pic: Simple single reduction duel CIM gearbox

[Andrew Schreiber]

Since the discussion seems to be focused on weight savings, one thing I havent heard mentioned yet is to drop from 3/16 to 1/8, will eliminate a 1/3 of the weight from the aluminum. Pocketing is great but it really doesnt remove THAT much weight compared to using thinner material. Either way you are using the same amount of material but often by using the thinner material you can eliminate machining operations. For example, I would be willing to bet that by using 1/8" you could not do ANY of those holes in the plates and the weight would be pretty close. On the other hand, it is better to have too much material where you don't need it than to not have enough where you do.

Also, why does that shaft have to be so long? That is probably a good deal of your weight, 1/2" steel, about 4" long? That is about .88 lbs right there.