Canadian Tire has their applicance dollys on sale and I was thinking of picking one up for moving games up & down stairs.  The price seems right, anybody use these?

Product #60-0517-8

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST.....BDolly.jsp?locale=en

I had a new washer and dryer delivered a couple months ago and they used that type of dolly.  I was worried about my stairs as they are oak and they rolled right down without a scratch.  Check it out for the quality though.

Quoted from Snazzy81

Canadian Tire has their applicance dollys on sale and I was thinking of picking one up for moving games up & down stairs.  The price seems right, anybody use these?

Product #60-0517-8

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST.....BDolly.jsp?locale=en

This is the dolly.  I have one and use it regularly.  It's been great. I've had to replace the rubber belts on it, but its been sturdy.  I know a couple of other collectors who use it and have had a few issues, like the ratchet breaking or bending of the bottom lip.  Overall, if you have tight stairs and/or plan on moving stuff quite a bit, its worth the money.  

I was going to mention that the original v-belts on mine were cheap and went fast (after the first 30 pins or less), I forget the exact replacement size but I can get it for anyone wanting to replace theirs.  The second worry is the ratchet mechanism, I have a feeling mine will eventually fail.  I would have much preferred the U-Haul type of appliance dolly, where you cinch the buckle and then flip the handle to tighten the grip.  But they are more expensive....

Be aware that with a heavy pin, both the stair belts and the wheels (which are black rubber) can and will rub off on carpet and wooden stairs.  Luckily it's fairly easy to clean off of wood, not so easy with carpetted stairs.  I removed a pin from a wealthy Doctor in Oakville's house once and we put down a sheet (which made the move more complicated) so that we wouldn't leave skid marks.

However, "Have dolly, will travel." has done me exceedingly well and made it much easier to collect and move pins - here, there and everywhere!

Note the dolly itself weighs something like 75-90 lbs, so it adds a bt to the weight of the pinball, but you get teh hang of angling so that the majority of the weight is being carried by the tires.

Quoted from Monkeybug

This is the dolly.  I have one and use it regularly.  It's been great. I've had to replace the rubber belts on it, but its been sturdy.  

Where did you get the belts? Mine need to be replaced but I wasn't able to match the size. I went to several spots, even tried auto shops as I thought a fan belt might match it.

Duane

Quoted from websherpa

I was going to mention that the original v-belts on mine were cheap and went fast (after the first 30 pins or less), I forget the exact replacement size but I can get it for anyone wanting to replace theirs.

Same question I just asked Monkey Bug Where'd you get them?

My dolly isn't from CDN Tire. I got it at Princess Auto years ago. I imagine the belt would be similar.

Duane

Quoted from TwilightZone

Where did you get the belts? Mine need to be replaced but I wasn't able to match the size. I went to several spots, even tried auto shops as I thought a fan belt might match it.

Duane

I just picked up a pair of appliance belts at Cdn Tire.  I guess these are the ones use in washing machines/dryers?  I just took my old one and eyeballed the size.  If you need more details I can try to find them.

The replacement belt I used (based on advice from an applaince dolly manufacturer) was : V-belt B23 (5L260) P3

I can't for the life of me remember where I bought them.  Possibly Canadian Tire automotive.

Thanks for the feedback, I picked one up tonight.  I don't think it's as heavy duty as some of yours, probably weighs about 50lbs.

I picked one up too. I used it to move my 5 pins into my new place. Worked great except that the rubber bumper things above the wheels ate into edge of my laminate stairs, they're gonna need to be replace. Are those rubber things supposed to turn? They didn't on mine. Is mine defective?

oh sweet!  glad I didn't miss this, I'm gonna pick me one up for sure.  Experienced the joys of moving pins at Monkeybug's place.. and this thing did come in quite handy  

Quoted from jonny_eh

I picked one up too. I used it to move my 5 pins into my new place. Worked great except that the rubber bumper things above the wheels ate into edge of my laminate stairs, they're gonna need to be replaced. Are those rubber things supposed to turn? They didn't on mine. Is mine defective?

And it split two of his bull-noses....after that move I still prefer the good old fashion "inflatable big wheeled" dollys

Quoted from Hippochrome

And it split two of his bull-noses....after that move I still prefer the good old fashion "inflatable big wheeled" dollys

Ughh - I'd say its defective!

Quoted Text

  "inflatable big wheeled" dollys

I have one of these. It is easier on your stairs but when going around the landing down the basement I just cant swing it around the corner due to it being too big with the fat wheels. Usually, with a bit of acrobatics/contortion, I remove the cotter pin and bang out the wheels on the dolly when I get to the landing. Then it is possible to remove the dolly from under the pin, turn the pin around 90 degrees, reassemble the dolly and then proceed going straight down the main flight of stairs.

Last few, I removed the head from the machine, used the dolly to the landing, removed the dolly  and then slid the machine down the main flight. Fortunately/unfortunately I have gained a bit of weight in recent years giving me the leverage to slowly ease the machine down instead of letting it crash down.

Dave Astill told me a story about sliding a P2K down his stairs once and needless to say we are lucky he is still around  

Quoted from jonny_eh

They didn't on mine. Is mine defective?

Sounds defective (or really stiff?).  They are supposed to roll when going down/up stairs.

Quoted from Tuborg

Ughh - I'd say its defective!

So you used one and the rubber things are supposed to turn?

Quoted from jonny_eh

So you used one and the rubber things are supposed to turn?

I have a similar dolly and mine turn. I also have a dolly with the fat wheels, but I find it a pain to use up and down stairs and don't use it much.

