The Worm Gearbox

[crawl-o-matic]

No cooling fan and I use marine sticky grease to lube it about every other year. I had my LCC set up and lubed correctly and it never, never, never malfunctioned or 'overheated' I think worm gears get a bad rap for no real world reason..the areas they "under perform" are not important to crawling HOWEVER, the areas where they shine, are VERY important to crawling.

If he builds this, I strongly feel that it'll have the smoothest low end of any crawler transmission ever made...especially with a Holmes Puller power plant (which I will provide)

 

[xkill]

This will get built!

If it will fail or shine, or even just do "ok", is something that I want to see.
I see a lot of thinking out side of the box that is really inspiring so I decided to try something different for myself.

At the time I'm considering having the prototype made out of G10. If heat really is an issue I can try and have it made out of aluminum.

So far I'm trying to track down some bushings that are 5x9mm or even 5x10 and flanged. Worst case I'll have them custom made because for far It hasn't been so easy to find.
When I get the bushing and I'm sure about the measurements I can make the final design of the box and have it cut.

If the gears were reverse cut I could flip the box, or even add a couple of pinions to lower the motor, but these were the gears that I could find...
Anyway, since there are still a lot of questions about the concept I think that, for now, I will keep it as it is (simpler...) and see how it works.

Oh, and big thanks for the motor offer!!!
Let me build it and we'll talk about it "thumbsup"

 

[7echo]

For the experts here-

Could a hypoid work? Might be more compact but I don't know about the brake effect the worm provides.

 

[crawl-o-matic]

That's basically a ring and pinion type set up...I'm sure it could be made to work but I'm not sure of any advantage it would yield.

 

[crawl-o-matic]

Here ya go: https://www.qbcbearings.com/BuyRFQ/SleeveB_UltraP_F_SB_M.htm

5:10 is a common size, I've never heard of 5:9, but it might exist out there somewhere.

This will get built!

If it will fail or shine, or even just do "ok", is something that I want to see.
I see a lot of thinking out side of the box that is really inspiring so I decided to try something different for myself.

At the time I'm considering having the prototype made out of G10. If heat really is an issue I can try and have it made out of aluminum.

So far I'm trying to track down some bushings that are 5x9mm or even 5x10 and flanged. Worst case I'll have them custom made because for far It hasn't been so easy to find.
When I get the bushing and I'm sure about the measurements I can make the final design of the box and have it cut.

If the gears were reverse cut I could flip the box, or even add a couple of pinions to lower the motor, but these were the gears that I could find...
Anyway, since there are still a lot of questions about the concept I think that, for now, I will keep it as it is (simpler...) and see how it works.

Oh, and big thanks for the motor offer!!!
Let me build it and we'll talk about it "thumbsup"

 

[SilmarilS]

You could test with a planetary gearbox... Way more efficient, and also quite compact!

exemple : RX Series, Low Price type - Jia Cheng Precision Machinery Co., Ltd.

 

[Calderwood]

For the experts here-

Could a hypoid work? Might be more compact but I don't know about the brake effect the worm provides.

Do you have a link to hypoid gears this small? I haven't ever been able to find them.

 

[crawl-o-matic]

I think RC4WD has a fairly small R&P that's used for the Black Widow axles

 

[xkill]

Just as an update.

I´m waiting for some reply from RC4WD that may or may not bring something about the bushings.
Crawl-o-matic, the ones on your site are out of stock.
But!! I have found some located in europe.
If RC4WD is a no go I will order from this other place. It's not the perfect size but I can work with it.

As far as other options...
Sure! There are always other options, I just decided to try this one...
Even if people normally brake eggs with their hands you can brake them in so many different ways... Like with a hammer!!

 

[7echo]

Do you have a link to hypoid gears this small? I haven't ever been able to find them.

Actually, I was just thinking of the hypoid style, didn't even consider there may not be any small enough! I was looking for a new saw a few years ago and considered a hypoid Makita vs the older style worm saws.

 

[xkill]

But, correct me if I'm wrong.
A small ring & pinion will not be as strong as this small worm gear...

 

[xkill]

By public demand, here's the version with lowered motor.



I did this by adding 2 pinions.
The maximum that I'll be able to use on the gear it will be 26t after some trim on the standoff.



Here I have a 26t and a 16t. (They are not fitting on the assembly 100% but that's just a case of having longer standoffs)
The problem for this application e that I'll have the motor rotating the "wrong" way for what I want to test.
Still, I'm already brainstorming some other ideas!

I'm getting closer to have this thing cut!
But still far away from having it running...