Installing New Casters

[S Brian]

FedEx delivered my premium casters this morning, so I headed to The Woodshop Below to upgrade my 1980 Mark V-500. Before installing the new parts, I decided to dismantle each assembly to clean the years of accumulated crud. After cleaning, everything proceeded smoothly, until I had the first side installed and added the new casters. When I rotated the actuator, it interfered with the caster bearing cover. I had to take everything apart and drill another hole, 1/2" inboard for the actuator roll pin. Fortunately I had not started on the other assembly, so only one had to be dismantled again. I have noticed that on newer SS and my Storage Station, the actuator is much further inboard than on mine, but there is nothing in the directions about this possible interference.

[JPG]

FedEx delivered my premium casters this morning, so I headed to The Woodshop Below to upgrade my 1980 Mark V-500. Before installing the new parts, I decided to dismantle each assembly to clean the years of accumulated crud. After cleaning, everything proceeded smoothly, until I had the first side installed and added the new casters. When I rotated the actuator, it interfered with the caster bearing cover. I had to take everything apart and drill another hole, 1/2" inboard for the actuator roll pin. Fortunately I had not started on the other assembly, so only one had to be dismantled again. I have noticed that on newer SS and my Storage Station, the actuator is much further inboard than on mine, but there is nothing in the directions about this possible interference.

DO call this to CS attention. They need to hear it again!!!;)

[dusty]

Are the OLD caster assemblies a Shopsmith product?

I don't think so and if they are not, is it reasonable to think that Shopsmith has an obligation to provide such instruction? Good customer service YES but not an obligation.

[S Brian]

Are the OLD caster assemblies a Shopsmith product?

I don't think so and if they are not, is it reasonable to think that Shopsmith has an obligation to provide such instruction? Good customer service YES but not an obligation.

Sorry, but you think wrong Dusty. I purchased my Mark V new in 1980 and it included the retractable casters. From JPG's reply above, I gather this has been brought by other forum members.

We all know that over the years, SS has revised many different parts of the machine and they are aware of these revisions, so I will be calling SS Customer Service today to bring this problem to their attention again.

[dusty]

Sorry, but you think wrong Dusty. I purchased my Mark V new in 1980 and it included the retractable casters. From JPG's reply above, I gather this has been brought by other forum members.

We all know that over the years, SS has revised many different parts of the machine and they are aware of these revisions, so I will be calling SS Customer Service today to bring this problem to their attention again.

I guess you are saying that they are of Shopsmith design because they are really NOT all that old. Born in 1980 makes them youngsters.

[billmayo]

The interference of the Shopsmith 3" casters with the lift lever has been known for some time and posted many times on this Forum. My solution is located in http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... ht=casters and a additional installation note at http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... ght=caster

[JPG]

The interference of the Shopsmith 3" casters with the lift lever has been known for some time and posted many times on this Forum. My solution is located in https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13591&page=2&highlight=casters and a additional installation note at https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13706&highlight=caster

Sorta like the 'inadequate' drilling instructions and ignorance of 'correct' action.

For reference:

The older casters had about 1/2" separation between the cam and the pedal.

The newer casters have about 2" separation between the cam and the pedal.

So a new hole needs be drilled about 1 1/2" further from the cam than the original hole. Same size.

The angle needs to match the original angle.

I recommend a drill press and v-blocks to accomplish the drilling. Center punch also. A nail stuck in the original hole helps establish correct drilling angle(vertical with a drill press).