Shopsmith Forums

Any alternative suggestions on replacing Casters without having to turn-over the entire machine on it's back? I received the new Casters but was unaware I had to get involved with heavy machinery moving. That may have been okay for me 25 years ago, but not anymore.

I used an automotive scissor jack.

I rolled mine over on some saw horses. Moved motor and carriage to center, lifted one end about 2" and set one tube on horse. Same at other end, then rolled it over using the leg. It was actually quite easy.

monclover wrote:Any alternative suggestions on replacing Casters without having to turn-over the entire machine on it's back? I received the new Casters but was unaware I had to get involved with heavy machinery moving. That may have been okay for me 25 years ago, but not anymore.

I did not have to turn my Shopsmith upside down. With the legs on the floor and the Shopsmith end open to work around, after I lifted the Shopsmith end in the middle with a longer 2X4 setting on a shorter piece of 2X4 and then stuck a very short piece of 2X4 under each leg on that end which gave me plenty of clearance to remove, drill holes and installed the caster assembly. No real effort was needed.

billmayo wrote:I did not have to turn my Shopsmith upside down. With the legs on the floor and the Shopsmith end open to work around, after I lifted the Shopsmith end in the middle with a longer 2X4 setting on a shorter piece of 2X4 and then stuck a very short piece of 2X4 under each leg on that end which gave me plenty of clearance to remove, drill holes and installed the caster assembly. No real effort was needed.

I just replaced mine today with ones I got from Bill several months ago. What a difference! I've always hated the SS wheels and this makes a huge difference. With Bill's template there is only one way you can go wrong - install the template and drill below the present holes instead of above. Otherwise it is fool proof.

I have the template and drill bit that came with the set. If anyone has castors from another source and wants the template and bit PM me with your address and I'll mail them. Also if any of your castors are damaged I have 4 in good condition that you can have (or how many you need). My recommendation is to get the upgrade from Bill.

Here is another option. I received 4 Red urethane wheels this afternoon.

My Solution for installation was simple and straight forward. Took a pry bar and raised one end of the SS, put 2" block under each leg and let the SS down on the blocks. Took a large flat blade screwdriver and pried the caster with wheel out of its socket. Dressed the caster with the new wheels by cutting the shaft with a hacksaw and installed the new wheels and 1/4" Stainless bolts with a 1/4" washer between the wheel and caster. Put grease on the shaft of the caster and pushed them back into their sockets. removed the blocks did the other end and had a coke.

Don G

How does the MarkV feel with the new 4 Red urethane wheels ?

billmayo wrote:I did not have to turn my Shopsmith upside down. With the legs on the floor and the Shopsmith end open to work around, after I lifted the Shopsmith end in the middle with a longer 2X4 setting on a shorter piece of 2X4 and then stuck a very short piece of 2X4 under each leg on that end which gave me plenty of clearance to remove, drill holes and installed the caster assembly. No real effort was needed.

I just slid the headstock down to the other end and lifted the light end up on to a sawhorse and then slid the headstock to the other end and reversed the process...Not too heavy that way...

camerio wrote:How does the MarkV feel with the new 4 Red urethane wheels ?

I don't have the red ones but the gray ones from Bill Mayo. I don't think the color changes the feel. These are so smooth.

My one complaint (soon to disappear) is that I will have to change my habits. In the past I could leave everything in an elevated position and the SS would remain steady. Now, if I don't set it down it moves - even when I have something in a vise and am gently filing it.

It's worth the adjustment.

db5 wrote:If anyone has castors from another source and wants the template and bit PM me with your address and I'll mail them. Also if any of your castors are damaged I have 4 in good condition that you can have (or how many you need). My recommendation is to get the upgrade from Bill.

A word of caution…. several dimensions for hole spacing have been posted here: 1-3/4”, 1-9/16”, 1-1/2”, and 1-7/16”. I recently installed a set where my spacing needed to be slightly less than 1-1/4” (1-7/32”). Unless the provider of the casters are identifying the specific spacing, the most accurate method to determine appropriate hole distance is to clamp up the caster assembly and check before drilling.