Black Roughtop

We've used both the black stuff from McMaster, and the Blue Nitrile. The blue is far superior, and is even thicker. If it's style you're going for, ditch it and go with the blue nitrile from McMaster.


[edit]

The part number for what we use, and have never had any issues with, is 5994K851
Look it up, and give it a try. As long as you properly attach it, you won't have any problems.

[les chortos]

you may want to try an industrial rubber supplier in the closes big city .I located one where I live and they had huge rolls of conveyor belting. And I mean 60" wide and 6' in diameter. - I asked to go thru there stock and found all the different belting you see on virtually every robot at a regional. I bought a piece of wedge grip the flat diamond stuff a lot of teams use. tan in colour for about 50$. 3ft. x 4ft. that way you can cut it any size you want.this place I sent to allowed me to go thru the small "scrap pieces bin" and that is what I picked out.

They also can make belts- they have all the special volcanizing material to make treads of the same thing if you choose.

- I felt I was in robot tread heaven.!!!

good luck and happy shopping.

[newton418]

Originally Posted by 114ManualLabor

We've used both the black stuff from McMaster, and the Blue Nitrile. The blue is far superior, and is even thicker. If it's style you're going for, ditch it and go with the blue nitrile from McMaster.


[edit]

The part number for what we use, and have never had any issues with, is 5994K851
Look it up, and give it a try. As long as you properly attach it, you won't have any problems.

Hmm, I disagree about the blue being superior. 418 used the blue nitrile roughtop last year, and it was awesome stuff. This year we wanted to test out different materials and we found that the black rough top has more traction and holds up better (though it does leave some scuff marks after heavy pushing matches). I was totally shocked to see that there is no noticable wear on our tread - at all. But ultimately, both are great choices.

[thefro526]

Do the blue nitrile and black treads have longer life over normal tan rubber treads? If so would they be a wise investment to replace the tan rubber with them.

[David]

the black neoprene from Mcmaster work well and have almost zero wear

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by 114ManualLabor

We've used both the black stuff from McMaster, and the Blue Nitrile. The blue is far superior, and is even thicker. If it's style you're going for, ditch it and go with the blue nitrile from McMaster.


[edit]

The part number for what we use, and have never had any issues with, is 5994K851
Look it up, and give it a try. As long as you properly attach it, you won't have any problems.

I second the blue being better. For a neglible decrease in traction, it wears much better.

I found that after 2 matches we had worn the black tread out to a point where its traction was significantly reduced. After an entire regional, the blue tread was still as rough as new.

however; When improperely attached (ie, putting side by side rivets on 1/2" tread) the blue shreds very easily. The same attachment left the black intact. However, switching to one single fastener down the center, we had no such problems.