Caster Upgrade

amboyna

I'm looking to upgrade the original casters for my 10ER. I have a set of Mark 5 casters, which is a slight upgrade. But I'm looking for a set with ball bearings between the wheel bracket and the post.

I have seen the Shepherd caster guide posted by Everett. It shows a 1 3/8" stem, which is shorter than the 1 3/4" it should be.

Yesterday I went to Motion Industries and found a Colson Caster. But the post is only 1". How critical is the post length. And lastly, where can I purchase a high quality set of casters.

[deleted]

When I shopped for caster upgrades, I found the entire Shepherd catalog (available online) to be a good place to start. They have several product lines, mounting methods, etc. A slightly shorter stem should not matter, but not sure if 3/8" is too much. Have you verified the weight of your machine? Each caster will have recommended maximum load, and within a product line, that will vary with wheel material type. Once you settle on brand, style, etc, then look at ebay, Amazon, etc. and prepare to do more research and comparison, as not all descriptions that I found were accurate.

[deleted]

I got a set of casters with ball bearings from Grainger. Rated for 75 pounds each, and I didn’t have to drill any new mounting holes in the legs, and the shafts fit perfectly in the sleeves. I’ll post the part numbers later, if you like.

amboyna

PhilSC wroteI got a set of casters with ball bearings from Grainger. Rated for 75 pounds each, and I didn’t have to drill any new mounting holes in the legs, and the shafts fit perfectly in the sleeves. I’ll post the part numbers later, if you like.

Yes, please post a part number. Thanks in advance.

chapmanruss

I have been asked “What is the weight of a Model 10?” It is hard to say since revisions made to the parts from 1947 to 1953 also changed the weight. Several parts had their mass reduced such as the Base Plate. Others changed to lighter materials like Aluminum vs. Cast Iron as was done with the Headrest and the weight changed from 14 to 7 pounds in the parts lists. Way Tubes had their weight reduced by almost half when they were changed from 1/4” to 1/8” thick walls. It is safe to say a basic Model 10E from 1947 is heavier than a basic 1953 10ER. The Montgomery Ward catalog around 1949 - 1950 with a later 10E (metal extension table) lists the weight with a motor as 205 pounds. The ½ HP motor is listed as 35 pounds. That weight includes the original accessories (sanding disk, arbors, fence, etc.) included when purchasing the basic unit. Now add the weight of the bench plus caster assemblies and anything else that is on the bench when moving. 75 pound rated casters may be able to handle it but I believe they will wear out quickly. I would recommend a higher rated castor.

As for the length of the castor's mounting shaft, it is important for the original style castors since they "ride" on the end of the shaft. Ball bearing swivel castors can have the sleeve riding on the top of the ball bearing swivels plate so the shaft can be shorter.

One more thing to consider is the height of the castor from the floor to the top of the ball bearing's swivel plate compared to the original castors. if it is different you will have to drill new holes in the bench ends to adjust the height of the castor assembly.

[deleted]

https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-2-Light-Medium-Duty-Swivel-3A787

This is a link to the Grainger casters I installed on my first "project" MkV. I had to compress the brass fittings near the top of the shaft with channellocks to make them fit inside the sleeves, but that was easy. I put the MkV back together, and the casters clear the ground in the up position, so no need for new holes .The Grainger item number is 3A787, if the link doesn't work.

JPG

OK, now how far off the ground are the legs when cranked to the first and second stop?

Is the bottom of the piston bearing on the shoulder, or are the stems bottoming out in the piston bores.

One concern I would have is the lack of the spherical(ball) shaped end on the stem.

amboyna

PhilSC wrotehttps://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-2-Light-Medium-Duty-Swivel-3A787

This is a link to the Grainger casters I installed on my first "project" MkV. I had to compress the brass fittings near the top of the shaft with channellocks to make them fit inside the sleeves, but that was easy. I put the MkV back together, and the casters clear the ground in the up position, so no need for new holes .The Grainger item number is 3A787, if the link doesn't work.

