Power Kite Forum

Axle Adapters

Glx - 22-10-2017 at 06:28 PM

I got a set of sysmic rims on the way with 20mm bearings. My flexi has 12mm bolts so I am looking for 20mm to 12mm axle adapters. After checking online I found ss adapters but got sticker shock at $20 per each wheel so decided to see if i could turn them on my little sherline lathe.
Well, today i learned that my mini lathe and the hss cutting tools that I have do not stand a chance against 314ss.
Anybody has used either brass or nylon to make axle adapters? If yes how have they worked for you?

Lowes

shehatesmyhobbies - 23-10-2017 at 03:41 AM


Glx - 23-10-2017 at 07:56 AM

Thanks Rich.

Do you use just plastic bushings with a washer installed on the bolt or can you find top hats at Lowes.

I will check lowes out today anyaways.

Thanks

JimSSI - 23-10-2017 at 11:30 AM

My Black Widow uses 3/4 " bolts ('Murican!), roughly 19 mm, and Van suggested a bit of electric tape to make up the difference. I built up only the areas 'under' the bearings.

You have much further to go.

I'm a fan of PVC pipe - if you used 1/2 " ID, you're 12.7 mm ID, but looks too big in the OD at 21.3 mm.

How would that lathe do at turning some PVC pipe?

Glx - 23-10-2017 at 11:58 AM

That would work out perfect because i could turn the pvc down to 20mm and still have a slight shoulder on it. I was mainly concerned if plastic woukd be OK and it sounds like it is. This gives me many options. Thx.

cheezycheese - 23-10-2017 at 11:59 AM

I had some cut from aluminum.

Glx - 23-10-2017 at 12:48 PM

Thanks Cheezy. I can work with aluminum, brass, plastic, mild steel. Just was not certain if I had to use stainless. Looks like a lot of you guys are using materials other than stainless, so I think i am all set with turning them myself with either pvc, nylon or aluminum.

bigkid - 23-10-2017 at 01:49 PM

PL sent out aluminum spacers when they went to 20mm in all the new wheels. Might see if they have more to sell.

shehatesmyhobbies - 23-10-2017 at 05:31 PM

Well I can't see it but I guess you did
Im not using any punctuation any more
I can not take this apple product issue as I only have apple products lol
Yes lowes had everything I needed was done in a jiffy and did several wheels for others this way with no issues
They were of the top hat variety in those little fold out drawers in hardware
Not sure I would be a fan of nylon for this application as there is a lot of side load and possibly heat build up for a quick replacement indeed

Wind_dog - 24-10-2017 at 08:26 AM

They are available in SS and nylon for Sysmic rims.

www.buggykiteshop.com/index.php/wheel-spares/wheel-accessori...

Glx - 27-10-2017 at 08:45 PM

Thank you guys. Already made top hats with aluminum stock and the wheels are installed on the buggy. Hopping for some wind tomorrow so I get to try them out.

Glx - 29-10-2017 at 02:39 PM

Thank you guys for the advice. Today got to try the buggy with the aluminum top hats and it worked perfectly. Wind was about 12-14 mph coming directly from the water and I got up to 29.8mph (my best speed to date) with a soulfly buster 4.4. Thought about putting up the 6m Century so I could beat 30mph but at that point I had been strongarming the kite for about 1.5 hours and could barely control the brakes from fatigue.
Awesome day to ride.

rtz - 29-10-2017 at 02:55 PM

The Lowes here doesnt seem to have them. Any pictures of the said items?

Glx - 29-10-2017 at 03:38 PM

Sorry rtz was not clear on the response, Lowes has some brass bushings that I might have been able to make work but instead I choose to turn them out of aluminum so I got very tight tolerances to both the 20mm bearing and also the 12mm bolt.

rtz - 29-10-2017 at 07:11 PM

Ok. I was under the impression something was bought and didnt realize you had to turn down some aluminum stock.

shehatesmyhobbies - 30-10-2017 at 04:03 PM

Great job on the new PB!

rtz - 6-6-2019 at 11:40 PM

Trying to get a buggy going for a local a while back; I ordered up some of these to get the 20mm bearings working on his 15mm axle setup. Had to drill them out slightly to enlarge them. Had to chuck them in a drill press and sand/file down the outer diameter to make them fit in the bearings. Worked good and I'd do it again if need be. A low cost option if anyone needs axle adapters:

https://www.mcmaster.com/6659k26