Adapting Office Chair Wheels – Fit 10 Millimeter Diameter Mounting Posts to 9.5 Millimeter or 3/8 Inch Diameter Chair Base Sockets

While attempting to purchase new wheels for an older style office chair, the author discovered that replacement wheels can hardly be found.

As a consequence, modification of a readily available new wheel provided a necessary and good solution for this problem. Such older chairs often require a 3/8 inch or 9.5 millimeter (9.5mm) diameter wheel mounting post.

The following method adapts a new wheel equipped with a 10 millimeter (10mm) diameter post for the purpose. To prevent scratching the finish, wrap the new wheel assembly in a rag and lightly clamp it in a bench vice.

Utilize a 10 x 1 inch bastard (flat) file to remove about 1/2 millimeter (0.5mm) from the post diameter. Remove the retaining "C" clip before filing the post. Use one hand to control the slow rotation of the post while filing it down. About every five minutes, remove the wheel and test the post for fit.

When the post completely slips into the base socket, reinstall the “C” clip and press the new wheel into place. By the author’s experience, four posts can be dressed to proper fit in about an hour.

This procedure is not recommended for the larger 7/16 inch diameter post because the amount of filing would be too labor intensive.


Disclaimer
Use of any wheel modification details herein are not authorized for any commercial purposes. The author assumes no liability for any omission or error herein.