Built a dolly

Emre Safak · October 30th, 2006, 08:14 AM

Perhaps your wheels are too hard? Try putting more/less weight on the dolly, and lubricating the track.

Josh Bass · October 30th, 2006, 01:24 PM

I think if anything, they're too soft. They're 82A.

I can try lubing. What would you recommend?

Josh Bass · October 30th, 2006, 01:25 PM

I think if anything, they're too soft. They're 82A.

They squeak when there's nothing on the dolly, as well as when I stand on it.

I can try lubing. What would you recommend?

Ken Diewert · October 31st, 2006, 12:50 AM

There's some pricier dry type lubricants (teflon or silicon) that won't attract dirt grit. Maybe call one of the big automotive parts suppliers and tell them you've got rubber on PVC and you don't want it to squeak. Those dudes are usually pretty sharp.

Josh Bass · November 11th, 2006, 12:50 AM

I'm at a loss, dudes.

I got a silicon lube, still squeaking.

I've noticed there seems to be an issue with slight misalignments, meaning that it's difficult for all the wheels to be touching the PVC pipe at the same time, which causes several problems. I guess the slotted angle iron isn't perfectly straight, or something.

I tried loosening the wheels (more space on the axel between them), tightening them as much as I could, while still allowing them to roll.

The dolly squeaks when I'm on it, and squeaks when there's nothing on it at all.

They just keep squealing away.

I really hope they're not too soft, 'cause I don't want to spend another buttload on another, harder set of wheels.

Emre Safak · November 11th, 2006, 09:23 AM

I have alignment problems too, but my error is tolerable (so there is no sound). Do not buy harder wheels!

I can't offer much help because I used the V-shaped design, where the wheels are perpendicular to one another.

Josh Bass · November 11th, 2006, 07:37 PM

I would call it more of an "L" than a "v". I'm not sure how much good that would do. The problem is pretty minor---- If angle between the two parts of the metal is supposed to be 90 degrees, than mine might be 87. I tried taking some of the washers out that space the wheels apart, so I'll see if that helps.

Ken Diewert · November 12th, 2006, 05:47 PM

Josh,

What if you put a lot of weight (sandbags, etc.) do they still squeak?

Josh Bass · November 12th, 2006, 09:53 PM

I stood on it and moved it, and it squeaked. I'm about 150 lbs. I think the squeaking didn't start 'til I spaced the wheels out more (with washers), so I'll try it again with some of the washers removed.

Jon Whiteford · November 16th, 2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Bass

I stood on it and moved it, and it squeaked. I'm about 150 lbs. I think the squeaking didn't start 'til I spaced the wheels out more (with washers), so I'll try it again with some of the washers removed.

want it, then put another identical nut on and tighten it Hard on top of the first, it will lock it REAL well, and cheap, easy to find, just more of the same.

does the dolly squeak when you put it on tile or concrete and move it with weight on it? If not, I would reco RAIN/x from an automotive store or walmart, put on the pipe, let dry polish off. you also might try rigid cpvc pipe (hot water pipe), might be dif noise, might self lube, some materials do.

with three contact points on each side you will NEVER (i don't think) get all to rest on the track at one time with the weight evenly distributed. try taking the middle ones off. with the L shape like Safire's you are almost always getting permenent contact. think about it.

Josh Bass · November 16th, 2006, 08:20 PM

I'm a little lost.

Here's what my wheels look like:

Jon Whiteford · November 16th, 2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Bass

I'm a little lost.

Here's what my wheels look like:

just kidding. forget the two nuts on the end of the bolt, your bolts are not long enough, rain/x is a superslipery lubricant that goes on your windshield to slide rain off (it is really something to see, no need for wipers over 5mph) I thought it might be cheap (relatively), dry, and not pick up dirt to use to lube the tubes(if it is wheel against tube squeak (known as 'WATS' in the biz).

if it don't squeak under load on concrete (directly on the concrete, no tubes), its not the bearings. most bearing today are sealed lifelong bearings and don't need/use lube anyway.

for three sets of wheels to contact equally _____O____O____O____ the line of the pipe must be absolutly leavel, the ground (any ground or floor) will rarely be, take the middle ones out, then it can't push up in the middle and change the bearing of the front or rear ones. (think, josh, think---dammit jim, I'm a doctor, not a plasma mechanic!)

Josh Bass · November 16th, 2006, 09:00 PM

I actually did take the middle set off.

Let me try the it with the washers taken off (the pipe's at a friend's house, so I won't be able to try for a few days), see if that helps.

No, it doesn't squeak on other surfaces, just the pipe.

Steve Leverich · November 18th, 2006, 07:31 PM

Hey Josh, I think I know why your wheels squeak - you have both wheels on the same axle, trying to straddle the pipe - when you put weight on the dolly, the wheels are trying to spread apart and ride further down on the pipe. As the wheels rotate, they're "scrubbing" along either side of the pipe, giving the same effect as if you SLID your rubber-soled shoe along the floor instead of ROLLING it.

That design can't work without developing noise - I don't remember where, but I saw another home-built design that puts the wheels in two separate rows, angled so that one set of wheels is at 90 degrees from the OTHER set of wheels, and on separate axles (the bolts you're using) - that way, each set of wheels rides CENTERED on the pipe but NOT in line with each other; instead, the two rows of wheels for each pipe would be at 90 degrees to each other.

