Garage door roller dilemma

[Zaffer]

I am trying to figure out whether to replace me barn door rollers with new units or try to find an antique replacement. One of the axles broke on one of my barn doors, so the wheel is no longer attached to the base. I have no experience with repairing, but have a few questions:

1) Is it repairable? If so, how?

2)Should I just replace existing with new? Another axle is wearing and possibly not long for this world.

3) If replacement is “better”, what should I use?

The doors are big (10’ x 5’) and heavy, so something stout would be desirable as I use these doors often. The pictures are of A) barn door in question; B) Roller on there now; and C) Roller on other doors.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Zaffer]

I am trying to figure out whether to replace me barn door rollers with new units or try to find an antique replacement. One of the axles broke on one of my barn doors, so the wheel is no longer attached to the base. I have no experience with repairing, but have a few questions:

1) Is it repairable? If so, how?

2)Should I just replace existing with new? Another axle is wearing and possibly not long for this world.

3) If replacement is “better”, what should I use?

The doors are big (10’ x 5’) and heavy, so something stout would be desirable as I use these doors often. The pictures are of A) barn door in question; B) Roller on there now; and C) Roller on other doors.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[PCustoms]

Duplicate thread

Barn door roller replacement

I am trying to figure out whether to replace me barn door rollers with new units or try to find an antique replacement. One of the axles broke on one of my barn doors, so the wheel is no longer attached to the base. I have no experience with repairing, but have a few questions: 1) Is it...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Zaffer]

Yes, I accidentally posted this in another forum and reposted here since it’s more relevant here.

 

[JuncleJohn]

Those look cool. Take them to a machine shop. I’m sure they can be fixed. Although, not going to be cheap.

John

 

[Zaffer]

They are neat. I can buy them on fleabay for about $50-$100/ea, but I’m just trying to see if there might be other options.

 

[JuncleJohn]

Most likely will cost more to fix.

John

 

[Zaffer]

Have any good suggestions for what to replace it with? The door is heavy, so I would like something that will hold up and not sure if anything the big box stores have would do that.

 

[Codyboy]

I can't tell by the pictures what is broken.

If its just the axle in the wheel , could a new axle be pressed or welded into it?

 

[Zaffer]

The picture is of one that is not broken so everyone knows what it is supposed to look like. The axle itself is what broke and I was just seeing if anyone in here has any experience with this type of antique roller repair or if someone could point me to a new style that would possibly be a good substitute.

 

[DGersic]

I can’t tell if it’s a one piece casting, or if the axle is welded in place. It kinda looks like making a new axle from some round stock and welding it on would work, if that isn’t cast iron.

 

[dave*99]

If it's similar to this, it's likely a steel rod pressed into the casting. The wheel and a washer are installed and the shaft is peened over to hold the wheel on.
A machine shop could do this.
Post photos of the broken parts to confirm.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[The Cobbler]

Agree on the need more pictures of the break etc.
It's probably repairable but you'd need to find a hobbyist to take on the job or it will be pricey

 

[Zaffer]

I’ll look for the broken parts this weekend and post pictures. My wife trams to move things and not tell anyone, so we’ll see…..

 

[Codyboy]

I’ll look for the broken parts this weekend and post pictures. My wife trams to move things and not tell anyone, so we’ll see…..

Yeah I know how that is, no doubt.
Ive learned over the years (36) to not leave any of my stuff in the kitchen.

 

[Gutman]

My wife trams to move things and not tell anyone, so we’ll see…..

I know that feeling, and my wife's sense of order and organizations seems to trump mine.

If you're desiring to retain the original, I'm not much help.

If you're interested in making it work, then you could fab up new brackets. Or purchase some replacements from Tractor Supply.

It's unclear what serves at your track for the rollers. I've had success using vbelt pulleys/sheaves as rollers for a rolling ladder I built for a friend's garage. Used a 2" wide 1/4" flatbar as track and 1/2" bolts for the axles.

 

[545_days]

This doesn't necessarily look like a machine shop repair to me. Wouldn't it be possible to drill out the stubs of the broken axle and replace it with a shoulder bolt of the appropriate size? If a bolt won't work, you could press a new axle into the cast iron body of the assembly?

 

[Uncle murph]

I am trying to figure out whether to replace me barn door rollers with new units or try to find an antique replacement. One of the axles broke on one of my barn doors, so the wheel is no longer attached to the base. I have no experience with repairing, but have a few questions:

1) Is it repairable? If so, how?

2)Should I just replace existing with new? Another axle is wearing and possibly not long for this world.

3) If replacement is “better”, what should I use?

The doors are big (10’ x 5’) and heavy, so something stout would be desirable as I use these doors often. The pictures are of A) barn door in question; B) Roller on there now; and C) Roller on other doors.

Any help is appreciated!

I have run across those before,if the rails are good I would definitely try to repair or replace the rollers.Your local farm store should carry L B hardware if you need to replace it.It’s not cheap but will definitely outlast you.

 

[ericm]

I had the rollers fail on a 10'x10' door on the 1890s barn at the old house. I could not find the same style replacements and the originals were so rusted there wasn't much to repair. I wound up adapting modern door hardware, which had different spacing above the door so I had to build a new header. I wound up with a smooth rolling door but the modern parts looked a bit out of place.

 

[tarbellb]

Whats your fabrication skill level @Zaffer

Those are very cool and beefy rollers and worth fixing if not to far gone and you don't need more utility ie smoother/quieter/etc....

If you have a drill or drill press you could likely drill or knock out the existing axles and replace w simple hardware.

Couple of bolts matching the diameter of the wheel bore, washers and a nut will make it work.
Add some bearing grease and should be gtg