Converting Rigid Casters to Swivel?

[Burgerkong]

Any other options than buying a set of heavy duty turntables from RWM? Looking to put a set of Faultless spring-loaded casters on my KRL, and a 'center that sells surplus' has them for super cheap, $20 each for the rigid plate version. Trying to get them to work, when the alternative is around $400 for a set of four through Extreme Toolboxes or $1000+ via Snap On.

 

[MFolks]

You'll be very lucky if the mounting holes(locations,and bolt diameters) are the same.

 

[Burgerkong]

You'll be very lucky if the mounting holes(locations,and bolt diameters) are the same.

Well the RWM T65-43RT is perfect as the holes match the plate of the Faultless but doesn't exist anywhere....

 

[tarbellb]

Any more info on the type of caster you are trying to replace? Diameter, locking, wheel material, capacity, etc...

There are lots of great casters out there, and some can be had for much cheaper then most.

But... looking for spring loaded is going to be tough admittedly.

 

[MoonRise]

Sure, to convert a rigid caster to a swivel caster all you have to do is:

- figure out how to put some sort of swivel onto the existing rigid caster.

Which means figuring out and procuring a thrust bearing with the necessary thrust load capacity and also the necessary radial load capability (because there will be some sort of 'shear' plane load on the thrust bearing from moving it around or rolling it across the floor and any irregularities). After all the figuring and procuring, then all you have to do is the fabricating.

Easy.

By the time you do all the figuring and procuring and fabricating, even if your time is worth almost nothing, I'll bet that those $100 per caster RWM ones don't look all that bad now.

Or buy two of the $20 rigid casters from SurplusCenter and two swivel ones. Done.

 

[Burgerkong]

Any more info on the type of caster you are trying to replace? Diameter, locking, wheel material, capacity, etc...

There are lots of great casters out there, and some can be had for much cheaper then most.

But... looking for spring loaded is going to be tough admittedly.

Trying to get the attached caster to behave like:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Hea...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Sure, to convert a rigid caster to a swivel caster all you have to do is:

- figure out how to put some sort of swivel onto the existing rigid caster.

Which means figuring out and procuring a thrust bearing with the necessary thrust load capacity and also the necessary radial load capability (because there will be some sort of 'shear' plane load on the thrust bearing from moving it around or rolling it across the floor and any irregularities). After all the figuring and procuring, then all you have to do is the fabricating.

Easy.

By the time you do all the figuring and procuring and fabricating, even if your time is worth almost nothing, I'll bet that those $100 per caster RWM ones don't look all that bad now.

Or buy two of the $20 rigid casters from SurplusCenter and two swivel ones. Done.

I was hoping someone had another brilliant idea, but deep down, I'm going to have to shell out for the swiveling versions lol.

The first part is easy *IF* I could find model 'T65-43RT':

http://www.rwmcasters.com/parts_accessories/turntable_swivel_sections.cfm
But then i just realized the turntable adds around 1.5" to the height of the caster, so either I end up fabbing spaces for the two non-swiveling casters, or buy turntables for all four casters.

On a side note, the ones in the ebay link above show the possibility of bolting on a swivel lock (second attachment) to the caster, enabling it to lock in any direction. Why Snap-On didn't do this until the current gen of boxes I have no clue, but ancient KR's and KRL's had this capability from the very beginning.

 

[Wamsutta]

The top plate size is too big for your KRL761 box. The hole spacings are further apart too.

 

[Al Borland]

Measure the hole pattern and order a set of 4 quality casters through Grainger, Fastenal, or Harmco.
(Yes, you will pay thru the nose, but "Pay once, cry once")

 

[tarbellb]

Boom. These look pretty bombproof. Albion makes a good caster.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SET-OF-4-AL...845942?hash=item2cadd2f9f6:g:kOcAAOSwOVpXXX8U

and these as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/R-T-LAIRD-I...603219?hash=item43b84909d3:g:mnMAAOSwqu9U~nNW

For those prices, its worth building a adapter plate if needed.

 

[Burgerkong]

Well I got half the problem figured out. Now I have to find the other half....

Looks brand new, never been mounted though the brake lever is shedding chrome already...warranty issue perhaps?

 

[Wamsutta]

The top plate on that caster measures 5'' x 5-1/2''
The bolt spacing is 4-1/8'' x 4-1/2''

The top plate size on the original KRL761 casters are 4'' x 4-1/2''
The bolt spacing on the KRL761 caster mounts are 3-1/8'' x 3-1/2''

 

[Burgerkong]

The top plate on that caster measures 5'' x 5-1/2''
The bolt spacing is 4-1/8'' x 4-1/2''

The top plate size on the original KRL761 casters are 4'' x 4-1/2''
The bolt spacing on the KRL761 caster mounts are 3-1/8'' x 3-1/2''

That's for the 2000# caster though, the one I got is the 1700# version with the smaller top plate.

 

[Burgerkong]

For the record, PN#8-27039A (rigid) and PN#8-26939A (swivelling) will bolt right up to the KRL761 (and KRL722) as there are two sizes of caster mounts predrilled and inserts installed from the factory. Nice upgrade to the stock casters!

https://store.snapon.com/Casters-GLS-PLY-1-700-lb-6-x-2-Rigid-ISO-Ride-reg-Caster-P667083.aspx

https://store.snapon.com/Casters-GLS-PLY-1700-lb-6-x-2-Swivel-ISO-Ride-reg-Caster-P667082.aspx