When shopping for caster accessories, you may encounter expansion stem adapter kits. They are designed for use with stem casters. Most casters, of course, can be classified as either stem or plate depending on their mounting requirements. Stem casters feature a rod-like stem that’s mounted inside a hole, whereas plate casters feature a square- or rectangular-shaped plate that’s mounted directly to the bottom of an object. What are expansion stem adapter kits exactly?
Overview of Expansion Stem Adapter Kits
Also known as expandable stem adapter kits, expansion stem adapter kits are accessories that provide an expandable stem. As previously mentioned, they are designed for use with stem casters. You can install an expansion stem adapter kit on a stem caster. Once installed, you’ll be able to adjust the length of the stem.
The Parts of an Expansion Stem Adapter Kit
Most expansion stem adapter kits consist of four parts: a washer, plastic support frame, rubber expander and a fastener. The plastic support frame works in conjunction with the rubber expander to provide an expandable stem. The washer simply distributes the load of the fastener.
Expansion stem adapter kits are available in different sizes. The size of an expansion stem adapter kit will determine the size of the stem caster with which it can be used. But regardless of size, most of them consist of a washer, plastic support frame, rubber expander and a fastener.
Reasons to Use an Expansion Stem Adapter Kit
With an expansion stem adapter kit, you can essentially change the length of a caster’s stem. Traditional stem casters feature a fixed stem. You can’t make the stem longer, nor can you make it shorter. If you need to raise the height of the object on which a set of stem casters are mounted, you’ll have to replace them with new, longer stem casters. Alternatively, you can install expansion stem adapter kits on the existing stem casters.
Expansion stem adapter kits will essentially convert the fixed-length stems of the casters into adjustable-length stems. All expansion stem adapter kits have an adjustable range. The adjustable range represents how far you can expand the stem after installing the kit.
You don’t have to buy longer stem casters just to increase the length of the stem. Expansion stem adapter kits offer an easier solution. Consisting of four basic parts, they live up to their namesake by providing an expandable stem. You can install an expansion stem adapter kit on a stem caster, after which you can adjust the length of the stem within the kit’s expandable range.
