It turns out that running wheels are not only for hamsters and chinchillas, but also for cats. Of course, if a cat or cat has access to the street, then there is no need for it, and for animals locked in four walls, you sometimes need to play sports. A running wheel for a cat, similar to a wheel for small rodents, and according to this instruction it is possible, taking into account the size, to make a wheel for them.
To make such a wheel, the master uses the following
Tools and materials:
-Rail;
-Plywood;
-Centimeter;
-Miter saw;
-Rollers;
-Dremel;
-Pencil;
-Grinder;
-Drill;
-Glue;
-Rope;
- Clamps;
-Bolt with nut;
-Bearing;
-Bar;
-Fasteners;
-Double sided tape;
-Covrolin;
-Knife;
Step One: Foundation
The wheel consists of two plywood circles connected by a rail. The radius of the circles is 46 centimeters. Cuts circles from plywood. It connects the circles by laying bars between them.
Step Two: Reiki
Glues on the end of the bar. Belts tight.
Step Three: Roller Mounting
Installation on rollers makes sense if, the parts of the wheel are made on a CNC machine. Manually impossible to achieve accuracy and the wheel will "walk". The meaning of this installation is as follows: two rollers are mounted on two semicircular platforms from different sides, a running wheel is installed on the rollers.
With this installation, the middle part is cut out on both sides.
Step Four: Installing the Wall
In a classic installation, the wheel rests on a centrally mounted bearing. For this, the master had to close the back of the wheel. In order not to redo the entire wheel, the master cut another plywood circle and glued it.
Step Five: The Axis
The wheel spins on an axis consisting of a bolt with a sleeve. To install the axis, it is necessary to strengthen the installation site. Glues a plywood square on the back, a gear in front. The gear teeth are purely decorative. Drills a hole in the center.
Step Six: Stand
The stand is made of supports and racks made of bar. On a rack two boards are attached. Bearings are mounted on the boards.
Seventh step: track
Cuts a carpet path. Glues it on a double-sided tape.
Step Eight: Cover
The running wheel is ready.It remains to apply a protective coating on it.
A little from myself. I don’t know if anyone will make a running wheel for a cat, but such a device is necessary for chinchillas, squirrels and hamsters. Having a little family experience in maintaining a chinchilla, I would like to note the following points:
-Planks to plywood circles do not have to be glued, you can screw them with screws;
-Installation on rollers, from my point of view, is not convenient;
- Rodents - nocturnal animals and you need to choose a wheel with the least noise of roller bearings;
-As a bearing, the belt tension roller from the Volga is excellent (VAZ rollers come with an offset and need to be finalized);
- The running wheel is mounted on a cage without a stand;
- For rodents, there is no need to glue the track and apply the coating.