Casters for gamma 6004

[oldcity]

I'm trying to figure out what the thread/pitch is on the threaded stem for the stand. I took a foot to the hardware store and we tried all the nuts and 1/2-13 was the closest but stopped after three turns. The others were further off. Counting the threads on the threaded foot for my stand it appears to be 12/inch. Is that correct? and where can I get casters for this machine. Seems to be an odd thread count. checking Great Lakes casters, all 1/2 threaded stems seem to be 1/2- 13
thanks

 

[Irvin]

Call Gamma if @Gamma Tech does not respond.

 

[struggle]

I bit the bullet and bought the Gamma Casters. I have no way to measure
the threads for you or i would. FWIW, the Gamma casters were worth the
$$ to me (time, etc).

 

[esgee48]

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/wheel-casters-for-gamma-6004-with-brakes.528381/
Buy Gamma's casters or measure and order. It seems to be up to the various owners.

 

[struggle]

The Gamma casters have brakes, which is nice for me as i string on a hard floor.

I've read through these Gamma casters posts before and always concluded that I made the right choice (for me).

There are other options which are MUCH less expensive.

 

[mikeler]

The Gamma casters have brakes, which is nice for me as i string on a hard floor.

I've read through these Gamma casters posts before and always concluded that I made the right choice (for me).

There are other options which are MUCH less expensive.

The brakes are a requirement if you don't have carpet in the house. Luckily where I string in front of my TV, we have a throw rug. So the el cheapo caster wheels work just fine for me.

 

[chrisingrassia]

I bought Gamma casters for my 5800. They have brakes. Did you call Gamma yet before starting a thread?!

 

[oldcity]

I read the other thread and it doesn't say anywhere what the thread count was, or anything official from gamma tech. The bolt was checked, its a 1/2" course thread, it isn't metric. The issue is that it only threads a few turns and stops. That means that it isn't the -13 threads per inch standard, so gamma appears to have their own special thread count on the more recent machines, presumably so you have to buy their expensive casters. I'd look into getting those overpriced casters, but gamma site just sends you to one of the tennis vendors and they don't have casters listed. I'll keep looking but it appears no one makes a bolt or a caster with 12 threads per inch. As noted above, I counted 12, and the foot we checked was courser than the 1/2" -13 thread standard at several hardware stores. I also looked at caster-depot, formerly Great Lakes caster and they only have 1/2" -13 threaded studs.

 

[MikeCrowChip]

interestingly that i was researching this yesterday.
GammaTech said in a thread that it was a British threading, 1/2" size 12.
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ney-gamma-6004-2pt-mount-wise-awesome.328713/

 

[oldcity]

Thanks, that clears it up. I can't even find the gamma casters for sale. have to find a way to convert this thing to a standard thread

 

[MikeCrowChip]

Hey oldcity.

I think you have two options. Get them from John (GammaTech) or have TennisWarehouse order them for you from Gamma.
The third option is to get a new base (X-ST) and put your rig on it, and the rig onto a movable cart (which can then house all of your tools and what not. that's what i did.

 

[MAX PLY]

Get the Gamma ones -- they are made for the machine and made well -- no muss, no fuss. Why risk retrofitting to save a few dollars that you may not save in the end analysis anyway.

 

[oldcity]

Get the Gamma ones -- they are made for the machine and made well -- no muss, no fuss. Why risk retrofitting to save a few dollars that you may not save in the end analysis anyway.

...You're right and I tried, but they aren't listed for sale on any of the tennis sites, including this one. When you look them up on Gamma's site, it redirects you to buy them at one of those online stores. I can't find them for sale.

 

[MAX PLY]

Did you call Gamma directly or reach to GammaTech? Or, failing that, call one of the retailers (including TW)--I think they are basically drop shipped from Gamma.

 

[oldcity]

I'll give TW a try and see what they say.
-My other option is to drill the holes, tap, and insert heli-coils to accept the proper US 1/2" -13 threads. just a little time consuming. At that point I could buy casters from just about anywhere online to fit it, at a normal price.
I'll check on the cost for reference because even though I have taps, you have to use an STI tap for use with heli-coils.

 

[Irvin]

You're right and I tried, but they aren't listed for sale on any of the tennis sites

https://gammasports.com/products/te...aster/#accordion-section-description4f1b-8bf9

But you can't buy them from any of their distributors. Call Gamma.

