Messed up Threads

[Micalzon]

I had attempted to install some locking wheel casters on my machine to aid in moving from the corner out into the living room where I do my stringing. I took off one of the feet to the local hardware store and found what we thought was the right size caster. Turns out, it was not the right size and now the threads on my stand are so messed up that I can't get the original feet back on. I need to have them on there because, for some reason, the stand isn't level on its own and I need something on there to adjust to make the machine not wobble.

I'm thinking I may need to have new threads somehow machined into the stand. Has anyone had this done before? Does anyone have any other recommendations for this fix? I did find that the regular carpet gliders work just fine but found out a little too late. I've got a temporary fix but need something more permanent pretty soon.

 

[eelhc]

I had attempted to install some locking wheel casters on my machine to aid in moving from the corner out into the living room where I do my stringing. I took off one of the feet to the local hardware store and found what we thought was the right size caster. Turns out, it was not the right size and now the threads on my stand are so messed up that I can't get the original feet back on. I need to have them on there because, for some reason, the stand isn't level on its own and I need something on there to adjust to make the machine not wobble.

I'm thinking I may need to have new threads somehow machined into the stand. Has anyone had this done before? Does anyone have any other recommendations for this fix? I did find that the regular carpet gliders work just fine but found out a little too late. I've got a temporary fix but need something more permanent pretty soon.

If you drill and tap you'll end up with a hole/thread larger than the original and the feet will not fit in. You need to drill, tap and install a threaded insert (EZ Lok, Helicoil...) in the same size as the original thread.

 

[struggle]

depending on how bad, you may just be able to tap it to original size if you only buggered up the first couple threads.

next time, put a nut on the original to make sure the caster will accept the same nut smoothly = same thread.

 

[David 110]

What machine do you have?

 

[jim e]

depending on how bad, you may just be able to tap it to original size if you only buggered up the first couple threads.

next time, put a nut on the original to make sure the caster will accept the same nut smoothly = same thread.

Sound advise from tbuggle.
Seems this would be the 1st step to take as it would be the simplest if it works.Find the proper size thread using the nut technique that tbuggle said above, get a tap the same size and try that first.

 

[Micalzon]

I appreciate the sound advice. I brought in the original caster but could only thread about a quarter of an inch due to a welded nut in the middle. Thought that since it threaded that far just fine, the rest would work out. Not the case. I think I widened the original thread so I'm not sure I can get it back to the original size without filling it in first. I'll do some more research and see what I can come up with. Thanks again.

 

[struggle]

next time go open a bag of nuts, or dig through the drawers til you find the right one. those "display" nuts and bolts dont always prove themselves, as you've found.

i still think you can likely salvage the original threads.

 

[4sound]

I have a Gamma 6004 & was trying to find casters that were cheaper than $20 each. The thread type is British.

I found plastic sleeve with standard US thread & tapped them into the hole. Found some nice locking casters for $8 each.

 

[diredesire]

Next time shoot John @ Gamma an e-mail, he's generally pretty good about providing information for these types of requests I recently asked about adding casters to some of the progression series stands, and he gave me the thread type.

 

[Chotobaka]

I seriously misjudged the topic of this thread based on the title.

 

[VaththalKuzhambu]

I got some casters with different type and thinner thread and wrapped some twine thread around the stem. Worked out great.