Building a spinning wheel

[alex_wareing]

Ok hopefully this in in the right forum. I want to build a big wheel, similar to the wheel of fortune but upright and similar to the "big 6" wheel in Vegas (Click here for photo).

I'm not looking for something really professional or to build something that wll last for 50 years, i just need something functional that spins easily and won't be really difficult to build.

I have created some basic drawings:
http://www.boozesandiego.com/raw/wheel/design.gif

Wood seems like the easiest and cheapest way, so i'm going to need a large round peice of wood and long peice for the stand.

Whats the best way of going about building this and how can i make the wheel spin smoothly. Also i'm in San Diego so if you suggest a material can you also suggest where i should go to buy it. Also please bare in mind i'm a rank amatuer!

Thanks!!!

 

[sidecar_jon]

Well how about, useing a bike axel for the center. Or if that looks too small, a car stub axel from a scrap yard. See if you can find a wood place that will cut you a big circle or do that with a jig saw, use MDF.

 

[oilman]

You could use plywood for the wheel.