Caster Wheel Question

timster68 · Post by **timster68** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:13 pm

I received Chrispitude's tires/nuts/bolts and installed them a few days ago. I like it so much I'm getting a couple more from him. I tinkered with the idea of remove the entire caster assembly but then decided to lift the Shopsmith up by hand and pull the wheels out by hand. I found that by sticking a piece of wood under the feet, I would then have enough clearance to pull the wheels out. Of course I realized this after pulling the first couple out (putting them back was at least a little easier). I tried hacksawing the tire out by holding it in my hand and then just put the straight piece in a vice grip and like Chris said earlier, the axle is pretty soft metal so in 20 seconds or so I was able to cut through. It really was pretty easy. The only thing I didn't do at the time (because I didn't have any) was put a little grease on the inner part of the wheel. But since all I need now is a wrench - I can easily remove it and apply the grease I just got. And the red tires make a nice contrast to the rather colorless shopsmith.

-Tim

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:07 pm

Hi all,

I have one more set of four polyurethane caster wheels plus stainless steel assembly hardware. Prices are per my message above. PM me if interested!

- Chris

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:23 am

Chris,
I tried PMing you last night. I'm not sure if any of my messages went to the correct address. I have never used the message feature of the forum.

In any event, I realized I need six sets of wheels. so I simply ordered directly from Grizzly.com

So please do not hold a set for me.

Tony

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:48 am

Hi Chris,
I found a source of hardware which looks to be reasonable: Bolt Depot.com.
They charged .28 per nylock nut; .49 per bolt; and .07 per washer- all stainless. Shipping was $6.32 for enough hardware to do 24 casters.
This might be cheaper than your local & it's delivered, to boot.

Tony

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:52 pm

backhertz wrote:Chris,
I tried PMing you last night. I'm not sure if any of my messages went to the correct address. I have never used the message feature of the forum.

In any event, I realized I need six sets of wheels. so I simply ordered directly from Grizzly.com

So please do not hold a set for me.

Tony

Hi Tony,

It's okay, I responded this morning that you should order directly for that quantity.

Thanks for a pointer to that bolt website - I'm definitely bookmarking it for future projects!

- Chris

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:15 pm

My pleasure Chris. I ordered 24 wheels. !6 shipped; 8 on backorder until June 8th.

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:36 am

I received my order of stainless steel parts yesterday. I also happened to have a new wheel from Shopsmith on my kitchen table. I had ordered 4, so I though, but they only shipped me one... I've had a number issues lately with stuff showing shipped, but never making it into the shipping container. But that's a subject for another thread.

So I look at my 1.25" bolts & notice they are 1/4" too short....hello! then I go back to the thread & continue reading... The boltdepot.com place will credit me and send me 1.50" bolts, my bad. Even with the return shipping charge, I'm ahead of the game.

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:16 pm

For what its worth........this thread has several miles on it, but I will add another little twist anyway. I am always looking for an easier way to move my machines around. The dual casters slip right in although you will need to reset the Retractable Caster Assembly 5/16 inch higher on the legs. Setting the 520 on a couple of saw horses and removing the legs to drill the holes, install casters and remount the legs took about 1 1/2 hrs. The casters have double ball bearings so it is easy to move the 520 in any direction.

The casters are from McMaster-Carr product #87855T61

Pics will probably make more sence than my explanation.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:21 pm

ldh wrote:For what its worth........this thread has several miles on it, but I will add another little twist anyway. I am always looking for an easier way to move my machines around. The dual casters slip right in although you will need to reset the Retractable Caster Assembly 5/16 inch higher on the legs. Setting the 520 on a couple of saw horses and removing the legs to drill the holes, install casters and remount the legs took about 1 1/2 hrs. The casters have double ball bearings so it is easy to move the 520 in any direction.

The casters are from McMaster-Carr product #87855T61

Pics will probably make more sence than my explanation.

Do they have to be set higher because the wheels still touch the floor when the wheels are retracted?

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:39 pm

Dusty,
Yes you will need to set the caster frame about ¼" to 5/16" higher with the double wheels. Remove the caster frame and measure with the SS casters then with the McMaster Carr casters and you can determine the difference. I have done a couple of sets now and found one to be ¼" higher and the other was ok at 5/16". I am about ready to put a set on a 520 that I use here in Phx. and I have a little modification that I plan to add to that install. I will post some pics when I finish.
ldh

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