Any thoughts on how to make these tools? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Any thoughts on how to make these tools?

Posted: 10/15/2016 2:13:28 AM EDT

3m wants over $150 for each one. It's just a wheel with a bit of rubber on it and a handle.

It seems like it would be pretty easy to duplicate, but I don't know where you'd get the rubber. The wheels are extremely similar to a pulley wheel. Maybe 2.5" in diameter. Where would I find some hi temp o-rings or similar to fit a wheel that size? The thicker one is probably 3/8" wide and the other is maybe 3/16". Thoughts?

Posted: 10/15/2016 2:33:45 AM EDT

[#1]

I googled "weatherstrip molding roller."

for the rubber, use weather strip molding:

for the wheel, a rolling garage door roller:

Posted: 10/15/2016 2:51:51 AM EDT

[#2]

Look at small utility cart padded replacement wheels, rather than getting pulleys and sticking o-rings on them, maybe? Have to be lots of small, rubber-treaded solid wheels out there used on movable equipment racks, trays and dolleys.

Posted: 10/15/2016 3:04:04 AM EDT

[#3]

Or you could go to a hobby shop and look at some rc airplane wheels.

Posted: 10/15/2016 3:33:57 AM EDT

[#4]

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Or you could go to a hobby shop and look at some rc airplane wheels.

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Now that seems about right! I'll have to do that and see what the foam feels like. The weatherstrip stuff would just be too soft.

Posted: 10/15/2016 9:47:01 AM EDT

[#5]

look online at skateboard wheels. They make a surprising variety of shape material and size. Plus most are a urethane type material designed to hold up body weight. They might even be able to be trimmed into the shape your looking for. Then you would just need to make a type of handle to use.

Posted: 10/15/2016 10:40:42 AM EDT

[#6]

I can't tell how firm the rubber is, but it looks similar to the foam rubber they sell for insulating pipes or like previously mentioned, weatherstripping foam.

Depending on how firm it needs to be, it might be possible to use a pully and glue a piece of the pipe insulation to it, then you'd just have to mcgyver some sort of handle for it. Since the pipe insulation comes in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1" sizes, by varying the pulley size along with the insulation size, you should be able to make a size for just about any need.

Posted: 10/15/2016 11:14:46 AM EDT

[#7]

Look at Slim-Tread drive rollers on Mcmaster.com for the wheel.

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Posted: 10/15/2016 11:19:22 AM EDT

[#8]

Whirlpool Dryer drum rear drum supports.

Look them up, they would be perfect. Even used ones would work fine as it's usually the oil impregnated sleeves that go bad.

Use a drum support to mod and weld onto a shaft and you have the handle.

Posted: 10/15/2016 4:42:19 PM EDT

[#9]

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Now that seems about right! I'll have to do that and see what the foam feels like. The weatherstrip stuff would just be too soft.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
Or you could go to a hobby shop and look at some rc airplane wheels.

Now that seems about right! I'll have to do that and see what the foam feels like. The weatherstrip stuff would just be too soft.

Look at some biplane wheels.

Posted: 10/15/2016 7:31:03 PM EDT

[#10]

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look online at skateboard wheels. They make a surprising variety of shape material and size. Plus most are a urethane type material designed to hold up body weight. They might even be able to be trimmed into the shape your looking for. Then you would just need to make a type of handle to use.

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This or rollerblade wheels.

Posted: 10/15/2016 8:05:06 PM EDT

[#11]

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This or rollerblade wheels.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
look online at skateboard wheels. They make a surprising variety of shape material and size. Plus most are a urethane type material designed to hold up body weight. They might even be able to be trimmed into the shape your looking for. Then you would just need to make a type of handle to use.

This or rollerblade wheels.

Skate board or roller blade wheels would be way too hard

Posted: 10/15/2016 8:07:31 PM EDT

[#12]

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Skate board or roller blade wheels would be way too hard

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Quoted:

Quoted:
look online at skateboard wheels. They make a surprising variety of shape material and size. Plus most are a urethane type material designed to hold up body weight. They might even be able to be trimmed into the shape your looking for. Then you would just need to make a type of handle to use.

This or rollerblade wheels.

Skate board or roller blade wheels would be way too hard

McMaster, as usual, has exactly what you're looking for. Plastic wheel with a rubber oring tire on a hub. Add bearing and handle.

