if you like, but I think when people see what I am building, they might build one themelves.

Greetings Jim

 If that is what they want to do? That is their choice.
This string is to help with how to build, not what to build. Their are many things that cause problems with the smoothness of operations with wheels, and is open to anybody who wants to add any idea on the how to build.

 For instance
 If you need a wheel for some basic test. A bicycle wheel can become a very good wheel for some types of test and constructions.

You can show how to build jigs for duplication of parts.

As long as it is just the construction of and references of. even youtube videos and other web sights.

Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2010, 08:44:00 PM »
  Out of curiosity, when is your group going to show something ?
I've posted a number of videos and pics of what I have built and why changes were made.
 Here is an example of a modular building technique. I think it helps people if you show examples Alan.
Just curious Alan, is all you've built just 10 inch wheels ?

edited to add; the layout shown allows for the arms to have a levered action. It allows for various concepts to be tried requiring only a little modification.
 What I have found that helps is discussing math and have done lots of it. It helps me to understand what I try.

edited to add; until my present build, all I used was a drill and a jig saw. If you can make a radius guide you're comfortable with for a jig saw, that might work better than a rotary tool, more power less binding.

Greetings Jim

You asked
Quote
Out of curiosity, when is your group going to show something ?


When we work together on a project all has a say. When we are working with someone else's design it is up to them if they want it shown. When it is our own we can post it unless we added the group to the project. I have allot I can post but I won't post prospective runners until all protections are in place.

Quote
Just curious Alan, is all you've built just 10 inch wheels ?

No, They range from 10 inches to 6 ft not counting stands or extended arm effects. The most common size I like working with is 2 to 3 ft diameter. This way they can be carried into buildings for show. But if you have a working design? you should be able to build it small. Thus the rumors that Bessler had a small running wheel that he showed as well.

Here is an Aluminum wheel blank that has allot of makings on it for reference. I have build several designs on this one wheel. Also here is one on it.

Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2010, 03:18:24 AM »
Jim

 Please lets keep this string on how to build only. I am busy with armor and a wheel that the mechanism lifts 4lbs 4times higher by 1lb down, for any other detail conversation at this time, except for this, how to build a test wheel string.

Thank you
Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2010, 03:21:43 PM »
Lets look at stands for the wheels. If you look back at the wheels I posted and look at the stand. This one was designed to work on the wheels and only set in a V to hold the bearing.
Stands need to be of a sturdy material and braces with a long base to deal with the shifting of weights. Side to side just needs to be sturdy. I like stands that I can turn on their sides for a gravity wheel can not run on its side, unless the design is for on its side. This is under the assumption of a runner, or will need to have a breaking mechanism installed.

Here is a picture a simple wooden stand that works well.

Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2010, 05:16:11 PM »

  It is knowing how to build certain details that would let someone know how to build a test wheel.

All base/blank wheels or devices need to be balanced before you add anything to it. Then what is added to it has to be equally supported to it mounts to keep from twisting effects. For instance a single arm 1/8 inch thick only has an 1/8 inch stable base but if you have two 1/8 inch bases 3 inches apart you then have 3 1/4 inch stable base.  Then it depends on how you mount. From 2 sides like a split axle or duel sided wheel is allot stronger than a single side which depends on how strong the material is to start with.

 This string is also for those who are building and have for instance a mounting problem or structure problem and if they ask, I and other builders can help them out.

Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2010, 06:33:03 PM »
To All

 By this week end, my son and step son will be building on some wheels and some step by step for making the basic wheel will be videoed. Then we can post them here on the forum. I am trying to make this a family effort. We will not go into designs but will show some test and applications to use as reference.

Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2010, 11:48:50 PM »
Here is an early photo of my parts collection and a couple of test wheels that I played with to learn the problems of a gravity wheel approach. Collecting thing you may be able to use is a good step at getting ready to build. Also a wheel I showed my step son could be built out of an old erector set. I used the MT1 to show some of what has to be overcome.

Alan

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2010, 01:10:44 AM »
Making or finding weights

What I do is purchase bar stock 1 to 3 inch diameter and use a metal cutting band saw to cut my weights to the size I want. Then I drill out the center hole to the size I need. Mostly they are 1/4 inch holes for my armor work I use allot of 1/4 inch bar for bar cages for the SCA helms I build. Here is a sample of those.

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2010, 03:13:51 AM »
I am locking this string to keep P-Motion from causing problems but I will keep posting information on it for the good of those who want to build.

Alan

edited to add, That several post of P-Motion has already been deleted from this string.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2010, 04:25:08 AM by AB Hammer »

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2010, 02:20:40 PM »
To All

 I believe it is best to leave it unlocked for everyone else for it is unfair if you want to ask any question on construction of a test wheel. I am not going to react to a Troll no more, I will just have him deleted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMEe7JqBgvg

http://www.flayme.com/troll/#Why

But I think P-Motio quilfies for Internet Stalker for he has followed me to other forums and was banned for his actions.

http://www.flayme.com/stalker/
« Last Edit: June 16, 2010, 02:53:07 PM by AB Hammer »

AB Hammer

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Re: How to build a gravity wheel.
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2010, 01:02:15 AM »
@ All

Springs are an interesting thing and you can make your own leaf spring from band saw blades and just grind off the teeth then heat with a torch till cobalt blue and quench in water or oil. And for those who follow bessler. Here is a wheel I did and tested that blended the leaf spring effect MT18 with the arrangement of MT19. You will notice the same Aluminum wheel from the other before in this string. You will be able to reuse your basic disk wheels for many test. No it did not run.  ::)

Alan