Reinventing the (Chinchilla) Wheel

The incessant squeaking of my fiance's chinchillas on their running wheel in the dead of night led me to search for a better solution. Tito and Rio, our chinchilla buddies, had worn out two running wheels, and their third replacement, though from a different brand, was no better. It still had that nerve-wracking, chalkboard-scraping kind of squeak.

In an attempt to design a more durable and quieter alternative, I decided to take matters into my own hands. The concept was straightforward: create a wheel that could comfortably accommodate chinchillas, withstand their weight, and reduce the noise to a minimum.

I started with a simple yet elegant base, designed with strategic cutouts to reduce its weight and enhance its appearance. Then, I crafted the wheel itself, drawing inspiration from the wheels on my Mitsubishi Evo 8. Both pieces were 3D printed in ABS, and to ensure smooth operation, I incorporated two high-quality ABEC-type bearings on each side of the base. The result was a surprisingly smooth and silent running experience.

It didn't take long for Tito and Rio to get used to their new wheel, despite the reduced friction. Now, they can run quietly, and I can finally get a good night's sleep.