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Old 03-08-2022, 01:16 PM   #1
Chesterspal
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Default Wheel of Fortune

I came across a video about a home made hamster wheel someone here in the US makes and sells on Etsy for around $25 US.

Very neat idea using PVC pipe for the base, a large plastic bowl for the wheel and a rollerblade wheel for the bearing assembly.

People who have one rave about it. They say it goes quite fast and the hammys seem to really take to it.

Which brings me to my question for all of you.

Is it better for the wheel to have some friction so they have to work harder but may get frustrated quicker over the lack of speed or better to have almost no friction so they can go as fast as they can run?

Easy to test the wheel(s) you have. Give them a good spin and see how long they keep spinning.

Let me know. Thanks!
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Old 03-08-2022, 02:35 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

I'd be interested to see that! There were a number of home made bucket wheel videos at one time and sometimes they'd use the centre of an old computer hard drive to make it silent. I never really had the time to try these things out.

In terms of what they prefer - my experience is they prefer one that spins really easily so they can go faster if they want to (sometimes they choose to go a bit slower or just "swing" in it). If a wheel is too hard to push they can get frustrated or give up.
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Old 03-08-2022, 03:20 PM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

Yes, i have also found that our hamsters prefer the easy to spin wheels.
I have a couple of 28cm Trixie wheels in the out of cage time play areas and one needs lubricating which i haven't done yet. All the hamsters, Syrians, dwarfs and Robos spend more time running on the smoothly spinning wheel. Robos especially run very fast and need a wheel that spins easily.
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Old 03-08-2022, 05:39 PM   #4
Chesterspal
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

Syrian Hamster Exercise Wheel Pocket Pets Silent Exercise | Etsy

The Carolina Storm Express Wheel Review - YouTube
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Old 03-09-2022, 05:00 AM   #5
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

I started to make my rats a wheel out of a shallow horse bucket and a lazy susan..but then house move happened and never picked the project back up.

ín the uk, tik tok wheels make a similar construction

I also think a wheel that spins easier is used more
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Old 03-09-2022, 07:32 AM   #6
Chesterspal
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

Tend to agree with these replies. Easier is better for these little guys.

So, I will remove the crappy bearing system on this wheel and go with real industrial bearings and a steel plate and shaft.

After I get done and having already replaced the flimsy wire stand with a rigid aluminum base.... all that will be left from this $40 wheel will be the wheel itself

One thing I do like about this wheel is the way it is shaped. The "cupped" shape of the outer ring keeps the hamster running inside closer to the back. Less chance of him falling or getting thrown out.

At least they got that right.
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Old 03-09-2022, 12:55 PM   #7
Chesterspal
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Default May need to get him a helmet, now

Added two commercial bearings and a steel shaft. Spins like a top, now.



Tonight should be interesting.
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Old 03-09-2022, 02:13 PM   #8
Ria P
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

That is a very interesting construction.
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Old 03-09-2022, 03:17 PM   #9
Stanza
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

Wow, that’s impressive, I bet it spins super smoothly and is prob very quiet. Nice!
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Old 03-10-2022, 04:42 AM   #10
Chesterspal
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Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

Replacing the bearings seems to have made a major difference. The wheel spins much more freely and smoothly.

He was on and off his wheel until almost 6am this morning.

He seems to like to stop short, stand up in it and rock it back and forth. The original wheel would not do that. It just came to a stop when he did.

Anyway, me seems very happy. Was getting constant camera alerts all night that showed he was up and about from around 8pm on.
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