Vince Pitelka on thu 13 jun 96
Linda -
I think this depends on what kind of wheel you want to build. If you want a
good sturdy kick wheel, just find one you like, and copy the design. If you do
not have strong welding and fabricating skills you may have to have someone
so-inclined look at the wheel to determine how things should be done.
If you want an electric wheel, unless you have VERY strong welding and
fabricating skills, or know someone who will do the work for less than minimum
wage, this project will be a much greater challenge. In most cases it will be
far cheaper to buy a wheel ready made. There are a few exceptions - if you are
able to find an appropriate industrial variable-speed transmission unit for
cheap, like those amazing ones that Nils Lou and Mel Jacobsen described
recently, or if you want to build a three-speed auto-transmission wheel like
the one I described on Clayart. If you think the auto-trans wheel might meet
your needs email me and I will tell you more about it. Another option is
possible if you know an electronics whiz who can help you find an appropriate
DC variable-speed motor and help you put together the controllers and
foot-pedal to go with it. Then the cost of welding up the frame and purchasing
or fabricating the wheelhead, and getting the belts and bearings might not be
prohibitively expensive.
I think that most people who have designed and constructed homebuilt power
wheels would admit that if they payed themselves a good hourly wage it comes
out mighty expensive. But on the other hand, if you like tinkering with
mechanical stuff, like I do, then it pays great dividends beyond the
immediately practical and rational. I will be interested in reading some other
opinions on this subject.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - wkp0067@tntech.edu
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN
| |
|
