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View Full Version : VexPro still out of stock?

Richard Wallace
07-05-2014, 13:10
Sorry for raising this topic again -- I really like prototyping with VexPro parts, whether for FRC robots or for other projects.

One of those projects needs some 1/2" hex shaft and bearings. Can someone from VexPro or therobotspace or WCP please advise when these will be back in stock?

I would like to plan ... :)

Thanks,
Jimmy Nichols
07-05-2014, 13:15
Not to steer you away from VexPro, but Andymark has those items in stock.
weberr
07-05-2014, 13:18
You can get hex stock from Speedymetals.com
cadandcookies
07-05-2014, 13:27
Not to steer you away from VexPro, but Andymark has those items in stock.

... But they aren't anodized black for performance! :P
geomapguy
07-05-2014, 13:37
You can get hex stock from Speedymetals.com

what's the best variant to get from there???
Chris Endres
07-05-2014, 13:45
You can also get hex stock from McMaster Carr. It is a little smaller on each side (-.002~). We used it this year and it works great and is honestly what we are going to use for now on. It does easily interact/work with VexPro/Andymark hex objects: hubs, collars, etc.
MechEng83
07-05-2014, 13:54
You can also get hex stock from McMaster Carr. It is a little smaller on each side (-.002~). We used it this year and it works great and is honestly what we are going to use for now on. It does easily interact/work with VexPro/Andymark hex objects: hubs, collars, etc.

Our experience was less than excellent using the 6061 1/2" hex from McMaster this year. It was as much as 0.005" over in some places, making it nearly impossible to install into the hex bearings and some of the hex collars. We did find the 2024 aluminum hex to be slightly undersized and work perfectly for us. It's significantly more expensive, but we didn't mind the extra strength it provided.
Jimmy Nichols
07-05-2014, 14:43
Our experience was less than excellent using the 6061 1/2" hex from McMaster this year. It was as much as 0.005" over in some places, making it nearly impossible to install into the hex bearings and some of the hex collars. We did find the 2024 aluminum hex to be slightly undersized and work perfectly for us. It's significantly more expensive, but we didn't mind the extra strength it provided.

We also used the 2024 High Strength AL from McMaster and had no issues with it fitting the AM Hex collars or bearings.

We ordered it in a 5 foot stick to save some cost.
Grant Cox
07-05-2014, 16:33
One of those projects needs some 1/2" hex shaft and bearings. Can someone from VexPro or therobotspace or WCP please advise when these will be back in stock?

Unfortunately, both the 1/2" Hex Shaft and associated 1/2" Hex Bearings will not be back in stock until late summer, potentially early fall. I would keep an eye out when they come back, though.. we're constantly reviewing product applications in FRC and beyond, finding ways to make our products even more useful for teams.

For what it's worth, Aren's replacement 1/2" hex shaft of choice comes from OnlineMetals.com (http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=1285&step=2&top_cat=60). Of course, this recommendation comes with the expected disclaimer - not officially endorsed by VEXpro, not guaranteed to be 100% compatible, etc.
Chris Endres
07-05-2014, 18:02
Our experience was less than excellent using the 6061 1/2" hex from McMaster this year. It was as much as 0.005" over in some places, making it nearly impossible to install into the hex bearings and some of the hex collars. We did find the 2024 aluminum hex to be slightly undersized and work perfectly for us. It's significantly more expensive, but we didn't mind the extra strength it provided.

We used the steel, not the aluminum, forgot to mention that.
ehochstein
07-05-2014, 19:05
For what it's worth, Aren's replacement 1/2" hex shaft of choice comes from OnlineMetals.com (http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=1285&step=2&top_cat=60). Of course, this recommendation comes with the expected disclaimer - not officially endorsed by VEXpro, not guaranteed to be 100% compatible, etc.

Andymark sells it for much cheaper than onlinemetals.com. $20 for six feet and $5 for a foot.
ThunderousPrime
07-05-2014, 19:13
Our experience was less than excellent using the 6061 1/2" hex from McMaster this year. It was as much as 0.005" over in some places, making it nearly impossible to install into the hex bearings and some of the hex collars. We did find the 2024 aluminum hex to be slightly undersized and work perfectly for us. It's significantly more expensive, but we didn't mind the extra strength it provided.

I spoke with 846 team members who also explicitly recommended Vexpro Hex stock over McMaster Carr. They said that the tolerances were off/not precise enough as well.
Racer26
08-05-2014, 14:42
IIRC, the fitment issues are because the McMaster stuff is toleranced to +/- 0.005", while the VexPro stuff is toleranced to -0.005/+0.000.
MechEng83
08-05-2014, 14:55
IIRC, the fitment issues are because the McMaster stuff is toleranced to +/- 0.005", while the VexPro stuff is toleranced to -0.005/+0.000.

Yes. I completely agree that having something with a +0.000 tolerance would be better. That doesn't get my robot built if I'm on a deadline. You take what's available and modify as necessary to achieve your objective. McMaster is generally always available.
Mk.32
08-05-2014, 15:00
You could always machine your own ;)
TheHolyHades1
08-05-2014, 15:09
If I'm not mistaken, wcp also sells hex stock? It doesn't appear as though they're out of stock, though I can't comment on tolerances.
TheHolyHades1
08-05-2014, 15:16
If I'm not mistaken, wcp also sells hex stock? It doesn't appear as though they're out of stock, though I can't comment on tolerances.
http://www.wcproducts.net/hex-stock/
tim-tim
08-05-2014, 17:17
If I'm not mistaken, wcp also sells hex stock? It doesn't appear as though they're out of stock, though I can't comment on tolerances.
http://www.wcproducts.net/hex-stock/

WCP sells the VEXpro hex shaft. It does appear that they currently have the 3' 1/2" hex in stock.

Maybe R.C. can chime in on the availability on things.
#HellaParts
TheHolyHades1
08-05-2014, 17:32
WCP sells the VEXpro hex shaft. It does appear that they currently have the 3' 1/2" hex in stock.

Maybe R.C. can chime in on the availability on things.
#HellaParts

Gotcha, thanks. Sorry for the double post.
R.C.
08-05-2014, 18:14
WCP sells the VEXpro hex shaft. It does appear that they currently have the 3' 1/2" hex in stock.

Maybe R.C. can chime in on the availability on things.
#HellaParts

We resale all of the VEXpro parts, we have a few pieces of 3' 1/2" hex stock left. We had a local customer who ordered too much return us some (brand new in the package).

We won't have anymore in stock soon, this is just leftover.

#ThanksTIM!