Craftsman "Creeper" Wheel Upgrade

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I've always wanted to upgrade the casters on my old Craftsman creeper.  Finally got around to it over the weekend.  Do you see the original weenie wheels? Attached ImagesAgape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply:Tools and Equipment List Attached ImagesAgape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply:Here's the progression Attached ImagesAgape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply:Got a 1'x1' plate of 16 gauge steel, which I used for this project.  I cut small retangular shapes to match the width of the frame rail, clean the weld points, then tacked the plates, burned them in, drilled the new holes just to the inside for the new casters. Attached ImagesAgape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply:Grinded the points around the newly drilled spots and the weld area to make them look more presentable, before painting.  BTW, I had to re-locate the holes for the casters about 1/2'' inward from the four corner points from where the old ones where, because the larger casters could not spin freely.  The brake knobs on the four corner casters hit the steel frame rail, hence the new holes. Attached ImagesAgape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply:Thank you, that's the funniest thing I saw today  Attached Images--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Just curious, why casters with breaks?
Reply:Good penetration LOLLocking casters on a creeper like screen doors on a submarineI know your just learning to weld and keep practicing ...On non critical items PleaseBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Nice.. I too was wondering about the locking casters.. maybe that's just what you had around.
Reply:Don't mind me..I'M just scratching my head...I need a beer....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Hey guys.  The reasons for this welding project and casters with brakes is 1) as you can tell, I need lots of practice, 2) I wanted to try out my new welder, and 3) I don't like laying on cement (even with a cardboard layer) when I work underneath my two Jeeps, but I also want my body motionless when I am wrenching from underneath, not rolling around.  Anyway, I'll keep practicing!  It will be many years before I am ever at the level you guys are.Agape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply:I like the ideal of upgrading the casters, the work and effort into documentation is great, I wish others were as thorough as you.  Everything takes time, dont let anyone get you down, remember we all start at the bottom.JobSmart MIG125Lincoln AC225-SLincoln Pro-Mig 175Dewalt GrindersRidgid ChopsawIR Garage Mate CompressorAny thing worth doing, is worth doing right.
Reply:I would agree and second ukfan.  Hate people who refuse to acknowledge that everyone including themselves have to start somewhere.That being said I will also add.Yes your good penetration is the better part of the weld.   Maybe you were going slower or turned the heat up.  The rest all looks to cold to me.Can't quite tell from the pic but on the right side it appears (to me) that you had the gun pointed more at your patch and not at the creeper.  Sometimes this is needed.  (2 different thicknesses, more heat in the thicker piece)  It is easier to start with the same thickness and just put the gun in the middle.
Reply:Originally Posted by UKfanI like the ideal of upgrading the casters, the work and effort into documentation is great, I wish others were as thorough as you.  Everything takes time, dont let anyone get you down, remember we all start at the bottom.
Reply:You know...come to think of it...you're absolutely correct about the creepers rolling around when wrenching. Been there...done that. Brakes would also be great during curbside work on on a street with lots of grade....say for instance...in Frisco.  Nice project....for sure. Keep up the good work.  Much more fun than running beads on plate.  POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:agreed, scratch head.MM 251MM 135Lincoln Pro cut 55Bobcat 250Miller Thunderbolt ac/dcolder ac forneyJackson nexgen 3n13-Smith OP setups97 Dodge dieselMakita chopsawJet swivel head bandsawlincoln tig 300/30030a spoolgunpuma port. gas air comp.
Reply:I was thinking I wonder why he put brakes on it too but yeah, sometimes the thing just starts rolling and it always finds the expansion joint. I wonder how useful it really would work out to be though when you really need a solid base. I usually just set my hip on the ground....not exactly fun...i hate creepers.
Reply:Originally Posted by kcb37I would agree and second ukfan.  Hate people who refuse to acknowledge that everyone including themselves have to start somewhere.That being said I will also add.Yes your good penetration is the better part of the weld.   Maybe you were going slower or turned the heat up.  The rest all looks to cold to me.Can't quite tell from the pic but on the right side it appears (to me) that you had the gun pointed more at your patch and not at the creeper.  Sometimes this is needed.  (2 different thicknesses, more heat in the thicker piece)  It is easier to start with the same thickness and just put the gun in the middle.
Reply:Thanks for sharing.  I like the idea of locking casters to keep it from moving under force.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Another way to fix those holes would have been to get a piece or round bar or a bolt to fit nicely inside the hole and buzz it up.Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:Great job of documenting your project and great job of 'fixing' a problem with a welder.I encourage you to continue building and documenting projects.  The one thing I wish I had known earlier in documenting projects is to use the LEAST amount of pictures to tell the story.  What I mean is that keeping pictures online takes up a lot of room somewhere.  On one of the forums I frequent, and write the most for, I have a limit of 1000 pics in my albums, which I am about out of, after just a year and a half.  I think in the end, you will get even better at story telling (documenting projects) as you think about how to capture the story in as few pics a possible.Keep up the good work.  Soon, you will be surrounded by cool projects, with the ability to say, "I did that."KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:reason for brakes= sloped driveway, got tired of rolling down it and into traffic[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MBR1fZ96EE[/ame]Some blue machinesSome red machineslots of heavy steel