Penn Recessed Casters W2080K/HD

Message

bgavin · #1 Post by **bgavin** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:28 pm

I just received two pair of these recessed corner casters. Very well made indeed, and nothing cheesy about the construction. The wheel extends about 1.0" below the frame, so you can expect the rear to sit 1" off the ground.

The wheel is a hard rubber type about 1 3/8" wide. It runs in a very smooth ball bearing assembly and looks to be capable of carrying a lot of weight.

The axle uses a Nyloc nut right at the inside corner of the L bracket. The nut is wider than the wheel housing. If one wants the make the cutout just large enough for the housing, then notching will be required to allow the nut to fit. I'll put together some photos that show this in detail.

The wheel housing is NOT air tight. These casters have to be mounted behind the lower reflector, or consideration must be taken to insure they are not in an air-leak sensitive area.

In short, these are premium grade casters. Penn sells them for $11.25 each. They are not available at Parts Express to the best of my knowledge.

fender3x · #2 Post by **fender3x** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:48 am

I bet you meant to put in a URL...

bgavin · #3 Post by **bgavin** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:51 am

Penn uses Javascript entirely, so I cannot plug in a useful URL that goes to the product page.

www.penn-elcom.com

Is about as close as you can get.

DJPhatman · #4 Post by **DJPhatman** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:18 pm

Or maybe a part number?

bgavin · #5 Post by **bgavin** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:29 pm

In the title of this thread.

DJPhatman · #6 Post by **DJPhatman** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:31 pm

<smacks self in the head> DOH!!!!!

fender3x · #7 Post by **fender3x** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:22 am

DJPhatman wrote: <smacks self in the head> DOH!!!!!

BGavin may have heard the headslap in stereo

Those do look nice!

DJPhatman · #8 Post by **DJPhatman** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:24 am

Check this one out...http://www.penn-elcom.com/index.htm model number 0133BK in the new products page

bgavin · #9 Post by **bgavin** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:14 am

All it says is 1.5", so I assume that means the roller diameter.

Installation is significantly easier than the recessed type. Not only do I have to cut out the recess, I have to notch the recess to clear the axle bolt and nut.

DJPhatman · #10 Post by **DJPhatman** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:14 pm

I would use it up-side down from the pic, so when you tilt the cab back, it's on the wheels. But, when the cab is standing, it's on the feet.

Plus, I like the fact that they can be surface installed, and easily replaced without it being major surgery on the cab.

bgavin · #11 Post by **bgavin** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:59 pm

The jury is still out on using these casters on production boxes. Note the gap between the flange and the wood. This is because the inside wheel well is also on the flange. You can see the smaller flange underneath, as that is what is holding the main flange away from being flush with the wood.

I conclude it is much easier to lay a bead of black silicone caulk in this gap and call it good. The flange is complex, and requires a lot of careful routing to make it all fit flush.

Too bad for this, as the caster itself is an excellent part.

I'm also thinking to not drill the final holes until after the finish is applied. Both carpet or Line-X will change the position of the unit relative to bare wood, and they will mis align any pre-drilled holes.

Link to Huge Image

DaveK · #12 Post by **DaveK** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 5:28 pm

bgavin wrote:The jury is still out on using these casters on production boxes.

What about the 2" version of that wheel? It has a recess in the plastic for the metal wheel flange. It also protrudes only 1/2" below the cab so that a 5/8" rubber foot will take the weight off the wheel. It's rated for 80 lbs. per wheel and my T39-20 only weighs 70 fully loaded with non-neo driver.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl ... er=262-282

bgavin · #13 Post by **bgavin** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:25 pm

I have to notch my recess as shown above for the 3" casters, to allow for the axle bolt. I cut the recess just wide enough for the wheel well housing, so I could have the most wood under the flange.

I suspect the 2" W2001 mentioned above has the same issue. Penn specs the cutout for these at 40mm, and it appears to be wide enough to handle the axle without notching. I'd have to see one for sure, but the price for these is half what I pay for the 3" casters. Plastic makes me nervous.

DaveK · #14 Post by **DaveK** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:59 am

bgavin wrote:I'd have to see one for sure, but the price for these is half what I pay for the 3" casters. Plastic makes me nervous.

I tried to upload a photo, but Frappr is not cooperating. The axle is mounted in a metal bracket that the screws also pass thru. The plastic is just for trim. You're welcome to drop by and examine them if you like. Email me if interested.

The price of the 2" recessed caster is still 3x that of a 3" fixed caster at Harbor Freight, but they look easier to mount.

bgavin · #15 Post by **bgavin** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:00 am

I have a number of Penn and Harbor Freight fixed casters. For my needs, they require mounting to the lower reflector plate. I don't like casters hanging off the ass end of the cab. They have a tendency to buzz, and to snag the shins of the unwary.

Mounting the 3" W2080K isn't really any problem. I do overkill as to backer plates and notching for the axles, but it is still trivial work. Mounted over a carpet finish, these recessed casters will still what I need, and not buzz.

DaveK, do you find the plastic casters cheesy or flimsy?