New Wheels

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:49 am

After putting the new 3" casters on my Mark V, I decided to improve the mobility factor for all of my movable equipment. Those items being the Crafter's Station, the Power Station (bandsaw), the PrpPlaner and the Belt Sander.

I installed new wheels on the ProPlaner and the Power Station and decided that this was a waste of new wheels. The new wheels roll great and may even be a bit quieter that the old wheels but not that much better. At least not because of the new wheels.

First of all, cam alignment was as much the problem as was the condition of the wheels. On two of the original four units that were to get new wheels, I found that the cams (on the caster assemblies) were not synchronized. That is one wheel was high while another wheel was low. They don't roll around the shop well that way. Don't now how long they have been that way.

The other problem I have is not caused solely by the wheels at all but rather the way the caster assembly positions the wheels. Some of the wheels are at a slight tilt and therefore do not roll in the center of the wheel. I am not sure this problem can be fixed except by purchasing new caster assemblies.

A couple pictures will explain better than words:

[ATTACH]17531[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]17532[/ATTACH]

Those sure look like two shots of the same wheel but they are not.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:36 am

Do those 'new' wheels have 7/16" stems???

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:30 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Do those 'new' wheels have 7/16" stems???

I did not make myself clear. Only the wheels are new. The stem is part of the original caster. The caster assembly is rebuilt with new wheels and axles.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:46 pm

dusty wrote:I did not make myself clear. Only the wheels are new. The stem is part of the original caster. The caster assembly is rebuilt with new wheels and axles.

Your language was quite clear. I should have realized that from the pix.

Did the stems get bent out of perpendicular to the axle(albeit with an offset).

I would take up that wheel side slop with washers.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:59 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Your language was quite clear. I should have realized that from the pix.

Did the stems get bent out of perpendicular to the axle(albeit with an offset).

I would take up that wheel side slop with washers.

I have some casters with stems that are out of perpendicular but not these. The ones with bent stems were sorted out.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 1:30 pm

This is quite perplexing! (Translation - I do not unnerstan) Obviously the caster frames are cockeyed(tech speak), but why? The only good reference is the bottom of the caster end castings which need to be parallel to the floor(the sides of the casting are not parallel with the piston bore, but the bore is perpendicular to the bottom).

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:16 pm

I was disappointed when I noticed this and have not done any serious evaluation of the casters. However, I do not believe it is the casters. I believe the problem to be within the assembly where the stems are inserted.

That bore is into a metal column that itself is suspended in two holes in the castings. Repair parts are not available for the casting and associated parts.

What was disappointing about all of this was that I spent about $50 all together to do this and I don't believe I have $2.00 worth of improvement.

I added some additional images. Hopefully these will alert others to some of the pit falls of what appears should be a very simple installation.

[ATTACH]17537[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]17538[/ATTACH]

Neither one is installed perfectly but the first one is much worse than the second.

The holes that these are bolted into are all predrilled and there is no room for adjustment. To make it right, I think new holes would be required. I am now in a debate with myself as to whether or not this is worth any additional effort.

While we are here, does anyone know what the elongated holes are for?

[ATTACH]17539[/ATTACH]

oldc6 · Post by **oldc6** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:45 pm

Dusty: I may be missing something in your problem. The left kits were
designed for the markV, where the legs are canted.dont know about those other stands as i dont have one with wheels.

Put your wixey on the caster . set them to zero and drill holes...

Now, maybe i have missed something really big here. If so please explain

oldc6 · Post by **oldc6** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:03 pm

Dusty: I bought a beltsander and stand last year from cl..

So, will attach picture of legs. mine only have the slotted hole in the legs.
further up is another hole maybe 12 inches from floor.

you said your holes were predrilled. mine are not, someone has drilled them wrong?? or they came from factory that way???[ATTACH]17541[/ATTACH].

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:05 pm

Let's start with what stand are we looking at?

It is possible the elongated hole is for the casters that mount on one side and the stand is tilted to position them on the ground for rolling.

Does this 'problem' exist for the power station or crafter's station?

Are the caster mounting holes 1 3/4 apart 'vertically'? i.e. are the two vertical lines passing through the mounting hole centers 1 3/4" apart?

Shopsmith Forums

New Wheels

New Wheels

crooked wheels?

more info