Shopsmith Forums

damagi wrote:Interestingly enough, on closer inspection there is more to the positioning than just the difference in the wheel size. The original casters are 1 15/16" long, but don't stick in all the way.

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My replacements are 1 3/8" for the stem...so 9/16" shorter. I went back and inspected the photos on the shopsmith page, and it appears that theirs are probably 1 3/8" as well. I think the ones I found are identical except for the color (simply an issue of what was in stock).

So, what does this mean? Well, it means that we need to compensate. Measuring from the edge of the socket where the wheels attach, it looks like the old wheels have their axis 1 5/8" down, whereas the new wheels are 2 1/2" lower.

The stems on my old wheels are 1 11/16". This would mean the new wheel stems are compatible with my caster assemblies. This is good.

dusty wrote:The stems on my old wheels are 1 11/16". This would mean the new wheel stems are compatible with my caster assemblies. This is good.

Not sure how you came to that conclusion from Damagi's post.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Okay
As I read and understand this answer I now know

Yes the template when properly used is correct. The Later version!!!!!!

Yes the casters when installed using the template do work If the later version template.

And NO you don't have to reengineer SS's design. Perhaps if old casters 'new' enough.

Since most after market casters are near SS's price and since they all require engineering/possible modification to work. A wise buyer would order and install the Shopsmith casters. The after market casters I obtained were less than 1/4 the ss cost - however I think the ss ones are better. The Menard's ones appear as good as the ss ones and are cheaper than those I got!

Thank you Jim for clarifying the caster situation for us! Indeed! However most of this thread was discussing problems with earlier version of the installation instructions.

Now in the future when someone says their Shopsmith with the new casters doesn't work right I can and will automatically assume they aren't installed properly. Most likely because the person did not follow directions. Maybe, possible, not conclusively so!

Again thanks Jim, I will place my order as soon as I figure out everything else I need to order.

Good luck with your caster set!;) We patiently await your 'critique'!:D

JPG40504 wrote:Not sure how you came to that conclusion from Damagi's post.

I thought it was easy. He reported that his stems were 1 3/8" and my old stems were 1 11/16" (longer by 5/16"). Therefore, new wheel stems will fit into old casters.

dusty wrote:I thought it was easy. He reported that his stems were 1 3/8" and my old stems were 1 11/16" (longer by 5/16"). Therefore, new wheel stems will fit into old casters.

His 1 3/8" stemmed casters were third party issue, not the new SS ones. He concluded the new ss one's were also 1 3/8". I do not think that is so from my previous scaling from ss pix.

P.S. Not sure where I scaled from pix. It was not from the current web site listing. However I found some interesting reading of customer comments there!

This one is typical:
Installed location of new casters won't give the advertised leg clearance when Mark 520 is lifted. Suggest locating rotating arm .500 inches toward rod center to clear wheel top cover. A longer guide pin might allow lift clearance and save relocating rotating arm and save changing caster assembly installation again. ShopSmith engineering should address this issue and provide customer satisfaction...posted 2/11/12!!!

The foot pedal clearance may be the 'older model' problem. The foot pedal is closer to the end of the camshaft on older casters and that would cause the larger caster wheel to interfere. Same reason older caster sat cannot be used on power station etc.

I conclude my previous concerns re the piston bore/shape are likely unfounded and the footpedal location is the probable one. Although apparently also a problem with a 520?

Yes there were some all is great comments as well, but the 'I had a problem'/template/height comments were reminiscent of comments here..

Okay the new castor fresh out of the box with those big red high quality wheels attached received directly from Shopsmith and waiting to be installed they, the stems that is, measure 1 and 3/8" Jim

Fwiw, I purchased these for my 520 right after they went on sale. Used the included templates and everything installed just fine. No issues that I can tell. A gret price for a great upgrade IMHO.

Bob

fjimp wrote:Okay the new castor fresh out of the box with those big red high quality wheels attached received directly from Shopsmith and waiting to be installed they, the stems that is, measure 1 and 3/8" Jim

Thank You for that. That means the new ones do not bottom out in the bore, but set flush to the piston bottom.

beeg wrote:Let us know Ed how it goes installing them. But I don't understand as to WHY ya have to turn the SS upside down to install em.

I guess you don't. You will have to jack up the shopsmith slightly to have the clearance and you will probably have to work on your belly. Unless you are younger guy that can work for long periods of time with your head lower then your behind.

Seriously flipped and lying across two saw horses putting the whole thing within arms reach seems more comfortable to me than trying to work 4 or 5 inches off the floor.

Hello all

Has anyone tried some of these.

http://www.amazon.com/Steelex-D2650-2-I ... 04&sr=1-12

I did a search for shopsmith on amazon under tools. came up with these wheels. They look ok, but would require cutting off the old ones and installing a bolt.

Do the shopsmith casters require modifing or drilling inorder to fit. It should be just pull of the old and push on the new.