Replacement drawer rollers on an old box?

[FrankLee]

....

 

[deltaphisig]

Perhaps you could adapt a sealed bearing to the application?

 

[kenfain]

Who made the box? Are they still around, so you can find out who made the roller? I've got a lista cabinet, the roller looks a lot like that. Course the size wouldn't be the same on mine. But who makes the rollers for lista? Maybe that Co. makes different sizes? Couldn't hurt to ask. All they can do is hang up on ya.

Sent from my SCH-M828C using Tapatalk 2

 

[rsanter]

Don't know where to get them but I have seen replacements where you have to punch/mushroom the rivet to hold it on.

I like the idea of finding a ball bearing and adapting it

You can also steal one off of a replacement drawer glide (new or used) in face if you email me with the specs I have an old file cabinet I was going to junk so I can see if those will work for you

Other option is to machine one from scratch

Bob

 

[bibman]

Try a place that repairs cash registers,

 

[zkling]

Can you wipe off the one in the first pic and then take it again? How do the rollers fit on the shaft? Do they just slide on? I have a card catalog type thing that uses rollers like that. I have replaced a few with cheap ball bearings. The ones on mine just slip on and off the stud.

That is a sweet box, what is the vintage on it?

 

[Outlawmws]

Frank, you can get a roller bearing with those dimensions and use a small Dia OD washer as a spacer for the mounting surface and it will work fine.

Any Bearing house can supply these.

 

[Outlawmws]

Frank those boxes were made by Pressteel for Plvmb and you **** for finding that one! (I have a 2 drawer Pressteel)

 

[deltaphisig]

The more I look at it, the more I am thinking the bearing I suggested earlier would be the best bet. Then have someone machine all new shafts that attach with a nut and secure the bearing with a snap ring. Expensive--unless someone on here throws you a bone on the machining--but it presents a solid and permanent fix.

 

[Outlawmws]

Frank, I also have a 5 drawer Craftsman (Their best box that year!) that was also Pressteel made, (EXACT same roller setup, right down to the "Slam it past the stops to get the drawer out" feature...) and I'm pretty sure those wheels are deliberately made a bit on the sloppy side so they could digest dirt a bit easier... but 60-70 years of use would also loosen them up.

 

[Outlawmws]

Actually with the roller bearing and spacer you can use a regular bolt and just cinch it down. you might need to grind the head to clear a little, but it works. (I know that for a fact! )

 

[zkling]

Does the roller slide off the shaft or is there a shoulder that keeps it on? I guess the entire assembly is pressed/s wedged onto the drawer.

If the entire assembly is pressed together, Outlaws idea is probably the best, without butchering the box.

 

[ChevyEFI]

That's a classy looking box.

Rollers from skates might be a good look-see.

 

[Outlawmws]

Does the roller slide off the shaft or is there a shoulder that keeps it on? I guess the entire assembly is pressed/s wedged onto the drawer.

If the entire assembly is pressed together, Outlaws idea is probably the best, without butchering the box.

IIR that is a shoulder stud. They stuck the stud into the drawer, (or box; each drawer has two rollers per side) and used a cold chisel to swell the stud into place in a cross, (see Franks pics) then placed the roller on and "center punched" the top of the stud to retain the roller. (probably in an arbor press)

 

[zkling]

IIR that is a shoulder stud.

Ah, that is what I kinda gathered from the pics. Well that blows.