I bought a reel mower yesterday (we have a very small amount of grass to mow).
Anyway, there’s a roller on the back that acts as support and height adjustment (image). That roller was attached to the main assembly with cheap plastic which of course snapped right off as I was giving the thing a test push around the lawn. So I went to Lowes and got some metal parts to rig it up with (image, closeup). I’ve got the axle in there as tightly as I could get it, but it’s still not secured at the ends, so it could still just slip out.
I don’t want to have to put a hole through the rod because A) I don’t have a proper metal drilling bit, and B) the rod is only about 1/4" so even with a proper bit, drilling it will be a pain in the ass.
Is there a way to secure the ends without having to drill a hole through it?
I would try making a “head” at each end of the rod. If it were threaded inside or outside, you could put on a bolt or not (it looks like it’s not threaded). You could weld or glue a small plate to the ends of the rod to make a head. Something relatively cheap that might be “good enough” is to stuff a tapered rubber stopper in each end.
Edit: If you’re OK with the axle turning with the roller, you could also permanently attach it to the roller (glue, etc.) and the roller would keep it from slipping out either end.
Is that a rod or a piece of tubing? If it’s tubing, then you may be able to run a length of all-thread through it and use washers and nuts on the ends.
That’s actually what I pictured in my mind when I mentioned gluing a plate. DCnDC: You can probably find JB Weld with the [other] epoxy glues at your hardware store.
I don’t know what they are called, but there are little “caps” that slide onto axles that have little “teeth” in them that grip the rod. Look at kid’s ride-on type toys, or garbage can wheels. I bet they have them at Lowe’s.
I know you specifically said you didn’t want to drill a hole but that really is the way to go for a long term fix. An 1/8" hole and a cotter pin will last forever and is easily removed when you have to replace that plastic roller.
+1. the push caps will come off unless they’re glued on. If it is ever to be serviced then drill holes and cotter key them with a washer.
I’ve glued on my own caps for a vacuum cleaner drive shaft by drilling a round piece of aluminum that fits tight to the rod. It’s only purpose was to to keep the belt from sliding off the end. The mower looks like it might get a lot of side loading so any glue used has to be long wearing.
I’ve built thousands of trolleys going into schools and hospitals, if you have the right size cap it will never come off without a rather large hammer and screw driver to lever it off. No glues required just tap around the edges till its in place.
Is this a new item that broke on first use? I’m usually all for make do and mend, but it sounds like this thing is not fit for purpose - why not just return it for a refund and buy something a bit more robust?
Everything on it works fine except for that roller which was attached with plastic arms. As far as I can tell, without spending 2 or 3 times more, these types of mowers are all built that way. I am satisfied with the metal parts I replaced the arms with; they are steel and should last well past the lifespan of the whole mower. I just needed some ideas on finishing it.
