The wheels on the show go round and round...

[ed1202]

Out of curiosity, anyone know how much force it takes to spin the wheel on TPIR?  Looks to be pretty substantial when spinning. WOF's wheel seems to take a lighter touch when spinning. I guess it would have to be since you're reaching forward and bending over.

(Sorry, just realized I put this in the wrong forum. Can somebody move it please?)

[MSTieScott]

I've had the opportunity to spin both, and they both take effort.

I don't know how much force I'm capable of generating, but around 2004, I had a day job that required me to occasionally lift 40-pound boxes. I was able to do that, but I don't think I would have been able to lift weights that were too much heaver (certainly not on a regular basis). I'm not sure how that compares to the population at large, but I would guess that my strength is probably a little below average.

I found that if I gave it my all, I could fairly consistently make the Price Is Right wheel spin for about one and a half rotations (this was between roughly 2006 and 2012; I don't know whether they've changed the friction on it since then).

I had the opportunity to spin the Wheel of Fortune wheel once in 2015. Because it was my one chance to do it, I spun it at full strength. I was able to get the wheel to make one complete rotation plus one wedge. If I was a contestant on the show and had to spin it multiple times within twenty minutes, I assume I wouldn't be able to get that result.

[BrandonFG]

I had the opportunity to spin the Wheel of Fortune wheel once in 2015. Because it was my one chance to do it, I spun it at full strength. I was able to get the wheel to make one complete rotation plus one wedge. If I was a contestant on the show and had to spin it multiple times within twenty minutes, I assume I wouldn't be able to get that result.

I worked at a TV station that airs Wheel. Back in the mid-2000s, one of our anchors, a guy with a fairly athletic build, did a special feature on Wheel that included him trying to spin the wheel. His first attempt caught him off guard (to the point where his cameraman let out an audible laugh). He acknowledged that it's heavier than you'd expect.

[TLEberle]

Scott's point is interesting given that the tension on the Big Wheel would be easy to control--it seems like most people should be able to get two times around, and at least these days the Wheel of Fortune is much heavier than in the old days.

[Neumms]

...the tension on the Big Wheel would be easy to control...

Out of curiosity, how? You could grease it, I suppose.

[TLEberle]

I figure that there's something that keeps the wheel from moving side-to-side while in motion--that could be tightened or loosened for the desired effect.

[Neumms]

That makes sense. Do you or does anyone know if the wheel is hollow?

[DoorNumberFour]

That makes sense. Do you or does anyone know if the wheel is hollow?

Yes, it is.

[RyanCDN]

Scott's point is interesting given that the tension on the Big Wheel would be easy to control--it seems like most people should be able to get two times around, and at least these days the Wheel of Fortune is much heavier than in the old days.

Yeah the wheel is tensioned down for WoF, much more so than in the old days which you can see from simple videos as to how quick it stops. You need to put a decent amount of force into getting it a full revolution.

-Ryan

[chrisholland03]

I miss the days of the floppy wheel with the cardboard inserts.