How to make a Chinchilla wheel

[@crichdr]

I saw online people also make chinchilla wheels with a galvanized feed pan. However I'm not in a cow country and a quick search on google showed that this bowl is easier to find. I'm excited.

[@rickgarland8679]

The chin seems to be running at an awkward angle. Not sure that's good for them. Eventually stress injury can occur when this happens.

[@UpRoaryus]

Suggestion: instead of the deep salad bowl shape, I had very good results with a 3-4 gallon or 13qt sized oil/utility drain pan or "feed pan" and was able to mount it nearly straight vertical due to the flat bottom. They cost around 10 dollars on average, but I've seen them as low as 3.50 on sale from time to time.. The lip is anywhere from 3.5 to 4 inches, so plenty for the chins in width, and they are approximately 16 inches in diameter. We used an old circular saw blade glued to it in the back as a reinforcement washer if they seemed flimsy at all, and they are almost silent - the only thing you hear is the tapping of their little feet as they run on it, I had to build more than one because my boys would fight over who got to use it first and literally push each other off of it. I even made a more portable version that they can use out of the cage during playpen time and sometimes they go so fast I worry they will be flung off of it or get "maytagged" if they slip. But they seem to love it immensely. One of them even chirps contentedly whilst jogging on it, as though he were singing "tra la la tra la la" as ne strolls ...

[@UpRoaryus]

+Ly hom (Pat Mustard) Thank YOU so much for the tutorial video! No way I could shell out 80 dollars for a "chin spin" or whatever the few acceptable retail options are, but since I used to be enough of a rollerblade enthusiast to have upgraded my wheels, axles, and bearings on my old skates, I already had most of the things necessary to make one on hand. It would have been worth buying the stuff if I hadn't, though, as this is easily the best DIY strategy I've seen out there, both in terms of ease to make as well as the quality of the resultant product. The hardest part was trying to get the hole in the wheel centered exactly to drill it, but maybe I'll get it better on my next attempt. I still have another oil pan : )

[@kittkatt032]

UpRoaryus If you truly loved your chins, you would. 😉

[@Lisse...]

UpRoaryus If you would ever sell them, let me know then 😉

[@Terrnaz]

Do you have a video or pictures how you made it ? :)

[@patriciaaispuro1808]

UpRoaryus willing to make one to sell?

[@kdg66]

Yes it is possible for them to get there mouths in the gap behind the dish to nibble the rubber of the skate wheel. I have just realised why they don't on ours. They can't reach it! We have the dish mounted a good height up off the floor, with a front shelf at that level onto which they jump to access the wheel. Therefore they can't reach the back from the floor, nor reach down from above... you have made me realise that this is an important point. Have it mounted up with front shelf. Thanks

[@UpRoaryus]

Thanks for this! It effectively solved my dilemma about the slight outward angle of the lip of the bowl - slanting the mount is going to be much easier than altering the bowl, and gives a more sturdy distribution of the weight with a larger surface. Well done!. I had also seen a solution using a "lazy Susan" bearing, but it is much noisier than the skate, and is not as free spinning.

[@kdg66]

Thanks Fred. Sorry my voice is sooo boring, but I'm happy that your excited. A baking tin would be as good or better, but its finding one to buy! Anne above may know of the elusive shop. Anyway hope your project goes well, & would love to see your finished product... Geoffus

[@kdg66]

I tried to find a cake pan like you describe, and think it is the best way forward. I turned to the dish as a last resort. Yes, I think you need a bearing or some sort; a skateboard type would be good, as it supports the bolt across a good proportion of the bolt. However you might get away without using a bearing. Try thickening up your cake tin on inside and outside with a disk of wood or some washers, and do the same to the support bracket. You may find the tin turns freely with no sloppiness.

[@crichdr]

Alright. I've got my list and am off to the hardware store. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks Geoffus for the great idea.

[@crichdr]

Whoops message cut off. They've never had a wheel before. Thanks for the great design. I used the same size bowl which I think is a great size. Thanks again!

[@kdg66]

Hi, Sounds like your on to a winner with your design. regards

[@AnneBassett]

Very helpful video. Do you think if you used a cake pan with flat sides it would be simpler to make because you would not need to have a slanted mount? I have a cake pan that is 14" diameter and 4" deep. I am also going to try to build another with a cake pan that is 16" diameter and 3" deep. I like the idea of using a roller skate bearing or a skateboard bearing because it is quieter than a Lazy Susan Bearing. Thank you for the idea.

[@CrystallineDreamer]

This is great :) I really hope I'm handy enough to be able to create something like this! I think I would use a more flat dish, however, more like the ones made by Shelfridges who make the £80 flying saucer wheel. A couple of my chins have those and they're great, but so expensive! So I'll give it a go making my own. :)

[@kdg66]

Glad you like... Yep try a different tin if you can find. I could only find the bowl from one outlet, as being a bloke I hate shopping, so don't trawl the stores!

[@mikeradtke6858]

Geoffus Knight can you make these for people?

[@kdg66]

Guinea Pig Herd Yes, I could make more I guess. Ours has proven itself to be reliable. Just need to get the parts together.

[@kdg66]

Yes you are correct. It is the largest Blanda Blank bowl they do...36cm across the top rim diameter. But you could use a large & deep cake tin if you can find one. As of 30 October 2013, my design is still working well, The chillers are running every night.

[@Backflipmarine]

You're the best :) Building this tonight for my degus

[@frann8552]

Instead of a big bowl like that you can go to a baking supply store and buy a giant metal cake mold that has a flat bottom and round sides.

