Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Chat

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-08-2022, 01:16 PM   #1
Chesterspal
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 126
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!
Chesterspal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2022, 02:35 PM   #2
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
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.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2022, 03:20 PM   #3
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
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.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2022, 05:39 PM   #4
Chesterspal
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 126
Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

Syrian Hamster Exercise Wheel Pocket Pets Silent Exercise | Etsy

The Carolina Storm Express Wheel Review - YouTube
Chesterspal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 05:00 AM   #5
Amethyst_ice
Moderator
 
Amethyst_ice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 8,033
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
__________________
Feel free to ask me about rat advice too
Amethyst_ice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 07:32 AM   #6
Chesterspal
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 126
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.
Chesterspal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 12:55 PM   #7
Chesterspal
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 126
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.
Chesterspal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 02:13 PM   #8
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

That is a very interesting construction.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 03:17 PM   #9
Stanza
Adult Hamster
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Essex
Posts: 354
Default Re: Wheel of Fortune

Wow, that’s impressive, I bet it spins super smoothly and is prob very quiet. Nice!
Stanza is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2022, 04:42 AM   #10
Chesterspal
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 126
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.
Chesterspal is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fast, friction, frustrated, quicker, wheel

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:57 PM.