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How to measure the stem size of your caster. |
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| If your stem looks similar to this: | |||||
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If you have a caliper, measure the Grip Ring Stem in the section below the ring toward the caster body using your caliper. If it measures .437 + or - you have a 7/16" diameter. If it measures .375 + or - you have a 3/8" diameter. You do not need to use a second method to measure! |
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| Many people have difficulty accurately
measuring the grip ring stem ( mounting post ) on their chair or furniture
casters. The "grip ring" is the "C" shaped metal clip which compresses when
inserted in the holes in the bottom of the chair. It holds the caster in the
hole. If you want to replace a caster that has a "grip ring stem", first
try measuring with a ruler. Place the ruler perpendicular to the length of the
stem at the middle (not near the top or the ring). Most casters that have a
grip ring stem have 7/16" stem diameter. If the stem of your caster is 7/16"
diameter it will measure slightly less than the 1/2" mark on the ruler. The
only other grip ring stem diameter is 3/8". On a ruler, 3/8" appears half way
between the 1/4" and the 1/2" marks. Second, you should double check your effort by trying one of the following: |
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| Please
use two of our methods to measure the stem diameter. Remember, measure twice - order once. |
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| Method #2 | |||||
| Find the Diameter using some common tools. | |||||
Use some of the tools you have around the
house to measure. If you have a set of open-end wrenches, use the wrench to
check the diameter of the stem. There should be a little "wiggle" between the
wrench and the stem. If you need to measure the diameter of the hole that the
stem goes into, use a drill bit. Again, there should be a little wiggle but not
much. Photos below will show you how it's done. Always try "American" sizes
first and "Metric", only if you think it was not a good fit with the American
size. 
If you measure 3/8" diameter, see "Red Ball"
below: |
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Method #3 |
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| Find the circumference to Determine the Diameter | |||||
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Use a piece of Scotch Tape about 2" long. Start to wrap the tape around the stem of your old caster as shown. | ||||
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Wrap the tape so that it overlaps the
beginning edge of itself. Where the tape intersects the beginning edge, make a
mark with a pencil or pen. Try to make this mark as accurately as possible.
Now, let's take that tape off and use some geometry from high school. The
diameter of a circle can be found if you know the circumference of the circle.
Well you just measured the circumference by using your tape. Measure your tape
from the beginning edge to the mark that you made. Using the formula d = circumference / Pi ( 3.1416 ) We've done the math for you below. |
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If you measured 1
3/8" - You need 7/16" Diameter Stems. If you measured 1 3/16" You need 3/8" Diameter Stems. |
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| If you measure 3/8"
diameter: We don't show 3/8" grip ring stems on our website, however, they are available in certain products. Call us with your stem dimensions and tell us which method you used to measure the stem. |
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| Now that you are sure of the stem diameter, you need only one other dimension, namely, the depth of the hole. In order for the replacement caster to work properly, the depth of the hole in the chair must be equal to or greater than the length of the caster stem. An easy way to measure the depth of the hole is with a pencil. Remove an old caster, insert the pencil into the hole in the chair, mark the depth with your thumb; remove and measure. | |||||
Call us if your measurements are radically different than those shown here. |
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| Photos & graphics
are for informational purposes only. Actual product may vary slightly from
those shown. Wheel colors may vary unless specified. If wheel color is important, please contact us for current inventory. |
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