My console case sounds like a subway coming to a stop. It barely rolls at this point. Currently there are 3.5" Colson casters on it. They are about two years old and are the casters that came with the case. I have tried WD40, but it does not help. Is there a better repair solution or is it time to replace? If so, with what? If I'm going to put new casters on, I would like to stick to the 1.75" x 3" bolt hole spacing.
Console case caster recommendations
- Thread starter Jason Raboin
- Start date
Silas Pradetto
Graduate Student
Re: Console case caster recommendations
Colson casters are modular and assembled by the end user or dealer in many possible configurations. You should be able to contact a colson dealer and order replacement wheels and bearings while retaining the same axles and swivels. There are also many forms of bearings and bushings for the colson stuff so ask the dealer what might work best.
If you want to buy new, the EWI wheels from audiopile.net are pretty good. I've had some on road cases for several years now and they still roll better than some of my colson equipped cases.
Colson casters are modular and assembled by the end user or dealer in many possible configurations. You should be able to contact a colson dealer and order replacement wheels and bearings while retaining the same axles and swivels. There are also many forms of bearings and bushings for the colson stuff so ask the dealer what might work best.
If you want to buy new, the EWI wheels from audiopile.net are pretty good. I've had some on road cases for several years now and they still roll better than some of my colson equipped cases.
Tim Weaver
Senior
Re: Console case caster recommendations
Don't know how true it is, but I've been told that WD-40 will eat certain plastics. I know for a fact that it will degrease bearings. The lube that exists in the WD-40 spray does not last all that long either, so you end up with dry bearings that will tear themselves up. A much better alternative is white lithium grease in a spray can, or spray silicone. Neither of these has the solvent that will remove your existing grease.
Don't know how true it is, but I've been told that WD-40 will eat certain plastics. I know for a fact that it will degrease bearings. The lube that exists in the WD-40 spray does not last all that long either, so you end up with dry bearings that will tear themselves up. A much better alternative is white lithium grease in a spray can, or spray silicone. Neither of these has the solvent that will remove your existing grease.
Re: Console case caster recommendations
+1 WD-40 is a miserable lubricant. I like Boeshield T-9 for general protection and lubrication, but for long term lubrication of parts in a dirty environment white lithium grease is awesome (if a bit messy).
+1 WD-40 is a miserable lubricant. I like Boeshield T-9 for general protection and lubrication, but for long term lubrication of parts in a dirty environment white lithium grease is awesome (if a bit messy).
Re: Console case caster recommendations
I use Lucas Oil Red 'N' Tacky #2 Red Lithium grease on bearings.
I use Lucas Oil Red 'N' Tacky #2 Red Lithium grease on bearings.
Silas Pradetto
Graduate Student
Re: Console case caster recommendations
They still respond to phone calls. I suspect they forgot to renew their domain and someone else snagged it, causing a headache.
They still respond to phone calls. I suspect they forgot to renew their domain and someone else snagged it, causing a headache.
Re: Console case caster recommendations
Tom beat me to it. Some quality time with your Colson dealer will be well spent. We use American Caster www.americancaster.com since they have a warehouse in our city and most of what we need is in stock.
Figure out what 'series' your casters are and what kind of wheels are installed. You can probably make changes if you like; Performa is quiet rolling but has limited weight, phenolic has high loading capacity but is loud. The Hi-TECH Polyurethane is a compromise.
I had no idea there were so many variables in casters until I tried to order some....
Have fun, easy console pushing.
Tim Mc
Tom beat me to it. Some quality time with your Colson dealer will be well spent. We use American Caster www.americancaster.com since they have a warehouse in our city and most of what we need is in stock.
Figure out what 'series' your casters are and what kind of wheels are installed. You can probably make changes if you like; Performa is quiet rolling but has limited weight, phenolic has high loading capacity but is loud. The Hi-TECH Polyurethane is a compromise.
I had no idea there were so many variables in casters until I tried to order some....
Have fun, easy console pushing.
Tim Mc
Re: Console case caster recommendations
I want to try a better lubricant before buying new casters, but I'm afraid my white gloves will get dirty, and they're dry clean only. Boy, sound engineering is hard!
I want to try a better lubricant before buying new casters, but I'm afraid my white gloves will get dirty, and they're dry clean only. Boy, sound engineering is hard!
