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Shopsmiths 3" caster upgrade as it unfolds

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 11:27 pm
by reible
After the last thread on the subject I couldn't help but wonder what I was getting into, especially after never expecting to ever purchase a set. So it happened I purchased a set and then are in my shop waiting for me to have the time to check them out.

First I'd like to show you what I face when I have to take my shopsmith outside to work. The driveway has sunk by about 2" and pulled back from the concrete. It is hard to see from the picture but that is what the situation is.

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I built a ramp to solve some of this issue.

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You can only guess what the rest of the driveway has to offer...

Even with the bigger wheels this is not going to be a case of the shopsmith rolling off to smoother pastures.

Next post we will look at the existing casters system.

Ed

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 11:40 pm
by reible
Remember when we were told that we got a 1/4" lift then a 1/2" lift as you raised the machine?

So I should see this on my stock 1976 model machine with all factory parts right?

Alright both legs in the first position on a smooth concrete floor.

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Using brass bars to measure a 1/4" is not even close to going under the leg. I then used a 3/16" and it went farther but still not enough to say the leg was clearing even that.

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Any better at the second position? No, the 1/2" bar is a no-go.

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A 3/8" bar does fit with just a little wiggle room.

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I'll let you think about that for a while.

Next I wanted to see how high off the ground a wheel would be when the machine is sitting on the legs. Turns out it is just less then 1/8".

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The wheels are still in pretty good shape but it could be they are worn that much??

Ed

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 11:48 pm
by reible
One other item I could easily check by installing the casters without changing the mounting was to see if the lever hit the caster... it was mentioned I think twice in the other thread so now we have seen this at least 3 times.

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I'm not going to attempt to solve this just yet. A little grinding or a couple of washers might well be the fix but I'll come back to this later.

Ed

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:07 am
by reible
I hate to even post this but since this was what was given to me to work off of you might as well see it too. If anyone has a better copy please let us know....

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Can anyone tell what is going on in this picture? And no that is not the only like that.

It is not that shopsmith can't get it right it is just that they don't do it right all the time. As contrast this is a shot of the paper work that came with the non-through cut riving knife.

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See, this is what I mean, no doubt what is going on here.

If I were grading the paper work for the caster upgrade it would be a solid "D".

Ed

BTW when I upgraded from my 500 to 520 the manual had these same muddy photos and when I called about they pretty much said tough luck this is what you get. Yes it was who you think it was who I talked to.

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:11 am
by reible
Speaking of paper work, the instructions are dated 09/11 Rev A. The templates are dated 03-12 Rev C.

The hole spacing would appear to be 1-3/4" if anyone cares.

Ed

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:59 am
by greitz
Ed- I received my 3" caster set this week and installed it today. My paperwork is the same as yours.

No problems with the installation, except that I apparently can't drill holes straight, and I apparently have cheap, dull twist drill bits. I had to elongate a couple of holes with a file, and it took a loooong time to drill through the steel.

Anyway, it's done, and it rolls great! Maybe too good, my wife says that now she can move it out of the way whenever she needs to.:eek:

Gary

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:16 am
by JPG
reible wrote:Speaking of paper work, the instructions are dated 09/11 Rev A. The templates are dated 03-12 Rev C.

The hole spacing would appear to be 1-3/4" if anyone cares.

Ed
I care. I also think that may be too much. No facts, just conclusions from other's experience.

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:35 am
by reible
Got some time to revisit this issue today. As far as I can tell I have four solutions.

1) Not use the new casters.
2) Add washers to clear the situation
3) Grind away the pedal.
4) Move the pedal.

For now #1 will not be a long term solution. It will be a solution until I pick a path and make the adjustments.

Adding washers will no doubt work but then that will effect the mounting hole positions. When I go to the hardware store I will pick up a box of washers and see how many are needed and how much taller that will make things. While this is easy to adjust this way I'm not inclined to conclude this is the best way.

I'm not so sure I want to grind away part of the pedal. I'm also not sure if this a better way to do things in the long run. It does have the advantage of not changing the height...

As of this moment I'm entertaining the idea of moving the location of the pedal. The measurements I did indicate the contact area is about 3/8" so if the pedal were moved over 1/2" it would clear the caster top. I don't see having the pedal over another 1/2" will have any bad effects. Since I have more then one shopsmith I can use the other one set up as a drill press to add a second hole, should be an easy task. This also doesn't effect the height issue.

Anyone see any problems with my reasoning so far?

Ed

reible wrote:One other item I could easily check by installing the casters without changing the mounting was to see if the lever hit the caster... it was mentioned I think twice in the other thread so now we have seen this at least 3 times.

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I'm not going to attempt to solve this just yet. A little grinding or a couple of washers might well be the fix but I'll come back to this later.

Ed

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:02 pm
by dusty
reible wrote:One other item I could easily check by installing the casters without changing the mounting was to see if the lever hit the caster... it was mentioned I think twice in the other thread so now we have seen this at least 3 times.

[ATTACH]16980[/ATTACH]

I'm not going to attempt to solve this just yet. A little grinding or a couple of washers might well be the fix but I'll come back to this later.

Ed
I don't have the new casters so my comments are pure speculation.

Is it possible that the interference issue is a byproduct of caster assemblies of different vintages. Some people have trouble and others don't.

just move the levers closer to center.

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:19 pm
by oldc6
the used 510 i bought last fall had a greenie caster set installled on it. when i was going to put the new SS casters on it the levers would hit the casters. i took the lift kit from my 500 and put the new casters on it.

the olders ones have the levers closer to the edge of the casters. use a 1/8 punch and knock out pin in lever and move over enough to clear new casters and will work fine. i think this was covered in another thread somewhere on the forum............