Leveler with ratcheted handle

[FRITZ STOOP]

My problem with the Zambus-type leveling casters has always been the grunting and kneeling associated with using them. I found the footmastercaster.com answer. It has a pull out handle that makes spinning the foot up/down a breeze (relatively). It does not eliminate the kneeling. You may be already on to this, but for those who are not, see pic.:cool:

[Jim Becker]

Is the handle ratcheted? (Nice find, by the way)

[Mike Spanbauer]

now those are COOL.

Link? Price?

mike

[Bob Rufener]

Nice looking wheels and an interesting concept. I also am wondering about price. I couldn't find the diameters of the wheels. In the pictures, they appear to be of a relatively small diameter which would make moving over sawdust, chips, etc. more difficult than larger diameter wheels.

[FRITZ STOOP]

Link: http://www.footmastercaster.com/, oddly enough.
The pictured model has a 4 piece rating of 2,200 #.
I never like to assume anything, but I don't see them working with that long handle unless there is a ratchet mechanism involved.
I do not know current pricing.
Cheers.

[Gary Ratajczak]

looks like they run about $57.00 each!!

http://www.drillspot.com/products/341009/Footmaster_GD-60F_Leveling_Caster

[Jerome Hanby]

According to the numbering info on the website

GDR Leveling caster with ratchet handle

So anything that starts with GDR is ratcheting...

[Jerome Hanby]

Even worse, the ratcheting ones are $116.61 (http://www.drillspot.com/search?q=gdr%2080f)



looks like they run about $57.00 each!!

http://www.drillspot.com/products/341009/Footmaster_GD-60F_Leveling_Caster

[Scott Snavely]

Even worse, the ratcheting ones are $116.61 (http://www.drillspot.com/search?q=gdr%2080f)

Actually, I think the heavier-duty rated ones are $116.61. It appears that the cheaper ones are rated for less total weight per 4. Nonetheless, they look like they would be really cool, and I've been thinking about a test purchase for a large planer.

[John Bush]

I used a similar design caster from Great Lakes and they have worked very well. I have them on a 1000# lathe, 600# BS, and a 900# jointer. They are rated @ 220#s each and so far they provide easy mobility and fairly easy finger turning to set the "feet". The main problem for me is remembering which way to spin the dial to lower or raise the foot. I can use the jointer without lowering the feet, the bandsaw tends to scoot around without the feet in contact with the floor and the lathe has a bit of vibration with a larger, unbalanced block. It does settle down nicely after initial turning. It is a bit of a nuisance to get down on your knees to adjust them but luckily I don't have to more them often. The ratcheting style would be nice, but the $12.00 / caster makes the extra bending less of a pain in the ......back.

[Grant Vanbokklen]

Interesting Casters. I know some get goose-bumps at the high price of good casters. I recommended some the other day here, and for me the price is way worth it. My workbench is a TOOL.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3A854
Before I bought these I looked everywhere and all I found did not meet my needs. These were head and shoulders above the rest in quality.

The ones you post look good too:
http://www.footmastercaster.com/Leveling%20Caster/applications/ex1.gif

[FRITZ STOOP]

I have a source for the Footmaster GDR 60S or 60F. These have a pullout ratcheted handle, much easier to lower/raise foot. Cap.: 1,100# Price: $54
If any interest, email me.:D

[Doug Shepard]

I have a source for the Footmaster GDR 60S or 60F. These have a pullout ratcheted handle, much easier to lower/raise foot. Cap.: 1,100# Price: $54
If any interest, email me.:D

Fritz - why the mystery? Why not just post a link or contact info? Or do you have to know the Water Buffaklo Lodge handshake to get this deal:confused::D

[Peter Quinn]

Good heavens, I could actually move my RAS with those. Now that would be nice.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

My problem [..] has always been the grunting and kneeling

lol........

[FRITZ STOOP]

Fritz - why the mystery? Why not just post a link or contact info? Or do you have to know the Water Buffaklo Lodge handshake to get this deal:confused::D

No mystery, I just forgot the name of the caster distributor. It is a local-to-me branch of what might be a national company that I just walk in to. ZI will teach my pal there the secret handshake and get back to you.

As for the scoffers, some of us have heavy machines!:D

[FRITZ STOOP]

Industrial Caster & Wheel CO
2200 Carden Street, San Leandro, CA 94577

phone: (510) 569-8303
fax: (510) 569-0726
toll-free: (800) 762-9966

No website that I could locate.

[FRITZ STOOP]

[QUOTE=FRITZ STOOP;883383]No mystery, I just forgot the name of the caster distributor. It is a local-to-me branch of what might be a national company that I just walk in to. ZI will teach my pal there the secret handshake and get back to you.

http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile?SRC=b2byellow2&N=Industrial+Caster+Companies&STYPE=S&LID=vW4%2FC7gz%2F93q1UvvSmP8xA%3D%3D&PI=0&lbp=1&attres=true

[Gary Herrmann]

Thanks Fritz. Too bad I already bought another brand for the new lathe. Those of us with multiple knee surgeries thank you.

[Doug Shepard]

Well I called Fritz' source a couple weeks ago and never got a call back from them with avaiability or price. So I was going to check back again with them today and for the heck of it decided to do another Google search. This link didn't show up 2 weeks ago so either they just started carrying Footmaster or the website is new. I suspect the latter as mine was order #27. But for $54.75 ea I went ahead and placed the order with them
http://www.clevelandcaster.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=16&idcategory=3#details
These are for a Hammer J/P that's on order but not here yet.

[Michael Heffernan]

I just ordered the Great Lakes casters for my incoming Grizzly G0514X2 bandsaw. At the price (about $15.50 per caster) I have read reviews that they do a good job. The FootMaster casters are definitely a class above. I spoke with the company rep and my local distributor for these casters. He will be sending me pricing tomorrow. If you need them, don't get them from Grainger, contact the company and they can put you in touch with your local rep. (footmastercasters.com)
If you have extremely heavy machinery, this is probably the way to go.
I'll post a reply on the Great Lakes casters when my bandsaw arrives (tomorrow!) and I get them installed.

[Alan Trout]

I have had them on my lathe for about 8 months. I bought the larger capacity ones for my lathe because it was over 800lbs. They work very well and I love the ratchet. I got mine from Great Lakes Caster and the service was very good. I paid $120.00 for all four of mine which was a good deal in my book.

Here is the thread that I started on them.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=98168

Good Luck

Alan

[Rye Crane]

Fritz,

that's a really cool find. Thanks, wish I had a set like that on the bandsaw.

Rye Crane