How to make a trim track from a Silent Spinner Wheel
MAKING A TRIM TRACK FROM A SILENT SPINNER
You will need the largest size silent spinner.
And Velcro. I get the ones in 1 inch squares, you can get the waterproof ones, as they will stick better when you wash the wheel, but I don’t use them. See figure 1. I use 2 packs of the ones shown. You will need 20 “sets”. Each time the paper needs to be replaced, you will need just one pack of Velcro.
figure 1
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And a pack of sandpaper, I get the large sheets (about 8” x 10”) I use the 220 grit if you are going to leave it in there all the time, or the 150 grit if you are going to put it in there only on the weekends. See figure 2. I have mine in there all the time, and after a while it seems the gliders just know when to run on it and when not to. I have not had to trim nails in about a year (except for Arwen who doesn’t run on the wheel as much as she needs to) and there has never been an injury or sore foot in any of my 4 gliders. This is one of those situations though where you really need to know your own sugar gliders and take your cues from them. Waterproof sandpaper will last longer, but I don’t think its worth it. I cut the sheets of sandpaper in half the long way, see figure 3. You will use 2 full sheets for each wheel.
figure 2
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figure 3
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The silent spinner has ridges on the running surface. I put the Velcro in 2 rows and placed on the smooth area between each ridge. Let’s call this the “base Velcro”. I space it so there are 3 smooth spaces between each Velcro square. See figure 4 for placement. TIP: put the “soft” side or “loop” side of the Velcro on the outside row, and the “hook” side on the inside row. When done this way, you will not have any wasted Velcro. If you put all hooks on the wheel and all loops on the paper, whenever you need to change the paper, you will not be using the whole package and will have wasted Velcro. Now place the corresponding Velcro squares on top of the “base Velcro” stuck to the wheel. Sticky side will be up, let’s call this the “top Velcro”.
figure 4
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Now place the sandpaper on the Velcro and be sure to place it in such a way that you can squash it down against the wheel. Push down all ripples that form. See figure 5. It may take some practice to get it right. I suggest practicing with the sandpaper and the wheel without Velcro till you get the hang of it.
figure 5
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You will need to use a strong tape where the sandpaper overlaps. Put a small piece under the sandpaper and let the next sheet overlap just a tiny bit. See figure 6 for tape placement.
figure 6
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Figure 7 shows a wheel about half done.
figure 7
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You will use 3 strips and then
have a tiny space left over, see figure 8. Put a piece of tape under
each edge and cut a small piece to cover the rest of the track.
Finished wheel, see
figure 9 (I used a sandpaper of a different grit for the final piece so
you could see the edges).
figure 8
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figure 9
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I have been using these for over 2years and have never had any problems. Depending on the activity level and how much they pee or poop, will determine how often you need to change the sandpaper. I have to change mine about every 2 months or so, sometimes even longer. When changing out I just gently pull of the paper, leaving the “base Velcro” in place. Now add your new “top Velcro” on the base Velcro, being sure to match loops with hooks, and add new sandpaper.