Duane

Quoted from jonny_eh

I picked one up too. I used it to move my 5 pins into my new place. Worked great except that the rubber bumper things above the wheels ate into edge of my laminate stairs, they're gonna need to be replace. Are those rubber things supposed to turn? They didn't on mine. Is mine defective?

THey are supposed to turn, but the manufacturing quality of the CT product is not that good (typical Chinese junk).  I took mine apart and re-engineered and silicone greased the correct bearing surfaces and it turns fine.

However, the stair gliders are just that, they are supposed to turn and carry the weight on the bullnose down to the next step.  If the Bullnoses are coming off and the house is new, all i can say is that likely the stairs are of an inferior quality or weren't glued in addition to nailed (and likely air nailed).  But when you think about it 5 x 200lb weight concentrated onto two square inch or less points equals a lot of pressure.

The fat wheel dollys are good for some circumstances, particularly if you want to take some air out to give them some bounce...particularly along uneven or wet ground.  But they don't work all that well on stairs because you have to "wheel" them up the stair riser.  With an appliance dolly you wheel the item up to the stair, lean it back on the stair riser like a fulcrum, and then lift it up to the next stair.  Wheel along the tread a little to the back and repeat.

The fat tires are also harder to control if you can't "make" a stair for what ever reason, they jsut keep going down... where as the stair riser can be stopped by lifting the item so the smaller wheels come to rest on the stair below.

So should I return the dolly and try for another one, or should I "re-engineer" the one I just bought? (whatever that means)

Quoted from jonny_eh

So should I return the dolly and try for another one, or should I "re-engineer" the one I just bought? (whatever that means)

I'd return it to the store and complain to the manager that it chewed up your stairs.. you may be able to get a few gift certs out of it or something, considering now you have to pay to repair your stairs.

I use a fat wheeled dolly, which is hard to maneuver down my spiral staircase. I also have a narrow door to pass through into my slotcar room. At first i used to remove the heads but now i remove the door jambs and trim, hinges on door, then put it all back.

It sucks. maybe i should look into this crappy tire dolly?

The dollys are good ,but don't get close to the max weight as the wheels will buckle.I assembled them at canadian tire and many were returned because of wheel failure.
Peter

I have one word for all of you, hauling pins up and down stairs:

ROTACASTER

Seriously... look it up. I got a standard dolly converted to Rotacaster stair climber axles. I use it to go up stairs. It is great. And I use the other dolly I have with the balloon tires to go down (cushions better...).

Did a search. Looks cool. Where did you purchase them? Would appreciate if you have some pics....

I presume that they have some kind of ratcheting mechanism that makes it easier to go up stairs, or are they motorized? It looks like they will wheel sideways which might be helpful swivelling at a landing.

Quoted from wbradley

I have one of these. It is easier on your stairs but when going around the landing down the basement I just cant swing it around the corner due to it being too big with the fat wheels. Usually, with a bit of acrobatics/contortion, I remove the cotter pin and bang out the wheels on the dolly when I get to the landing. Then it is possible to remove the dolly from under the pin, turn the pin around 90 degrees, reassemble the dolly and then proceed going straight down the main flight of stairs.

GHeeeeeezzzzzzzzz !!!! I thought it was a pain in the behind getting a pin down in my games room ...

Quoted from whizzervic

GHeeeeeezzzzzzzzz !!!! I thought it was a pain in the behind getting a pin down in my games room ...

Walk-out basement is high on the wish-list for me.

Quoted from TwilightZone

Did a search. Looks cool. Where did you purchase them? Would appreciate if you have some pics....

Had it shipped from Australia and had my 50$ dolly machined in order to hold the wheels.

Quoted from wbradley

I presume that they have some kind of ratcheting mechanism that makes it easier to go up stairs, or are they motorized? It looks like they will wheel sideways which might be helpful swivelling at a landing.

No ratchet, and motorized carts with those wheels cost 2000$.

Quoted from Tuborg

Walk-out basement is high on the wish-list for me.

I have one. I even modified it to make it easy for a machine to come down and go up.

I have used this dolly for over a year and it was the best investment of my life. Saved my back numerous times. As for the rubber parts on the back of the dolly, yeah they should move. That is what helps it glide over the steps.

Quoted from Sparky

Had it shipped from Australia and had my 50$ dolly machined in order to hold the wheels.

Picture, man, picture

Quoted from TwilightZone

Picture, man, picture

I had a look at mine tonight and the back rollers barely turned if at all.  One was especially bad.

I opened both of them up and found:
1.  Half of the small rollers had plastic burrs and didn't spin freely, even without a belt installed.
2.  There are supposed to be washers between the two pieces of the plastic housing or the small rollers won't spin freely.  There should be one per smaller screw so three per side.  The bad side was missing a washer.

So instead of wasting 45min bringing it back I spent 10min a side taking them apart & de-burring with a file.  Now they move when I push on them with my running shoes.  Most of the time was spent trying to get the belt back on.

Lastly I used my runners and worked each side for a couple of minutes which helped loosen them up even more.

I usually bring crap back like this for the principle of it, but for $75 I'm ok with it.

Are you talking about the Damnation Alley type wheels?

I just brought mine back. I got all 5 pins into my basement anyways. Future pins can be moved using a normal dolly down 5 measly stairs
When you guys visit my basement for the next meeting, you'll be jealous about how easy it is to access my basement. Meeting in August?

Quoted from websherpa

http://www.rotacaster.ca/

The only thing is that at the time, they didn't have any available there for stairs...