VexPro still out of stock?

[Richard Wallace]

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]

Not to steer you away from VexPro, but Andymark has those items in stock.

[weberr]

You can get hex stock from Speedymetals.com

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Nichols

Not to steer you away from VexPro, but Andymark has those items in stock.

... But they aren't anodized black for performance!

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by weberr

You can get hex stock from Speedymetals.com

what's the best variant to get from there???

[Chris Endres]

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]

Originally Posted by Chris Endres

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]

Originally Posted by MechEng83

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]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

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. Of course, this recommendation comes with the expected disclaimer - not officially endorsed by VEXpro, not guaranteed to be 100% compatible, etc.

[Chris Endres]

Originally Posted by MechEng83

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]

Originally Posted by Grant Cox

For what it's worth, Aren's replacement 1/2" hex shaft of choice comes from OnlineMetals.com. 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]

Originally Posted by MechEng83

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Racer26

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]

You could always machine your own