Colson 101

[sdcantrell56]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

Agreed on the cost if you're into those manufacturing techniques.

Absolutely. It's all about trade-offs. Their is very little in the world I hate as much as dealing with keys though so its a no brainer for us. Back when we ran colsons in 07 we went with the NPC ones though and they held up great.

[JackS]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I've heard rumors and claims over the year over the actual numbers and how high they are (for traction), but have yet to see anyone do real testing and post.

Anyone done it?

Art Dutra's results here.

JVN's data here.

This is our first year with colsons. We have 6x1.5" wheels and the robot is much harder to push laterally vs our 4x1" roughtop wheels from last year. We made simple press in plugs and didn't even knurl them.

[JesseK]

How would one go about cutting the diamond pattern in the tread like what Art posted?

Conceptually, I can think of a way to draw the pattern on the wheel and then use a mill -- but is there a more efficient way to do it?

Originally Posted by JesseK

How would one go about cutting the diamond pattern in the tread like what Art posted?

Conceptually, I can think of a way to draw the pattern on the wheel and then use a mill -- but is there a more efficient way to do it?

Also, how deep should the pattern be?

[Jared Russell]

I would think a jig and a saw would do the trick.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by Jared341

I would think a jig and a saw would do the trick.

Ah, I can see how to do it very easily with a table saw. Good catch.

[Siri]

Where do you guys buy your Colsons? (Online shippers or storefront in the Philadelphia, PA area) The only distributor the Colson website identified in our area was a wholesaler and uninterested in selling us 4.

I've checked like Robotmarketplace and McMaster, but we're looking for Ecoformas not Performas; specifically 4"x1.25" Encore Ecoforma Flat Grey Tread - less bearing (E2.00004.476).

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by Siri

Where do you guys buy your Colsons? (Online shippers or storefront in the Philadelphia, PA area) The only distributor the Colson website identified in our area was a wholesaler and uninterested in selling us 4.

I've checked like Robotmarketplace and McMaster, but we're looking for Ecoformas not Performas; specifically 4"x1.25" Encore Ecoforma Flat Grey Tread - less bearing (E2.00004.476).

This is information I got directly from calling Colson earlier this season:

The Ecoforma and Performa lines of wheels are the same thing. The Performas are marketed in NAFTA while the Ecoformas are for other regions.

The reason I wanted the Ecoformas specifically is probably the same as you, weight. When speaking to this customer service agent she told me they are the same wheel, and the information on the website regarding the weight of the Ecoformas may be incorrect.

-Brando

[AlexH]

any reason for not going with performas? occasionally colsons pop up on https://www.surpluscenter.com/

grainger sells off brand colsons (albion brand). the durometer is the same as a colson performa.

most of the time I buy my colsons from robot marketplace, but i've bought some off surplus center too.

edit: you could also look into using two of the orange banebots wheels on the same axle. it's a 40a durometer wheel so it should get more grip than a 65a durometer colson. i wouldn't recommend the 30a green banebots wheels, they wear down like crazy. also don't worry about the hole on the banebots wheels not being centered. it wears down to a usable "roundness" after some use...

[R.C.]

Robot Marketplace sells them:

http://www.robotmarketplace.com/prod...on_wheels.html

WCP is going to have 1/2" Hex Plugs for these in the next month or two. Along with a keyed version of the plug for robot marketplace/their battle bots line.

-RC

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by JackS

Art Dutra's results here.

JVN's data here.

This is our first year with colsons. We have 6x1.5" wheels and the robot is much harder to push laterally vs our 4x1" roughtop wheels from last year. We made simple press in plugs and didn't even knurl them.

Neither of these are really useful information. To make a comparison one must perform the same test on colson wheels, traction wheels, and other other wheels one wishes to compare.

Merely throwing out CoF isn't enough.

[sanddrag]

Linco Caster in South El Monte, California has them and has been pleasant to deal with in the past.

[waialua359]

After reading this entire thread, I am now convinced that we will in all probability, use Colsons next year.

[sdcantrell56]

Originally Posted by waialua359

After reading this entire thread, I am now convinced that we will in all probability, use Colsons next year.

Glenn,

Feel free to stop by and check them out on our robot at Lonestar.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Brandon Holley

This is information I got directly from calling Colson earlier this season:

The Ecoforma and Performa lines of wheels are the same thing. The Performas are marketed in NAFTA while the Ecoformas are for other regions.

The reason I wanted the Ecoformas specifically is probably the same as you, weight. When speaking to this customer service agent she told me they are the same wheel, and the information on the website regarding the weight of the Ecoformas may be incorrect.

-Brando

Wow, thanks. We were looking for the weight. I think the Ecoforma weight may be correct though, because Robotmarketplace Performas are 4oz/ea. I think we're getting one to play around with; we'll see.