Re: Console case caster recommendations
As a few have stated, you're welcome to replace with genuine Colson parts. My experience continually leads me to the 3.5" Darnell Casters I get from R&R. I've got Darnells that have been around 25+ Years. The Guitels don't seem to last nearly as long. I've been getting about 5-7 years out of those. YMMV
As a few have stated, you're welcome to replace with genuine Colson parts. My experience continually leads me to the 3.5" Darnell Casters I get from R&R. I've got Darnells that have been around 25+ Years. The Guitels don't seem to last nearly as long. I've been getting about 5-7 years out of those. YMMV
Re: Console case caster recommendations
I'm sure that is exactly the reason there is so much gear being dragged around with casters from home depot, lowes or similar...fewer choices to deal with!
R~
I'm sure that is exactly the reason there is so much gear being dragged around with casters from home depot, lowes or similar...fewer choices to deal with!
R~
Re: Console case caster recommendations
Casters seem like the redheaded stepchild, nobody cares until they act up. Over the years I’ve come to appreciate the top quality casters. I’d rather pay good money than have to push a 400 pound case with lousy caster that feels like the brakes are on and beats up my expensive electronics with a rough ride.
The case companies just use the lower quality casters that most all manufactures offer which I find illogical. After all, I paid maybe a couple grand for a top quality ATA300 spec case to ship a $40K mix console and they give me tiny 3.5” low-end casters. Go figure?
These days I usually purchase my cases w/o casters so I can select the type of truck—kingpin less, size—5 to 6 inch DIA and type of wheel—typically a soft tread that will provide some cushioning. I also prefer the ‘round tread shape verses the squared-off flat faced tread because they roll easier especially on ball room carpet. Bearings—roller or ball.
There is one other criteria for long trouble-free life of a caster and that would be high load capacity. I’ve found that one caster should have a load capacity greater than the loaded case it’s attached to. This recommendation takes into account that I use the softer treads and that the surfaces the case is rolling over are uneven so that many times just two casters are carrying the entire load. When one of the two casters smacks into a threshold or wide crack in the floor the wheel can take it.
Colson makes some great casters, just take a look at their web site and check out the comparison charts. I also use RW, Albion and Darnell.
Casters seem like the redheaded stepchild, nobody cares until they act up. Over the years I’ve come to appreciate the top quality casters. I’d rather pay good money than have to push a 400 pound case with lousy caster that feels like the brakes are on and beats up my expensive electronics with a rough ride.
The case companies just use the lower quality casters that most all manufactures offer which I find illogical. After all, I paid maybe a couple grand for a top quality ATA300 spec case to ship a $40K mix console and they give me tiny 3.5” low-end casters. Go figure?
These days I usually purchase my cases w/o casters so I can select the type of truck—kingpin less, size—5 to 6 inch DIA and type of wheel—typically a soft tread that will provide some cushioning. I also prefer the ‘round tread shape verses the squared-off flat faced tread because they roll easier especially on ball room carpet. Bearings—roller or ball.
There is one other criteria for long trouble-free life of a caster and that would be high load capacity. I’ve found that one caster should have a load capacity greater than the loaded case it’s attached to. This recommendation takes into account that I use the softer treads and that the surfaces the case is rolling over are uneven so that many times just two casters are carrying the entire load. When one of the two casters smacks into a threshold or wide crack in the floor the wheel can take it.
Colson makes some great casters, just take a look at their web site and check out the comparison charts. I also use RW, Albion and Darnell.
Re: Console case caster recommendations
I prefer the Guitel over the Colton because of the sheer noise coming down a truck ramp at 3am. The hard casters make themselves known at every horizontal groove in the ramp. The guitels are ultra quiet and aren't even heard. Not a big deal during the day, but when returning gear to the shop at night it can wake the neighbors.
I prefer the Guitel over the Colton because of the sheer noise coming down a truck ramp at 3am. The hard casters make themselves known at every horizontal groove in the ramp. The guitels are ultra quiet and aren't even heard. Not a big deal during the day, but when returning gear to the shop at night it can wake the neighbors.
Re: Console case caster recommendations
WD-40 might work as an ok solvent to flush some of the crud out, but I'll suggest Tri-Flo or similar as an actual lubricant (some disassembly, flush, and lubricate the moving parts might be necessary).
Yes, I agree... try a better lubricant before R&R (remove and replace).
WD-40 might work as an ok solvent to flush some of the crud out, but I'll suggest Tri-Flo or similar as an actual lubricant (some disassembly, flush, and lubricate the moving parts might be necessary).
Re: Console case caster recommendations
Also: You might check (if you haven't already) to see if some or many of the mounting bolts (or nuts, lock washers, etc...) are getting in the way of progress.