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Where to buy spring loaded caster wheels

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  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Where to buy spring loaded caster wheels
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 6:44 PM

 We have all been to Home Depot and seen the ladders that roll till you stand on them. Anyone have a idea where I can buy the spring loaded wheels? I looked thought Home Depot and did not see any.

 Reason I ask, with the coming move the bench will again be in the garage, but this time I want to keep my 68 Road Runner inside. Bench will still go all the way around the 2 car garage, on the Road Runner side it will only be about a foot attached to the wall on the other side of the car. Track will sort of be a point to point but still a oval.

 I want a poop up section that is a bout 7 foot wide so I can drive in and out of the garage, the spring loaded caster is the key. Depending on what the weight limit is to let the casters to spring up will determine how wide the section over the trunk will be. Hoping for a round 3 foot wide. If bench is to lite, I will add a shelf where I can add weights. I knew I should hang on to the York 50 pound plates!

 Bench it self will be around 42 inches tall, that will clear the hood and trunk of the Road Runner.

 I have a pretty good idea on how to wire the poop up section so if I run the trains and the lift out section is not in places the engines will not be doing the Leap Of Faith. Like you could miss the fact a 68 Road Runner is not in the garage!Big Smile

 Bench will be 1 X 3's with 1/2 inch plywood and foam and two levels.

           Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 29 posts
Posted by Mike-Ike Man on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 8:35 PM

Try your local Grainger office or check out McMaster-Carr on line.  Both shoul dhave what you're looking for.

Gene

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 8:09 AM

 Thanks Gene, will do a web search.

                      Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • 2,751 posts
Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 11:47 AM

 Try Mcmastercarr.com or MSCdirect.com McMaster is generally cheaper then Grianger.

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Miltonfreewater, Or
  • 284 posts
Posted by RRTrainman on Thursday, March 12, 2009 8:27 AM

Yey Ken you might try Sears, my radial arm saw has those type on the legs the pop down type caster so I can move it around its just a thought Tom.Big Smile

4x8 are fun too!!! RussellRail

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,824 posts
Posted by maxman on Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:04 PM

cudaken
Anyone have a idea where I can buy the spring loaded wheels?

I don't think this is really what you want.  Those things are sized to carry the weight of the ladder when the ladder is unloaded.  The minute you step on the ladder the spring compresses and the legs contact the floor.  You want something that will allow the legs to normally sit on the floor, but can be adjusted to lift the table when you want it to.

The Sears band saw that I have has four caster assemblies that bolt to the side of the legs.  The castors have a lever that is foot operated.  Pressing down on the lever acts to lift the bandsaw leg and support the saw on the caster wheel.  There is a notch on the caster assembly that locks it in the raised position.  I think you used to be able to buy these individually, but I don't see them listed in the most recent Sears Tool Catalog that I have.

There is a product out there called a jacking caster.  See http://www.plasticwheels.com/drilldown/results.asp?Type=Jacking_Castors.

I was unable to find a USA vendor, but I'm sure a similar product must exist.  This thing gets bolted to the table leg and gets screwed down to raise the load onto the caster wheel.

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Amish country Tenn.
  • 10,027 posts
Posted by loathar on Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:36 PM

I think your going to run into a lot of headaches using spring loaded or pop down wheels. As mentioned, the spring loaded are weight specific and you won't be able to drop all the pop down ones at once. This will cause parts of your layout to be raised and dropped 2-3" while other sections are on the ground. This could cause buckling problems and scenery cracking.
I think you'd be better off using locking casters that can be locked to prevent wheel rolling.My 2 cents

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