Wheelpower

A new model of a Fairground Ride based on a Ferry Wheel with a variation in design from the traditionally style, and only supported in one side was the main reason to start this model.

The Vortex was still with me, so not many big parts left over can produce another large model at the time, so buying a few outfits from Mark & Spencer gave me a new lot of colourful parts to proceed in building this Wheel.

A strong tower with a fixed heavy axle will support the rotating wheel, with eight gondolas or boats moving freely as it rotates from a power unit that was fixed half way up the tower driving a cone pulley part No 123 with three elastic bands to another similar pulley at the top, engaging a pinion to contact a 133 teeth gear ring part 180, mounted at the back of the rotating wheel, this system was causing problems as the elastics bands were stretching and slippery and needed to be adjusted several times while the model was as an exhibition in an Art Gallery during December.

Once the display was over the driving unit was replaced with a new motor and gearing system at the very top of the tower driving directly the main pinion into the gear ring much more efficiently.

A large flanged girder fixed to the rotating unit is also in contact with a small pulley to reduce stress from the main axle.

The front of the Ride looks more like a bridge, having lights and a kiosk fixed in one site, recently moved to the front centre adding steps in both sides.

Ferry Wheels are normally slow in its rotation, however this one was quite fast making the ride a thrilling experience.

WheelPower - try yours!!!

November 2008