Toolmobile Drawer Rollers

dogvalley · Apr 10, 2014

I just bought this toolmobile and "discovered" this forum while looking for parts. It is in sweet shape but just missing 4 of the 6 rollers on the rear of the drawers. The casters appear to be original but the side handles seem to be added on. I am looking for any ideas, recommendations or sources for these rollers, so any help is appreciated.
I have always had an appreciation for older hand tools and have acquired a modest collection that are mostly in boxes and drawers in different places. But after seeing how many of you attempt to fill sets and display your collections, I am inspired to dig mine out and see what all I have. Many are from my grandpa and dad but most are from yard sales and such.
Beside the toolmobile, I picked up a 12 piece Proto easy out set for $3.00!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photographs and appreciate any help in finding rollers.

montanafordman · Apr 10, 2014

Nice toolmobile! I wish I could help you with the rollers.. You could probably find a very small ball bearing with the right outside dimensions and fab a fixed stub axle to the drawer and find a way to bond, stake, or braze it to the inside of the bearing?

The toolmobile was made by pressteel who also made some rollers for craftsman I think... you could try and find parts off of a donor? (also hard to find). Another less desirable and less durable solution is to find a way to attach some rollers from a common kitchen or dresser drawer (which will likely not have an actual bearing and be made of plastic). Very cool anyway. I also have a Plomb toolmobile. I suspect yours might be earlier than mine as your logo is painted on where mine is stamped into the metal.

Here is a post of my toolmobile.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3717906#post3717906

crewchief888 · Apr 10, 2014

those rollers look very similar to inline skate wheel bearings....

:beer:

enigma-2 · Apr 10, 2014

I think this is what your looking for:
http://www.allaboutdoors.com/product_info.php?cPath=448_451&products_id=17295

This also looks promising:
http://www.allaboutdoors.com/product_info.php?products_id=17296

Also, this looks like it might fit your Toolmobile.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hanging-Tool-Holder-Rack-for-Vintage-1930s-40s-PLOMB-TOOLMOBILE-/201070351497?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed0ba1489#ht_38wt_1145

Outlawmws · Apr 10, 2014

A 1" OD bearing, and any ID you can get a small bolt through will work. You may need to grind the head of the bolt flat(er) to clear.

And you **** for that roller. :sad:

Outlawmws · Apr 10, 2014

montanafordman said:
Nice toolmobile! I wish I could help you with the rollers.. You could probably find a very small ball bearing with the right outside dimensions and fab a fixed stub axle to the drawer and find a way to bond, stake, or braze it to the inside of the bearing? The toolmobile was made by pressteel who also made some rollers for craftsman I think... you could try and find parts off of a donor? (also hard to find). Another less desirable and less durable solution is to find a way to attach some rollers from a common kitchen or dresser drawer (which will likely not have an actual bearing and be made of plastic). Very cool anyway. I also have a Plomb toolmobile. I suspect yours might be earlier than mine as your logo is painted on where mine is stamped into the metal.

Here is a post of my toolmobile.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3717906#post3717906

Yes they did. it was Craftsman's best roller (5 drawers! no "garage!) in 1954. I have one of them.

Outlawmws · Apr 10, 2014

enigma-2 said:
I think this is what your looking for:
http://www.allaboutdoors.com/product_info.php?cPath=448_451&products_id=17295

This also looks promising:
http://www.allaboutdoors.com/product_info.php?products_id=17296

Also, this looks like it might fit your Toolmobile.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hanging-Tool-Holder-Rack-for-Vintage-1930s-40s-PLOMB-TOOLMOBILE-/201070351497?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed0ba1489#ht_38wt_1145

The bolded one should work, but make sure the holes in the drawer are not wallowed out...

Outlawmws · Apr 10, 2014

crewchief888 said:
those rollers look very similar to inline skate wheel bearings....

Skate wheels are some odd metric size I believe. The rollers need to be 1" exactly to fit right and have the "Slam locks" retain them. (there are two "keeper" tabs slightly smaller that 1" to keep the drawer from over extending you have to slam them past to get the drawer out... :dunno:

dogvalley · Apr 15, 2014

Thanks to all who came up with ideas for the roller repair. Graingers actually has some steel one that may work, but they're ordered and won't be in for a few days. Will keep you posted

stormking · Apr 15, 2014

Nice Box. Yours is from 1946-1947, the embossed version is earlier. It should also have a bottom cover.

Steven67fr · Apr 17, 2014

Dang, that box is beautiful. I'd have paid $300+ for that if I found it... that's neat that it's the later painted logo (and still in decent shape) all the earlier ones were stamped in.

Good score!

jakemac · Apr 18, 2014

I have a shipper's desk that is missing two rollers in the back of the drawer. I used Tub Enclosure Rollers from Home Depot as a quick fix until I find a cheap source for the stud type rollers. The bolts for these are too small, but they'll work for now.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Prime-Line-3-4-in-and-7-8-in-Tub-Rollers-4-Pack-M-6202/100282235?keyword=049793062024

dogvalley · Apr 21, 2014

It does have the bottom cover and the locking bar as well.

dogvalley · Apr 21, 2014

Things worked out better than expected. Turns out the bearings I had ordered from Graingers were the wrong size so I played a hunch and went to Napa Auto Parts. There I picked up bearing # 608 2Z which is almost a perfect match. The center is almost 5/16 dia. which allowed the threaded insert to fit inside and still keep a very low profile on the outside. A small 1/4 x 1/2 hex head bolt from the inside and a little Loctite semi-perm did the trick!
The bottom drawer stuck a little bit on the protruding bolt end but that was resolved by placing a thin flat washer inside the mount.
This problem has been solved and I have a very SWEET Toolmobile.
Many thanks to all of you who offered help and advice, plus I am honored to have received a "You ****" on my very first posting. Now I will prepare a new post on this weeks score..

Steven67fr · Apr 22, 2014

Sweet Save - It was definitely worth the effort. Nice!

dogvalley · Apr 22, 2014

Thank you! I posted a photo earlier today of a Plvmb 9980 box. That one's going on ebay soon.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

rsanter · Apr 22, 2014

That's a good trick I will have to remember

Bob

dogvalley · Apr 22, 2014

Thanks. I admit my wife found the insert as we searched for just the right piece.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Steven67fr · Apr 22, 2014

Great that you're wife was involved. I got lucky on that one too!

stormking · Apr 22, 2014

Nice repair job. Should be good for another 60 years.

Outlawmws · Apr 22, 2014

Nice fix!

And you still ****...

Edwardfishman · May 18, 2017

Maybe this will help you
https://www.dkhardware.com/1-stainl...-for-metal-industries-b665-product-30067.html

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