Measurement / scaling & movement on a caster/wheel

[vjekobalas]

I'd like to use the following model and modify it (a caster with brake and base for fixing to a table):
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=689d960f13da57a6d3dad974dc098fa1&prevstart=24

I import the model but am not sure how to do the following - would appreciate a pointer:

(a)How does one measure and scale the circumference of the wheel eg the red and or black parts ?
(b)If you look at the caster on the side opposite to the breaking mechanism, the base for mounting
to the table is extending a distance further out than the circumference of the wheel - how
do I measure that distance in case I want to move the base ?
(c)If I need to delete the base and the short cylinder on which it rests, how would I add another
cylinder and different base so that they are properly centered or off-center as needed
(having trouble with alignment and moving eg a square base to center it on a cylinder)

[Dave R]

@vjekobalas said:

(a)How does one measure and scale the circumference of the wheel eg the red and or black parts ?

Do you really want to scale the wheel based on its circumference? Would scaling based upon its diameter be sufficient? For that I would open the wheel component and measure its diameter with the Tape Measure tool. Then enter the desired diameter and hit Enter. Answer in the affirmative to the question about resizing the active group or component.

@unknownuser said:

(b)If you look at the caster on the side opposite to the breaking mechanism, the base for mounting
to the table is extending a distance further out than the circumference of the wheel - how
do I measure that distance in case I want to move the base ?

I'm not sure I understand what you're after. Do you want to change the dimensions of the mounting plate? It is common for the caster's mounting plate to extend beyond the edge wheel like that.

@unknownuser said:

(c)If I need to delete the base and the short cylinder on which it rests, how would I add another
cylinder and different base so that they are properly centered or off-center as needed
(having trouble with alignment and moving eg a square base to center it on a cylinder)

Just draw in the parts. Centering shouldn't be any problem because the person who drew it left the center marked on the top of the caster fork.

If you have to make a lot of changes to the component to make it suitable for your use, perhpas it would be easier to find a different caster component or just draw your own from scratch.