MY DIY Bucket Wheel

[SKB_Hamsters]

Originally Posted by Elliiy

if your looking to make a larger wheel you can always use a bucket, but great tips will have to try this

I recommend trying this you won't be disappointed. I used a 12l bucket for my wheel which I had to cut in half but I think you can get buckets with larger diameter for larger Syrians but I'm restricted on size due to my cage height and Sherbet is a fairly small Syrian (but I think my wheel is a similar size to the Carolina storm wheel) I'm also planning on getting different colour buckets so I can change the colour of the wheel

[Pebbles82]

Wow - I am so impressed with that! You are clever! Sherbet definitely seems to like it. How did you sort out the base and stand? Is it legs from something like a stool or something?

Could you do a tutorial on how you made it?

I didn't actually know there was a Uk distributor for CSW's!

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Wow - I am so impressed with that! You are clever! Sherbet definitely seems to like it. How did you sort out the base and stand? Is it legs from something like a stool or something?

Could you do a tutorial on how you made it?

I didn't actually know there was a Uk distributor for CSW's!

You can just use PVC pipes to make a stand,it's the same thing that CSW's and CSE's have

[SKB_Hamsters]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Wow - I am so impressed with that! You are clever! Sherbet definitely seems to like it. How did you sort out the base and stand? Is it legs from something like a stool or something?

Could you do a tutorial on how you made it?

I didn't actually know there was a Uk distributor for CSW's!

Thank you so much, it turned out much better than I expected. Sherbet loves it also last night was the first night she had it in her cage and she was actually running on it when I was writing the first post for this thread. Also after her playtime today she had a little run before going to bed.

I will link the websites I used later also I will write also how I did mine. Also I will post some more photos of the bucket wheel in her cage!

The U.K distributor is on Facebook they go by Carolina Storm Wheels UK which buy from the US in bulk so they can sell the wheels cheaper.

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

You can just use PVC pipes to make a stand,it's the same thing that CSW's and CSE's have

As amityvilleHams said I made the wheel stand from PVC pipes.

[CMB]

I think I have seen a you tube tutorial on making a bucket wheel.

[SKB_Hamsters]

Originally Posted by CMB

I think I have seen a you tube tutorial on making a bucket wheel.

I couldn't find a good YouTube tutorial on how to make a bucket wheel which include measurements. But I kept seeing reviews for buckets wheel on YouTube and I really wanted one, and some said that the wheel looks fairly simple to make yourself, so I thought I would give it a try.

[SKB_Hamsters]

As requested here is how I made my DIY Bucket Wheel.

Syrian Hamster Approved
Difficulty Rating – Intermediate/ Hard (This depends upon your DIY skills)
Time Required – 2 hours minimum
Estimate Cost – £10 to £15 (mine cost £14.10)
Website I Used – I found these websites which have really good and easy to follow tutorials I used aspects of both make my wheel.

Hedgies.com:Bucket Wheel (I used this one mainly as the instructions are more clear)
Silent Hedghog/Pet Wheel (this website has other options to make the wheel rotate)


Material and Equipment Required –
• 12l Bucket
• PVC Pipe (22mm diameter)
o 4 PVC pipe 90 degree elbow joints
o 1 PVC pipe T-Joints
• Scooter Wheel with ball bearing(a rollerblade wheel can be used instead)
• M8 Bolt which is 90mm in length (The diameter depends upon the diameter of the ball bearing and the length you require) (M8 = 8mm)
• M8 Nut (x2), Washer (x3) and Wing nut (x1)
• 3 Cable tie
• Tenon Saw
• Hand Saw
• Masking Tape
• Permanent Marker
• Sand Paper
• Rule (0mm is at the end of a rule – makes measuring easier) or a Ruler
• Scissors
• Drill and Drill bit
• Workbench with clamp (or somewhere you can work safely)