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Posted: 10/15/2016 8:14:56 PM EDT

[#13]

Google "hexis seam roller"

It's what you want.

Posted: 10/15/2016 8:34:38 PM EDT

[#14]

I used to work for a graphics place and the installers always just used squeegees, brushes and little foam pads on a wooden handle. Seems like you could get by just fine without the 3M tool.

Posted: 10/15/2016 8:48:09 PM EDT

[#15]

here's 4 of them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005S1CHKC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1476578791&sr=8-1&keywords=rollator&pi=SY200_QL40

Posted: 10/15/2016 8:54:18 PM EDT

[#16]

What about this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002VWJYOI/ref=pd_aw_sim_121_of_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SJNAMTQ613RKF8X58MH8

Posted: 10/15/2016 9:42:11 PM EDT

[#17]

Duplicate post

Posted: 10/15/2016 9:42:53 PM EDT

[#18]

...

Posted: 10/15/2016 11:21:17 PM EDT

[#19]

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Quoted:

McMaster, as usual, has exactly what you're looking for. Plastic wheel with a rubber oring tire on a hub. Add bearing and handle.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
look online at skateboard wheels. They make a surprising variety of shape material and size. Plus most are a urethane type material designed to hold up body weight. They might even be able to be trimmed into the shape your looking for. Then you would just need to make a type of handle to use.

This or rollerblade wheels.

Skate board or roller blade wheels would be way too hard

McMaster, as usual, has exactly what you're looking for. Plastic wheel with a rubber oring tire on a hub. Add bearing and handle.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Link? I've tried searching

Posted: 10/15/2016 11:22:36 PM EDT

[#20]

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I used to work for a graphics place and the installers always just used squeegees, brushes and little foam pads on a wooden handle. Seems like you could get by just fine without the 3M tool.

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You certainly can. But there are some situations where the wheel is warranted.

Posted: 10/15/2016 11:24:11 PM EDT

[#21]

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What about this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002VWJYOI/ref=pd_aw_sim_121_of_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SJNAMTQ613RKF8X58MH8

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much too large and it's hard, not rubber. I need a firm rubber wheel about 2.5" in diameter that's about 3/16" thick. Then I need a wheel with a softer rubber the same diameter that's about 3/8" thick.

Posted: 10/16/2016 6:10:18 AM EDT

[#22]

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Link? I've tried searching

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Quoted:

Quoted:
look online at skateboard wheels. They make a surprising variety of shape material and size. Plus most are a urethane type material designed to hold up body weight. They might even be able to be trimmed into the shape your looking for. Then you would just need to make a type of handle to use.

This or rollerblade wheels.

Skate board or roller blade wheels would be way too hard

McMaster, as usual, has exactly what you're looking for. Plastic wheel with a rubber oring tire on a hub. Add bearing and handle.

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Link? I've tried searching

http://www.mcmaster.com/#roller-feeders/=14mbatf

$17

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Posted: 10/16/2016 11:19:26 AM EDT

[#23]

Can you screenshot or something? I didn't see anything at that link that s like what I'm loolong for.

Posted: 10/16/2016 4:14:06 PM EDT

[#24]

If you go the o-ring route, let me know and I will see what we have at work. I bet I can come up with all kinds of different sizes.

Posted: 10/16/2016 4:29:29 PM EDT

[#25]

How about snowmachine idler wheels?

Posted: 10/16/2016 5:24:06 PM EDT

[#26]

These. https://www.amazon.com/349241T-AP3098345-GENUINE-FACTORY-WHIRLPOOL/dp/B00F5M9QTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476652989&sr=8-1&keywords=Dryer+drum+rollers

Posted: 10/16/2016 7:21:47 PM EDT

[#27]

prototype complete. 50 cent screwdriver handle. 1/4" threaded rod and nuts, aluminum flat bar, 10-32 screw and nut. RC airplane wheel. Total investment is about $8.

I heated the screwdriver shaft until it released from the handle, then 'screwed' the threaded rod in. Cut the bar stock to the size i needed and bent it. Drilled some holes, put it all together. Took about 10 minutes.

I think this might work very well. Only question will be how well the foam holds up. But, 2 new wheels are $3.... So....