View Single Post
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-04-2014, 21:59
Teched3 Teched3 is offline
Hodge1
FRC #0175 (BuzzRobotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 319
Teched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud ofTeched3 has much to be proud of
Smile Re: Attaching Tread on Vex Traction Wheels

When we use traction material on our wheels, we use "Shoe Goop" as the adhesive we sand the mating surfaces and clean with alcohol to remove oil and dust. We make up sheet metal clamps out of soft steel and square bar stock and pull tight with a vise or vise grips until the glue has cured. After the glue has cured, we then drill holes on the perimeter of the wheel rim near the spokes, slightly larger than the stainless safety wire we use. We then loop the safety wire across the tread, and twist the safety wire with a safety wire plier and cut to length and fold to the interior of the wheel. Drill double holes where you join the ends about 3/8" apart so you can tie down the ends of the tread joint. Cut the tread slightly shorter ( 1/16-1/8") than what you determine by hand wrapping. This will prevent buckling at the joint when clamping. Never lost a tread yet, and tread can be replaced by cutting the safety wire and peeling the tread back and away from the wheel. We normally place the tread joint in the middle of the spokes for more room for the double holes. We build two sets as insurance which will allow us to change out worn tread, and allow overnight glue curing of the repaired wheels. Just FYI, we have changed to Colson's this year. A lot less work, and no loss of performance.
__________________
Sweat the details
Why is there never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it again!
Even if you're on the right track, if you sit still, you'll get run over!!!