Foam filled wheels in a feather.

**aero_storm** · 18th October 2008, 08:12

I have aqquired my self a set of four wheels for Tactical Retreat. I was wondering whether I should get them foam filled? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing it. They are 7cm with nice treads that should give a lot of traction. Should I foam fill them?

Thanks,

Alex R

**psycho_fling** · 18th October 2008, 08:22

any pics of them?

are the wheels a hollow hub with tread on them? if so iw ould say not to bother not heard of anyone doing it before though

**aero_storm** · 18th October 2008, 08:26

No pics, but I might be able to get some.
No theyre a hub with some space around on the inside. Ill try to get some pics.
Thanks,

alex

**grant_ploughbot** · 18th October 2008, 15:23

I would put the hardest stuff you can find in them. solid rubber would be best and then bond the tyre to that on the inside and then glue around the rims where they meet onto the hubs.
If theyre too soft they will suck the power out of your batteries and can pull the tyres off the rims.

**swanaldo** · 18th October 2008, 16:17

trevor wright has done it with megamouse wheels. mabee he will tell you how he did it. works well cos they have been going for years

**teamhunt** · 18th October 2008, 16:25

Foam wheels are probably a bad choice, because if you come against a robot with spikes, they can get in your wheels (If theyre on the outside) then the escape could rip them to shreads.
But if theyre on the inside, then give it a try.

**mightymouse** · 18th October 2008, 18:41

Meggamouse - and formerly Velocirippa has kart tyres that are technically foam filled but the filler is like a jelly.

Advantages;
1 - behaves like an air filled tyre at about 28psi.
2 - impossible to puncture - they have countless holes in them and a previous tyre had a wedge sliced out of it and it made no difference.
3 - when you change tyres the filling comes out in one piece and you put it in the new one.

Disadvantages;
1 - extremely heavy, MGM tyres weigh 2kg each.
2 - needs to be filled professionally, and if you have aluminium hubs, the pressure (usually air) is still there if the hub cracks, and will eventually destroy itself. I now have nylon hubs.
3 - and probably the worst, a friend got them done for nothing through his company. He was made redundant shortly afterwards, does not know the company that actually did the work, so if I needed any more it will take some detective work.

Back to advantages; When MGmouse was built the only thing I kept from Velocirippa was the motors, gears and the wheels.

On a feather the weight may not be an issue but if you want me to do some searching I will.

Trev