Fitting Antique Casters to my HMV193.

[epigramophone]

I have had this set of antique brass and ceramic casters for many years. To make it easier to move about I am considering fitting them to my HMV193, whose legs are 55mm square, but will the casters take it's considerable weight? If anyone has fitted similar casters to a large cabinet machine, could they please share their experiences.

[Inigo]

I used modern median casters for my 194, and they did well, although it is a heavy machine, the casters must be very resistant. At a point in time I removed the casters for the sake of originality, but I'm thinking of using them again. Great to be able to move the machine from one room to another, but it was strange for winding the machine, you need to grab it strong in order to wind up! (My casters don't have brakes)

[epigramophone]

Thank you Inigo. The casters which I propose to use are at least as old as the 193, but until I have help available I cannot lay it on it's back to work on it. If the casters prove unsuccessful I can always remove them and replace the original metal "feet", leaving my efforts undetectable.

[Inigo]

The problem with casters is always the same (I've tried several this and sizes). The heavy eccentric load on the rotating shafts. And also that there are four wheels, and if you're floor is not perfectly horizontal, at every location you'll have to wedge one or two wheels to level the machine.
I've seen those little platforms with three wheels that you place under the legs (one under each leg) and this looks interesting and much more stable. Although they protrude out of the leg and could be disturbing when walking around the machine.

[JerryVan]

The problem with casters is always the same (I've tried several this and sizes). The heavy eccentric load on the rotating shafts.

Yes! And that same load is transmitted to the leg of the machine. In this case, the leg appears to be substantial enough to bear it, but many times, a broken or split leg is the result.