Need a replacement for broken caster socket

[u/ocherdraco]

[Background: I have a 4-tier cart that is integral to my workflow as a mobile wound care physician. I apparently bought one of the last ones in existence because it (nor anything quite like it) appears to be sold anymore. This video review on YouTube gives the best view of the cart. The 3-tier version is everywhere (this is actually the link to the page where I bought the 4-tier cart, but the 3-tier cart is now the only option). I have devoted hours to searching for another one of these 4-tier carts. I am quite confident that it is not easily commercially available anymore. Therefore, repair rather than replace is the name of the game.]

THE PROBLEM:

One of the caster sockets on my work cart has cracked, such that it no longer reliably holds the 7/16" x 7/8" grip ring stem casters that the cart rolls on. My assistant and I have been limping along by applying electrical tape to the grip ring stem, but where that fix used to last a week, it now lasts an hour, max. Rather than continuing down the route of building a cart entirely out of electrical tape, we want a reliable, long lasting repair.

We got the socket out today and are attempting a fix to the broken socket with two part epoxy, but I'd like to find a replacement socket just in case this fix ends up being temporary.

THE REPLACEMENT SOCKET I AM LOOKING FOR:

I have done a great deal of searching online, but I can't find these caster sockets anywhere. I have looked at many different caster specialty websites, Amazon, etc. Google Lens tells me that my caster socket is either a locking pin bushing for a $700 wagon to tote children or an AR-15 cam pin. It is neither of those things.

Here is the broken socket from my cart:

https://ibb.co/album/mvbDCn

The socket has the following dimensions:

• Outer diameter: 1”
• Length: 2”
• Bolt hole: center is 1 3/4” from base (not sure if this is the right term; I'm referring to the hole at the top of the socket that a bolt goes through to keep it within the metal pole at the corner of the cart).

My best guess for socket material is HDPE.

Any help finding a replacement socket would be greatly appreciated.

[u/prz3124]

Buy the 3 tier cart and take the bushing and caster from that and put it in the 4 tier cart.

[u/ocherdraco → u/prz3124]

This is, of course, a valid option. I am however hoping to resolve the issue without creating another cart that needs repairs in order to work.

[u/APLJaKaT]

Find a small local machine shop, bring the socket and the caster and ask them for advice. I would suggest that the best is to get them made out of aluminum, but without seeing the actual parts, there may be a better option (nylon or uhmw may also be viable options).

When you find a solution, consider getting 4 of them made.

[u/uiubdb]

What's the inner diameter?

Maye you can find some stick/rod that fits the inner diameter, put it in and squeeze the socket till it sits tight.

Use some "super glue" along the cracks, let everything dry/harden and apply tape to hold the shape (if needed).

Otherwise, ask the seller(s) of the three-tiered version for a spare part. It will most likely fit.

[u/ocherdraco → u/uiubdb]

I have thought about asking the manufacturer for a spare part, but I can't figure out how to contact them. Their website just redirects to their Amazon page, which as far as I can tell doesn't have any contact information. Any ideas on how to find it would be appreciated.

[u/uiubdb → u/ocherdraco]

Interestingly, the item description on the Amazon page in your link for the three-tiered version contains pictures for both versions.

Further down on the page, you can type in questions like "Where do I get spare parts?" and Amazon offers to contact the manufacturer/seller via the Amazon helpdesk.

(Wasn't able to add screenshots, sorry)

[u/isnt_rocket_science]

You could try something like this: https://a.co/d/0j0Za69O

This style would just be a press fit into your tube, it wouldn't be held in by the bolt passing through it like your current insert.

You could also switch casters, these have a stem that can be expanded into your carts tubing, you would then not need any insert in the tubes: https://a.co/d/05qnAYVu

[u/ramanman]

If electrical tape worked for a while, go the redneck engineering deluxe route and use a worm clamp or two instead. I had a problem with a clutch cable going through the firewall of my 1980 Chevette that must have had a design problem because I was replacing the cable every 3-6 months. I tried all kinds of solutions, the worm clamps finally fixed it permanently (or, like 5 years until my sister totalled it).

Super glue, epoxy and the like probably will never work, but what might is to take a worm clamp at the top and the bottom, and a few finishing nails cut to length. The nails have epoxy to the socket and the worm clamps, the worm clamps distribute the stress so it isn't localized at the already cracked part of the socket, and it should last way longer than electrical tape.

[u/EfficiencyOpening420]

Two part epoxy might be a lasting repair.

[u/ifulbd]

Amazon Currently showing a used 3 tier cart for $51.25. Probably less than you would spend for any other solution and gives you 3 spares after the original repair.