[kmcclary]

Oh, you've been great, Mike! This thread was definitely NOT to complain about service in ANY way! (And thanks to all for all of the answers to the questions in the other threads! :-) We're dealing with our own part problems on the side.

I was stating part problems as a WARNING to other teams that given how some of these motors wobble now, they obviously have NOT been able take very high side force loads previous competitions have imposed on them, and your warning should be taken VERY SERIOUSLY! <grin> The shaft's metal is either softer than everyone thinks, or else we've REALLY been torturing these things, and the playing field activity is wilder than expected!!!! <grin>

Either way, I would like to explore what the "preferred" method of shaft supports should be to prevent the motor shafts from bending and suffering excessive side forces. My question was to find out what IS legal WRT bearings, and whether bolting on wheels with regular BIG bolts instead of dinky 1/4 shafts IS allowed.

So, how about it? Can we use some big honking stove bolts and washers to attach wheels? Are roller blade / skateboard bearings or other REAL bearings considered shaft "fasteners "or "hinges", or are they all banned and we have to support wheels only using 1/4" shafts and sintered brass bushings?

- Keith McClary, Huron High Team 830