Vince Lok
03-24-2010, 2:13 PM
Hi guys, I'm building some push bikes (ie; bikes with no pedals, you just scoot on them) for my kids. I have the basic design thought out and I bought some spoked wheels. The frame will be 1/2" hardwood plywood. I have a few questions that maybe you can help me with;
axles:
The wheels have bearings and will take a 1/2" axle. I can use a threaded rod and wood insert nuts in the wooden frame, but I'm afraid that unless I fill in the threads where the wheel rides in the bearing, it might damage the bearing sleeve (or whatever it's called). I can use a solid steel rod and cut threads in the ends to fit into wood insert nuts (or even just regular nuts). I can use the steel rod and use "Axle push nuts/caps" on the end.
I'm leaning towards just using a section of rod with the push nuts. Would they be sufficient? (The kids will be 2 1/2 (twins) by the time they get to ride these so it's not like older kids will be abusing the bikes). Also would I need to add something to the plywood so that the holes for the axles don't get reamed out or excessively worn? Perhaps a sleeve through the wood?
head-stem hole:
OK, so for the front of the bike, it will be an upside down U shaped piece of plywood. Actually it will be two 1/2" pieces glued to make a 1" thick piece. The issue is ... how would I drill axle holes and head-stem holes LATERALLY through the sheet with any semblance of accuracy? My thought is that before gluing the two piece of 1/2" ply together, I could route a half round channel with a fair amount of accuracy on both pieces, then when the pieces are glued together, there would be a round hole between them. Any thoughts?
Hard to picture, so here's a link to plans that I plan to use as a reference;
http://crumleydotorg.chattablogs.com/archives/038834.html
Thanks for your help!
Vince
axles:
The wheels have bearings and will take a 1/2" axle. I can use a threaded rod and wood insert nuts in the wooden frame, but I'm afraid that unless I fill in the threads where the wheel rides in the bearing, it might damage the bearing sleeve (or whatever it's called). I can use a solid steel rod and cut threads in the ends to fit into wood insert nuts (or even just regular nuts). I can use the steel rod and use "Axle push nuts/caps" on the end.
I'm leaning towards just using a section of rod with the push nuts. Would they be sufficient? (The kids will be 2 1/2 (twins) by the time they get to ride these so it's not like older kids will be abusing the bikes). Also would I need to add something to the plywood so that the holes for the axles don't get reamed out or excessively worn? Perhaps a sleeve through the wood?
head-stem hole:
OK, so for the front of the bike, it will be an upside down U shaped piece of plywood. Actually it will be two 1/2" pieces glued to make a 1" thick piece. The issue is ... how would I drill axle holes and head-stem holes LATERALLY through the sheet with any semblance of accuracy? My thought is that before gluing the two piece of 1/2" ply together, I could route a half round channel with a fair amount of accuracy on both pieces, then when the pieces are glued together, there would be a round hole between them. Any thoughts?
Hard to picture, so here's a link to plans that I plan to use as a reference;
http://crumleydotorg.chattablogs.com/archives/038834.html
Thanks for your help!
Vince