Method –

The Stand
1. I made my stand first. Initially I marked out each section (two 4inch pieces, two 5 inch pieces, and two 9 inch pieces). Using a tenon saw cut all the pieces, sand the ends and then assemble the stand the two 4 inch piece will be placed with the T-junction to equal a length of 9 inch, 5 inch pieces are the side and the other 9 inch piece will be the upright. I made it into a rectangular base as I couldn’t find end caps.
2. Drill a 8mm hole through the upright section to the height you want (this is best to be done after the bucket had been cut)

The Bucket
3. I measured 4 inch from the base of the bucket on the outside make little mark around the bucket, then use masking tape, tape around the bucket connecting all your lines. Best to tape on the part of the wheel you need as this protects the part of the bucket from scratches when you first try to cut into the bucket.
4. Cut the bucket to size using a hand saw, it does take a bit of time and effort to initially cut into the bucket once you cut into the bucket the rest is easier.
5. Sand the edges initially with a high grit number sand paper to straighten the edge and then using a fine grit number sand paper to smooth the edges and leave a shiny edge.

The Wheel Mechanism
6. Drill a 8mm hole through the exact centre of bucket (it doesn’t matter if the hole is slightly off, mine is and it still works fine).
7. Mark 6 smaller holes around the 8mm hole on the bucket. I found it was easier to attach the bolt through bucket and place the scooter wheel onto the bolt and secure with a nut, using the desired drill bit (large enough to fit a cable tie through), mark between the spindles of the wheel at even intervals for your 6 holes. Remove the bolt, scooter wheel and nut and then drill the holes.
3. Thread the bolt through the bucket, scooter wheel, then a washer and secure with a nut. Place the cable tie through the holes and tighten so the bucket is attached the scooter wheel and cut the excess of the cable ties.
4. Then I screwed another nut onto the bolt (use how many nuts you want), add another washer, then put the bolt through the PVC pipe add another washer and secure in place with a wing nut. An important point is making sure the nut and wing nuts are not too tight otherwise the wheel won’t spin as freely.



You wheel should now be complete. The picture included in the first post so the wheel at different angles. I personally tilt the wheel slightly back so the running track is flat this prevent your hamster from falling out.

The final stage is getting your hamsters approval; Sherbet loves her DIY bucket wheel.

I recommend making your own wheel but if you are not good at DIY I would also consider buying a bucket wheel but prices can really vary.

Here are some photos of my bucket wheel inside Sherbets Ferplast Mary cage which has a height of 37.5cm.

[Pebbles82]

Great tutorial! I reckoned I could have a go until it got to work bench and drill bits lol - but there's probably a way round that if determined! The idea of using a rollerblade wheel or scooter wheel is excellent.

Maybe you could go into manufacture!

[Scarlett Empress]

This is brilliant! I'm glad Sherbert is pleased with it.

Smokey already has two Karlie wheels, one in the cage and one out, so I don't really need to make her another wheel...but I think I might have a go anyway!

[SKB_Hamsters]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Great tutorial! I reckoned I could have a go until it got to work bench and drill bits lol - but there's probably a way round that if determined! The idea of using a rollerblade wheel or scooter wheel is excellent.

Maybe you could go into manufacture!

Thanks I tried to keep the tutorial simple so it would be easier to follow. The scooter/rollerblade wheel have ball bearings which fit into them which is similar to the ball bearings in the silent spinner wheels. Also one day I want my own business making small pet toys and chews to combine both my hobbies of design and animals.

Originally Posted by Scarlett Empress

This is brilliant! I'm glad Sherbert is pleased with it.

Smokey already has two Karlie wheels, one in the cage and one out, so I don't really need to make her another wheel...but I think I might have a go anyway!

Thank you, Sherbet absolutely loves it she runs on it at night more than she did with her previous wheel, considering her age she is still fairly active and still loves her wheel. But I think she prefers it as it has a larger running track and no front panel. I had two trixie wheels one inside her cage and one out but as I noticed her becoming angry with the front panel I decided to give it a go myself, You can never have too much hamster stuff including wheels!