3/8" Hubs
 

Hey Chief Delphi,

I made a mistake early on in the season when ordering parts and underestimated the number of 3/8" hubs my team needs for our design:

http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0134a.htm

AndyMark is out of both of their 375 Key Hub versions. Obviously this is a popular product this season. I've looked at a few other websites and can't find any comparable products that are available. Are there any sites that you know of that has something like this?

Worst case scenario, I know we can change the shaft size and use different sized hubs. However, we've already invested a decent amount in the proper slotted rod, pillow blocks, and other things that would work for 3/8" shaft.

Re: 3/8" Hubs
 

Do you have access to a 3D printer? You could always print some temporary hubs while waiting for the back ordered hubs.

Otherwise you could get a solid tube of aluminum and drill out the center with a hand drill. If you have access to a mill and a lathe you could make them yourself relatively easily, provided you have the time.

Re: 3/8" Hubs
 

You couyld buy 1/4" hubs and bore them out to 3/8" and broach the key yourself.

http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0215a.htm

Re: 3/8" Hubs
 

Or bore them out and then add set screws since they might not have a broach.

Re: 3/8" Hubs
 

1. Like others are suggesting: If you got a drill press and a decent arbor press you could buy the .25" drill it out to 3/8" and broach the key way.

2. If you got a mill or perhaps a drill press you could make a dutch key. A dutch key is made by drilling/milling parallel to the shaft forming a round key way. You could do this with the 3/8" hex hub, drill out a round key way and push in a pin to make a key. This is weaker the method 1

3. Alternatively order the 3/8" hex and shove a shim or shaved down key into shaft key way. Probably the weakest solution.


2 and 3 could get you going until you get the parts you need. 1 probably the best.

Re: 3/8" Hubs
 

We have been adapting our own belt pulleys and find that a ream is far better than a drill for fitting the shaft. A 3/8 drill is not exactly 3/8 but a ream is.

Re: 3/8" Hubs
 

Set screws and lock tight will get you out of a bind.

Re: 3/8" Hubs
 

Great suggestions.

We do not have an arbor press but we do have a decent drill press and a lathe. Getting the 1/4" hub and drilling it out to 3/8" might be our best bet at this rate.

Thanks for your help!