 

[struggle]

Just call John at Gamma. He'll make it happen. I bought mine directly from him/them.

 

[oldcity]

John from Gamma just got back with me. I can order through him directly.
I was very tempted to just re-thread the stand holes but the heli-coil kit is $36.00, + casters is getting close to the $80 for gamma's wheels. It would have been oh-so-satisfying to do it though.

 

[esgee48]

Yeah, but the Gamma ones screw right in whereas (knock on wood) you have to set everything up to drill, tap, etc. Unless your time is worth zero, this is cheaper and less risky.

 

[struggle]

John from Gamma just got back with me. I can order through him directly.
I was very tempted to just re-thread the stand holes but the heli-coil kit is $36.00, + casters is getting close to the $80 for gamma's wheels. It would have been oh-so-satisfying to do it though.

While I know other folks have gone the cheaper route WITHOUT helicoils or re-tapping,
they bought cheap casters somewhere, not sure, that fit the current threads...... I think
you'll be very happy with the Gamma casters.

 

[oldcity]

-I ordered the pricey ones from John @ Gamma. ouch. Ninety something for wheels.
-Its hard to tell quality online with the casters, most with brakes are 5-8$. the ones that look like the gamma units are more.
-Some of the other/older Gamma machines had different size/threads and may have been US course-thread compatible, so buying local cheapo wheels might have been possible. or they just cross-threaded them in. lol

all of the info needed is now on this thread. If these gamma casters become unavailable, others will know what to do

 

[chrisingrassia]

...You're right and I tried, but they aren't listed for sale on any of the tennis sites, including this one. When you look them up on Gamma's site, it redirects you to buy them at one of those online stores. I can't find them for sale.

Dude, did you call Gamma? Turn off the internet, pick up the phone. Business is still done that way, too

They're not just "wheels". They're heavy duty casters with individual brakes and 24 ball bearings. They're good stuff. I went to home depot and their casters were like ~$15 each anyway. Now you bought from Gamma and supported John.

 

[oldcity]

C'mon, internet is the way its done since like 1998 ; initially I was looking for alternatives, but In posts #18,21, I did call John and ordered the gamma casters. you are right on the other casters, though. good ones would be over $40 so it wasn't worth the hassle.
I like threads that don't leave obvious questions unanswered. you know how to get gamma's casters even though it appears they aren't for sale, what the bolt size is, the thread, why nothing in the US fits, and what your alternative is. DONE.

 

[chrisingrassia]

C'mon, internet is the way its done since like 1998 ; initially I was looking for alternatives, but In posts #18,21, I did call John and ordered the gamma casters. you are right on the other casters, though. good ones would be over $40 so it wasn't worth the hassle.
I like threads that don't leave obvious questions unanswered. you know how to get gamma's casters even though it appears they aren't for sale, what the bolt size is, the thread, why nothing in the US fits, and what your alternative is. DONE.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/caster-wheels-for-gamma-x-st-stand.246671/

Googled 'gamma casters'. I was in your shoes. Already been researched
Sometimes the effort to save $12 isn't worth it

 

[oldcity]

I checked out my tennis club's older machine which appeared to have some typical $5-8 casters on it (with the side brake). rolled ok but the brakes weren't very good. machine was still but if you gave a little push, or leaned on it, it would move. Sounds like these will be worth the extra according to everyone.

 

[struggle]

You've spent $100 worth of time just looking into this, so now your new casters are worth $200.

The Gamma casters are nice, they fit right, and do the job well. Enjoy, don't sweat the cash, sweat the time
you wasted.

 

[manirban]

FWIW, I have an old Gamma 6000 from 1996 (that is still going strong), that came with the original adjustable screw feet. I was able to email Gamma and they replied back with the thread size - an M8 and I found a set of 4 M8x25 stem casters with brakes on Amazon for $11 with free shipping (Prime member). Perfect fit, can roll my machine out of the way, engage 2 of the 4 brakes and this thing is not moving anywhere. Gamma didn't carry any casters that would've fit (too early in the days I suppose before they designed the option in), but I'm grateful they replied back with the thread size. Couldn't be more happier with how it turned out. My alternate option was going to be making a platform out of 2x4's, mounting the stand on top, and just using bolt on casters (not stems) on the bottom. Would've worked, but also would have added an additional 2" in height which would've made stringing a bit more uncomfortable for me (I'm only 5'6"). As is with the stem caster I only gained 1 1/2" in height, which is fine.