3-Inch Caster Falling Apart

[rlkeeney]

20250725-111534 Broken Shopsmith Caster.resized.jpg (225.94 KiB) Viewed 138444 times

If this one broke for no apparent reason, I assume the others are not far behind. A replacement from Shopsmith is $21. That is $84 for a set of four.

Do you know of lower cost replacement that will work?

[RFGuy]

Robert,

Sorry, this happened to you. I have been worried about mine doing the same ever since a couple of other forum members posted in the past about theirs falling apart. So far, so good for mine. I am a big fan of Caster City and have used their casters on several of my shop furniture pieces. I was thinking about this before and I am not sure if it is better to replace the whole Shopsmith caster mount, or just the wheels. I don't know if there is a suitable aftermarket replacement that mounts with the correct stem size, etc. to the Shopsmith caster assembly. IF you want to consider just replacing the wheels, you can take a look at Caster City. It looks like they have the exact size wheels that should be a direct replacement (see link below). However, finding the right size stem caster to replace it may be the best option. I know Shopsmith uses grip ring style stem casters, but without taking it apart, I don't know the size for replacement. Caster City even has locking casters which are very nice. Let us know what you figure out for it. I am sure you won't be the last person to run into this issue. Best of luck.

https://castercity.com/polyurethane-cas ... n-centers/

[rlkeeney]

I found these: https://tinyurl.com/29hewac9.

They worked for me.

[RFGuy]

Robert,

Those are 3" x 1.25" wheels, but don't you need 3" x 1 9/16" to replace the Shopsmith ones? By the way, I have had good luck buying replacement wheels off of Amazon for my suitcases. I have a suitcase set that is over 2 decades old and the wheels started to fall apart. Replacement wheels on Amazon fit though it was a pain to cut the old wheels out of the casters on the suitcases. Replacements are working fine so far and have prolonged the life of these suitcases. IF you can find the wheels on Amazon, then that would be the most economical option. Let us know how they work.

[GEC]

I am facing a similar problem. I bought a used 510 last week with premium casters that are similarly delaminating (its still in the car! waiting for caster repair). I bought 4 new wheels from Amazon (75 mm = 2.95 in). These wheels barely clear the floor at the tallest setting and then if the floor is not flat will scrape. It seems that the previous owner drilled the holes slightly too high? I used the positions from Dusty's template ( https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/view ... 24#p255124) and measured the hole positions and they are correct - so I am confused. My 500 has the older 2 inch adjustable casters and is perfectly rolling. Is it possible to move the new mechanism down to the original holes and replace the casters with the old style 2 inch casters? This would be the easiest solution. Anyone with experience or thoughts?

[DLB]

I am facing a similar problem. I bought a used 510 last week with premium casters that are similarly delaminating (its still in the car! waiting for caster repair). I bought 4 new wheels from Amazon (75 mm = 2.95 in). These wheels barely clear the floor at the tallest setting and then if the floor is not flat will scrape. It seems that the previous owner drilled the holes slightly too high? I used the positions from Dusty's template ( https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/view ... 24#p255124) and measured the hole positions and they are correct - so I am confused. My 500 has the older 2 inch adjustable casters and is perfectly rolling. Is it possible to move the new mechanism down to the original holes and replace the casters with the old style 2 inch casters? This would be the easiest solution. Anyone with experience or thoughts?

Yes, this should work. It is not usually a "new mechanism." The 3" wheels are usually bought as upgrade kits and the original mechanism is re-used and relocated. If I was doing this I would consider using the 2" Amazon wheels you mentioned in your other post. IIRC these are the same ones Scott Markwood endorses on his youtube channel. I'm not endorsing this, I personally like the 3" wheels in the Shopsmith upgrade.

- David

[GEC]

David - Thanks. I am going to try some 3.5 inch wheels that will fit in the fork for the premium casters. I see from some other posts and from Scott Markwood' youtube that a spacer between the caster and the mount will also give extra space. Between the larger wheel and the spacer I think the clearance should be adequate.

[chapmanruss]

If you replace just the wheels in the Shopsmith Caster "forks" using 3.5" ones instead of the original 3" size, you would be lifting the Mark bench ends 1/4" higher if nothing else is changed. That may not allow it to rest on the floor with the larger diameter wheels. I also wonder if there is enough clearance for 3.5" Wheels in the OEM 3" Caster Assemblies. Will the top of the Wheel rub on the Caster Assembly?

[GEC]

The holes drilled by previous owner were a bit off. The 3.5 in wheels cleared the caster assembly without issue. Although one caster set hits the floor solidly in the up position, the other end hits the floor but without the full weight of the machine (with lateral force it will skid). I will make a shim for that one end, it probably only needs to be < 0.1 in. First I will try a thin layer of JB weld or similar epoxy. If that is not durable, I can drill the bottom and place two rivets or screws for a bearing surface on each contact point.

[MilRet]

Must be a Florida thing. My casters broke apart also. I peeled off the rubber outer layer. The wheels actually work better without the cover! Luckily I had ordered a replacement set from Shopsmith but have yet to replace them.