I have seen sets of castors on ebay. They claim they are the exact replacement for the Kustom amps. Has anyone ever used these before, or is there a better place to get them? One of mine is on its last leg I think some of the bearings may have fallen out. It rolls ok but would not want to take it very far. I can see a new set sometime in the near future.
These keep popping up all the time. Personally, I think someone has found a supply outlet somewhere that is selling them. They sure look like the originals. I find it hard to believe that there are this many "old stock" casters around after this time. I know that Home Depot and Menards sell the exact same brand but come in antique brass and not chrome. Have been told that they are made by the same manufacturer as the original ones used on Kustoms. You can buy a set of 4 for under $20. Grainger also sells them for a considerable amount more. For some reason, chrome one's don't seem to be around. Guess if you have the time to spend on the internet, you might be able to find a supplier.
Call and find out who the manufacturer is.......if its the same company that makes the one's I was telling you about, they will line up with the base pattern. Sheppard was the original manufacturer of the casters. Grainger no longer carries them and have gone to Liberty which are not the same.
Kustom_Bart Messages: 601 Registered: October 2010 Location: Greenville, MichiGUN
Senior Member
If you are just looking for function and low price, you can buy them at Tractor Supply and they are a gold anodized and I think like 3 something for a pair. They fit right on and are tough as nails. I use them on cabinets that I am going to use out as to not tear up good chrome ones banging them around. The cheaper ones you have posted should work just fine as long as the bolt pattern is the same. You can also get them through McMaster-Carr the chrome isn't as bright, but they are fine and work great.
There have been discussions about replacement casters here for at least 10 years, maybe more.
The note that I have from long ago is that the caster that fit and worked best was available from Grainger, part #5X758. They used to be less than $20 a set, but a quick search shows them at over $40 a set now.
These are US made casters made by Master Caster, their part number 51813. I find them around $9 each online.
These have a 2" diameter ball and a 75lb load rating. The swivel plate is 1 3/16" X 2", and the hole pattern is 13/16" X 1 9/16".
pleat Messages: 1452 Registered: June 2004 Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
I've used the casters from Graingers. If you need one or two and decide to get the cheaper brass colored casters. Just mount them on the rear positions. This still gives the chrome look at the front of the cabinet.
I personally will buy the best. I hate replacing them and I know good quality will out last my lifetime.
pleat
oren hudson Messages: 274 Registered: March 2008 Location: Gastonia, NC
Senior Member
I've used the Grainger ones as well on several rehabs. They are identical to originals except that they are chrome and not the aluminum ones. Maybe could be sanded for a duller look.
stevem Messages: 4739 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
Senior Member
AES carrys the Peavey replacement, the caster itself is a match , but the mounting plate is a different size so the aluminum mounting bracket needs to modded.
What I do is to remove the mounting strip, cut it in half and then drill the newly sectioned ends to take the peavey mounting pattern .
I was under the assumption that the hooded castors were chrome??? Now I am confused. mine are all shiny, and do not look aluminum at all. Now that being said I am into the K-150 & K-250 series amps.
rodak Messages: 512 Registered: October 2001 Location: Georgia
Senior Member
If your cabinet is Gold, then the inexpensive polished brass casters from Lowes or Home Depot actually look pretty nice. I have a set on my Kombo organ, they seem to be well-able to support it's 200+lb weight, and have held up well for many years. I don't think the bolt pattern was a perfect fit, but I don't recall it being very difficult to get them to fit properly.
oren hudson Messages: 274 Registered: March 2008 Location: Gastonia, NC
Senior Member
If memory serves me right, aluminum prior to October 1969, chrome afterwards. I think that the ports changed at the same time too. So the K-150 & 250 that you mention would be chrome.
pleat Messages: 1452 Registered: June 2004 Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
I've never seen aluminum ball casters on the early Frankie cabs or any other series of cabinets. I have seen plenty of rusted chrome ball casters. Wire wheel rusted casters, might appear to look like aluminum.
The hooded part of the caster are stamped from thin steel flat stock to form the hood and then chromed. Aluminum flat stock would just break trying to form the shape.
pleat