Plastic Clamping Blocks

[Cash4587]

I love the plastic bearing blocks. Cheap. Simple to use. Don't need precision holes. And work in just about every place if used correctly. The only thing plastic we have had a problem with so far is the plastic hubs. Plastic versa hubs do not like thunderhex in a high torque load and they especially do not like hard stops with thunderhex. Other than that, I would purchase all of these again

[mrnoble]

I'm sure there is constructive criticism to be had for vex this year, as in any year, but really. I am nothing but impressed. Two years ago I started searching everywhere (like, worldwide) for a product exactly like what they produced with VersaFrame. What a company.

[Ben Martin]

We're running four of the gearboxes and one of the bearing blocks--happy with the results.

I'll echo everyone else's comments about tightening on the gearboxes--we have to make sure everyone has proper training before they attach/detach any bolts from the gearbox due to risk of deforming the plastic.

[JesseK]

Running 4 aluminum clamping bearing blocks on the drive train, 1 plastic clamping gearbox as the first stage of the lift.

For the drive train blocks, we had to shave away some powder coat in order to get these on after powder coating. No big deal - they are tight-toleranced for a reason.

There wasn't much finagling to get the plastic clamping gearbox onto the powder-coated rail it lives on. It still slides for tensioning, but takes a lot more force (expected).

Do any teams have experience with these plastic bearing blocks on powder coating?

[MoistRobot]

Originally Posted by Cash4587

I love the plastic bearing blocks. Cheap. Simple to use. Don't need precision holes. And work in just about every place if used correctly. The only thing plastic we have had a problem with so far is the plastic hubs. Plastic versa hubs do not like thunderhex in a high torque load and they especially do not like hard stops with thunderhex. Other than that, I would purchase all of these again

I don't believe the plastic versa hubs are intended to transfer torque loads at all; vex reccommends them as a support item to be used in conjunction with an aluminum hub.

[Aren_Hill]

Originally Posted by MoistRobot

I don't believe the plastic versa hubs are intended to transfer torque loads at all; vex reccommends them as a support item to be used in conjunction with an aluminum hub.

They are also usable for torque transfer, but obviously can handle less torque than their aluminum counterparts. This makes them good for lighter duty applications.

I've used them how you described, but also for some rollers this year.

-Aren