Go-llerblades: Motorized Skates - Part 2

This instructable is an addendum to the previous one, and documents a lot of improvements I made to the original project.

Step 1: Add a Switch in Line

I sliced one of the power cables and put a switch in the middle.



Now I can turn the gollerblades on and off.

Step 2: Replace the Wire Brush With a Urethane Wheel

I got this wheel from my local hardware store (they have *everything*).

First, I drilled out the center of the wheel to make it fit over the threads of the angle grinder.

I also bought an angle grinder nut to hold it on - they're a little pricy. I could alternatively have salvaged the nut from the wire brush.

The wheel had a curvature that prevented any threads from being exposed above it, so I flattened it a bit with a hammer.

Also, I noticed that if the wheel wasn't pressing against ground, it tended to stretch and fly off the wheel quite a bit.



As you can see, the urethane deforms a lot.

Fortunately, this wasn't a problem.

Step 3: Use Bicycle Innertube for Lashing

Last time I used duct tape. Not a flexible or reusable material. If you want this project to be permanent, use something sturdy and reusable, like these handy strips of rubber (available free at every bike store)

Step 4: Film Yourself [video]

An have a rocking good time, whizzing around a parking lot with your friends.

Motorized roller-hockey?



Results
The switch was definitely wonderful to have, the bike tubes quite convenient.

On the other hand, I learned that urethane grips less-well than a wire brush,. Also, with the actual wheel, I did not go as fast as I did with the wire brush. Possibly a bigger, heftier wheel would do the trick - or I'll just stick to the wire brush.