Thread: 3 wheel scooter

Looking good Mick. This is giving me ideas!

it is only the second toy that I have tried where I did not have a plan before hand. this one looked simple enough (even for me and that is saying something)!

Mick

Hi Mick, good work. Just a couple of questions. As you say the wheels are attached by a nut on either side. I guess that means the whole axle turns when the wheels turn or am I missing something? if the axle is "live" and turns in the bottom of the handle, if so, do you have a sleeve or something for the axle housing in the handle to prevent excessive wear. Secondly, does the front wheels steer or are they fixed and steering done by the rear wheel? If the front wheels steer by turning the handle, what prevents the wheels from contacting the sides of the platform on which the rider stands. If the front wheels steer, how does that work?

Don't worry about providing us with too much detail mate, we love details.
Looks like its a fun project.

Good one Mick!! Bet he loves it!!!

Well Done Mick, A man after my own heart, but I'd also appreciate hearing the answers to Mumruben questions, thank you. Plus please some deminsions, thank you. Cheers, Crowie

Hi Mick, good work. Just a couple of questions. As you say the wheels are attached by a nut on either side. I guess that means the whole axle turns when the wheels turn or am I missing something? if the axle is "live" and turns in the bottom of the handle, if so, do you have a sleeve or something for the axle housing in the handle to prevent excessive wear. Secondly, does the front wheels steer or are they fixed and steering done by the rear wheel? If the front wheels steer by turning the handle, what prevents the wheels from contacting the sides of the platform on which the rider stands. If the front wheels steer, how does that work?

Don't worry about providing us with too much detail mate, we love details.
Looks like its a fun project.
__________________
Cheers, John
Just a thought:If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

One day I will work out how to peoperly embed another post into mine (whoever would believe I have been in IT all my life)!
Good questions John and ones I do not have very good answers for!
The axle is in fairly tight but I expect you are right and it will wear away the inside of the tassie oak. I have been thinking about this today but do not have a good way of preventing the axle from moving. The best I have come up with is to wrap some masking tape and twist it in tightly. This should at least slow down the wear on the inside of the shaft.
For the bottom of the steering I am adding a piece of wood (a spacer?) between the base and the axle (attached to the shaft). This will turn with the shaft and axle, making the main friction between the base and this spacer (I am sure this clear as mud). I have done some work on this today and added the photos so with any luck these will help explain.
It is front wheel steering and yes the wheels will hit the side of the board. This is my very crude method of limiting the amount it will turn. Do you think this will cause a problem and if so and you have any suggestions...........My only thought for this is to put on a larger axle to give a greater turning circle but I thought for a very young child the less turning the better. I have at least thought of this being able to be upgraded by changing the axle when he gets a bit older. As I have alot of curtain rod I have also planned it so I can change the shaft if he gets too tall and still uses it.
Some dimensions:
The board is 500 long, 130 at the front to about half way down and tapering to 100. The tapering was to keep the board out of his way when 'scootering'. The height from the board to the top of the steering will be around 580. In my case I used my grand-son to measure the height and he should at least not bang his chin too often! I will think about adding some padding to the top of the steering 'wheel' (or whatever it is called).
The extra feature pieces on top of the base are to:
1. I originally made even this second hole a bit big so need to keep the shaft vertical
2. A piece which will be attached to the shaft so the base cannot move upwards

Very happy for more comments/questions/suggestions, etc as I know I still have lots to learn even in the rough and ready way I like to make things.

cheers
Mick

G'Day Mick,
I noticed in the photo # DSC00669-1 you have what looks like a hole in the end of the steering shaft; you could drill through this hole up into the axle then thread the axle hole allowing you to screw a bolt from the base of the steering shaft through to the axle to secure it together.
A nylon bush could also be added to the steering shaft hole where the axle runs through it.
I hope that makes sense.
Cheers Crowie

Crowie,

I get what you mean (I think) but am not sure how easy it would be to drill into a threaded rod (which is what the axle is). But you are right in that if I can attach the axle to the shaft that would stop the axle spinning. The whole in the end of the shaft was from the original curtain rod as it had some 'end' which was screwed in!

thanks

Mick

Mick, First use a smaller drill bit to make a pilot hole then remove the axle, clamp it to drill the correct size hole for the tape to thread [if it proves a problem just just up in 1/64" drill sizes through the booker rod].
Looking forward to further updates. Cheers, Crowie

Crowie,

from your suggestion, I would need to thread the axle hole. For this I assume I need something like a drill bit which puts a thread into the metal axle for a bolt (not a screw)? Is this what a tap set does (obviously I have not done this before)?

I don't mind looking into getting more 'tools' but with what I already have I am still considering a dodgy solution - something like masking tape on the axle part that goes through the shaft and then tying the axle to the shaft with some strong nylon.

Thanks for the input.

cheers

Mick

Correct Mick, Looking at your axle it's 12mm dia so you could tap & thread the hole M3 or even M4; alternative you could just use a screw like a grub screw to lock onto the axle [with some glue on the threaded section where it goes up through the old curtain rod], though the bolting option will give you a more secure fastening. Personally you will be disappointed with the job if you use masking tape option.
Looking forward to how you go with the project. Cheers, Crowie

Hi again Mick, you asked if I saw a problem with the front wheels coming into contact with the sides of the main platform when turning. It may not be a problem as such apart from wearing both the main platform and the wheels by constant rubbing against each other but my main concern would be if the little one was getting up a bit of pace and turned the steering too far and caused the wheel to "lock" up unexpectedly as though applying the brake too harshly and throw the child off balance if the scooter stopped too quickly.
This could be overcome by limiting the turn of the steering stopping the wheels short of touching the main platform. This could be done by making the bottom spacer on the underside of the platform on the steering arm a rectangular shape rather than circular and travel of this rectangular section could be governed by a couple of small blocks of wood glued and screwed to the bottom of the platform stopping the axle from turning too far so as the wheels do not contact the sides. This could also avoid the little one getting fingers or toes trapped between the wheel and the main platform when playing around with the wheels or steering. You know what kids are like playing with moving parts.

I think crowie's idea is a good one to secure the axle in place

Look forward to hearing your comments and further ideas on the project.

John,
I very much like your thoughts on stopping the turning circle without the wheel hitting, especially the safety aspects. I have always been concerned that my axle was too short anyway so I will plan to make it a bit longer (at least I have more threaded rod) which will give a bit easier balance as well. I will then use your method to limit the steering so it does not act as a brake as well.
For the axle, I am thinking of a simpler solution which will save me having to thread it. If I drill a hole all the way through and hit a tight fitting nail through the shaft and axle that will have a similar (although obviously not as tight as a bolt) affect.

I will be away for a week from tomorrow without any internet access so will have to wait until I get back to start on the changes. Both yours and Crowies feedback has been very much appreciated. As you can tell I am still grasping certain concepts but am enjoying my woodworking along the journey. It is great to have this forum to share and learn.

cheers

Mick

Your welcome Mick. look forward to seeing more of your work.