[@kittkatt032]

For the life of me i cant understand the small hamster cages, small wheels and plastic products made for chinchillas that are unsafe sold at pet stores. Why cant they make a damn metal wheel for our beloved chins?! Sheesh!

[@Nina-cp5cm]

I also don't understand. They just have to buy and sell them they don't even have to make them. I am getting two chinchilla's tomorrow and I have seen a lot of people use fleece. Do you maybe know if it is save for them? I don't trust it because they chew on everything and I don't want them to get sick. I will also ask the breeder tomorrow but I want to get it before the chinchilla's are in there cage.

[@kittkatt032]

Nina I bought 2 9 mo old male brother chins. They came with cage and accesories including a little fleece blanket and they havent chewed it at all. They do like to pull my daughters curtains through their cage, but havent chewed them either. Im also wanting to make fleece liners for my chins too and i believe it is safe as they dont care about chewing material, just hard stuff since their teeth are constantly growing. Plastic may not be safe, but mine chews their potty pan, food trough and are just fine. Hopefully that plastic stuff they sell.at pet stores is made to be safe. Get kiln dried wood and lava rock ledge. They love those...O and a chin chiller stone for them to stay cool as chins dont do well with heat.

[@UpRoaryus]

I just found a large 10 quart bowl with a flat bottom at the pet store (for x large type dogs) which would be usable, I think, and only about as deep as a regular wheel since it isn't as high as a salad bowl on the sides to prevent it being easily spilled. (I got the idea because I had a large dog with a water dish like that before.) Gonna try this as well as one using a modded caster that bolts onto the dish in a square pattern rather than a single hole too.

[@kdg66]

Hiya, If it helps it took over 3 months for our older Chilla to sit in the bowl and she only runs occasionally in it. The younger one was in it running from 1st day...they seem to have different personalities...regards

[@yoshy2628]

Very good idea. I use a plastic wheel instead of a metal bowl, is too heavy. The plastic wheel is 28 cm diameter and is enough for the moment. Indeed is no more noise in the house, the wheel run smoothly, chinchilla can run freely. Thank you.

[@emily19557]

Chinchillas shouldn't have plastic (:

[@OliviaR619]

Wake Up Europe! I wouldnt suggest getting plastic because it can be toxic if they chew it

[@MsFannyannie79]

Great idea but im having trouble finding the right wheels...can you advise?

[@kdg66]

I used a common "line skating" wheel, 72mm diameter x 24mm wide having slightly greater than 6mm diameter central bearing hole. Very common wheel see ebay example below, but best try car boot or jumble sale first. Central hole can be any diameter, providing the central bolt you select is a "snug" a fit as possible in that hole. You also need the wheel to have plastic central area so you can easily drill 4 holes to allow the roofing bolts to pass through, as the video shows at 6:30. Hope that helps. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-HIGH-REBOUND-INLINE-WHEELS-72MM-X-24MM-78A-SKATES-FOR-ALL-SKATING-SURFACES-/171430708987?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item27ea1106fb

[@alyrose215]

Do you by any chance know what size lazy Susan parts you are using?

[@kennikuhlmann-clark9361]

Won't the chinchillas chew on the rubber of the skate wheel? Shouldn't that be enclosed to prevent that?

[@kdg66]

Thank you for your kind comment back x8archangle8x... it had to be done, as I felt sorry for the creatures full of energy with nothing decent to run on.. I can live with myself again conscience clear... and my daughter thanked me... got to keep the teenagers happy! Geoffus

[@bethrobinson9608]

Can I get a list of all the parts needed?

[@crichdr]

Alright. It's assembled and mounted. It supports the weight well. Now just to train them to run in it :). They've never

[@sammize91]

Thank you! This is wonderful.

[@icecreamlove84]

Unfortunately I am now on my third set of bearings for this design after the first two sets wore out and became very loud. Until I get some more patience for this problem solving I think I'm going to throw in the towel for now. At least they've got a good year out of it so far.

[@kdg66]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe your chinchilla's are very energetic and enjoy the wheel so much they're wearing parts out?! Our Chilli's are still enjoying our wheel, but had a major overhaul recently. Anyway I hope you can improve on the design and put some pictures or a video up of how you did it... It keeps me off the streets, but then I could be classed as a boring old Dad, but me daughter appreciates me.

[@ysun08]

I tried to make a wheel out of lazy susans, but the bearing is designed for load perpendicular to the wood surface, not for load from the axis. What i am going to do is using two tapered roller bearings and bolt on a wedding cake pan. i will let you know the result.

[@angeliquejoubert3282]

The bowl is way too small, he is running at a weird angle

[@kdg66]

Yes it is possible for them to get there mouths in the gap behind the dish to nibble the rubber of the skate wheel. I have just realised why they don't on ours. They can't reach it! We have the dish mounted a good height up off the floor, with a front shelf at that level onto which they jump to access the wheel. Therefore they can't reach the back from the floor, nor reach down from above... you have made me realise that this is an important point. Have it mounted up with front shelf. Thanks

[@kdg66]

Thank you for your kind comment back x8archangle8x... it had to be done, as I felt sorry for the creatures full of energy with nothing decent to run on.. I can live with myself again conscience clear... and my daughter thanked me... got to keep the teenagers happy! Geoffus

[@kdg66]

Yes it is possible for them to get there mouths in the gap behind the dish to nibble the rubber of the skate wheel. I have just realised why they don't on ours. They can't reach it! We have the dish mounted a good height up off the floor, with a front shelf at that level onto which they jump to access the wheel. Therefore they can't reach the back from the floor, nor reach down from above... you have made me realise that this is an important point. Have it mounted up with front shelf. Thanks