Replacing old casters with new Premium ones.

monclover · Post by **monclover** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:31 pm

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.

db5 · Post by **db5** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:50 pm

There is a post here from Bill Mayo showing how to do it by just setting it on 2x4s (with pictures). Do a search or perhaps someone else can provide a link.

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:53 pm

Welcome,

When I installed casters on my casterless greenie I basically just moved the headstock to one end and supported it against a staircase to attach an assembly, then moved the headstock to the other end of the tubes, leaned that end against the stairs for the second assembly. The weight of the headstock kept it pretty stable. I was able to do additional tightening after I let it all sit back to the ground.

Maybe this approach will work for you.

reible · Post by **reible** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:08 pm

I did mine by lifting an end and putting the bars on a saw horse. It wasn't too bad but I had to do a lot of measuring to fix the shopsmith mistakes on the templates.

I believe the templates have been corrected but I personally wanted to verify that the caster were (1) not touching, then (2) went up 1/4" and then (3) went to 1/2". I'm not sure that is the case with what shopsmith offers by way of their template but at least the newer versions are better then the photocopied they were send out for a while.

Please also note that if you have an older caster kit you may experience other issues such as having the pedal location being too close the the new casters. So far shopsmith seems to be sticking their head in the sand on this issue so if you do experience this give them a call.

Here is a post I did at the time.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=10221

Ed

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:14 pm

db5 wrote:There is a post here from Bill Mayo showing how to do it by just setting it on 2x4s (with pictures). Do a search or perhaps someone else can provide a link.

I have pictures on Ebay (billstoolz) of the 2X4s I used to install my casters.

reible · Post by **reible** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:22 pm

Forget to add a Welcome the the forum in my previous post.

Welcome to the forum!

We like to have new posting members to add to the knowledge base.

It is also nice if you add you location to your profile. If you happen to be near another member it might be nice to know, a little personal touch from a fellow owner can go a long way to solving issues.

Ed

db5 · Post by **db5** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 8:25 pm

billmayo wrote:I have pictures on Ebay (billstoolz) of the 2X4s I used to install my casters.

This is also an excellent place to buy the castors (at a lesser rate than found elsewhere). You also get a template for drilling which is accurate and which leaves no need to guess or measure and also eliminates the confusion from the SS instructions as well as inaccuracies. You also get a drill bit. That I don't understand because I think anyone who wants to upgrade the castors would have a bit the right size. I suppose it is just billstoolz wanting to ensure you get everything you need, no mistakes on your part and it is done right. Some of us who are this side of 50 might pick the wrong size bit. Perhaps SS has corrected their instructions by now.

Others considering buying these castors might also want to PM billmayo and bypass eBay.

stew · Post by **stew** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:48 pm

I also got my casters from Bill. It was maybe a 20 minute upgrade following his instructions and template. I just set the end on a couple of 2x4's that were on the floor, took off the old casters and drilled the new holes with the template provided. It worked great and what a difference it made. Thanks again Bill.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:27 am

db5 wrote:This is also an excellent place to buy the castors (at a lesser rate than found elsewhere). You also get a template for drilling which is accurate and which leaves no need to guess or measure and also eliminates the confusion from the SS instructions as well as inaccuracies. You also get a drill bit. That I don't understand because I think anyone who wants to upgrade the castors would have a bit the right size. I suppose it is just billstoolz wanting to ensure you get everything you need, no mistakes on your part and it is done right. Some of us who are this side of 50 might pick the wrong size bit. Perhaps SS has corrected their instructions by now.

Others considering buying these castors might also want to PM billmayo and bypass eBay.

Thanks. I always have trouble finding the tool(s) I need. So, I try to include misc. parts, washers, shims and hardware that everyone may not have with any kits and parts I offer to make a complete repair. I always include a bottle of zoom spout turbine oil with any kit or parts that would need lubrication as lubrication is the most neglected area on the Shopsmith.

My current casters are rated at 175 pds per caster. I have few sets of 3" black frame and solid polypropylene wheel casters rated at 270 pds per caster. I can supply either sets of casters for the same price. I have a set on one on my Shopsmiths if anyone needs a picture of the stronger casters. My supplier of 4" X 1 3/8" casters with deep dust shields that I used a few sets no longer have them available. I was using the 4" casters for a few years until they were no longer available so switched to the 3" casters. Never found a 4" X 1 3/8" replacement caster since then that looks good. Most 4" caster wheels I find are only 1" in width and supports 115 pds. I hope to try some 5" casters soon.

gr8mesquite · Post by **gr8mesquite** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:00 am

I want to replace my casters, and I want to do it only once. So, would 4" casters be a better choice than the standard 3" upgrade? Are there drawbacks to 4"?

http://catalog.erwagner.com/item/ight-m ... 101bblzd22

Many thanks