Silencing the Silent Spinner?

[DaniBearxx]

So I actually have not one but two questions, one about Sammie's silent spinner wheel and one about bin cages.

I bought Sammie a 12" silent spinner wheel about two months ago. And lately it's been rattling. It started rattling probably around a month ago and the rattling just increased gradually. It's gotten to the point where I can't sleep at all. It hasn't been much of a big deal because I haven't had school recently because of winter break and the weather. But, I'll probably being going back soon so I need a solution. I've racked my brain and looked online everywhere how to get the rattling to stop. I took the wheel apart, oiled it, tightened the yellow thing inside of the wheel. None of it has stopped the rattling and frankly it's driving me nuts! Any ideas on how to fix it or has anyone else had this problem with their silent spinner??

I'm considering making a bin cage for Sammie. As of right now she's in a 10gallon tank, and it's not enough space for her. I feel as if she'd be happier in a bigger home so she can have more toys in with her and more space. My only issue is space- I'd have to find somewhere to put it, where is right now is on an old tv stand/ dresser. What does it take to make a bin cage and what would the estimated cost be to make one? Do hamsters seem to like bin cages? What are the pros and cons of owning a bin cage? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions just really curious!

[DexterChloe]

I can't answer the questions about the silent spinner I'm afraid. But I'm sure someone else who's had one can.

But bin cages I can talk about!!!
All you need to make a bin cage is a decent sized plastic tub with a decent lid that locks. Some wire mesh, some nuts and bolts and something to cut the plastic with. I used a soldering iron but if I made another one id probably invest in a jigsaw.

In total mine cost approx. £35 (sorry I know you're from the US I have no idea what that is in $)

There are loads of videos on YouTube and lots of info on here that you can use to decide whether or not a bin cage is right for you and your hammy.

Pros- more space for your money, you can make it exactly how you want it to be so it's right for your hammy. It's fun to make!!

Cons- they take a long time to do properly. You need to double check everything to make sure you haven't left any sharp edges or anything else that could hurt your ham. They don't look as 'nice' as a store bought cage.

My hamster LOVES her cage. And I actually prefer it to the Hamster Heaven that I have my other Syrian in. There just seems to be more space for her and it's nice to know that I made it all by myself!! Lol

Hope this helps

[BrainGirl]

DexterChloe, that is an epic bin cage! I'm jealous

DaniBearxx, are you sure it's the wheel itself that is rattling or could it possibly be the base of it rocking on the glass floor or maybe even knocking against the wall? I'm just wondering that as your ham has grown in size she may have reached a weight that's only just started the thing to move around a bit. Can you hang your wheel from the roof and see if that makes a difference?

[DexterChloe]

Why thank you!

[Truffle]

I have heard of several other people who had problems with the 12" silent spinner rattling, I have the 6.5" one and have never had a problem with it so I am afraid that I am not much help. If it is the base that is rattling, my friend puts a couple of sheets of toliet paper underneath the stand and she says that helps. Though I guess that will do nothing if the wheel itself is the problem...

I was just wondering weather the 12" wheel fits in a 10 gallon tank? - if it does I bet that it must take up most of the space

Now for bin cages, I have personally made two (for no real reason, other than the fact that I want to try- and it looked fun!)

Each of mine cost me £12 as I had every thing apart from the Bin and the Nuts and Bolt already. As you live in the US, the storage bin itself needs to be a minimum of 110 Quarts so that you can provide enough space for you hamster- though bigger the better! I believe that you can buy bins from target etc. I don't know if there is a Ikea anywhere close to you but they sell the SAMLA (I think) bins, and the largest size is perfect for a hamster as it is 80 x 50 cm.

There are loads of imformation on the internet on how to make a bin cage... but here is the video I used to help me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PSSYPjVL9k

I personally love my bin cages... I don't use them as my main cage- just as a loft area or spare cage. I have decorated them in stickers etc, and in my opinion they look pretty!

[fluffydd]

I have a very rattly silent spinner. It wasn't new when I got it but it was still quiet but I had to take it away from my lemmings as it got so noisy that we couldn't hear the TV. When I investigated what was wrong with it I noticed all the noise was coming from the two plastic halves rattling against each other because they didn't fit together tightly. When I took the coloured front bit off and gave the white part a spin it was really quiet. I've not tried yet but what I plan to do is stick the 2 plastic halves together with aquarium sealant. I'll let you know if it works.

[racinghamster]

I take a dab of superglue and just prize the two parts of the silent spinner apart using a knife and place a dab of glue between them. Lie the wheel flat on it`s face and place a heavy object on each side. Wait at least a good hour to make sure the superglue has dried solid. Usually stops the two parts rattling and it also sticks both parts together to prevent any little claws becoming trapped. Why Superpet didn`t just mould one large piece of plastic rather than trying to clasp two parts together, I don`t know. But then cage designers don`t get it right either when it comes to good access!

I love the medium silent spinners and always used them for my mice, but just recently, the SS wheel I use for my robo Fred have started to `click` loudly and it doesn`t appear to be the plastic parts causing it. I think the yellow back clip encases the running disc and this fails sometimes, causing the clicking noise. I`ve tried using WD40 and vegetable oil but they don`t work.

Aquarium sealant is also a good medium to use for filling in gaps or cracks. x

[souffle]

My main problem is with the back yellow part. On the flat bit where it pushes on to the stand via the two indented bits that tends to crack meaning the wheel becomes wobbly and hits on the stand as it turns. If you have had it less that a year they will send a new centre out if you complain!
Ours bounce on the plastic so we do tape them down to the cage floors to stop this.

[BrainGirl]

Originally Posted by racinghamster

Why Superpet didn`t just mould one large piece of plastic rather than trying to clasp two parts together, I don`t know.

I can answer this question at least, having once worked in a plastics factory! The reason is that for shapes that are semi-enclosed, instead of being completely open and preferably wider at one end, the mold won't be able to open. Injection molding machines have (very expensive) metal molds that are in 2 halves. The machine pushes them together, molten plastic is fired into the chambers under high pressure, rapidly cooled to harden the plastic, and then the machine pulls the mold halves apart and the piece(s) drop out.

If you could mold plastic using something like the lost wax process you could get a one-piece wheel but alas, that would mean destroying the mold, and when your mold costs 6 figures you really don't want to do that

[racinghamster]

It`s always down to money isn`t it!!!!! Sealing the parts together with superglue (be VERY careful and use latex gloves when working with superglue as it`s lethal if you get stuck to it!) or clear aquarium sealant....probably the better option!