Extending caster pedal

STB · Post by **STB** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:35 pm

I am adding an extend the caster pedal project to my around toit list. Searching previous posts I did not find a post discussing extending the caster pedal.

My intention is to extend the caster pedal to the outside of the legs on a SS power station and a dedicated mark V drill press. My question, has anyone done it if so what was the challenges and result?

I am attaching photos from a SS Sawsmith 2000 as an example of what I am thinking about.

[ATTACH]26935[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]26936[/ATTACH]

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:27 pm

On the power station, reverse the casters.* That will place the foot pedal accessible from the outside.

If I can find it, I will link to a previous post.

If Mark x legs on the drill press, not likely to work.

* make that reverse the cam shaft.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=9019

STB · Post by **STB** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 1:27 am

Thanks JPG for the link.
During the free shipping day I ordered the caster wheel upgrade. Today I installed the caster kit. While I had the caster brackets off I extended the caster pedals to the outside of the legs.

: IMG_0914 (800x403).jpg (292.7 KiB) Viewed 2433 times

2centsworth · Post by **2centsworth** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 9:43 am

Stumpbuster wrote:Thanks JPG for the link.
During the free shipping day I ordered the caster wheel upgrade. Today I installed the caster kit. While I had the caster brackets off I extended the caster pedals to the outside of the legs.
IMG_0914 (800x403).jpg

Can you give us more detail and a picture from inside the legs ? This is great.

STB · Post by **STB** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:04 pm

Can you give us more detail and a picture from inside the legs ? This is great.

First and foremost pay attention to the orientation of the caster pedal and lift cams. I would suggest doing one at a time. Don't ask me how I know this.
I purchased 36in. long 1/2 in round stock at a local hardware store and cut it in half 18 in. This worked out with the new casters but I think if doing this on the old casters the pedal rod would need to be longer.
The next step is to drill a hole for the pedal roll pin. Be as accurate as possible. If the hole is not drilled in the center there will be a problem driving the roll pin in the pedal. Grind a taper on the rollpin this will be a help if the hole is a little off.
The next step is to drill a 1/2 in hole threw the caster bracket and file a notch in the leg for caster shaft clearance. Install the shaft with the cams in the correct orientation and flat spots under the caster brackets. Orient the caster pedal (using the roll pin reference) to 60 deg. or eyeball the pedal position using the other intact caster assy. Tighten the cam set screws to mark the flat spot position on the shaft.
Next file set screw flat spots on the shaft. I used a digital gage (but the level on a sliding square would work just as well) to get the setscrew flat spots parallel.