Caster Wheel Question

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:22 pm

If none of the refurbishers here are looking to put something together, I may browse my local hardware store. If they have the necessary bolts, I'll probably buy a bunch of wheels and bolts/nylocks and offer some caster upgrade kits for sale.

I have the old style rounded-end pins that don't have a divot. I wonder if I can cut an X in it with a hacksaw, then keep the drill bit centered in this X?

- Chris

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:58 pm

Is it also bad that I'm contemplating taking the side shrouds off (that the caster assemblies attach to) and painting the bottom part that contacts the floor with that rubberized coating stuff? I figure when I set it down, it will have that much more grip...

- Chris

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:27 pm

chrispitude wrote:If none of the refurbishers here are looking to put something together, I may browse my local hardware store. If they have the necessary bolts, I'll probably buy a bunch of wheels and bolts/nylocks and offer some caster upgrade kits for sale.

I have the old style rounded-end pins that don't have a divot. I wonder if I can cut an X in it with a hacksaw, then keep the drill bit centered in this X?

- Chris

Chris,
Remove caster and grind down one side of the axle......safely......then use a drift to remove the axle. You can use a regular 1/4" bolt if you are not too fussy. Takes just a couple of minutes. I have seen these on eBay at a fairly high price.
ldh

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:49 pm

Thanks ldh, I'll go that route.

I ordered a batch of 36 wheels, of which I need four. I'll keep an eye out at the local hardware store for proper shoulder bolts, or something along those lines that would do the trick. Once I get all the parts together, I'd be happy to set anyone up with the needed parts for this upgrade.

- Chris

mtobey · Post by **mtobey** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:55 pm

Kinda makes the ebay guy for $40 shipping paid look like a great option.mt

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:23 pm

mtobey wrote:Kinda makes the ebay guy for $40 shipping paid look like a great option.mt

Hi mtobey,

Can you elaborate? I'm not sure which auction you're talking about.

- Chris

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:55 am

chrispitude wrote:Hi all,

I just stumbled over this topic and this sounds like a nice, inexpensive and fun upgrade. Is anyone here selling a complete kit with casters, shoulder bolts and nylock nuts? It would be nice to get everything in one shot. Just running to the nearest hardware store and back costs me about $4 in fuel. If some of you refurbishes here have piles of these parts sitting around, it'd be great to get everything in one easy shot.

If not, I'll just pay Grizzly's $7.90 "admission fee" and check the local hardware stores for the shoulder bolts and nylock nuts. I live in a town of about 4000 people so our selections are limited.

- Chris

I purchased 2 sets of wheels from Grizzly (my fault) after shipping they were $12 a set with SHIPPING. I used stainless hardware 1.5" bolts, two stainless washers and a stainless nylock nuts all from Ace Hardware. The hardware ran about $5 and three trips to the hardware store. With gas I probably spent $40+ without counting my time I still have one to do. It took about 30 minutes to remove the casters, grind off the rivet with a Dremel tool with grinder bit (I went throught two in the process). Someone on eBAY will do the entire job for ~$40 including 1 way shipping, you still have to ship your old casters.

If I had to do it again I would have spent the $40 + ~$8 one way shipping and had it done.

P.S.
The only good news in this besides the much better casters is I now have four 2.5" wheels and enough Stainless Steel bolts and parts to make a beautiful large lathe steady rest.

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:55 am

Thanks Paul, I see it now. When I did a search on "Shopsmith casters" I found some used entire caster assemblies for sale but that didn't make sense because they had metal wheels. When I searched completed auctions too, I saw the rebuild auction you were talking about. That's a pretty nice deal.

Well, since I already placed the caster order... I have some errands to run this morning, so I'll check my local store for the needed hardware. I am hoping to sell the parts shipped for less than $40 plus shipping, assuming that the recipient doesn't mind doing the retrofit.

I am thinking of wirebrushing the caster brackets themselves until they're nice and shiny, then giving them a coat of Penetrol to keep from rusting. Any thoughts?

- Chris

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:54 am

chrispitude wrote: I am thinking of wirebrushing the caster brackets themselves until they're nice and shiny, then giving them a coat of Penetrol to keep from rusting. Any thoughts?

- Chris

Ah a PENETROL person besides me. I love the stuff to keep things from rusting. What experience do you have with it?
Ed

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:12 pm

paulmcohen wrote:I purchased 2 sets of wheels from Grizzly (my fault) after shipping they were $12 a set with SHIPPING. I used stainless hardware 1.5" bolts, two stainless washers and a stainless nylock nuts all from Ace Hardware. The hardware ran about $5 and three trips to the hardware store. With gas I probably spent $40+ without counting my time I still have one to do. It took about 30 minutes to remove the casters, grind off the rivet with a Dremel tool with grinder bit (I went throught two in the process). Someone on eBAY will do the entire job for ~$40 including 1 way shipping, you still have to ship your old casters.

If I had to do it again I would have spent the $40 + ~$8 one way shipping and had it done.

P.S.
The only good news in this besides the much better casters is I now have four 2.5" wheels and enough Stainless Steel bolts and parts to make a beautiful large lathe steady rest.

Paul,
Sorry you had such a problem with the casters. If you were a little closer I would have given you a set. The stainless hardware is a bit of over kill, as I think a grade 8 flange bolt and nylock will probably outlast both of us even in your rainy climate. Do post a pic of the finished casters.
ldh