Choosing wheels that wont break the bank?

rwgast_logicdesign

So right now im on some 4 3/4 hollow plastics they work well but the traction is not great and the motors are so strong at high voltages it causes alot of spining out becuase the wheels wont catch. I plan to mostly use the robot in my house which is all hard wood, and then mostly on dirt and carpet. I want to go up to six inch wheels with about a 1.5 inch width. When I was looking at all the dirt wheels for RC car that big they were getting pretty pricey from 50 to 120 per set. Airplane wheels are much cheaper but dont have any treads and id like a bit of paddle at least so I can get through the sand.

I found these things today, ya there dog toys but there 6inche and 3 bucks a pop, Im wondering if these would just be an aw full choice and if so maybe someone can point me in the right direction, im also using a chair style caster maybe that could be improved idk...

NWCCTV

Bad choice. Unless you want your bot to "thump" along. Harbor Feight on occasion has there casters on sale and you might be able to pull the wheels from them for use. Lawn mower tires work well also. http://www.amazon.com/Weber-3620-6-Inch-Wheel/dp/B00023CWRY

rwgast_logicdesign

Are those also plastic? I need rubber to grip the hardwood.

PJAllen

Find something grippy to glue to the wheels you have; a mouse pad cut into strips, or get a roll of that drawer-shelf liner material (a 'Dollar Store' item) that's like a mesh and use that.

RobotWorkshop

You could look at some wheels that are made specifically for robots:

http://banebots.com/c/WHB-WS-498

They have several different hub styles and also different compounds for varying degrees of grip.

rwgast_logicdesign

pj i acually had that idea but couldnt figire out what material to use mouse pad strips to make tread would b great i have a feeling it may rip off but ill try

my issue with the bane wheels is they have no tread if i buy real wheels i need tread

Franklin

VEX wheels...http://www.active-robots.com/5-wheel-4-pack.html

Duane Degn

I once read the Lego makes more tires than any other company.

Some of the Technic sets have nice wheels.

This wheel is from a Technic motorcycle set. I attached a servo horn so I could use it with a CR servo.

It's about 3 5/8" in diameter.

BrickLink.com sells individual Lego parts and often for a pretty good price.

Some of the Vex wheels look pretty good.

Their 4" wheels are $5 each (when you buy four).

I've used their 4" omni wheels and their Mecanum wheels. I been very impressed by the Vex wheels I've used.

I think those BaneBot wheels look good and seem reasonably priced.

rwgast_logicdesign

Hmmm well none of these places have 6 inch wheels, I think these are fairly acceptable if I compromise and go to 5 inch

http://www.vexrobotics.com/wheel-knobby-2pk.html

Ill just have to keep looking maybe go down to the swap meet, I think alot of stroller wheels would be good except there not knobby. I saw a metal dolly today same place as the dog toy wheels it had 5 1/4 wheels the whole set up was 18 bucks. Ive been thinking about ripping the wheels off the waste managment cans in front of peoples houses lol. There big have read and there tacky

NWCCTV

4 of them here: http://www.vexrobotics.com/products/accessories/motion/276-1498.html

tonyp12

5" Inch $4 each, says soft rubber
http://www.ebay.com/itm/One-ThermoPlastic-Rubber-5-x-1-1-4-Wheel-with-3-8-ID-Ball-Bearing-/390430077856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae77233a0

6.7" army-green spokes
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plastic-Foam-Kids-Cart-Luggage-Cart-Caster-Wheels-White-Army-Green-2-Pcs-/350642820061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a3f0d3dd

6" hard rubber traning wheels
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kids-Bicycle-Bike-Training-Wheels-20-/300785208741?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4608320da5

But go all they way with these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yellow-Rubber-Nonslip-Kids-Children-Training-Bike-Wheel-6-x-2-/350618397336?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a27c2a98