Help with making a flying saucer wheel please

[lanie85]

I've seen a couple of posts recdntly from people who have made their own flying saucer wheels. I really want to make one but my DIY is a bit dire and I don't even really understand what a bearing is let alone how you fix it to the disc (please don't laugh!)

If anyone is willing to put a step by step guide on here I'd really really really appreciate it. I have two chins and 4 degus that would love you forever!!

Thank you
Lanie x

[fred]

You really don't need to be handy with DIY and there is no need to go near the bearing. Do you want it for the cage or for the play area? The one I have made is probably the easiest one to make but has to many chewable bits to go into a cage.

From my experience so far I am not sure whether it is a good idea for the cage (for degus). When one of mine runs at full speed and the other jumps on, it often happens that one or both “fly” off in rather unpredictable ways. I think Kat is going to make one with a bowl rather than a flat surface and perhaps it will be less of a problem then.

Just let me know if you want any more information about my basic one.

[lanie85]

Fred, I've managed to make a wheel like yours but my girls fon't seem to be able to make it move? I've jusg watched your video again and your lazy Susan turns a lot easier than mine does for some reason? What can I do?

[fred]

Lanie, that's odd. When I bought the thing at IKEA I noticed that some moved better than others, but not that much. To get an idea, could you put objects of increasing weight on the side and see when the disk starts moving? Mine does so from around 50g onwards.

[lanie85]

It's ok- my dad has loosened the bearing off a bit so now it's perfect. The little critters still haven't been on it yet though and it's been in their play area with them all evening! I hope they use it!! X

[fred]

Great I used a treat to get them onto the disk and as soon as they realised that it moved - off they went...