A 1-3/8" stem length would probably work fine. But I am going to keep searching for the exact replacement size. What's crazy is I bought a set many years ago from a machine shop in Buhl Idaho that matched all the specs. They cost $11 each. Don't plan on driving 550 miles to buy another set. :D

JPG

Something wrong with these???

https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/standard_replacement_caster.htm

amboyna

JPG wroteSomething wrong with these???

https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/standard_replacement_caster.htm

Yes. Looking for a set that has ball bearings between the stem and wheel bracket. And maybe a wheel made from better material. Like rubber or Polyolefin.

I have a set of the Shopsmith casters you linked. The wheels appear to be hard plastic. Stem is right though.

everettdavis

If I interpreted your location correctly, you appear to be very near Portland, Oregon.

You can try John W. Negus Co. in Portland. https://www.johnwnegus.com/

You could take them a caster and let them closely match it to what you are wanting to do. 12007 NE Marx St, Portland, OR 97220 They are in building 5 They've been in business for 70 years and can probably help you find a caster that meets your needs well.

Otherwise, if that is not your location, find a bearing and caster supply house near you.

Everett

amboyna

everettdavis wroteIf I interpreted your location correctly, you appear to be very near Portland, Oregon.

You can try John W. Negus Co. in Portland. https://www.johnwnegus.com/

You could take them a caster and let them closely match it to what you are wanting to do. 12007 NE Marx St, Portland, OR 97220 They are in building 5 They've been in business for 70 years and can probably help you find a caster that meets your needs well.

Otherwise, if that is not your location, find a bearing and caster supply house near you.

Everett

Thanks Everett. They are about 10 miles from me. I will check them out.

JPG

Do let us know what you end up with! :cool:

amboyna

JPG wrote
Do let us know what you end up with! :cool:

Went to John W. Negus Co. yesterday and purchased a nice set of casters for my 10ER. Made by Allgood in Canada, they were only $5.50 each. Part number AG-SO803-437SX1. Post length is 1 7/16". Shopsmith post length is 1 11/16". So this post is only 1/4" shorter than stock. Wheels are made of hard rubber. Salesman said they were rated at 80 pounds each.

Installed and ready to go. Thanks again Everett!

JPG

Thank You for posting that 'solution'.

We must realize we be altering the original design intentions.

I think the solution above is an improvement.

The original design had a ball end on the caster stem that rode in a similarly shaped socket at the bottom of the piston bore. That provided the bearing of the weight and required some grease to lubricate as well as rotation bearing.

The 'solution' above has a shorter stem that makes the shape of the new stem moot.

The 'solution' has the bearing race that supports the weight from the lower end of the piston directly to the caster frame.

Only unanswered question is the resultant height(piston lower end to the floor in all three cam positions).

P.S. I like the quality spring retaining clip as opposed to those cheap brass(?) 'things'.

amboyna

All three cam positions work perfectly. The 2" profile on the new caster is the same as the old caster.

The hard rubber wheels does not move as easy as the old steel wheels. That is the only difference I have found so far.

Machine still pushes fine though. :)

JPG

amboyna wroteAll three cam positions work perfectly. The 2" profile on the new caster is the same as the old caster.

The hard rubber wheels does not move as easy as the old steel wheels. That is the only difference I have found so far.

Machine still pushes fine though. :)

What is thy definition of 'perfectly'? ;)

amboyna

JPG wrote
amboyna wrote
All three cam positions work perfectly. The 2" profile on the new caster is the same as the old caster.

The hard rubber wheels does not move as easy as the old steel wheels. That is the only difference I have found so far.

Machine still pushes fine though. 🙂

What is thy definition of 'perfectly'? 😉

Perhaps perfectly was not the right word to use. Here are photos showing what I have with the new casters on. In the half up position (not shown) the base does scrape a little on the concrete. Several factors may be involved. Broom finish on the concrete. An extra 100 Lbs. from a drawer and tools. Or maybe the fact that the wheels are hard rubber, not steel.

JPG

I think a washer or two will make it closer to 'perfect'.

amboyna

JPG wroteI think a washer or two will make it closer to 'perfect'.

Never thought of that. Thanks. I will give it a try.