John Morris Posted December 15, 2018 Report Share Posted December 15, 2018 I found the Achilles heel of my Shopsmith, the casters, they are horrible! They are a beast to roll around. Any Shopsmith folks with any advise, I'd sure appreciate it. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 John, do those casters have a single center post bolt mount to go through those aluminum aprons? Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 9 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said: John, do those casters have a single center post bolt mount to go through those aluminum aprons? I think so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Is that a spring on top? At first I thought the design was similar to my old Craftsman RAS cabinet, but seeing it closer, quite different. If you can't change out the caster wheels for larger diameter, I think I'd remove that set-up and install a set of these... https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-retracting-casters or these... https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-workbench-caster-set-4-piece HARO50, John Morris and Cal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Go to Granger or a caster supply store. You can get better wheels with the same size spindle or get caster with a thru hole to mount. Then use whatever length bolt you need to secure this wheel. You can also do online search. I did this search last month for lathe wheels and found this: https://www.surpluscenter.com/shop.axd/Search?keywords=thru+hole+wheels Have not purchased here but that is a great price. Cal and John Morris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gunny Posted December 16, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 (edited) Is it possible to use a base plate with the wheels Grandpadave52 mentioned? If so get some 3/16 ths angle weld it up and attached them to it. I used this method on my twin tablesaw build. Installed 550 lb casters. Over 2000 lbs of combined weight. More than enough for this build. Edited December 16, 2018 by Woodbutcherbynight wrong picture Artie, Cal, John Morris and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 5 hours ago, John Morris said: They are a beast to roll around. go to a way better caster... https://www.woodcraft.com/search?q=casters&button=search Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post John Morris Posted December 16, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Well folks, after all the wonderful advice I was given here, I actually found the OEM upgrade for this machine! The upgrade comes with template to re-drill the bolt holes to accommodate the larger dia casters. Thanks for all your help gents! http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/premium_casters.htm Gunny, p_toad, Grandpadave52 and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 1 minute ago, John Morris said: I actually found the OEM upgrade for this machine! those are the same casters Woodcraft carries... Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 2 minutes ago, Stick486 said: those are the same casters Woodcraft carries... Looking for em Stick, but don't see em at Woodcraft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 shows they are rated at 284 lbs, not bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 I know come w/o locks or threaded spindles... 300# rated.. https://www.woodcraft.com/products/3-caster-double-locking-swiveling-with-1-2-threaded-spindle Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 2 minutes ago, Stick486 said: I know come w/o locks or threaded spindles... 300# rated.. https://www.woodcraft.com/products/3-caster-double-locking-swiveling-with-1-2-threaded-spindle The ones from Shopsmith are about the same price, and I know they'll work. The ones from Woodcraft have that threaded spindle, the ones from Shopsmith have that specialty spindle, the spindle attaches to a spring mechanism, I think that is what that special bulb catch or whatever you call it on the Shopsmith spindle is. Thanks Stick, I think I'll get the SS ones, and thanks all! Grandpadave52, Artie and Cal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Those old wheels aren't too bad on a smooth surface but on concrete with expansion joints, they are a bear. Even a small sliver of wood will stop you in your tracks. Cal, John Morris and Grandpadave52 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Please come back with a users report after you have made the change John. Grandpadave52 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 48 minutes ago, Gene Howe said: Those old wheels aren't too bad on a smooth surface but on concrete with expansion joints, they are a bear. Even a small sliver of wood will stop you in your tracks. Gene, my wheels don't seem to want to turn on demand, I have to persuade the machine with nudges at strategical push points on the machine to get the Smith to go in the direction I want it too, frustrating. I hope these new wheels will make the difference. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 49 minutes ago, Cal said: Please come back with a users report after you have made the change John. No doubt I will! Cal and Grandpadave52 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted December 16, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 30 minutes ago, John Morris said: Gene, my wheels don't seem to want to turn on demand, I have to persuade the machine with nudges at strategical push points on the machine to get the Smith to go in the direction I want it too, frustrating. I hope these new wheels will make the difference. A steering wheel and tie rods would be nice. John Morris, p_toad, Artie and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 3 minutes ago, Gene Howe said: A steering wheel and tie rods would be nice. Probably have to pay tax for that accessory on the"left coast" since the FCC ruled against the "Text Tax." Artie, HARO50, John Morris and 1 other 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted December 16, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 4 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said: Probably have to pay tax for that accessory on the"left coast" since the FCC ruled against the "Text Tax." I about fell off my chair when I read about that tax. Will they never stop? Next will be a breathing tax. Hey you Kalifornians, there's a whole real world a bit east of ya. C'mon over. Grandpadave52, Gunny, Cal and 3 others 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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