Skate Wheel

thingiverse

I'm excited to try printing a bunch of roller skate wheels because my friend needs new ones and I can get them at a fraction of the cost! The price tag for these sets is around $40, which breaks down to about $5 per wheel. However, with 3D printed wheels, each one costs only $1 or approximately $8 for an entire set. I've successfully printed a complete set, and I couldn't tell the difference between using a single skate with these new wheels and my non-3D printed ones (keep in mind that I'm an inline skater). The design calls for printing the tire in 100% TPU infill, which I highly recommend. To get the best results, make sure to use concentric infill or set the shells to be really high. Before you start printing, test the wheel with about 10-20% infill to ensure that the allowance is correct for your printer. As for the inner hub, I printed it at 20% in PLA, but this might not make a huge difference. To assemble the wheel, you'll need to press the tire onto the hub using a vise. Place some wood between the jaws of the vise so that you don't damage the wheel. Position the wider part of the hub against the wood as well to avoid any issues. Please note that I'm not responsible if your vise explodes due to misuse. It's estimated that it takes around 400 pounds of pressure to press the tire onto the hub, so be careful! The allowance on the hub is approximately .1 millimeters, which should provide a slight press fit for 608 skateboard bearings. However, I recommend checking this before attaching the tire. If necessary, you can sand the hub or edit the CAD design to ensure a proper fit.