Shopsmith Forums

Years ago I upgraded to what ShopSmith calls their Premium 3” caster wheel (red). On their site they describe the wheel as 3” x 1-1/2” with a 3/8” axle. Mine delaminated about three years ago and I bought replacement wheels from ShopSmith and now the placements have failed too. Anyone have a source they have successfully found as an replacement wheel alternative? I am seeking any input you are willing to share. Thanks

IIRC Shopsmith has replaced some of these under warranty for another member on somewhat older wheels. (Sorry, I know, this ain't what you asked.)

- David

dusty wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 3:39 pm https://www.amazon.com/WOODRIVER-3-Cast ... zLEALw_wcB

Dusty,

Thanks. Those look like a good quality caster wheel. My Shopsmith Premium casters are doing fine, but I wondered if there might be a correct size wheel from someone else that would fit them, if/when I might need to replace them. Replacing the whole caster assembly (brackets, etc.) can be problematic because of changing the height of it for the Mark V's retractable caster feature. Much appreciated.

Thanks to those who replied to my post. Thought I would provide an update on the fix I made.

After taking off the ShopSmith supplied caster wheel (grey core with red tire), I wasn’t impressed with the quality. The axle bore is some sort of plastic and the red tire is glued or molded onto the grey plastic core. On the ShopSmith website, I did not find a weight capacity rating for their replacement wheel.

After lots of time searching the web, I ultimately selected a caster wheel off Amazon to try for $10.20/each (ShopSmith’s P/N 522877 is listed today at $18.95 each for wheel only price). Since I am a Amazon Prime Member shipping was free for me too. The best way to describe the one I bought off Amazon is a “RWM Caster POB-0312-06 3” diameter x 1-1/4” polyolefin wheel with a weight capacity of 250 lbs. https://a.co/d/4h8hby4 . (Not sure if the Amazon link I provided will work after my post is published … we’ll see).

Just installed the Amazon wheels today and am pleased with the results. Mobile casters work normally and the original axle and metal platforms were re-used with no modifications required other than swapping out the wheels. I like the replacement wheel’s steel axle core and ball bearings are very smooth. I like the one type of polyolefin material around the metal core and the 250 lbs rating per wheel too. Only time and use will be the final judge of how well the replacements workout for me. Here are some pics if you are interested.