I don't have a site to post pix to, or I'd do a sketch to clarify.

I also can't think of any store-bought hardware that could accomplish what I'm talking about without some welding (I do a bit of everything, so this is common for me)

Mainly, I think you're wasting your time trying to get your wheels to stop squeaking as it's built right now - they need to contact the pipe perpendicular to a line that passes through the center of the pipe so they won't "scrub" along their sidewalls.

If I come up with a practical solution I'll find a way to post it somewhere for you... Steve

Josh Bass · November 18th, 2006, 10:06 PM

I got the design from Matt Cherry a (former?) member of this site. He seemed very happy with his results, and never mentioned noise. I don't understand why it worked for him and not for me.

I guess I could always go with the skateboard wheel configuration, though I don't feel like spending the money right now.

October 30th, 2006, 01:24 PM	#32
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I think if anything, they're too soft. They're 82A. I can try lubing. What would you recommend? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 30th, 2006, 01:25 PM	#33
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I think if anything, they're too soft. They're 82A. They squeak when there's nothing on the dolly, as well as when I stand on it. I can try lubing. What would you recommend? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 31st, 2006, 12:50 AM	#34
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	There's some pricier dry type lubricants (teflon or silicon) that won't attract dirt grit. Maybe call one of the big automotive parts suppliers and tell them you've got rubber on PVC and you don't want it to squeak. Those dudes are usually pretty sharp. __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

November 11th, 2006, 12:50 AM	#35
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I'm at a loss, dudes. I got a silicon lube, still squeaking. I've noticed there seems to be an issue with slight misalignments, meaning that it's difficult for all the wheels to be touching the PVC pipe at the same time, which causes several problems. I guess the slotted angle iron isn't perfectly straight, or something. I tried loosening the wheels (more space on the axel between them), tightening them as much as I could, while still allowing them to roll. The dolly squeaks when I'm on it, and squeaks when there's nothing on it at all. They just keep squealing away. I really hope they're not too soft, 'cause I don't want to spend another buttload on another, harder set of wheels. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 11th, 2006, 07:37 PM	#37
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I would call it more of an "L" than a "v". I'm not sure how much good that would do. The problem is pretty minor---- If angle between the two parts of the metal is supposed to be 90 degrees, than mine might be 87. I tried taking some of the washers out that space the wheels apart, so I'll see if that helps. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 30th, 2006, 08:14 AM	#31
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	Perhaps your wheels are too hard? Try putting more/less weight on the dolly, and lubricating the track.

November 11th, 2006, 09:23 AM	#36
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	I have alignment problems too, but my error is tolerable (so there is no sound). Do not buy harder wheels! I can't offer much help because I used the V-shaped design, where the wheels are perpendicular to one another.

November 12th, 2006, 05:47 PM	#38
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	Josh, What if you put a lot of weight (sandbags, etc.) do they still squeak? __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

November 12th, 2006, 09:53 PM	#39
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I stood on it and moved it, and it squeaked. I'm about 150 lbs. I think the squeaking didn't start 'til I spaced the wheels out more (with washers), so I'll try it again with some of the washers removed. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 16th, 2006, 08:20 PM	#41
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I'm a little lost. Here's what my wheels look like: Attached Thumbnails __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 16th, 2006, 09:00 PM	#43
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I actually did take the middle set off. Let me try the it with the washers taken off (the pipe's at a friend's house, so I won't be able to try for a few days), see if that helps. No, it doesn't squeak on other surfaces, just the pipe. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 18th, 2006, 07:31 PM	#44
Steve Leverich Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Albany Oregon Posts: 173	Hey Josh, I think I know why your wheels squeak - you have both wheels on the same axle, trying to straddle the pipe - when you put weight on the dolly, the wheels are trying to spread apart and ride further down on the pipe. As the wheels rotate, they're "scrubbing" along either side of the pipe, giving the same effect as if you SLID your rubber-soled shoe along the floor instead of ROLLING it. That design can't work without developing noise - I don't remember where, but I saw another home-built design that puts the wheels in two separate rows, angled so that one set of wheels is at 90 degrees from the OTHER set of wheels, and on separate axles (the bolts you're using) - that way, each set of wheels rides CENTERED on the pipe but NOT in line with each other; instead, the two rows of wheels for each pipe would be at 90 degrees to each other. I don't have a site to post pix to, or I'd do a sketch to clarify. I also can't think of any store-bought hardware that could accomplish what I'm talking about without some welding (I do a bit of everything, so this is common for me) Mainly, I think you're wasting your time trying to get your wheels to stop squeaking as it's built right now - they need to contact the pipe perpendicular to a line that passes through the center of the pipe so they won't "scrub" along their sidewalls. If I come up with a practical solution I'll find a way to post it somewhere for you... Steve

November 18th, 2006, 10:06 PM	#45
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I got the design from Matt Cherry a (former?) member of this site. He seemed very happy with his results, and never mentioned noise. I don't understand why it worked for him and not for me. I guess I could always go with the skateboard wheel configuration, though I don't feel like spending the money right now. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB