Removing threaded insert from wire shelving

[branimal]

I have a metal wire shelf that I'd like to weld threaded stem casters to. I took the shelf apart and found there was already a 1/4-20 threaded insert inside the shelf poles. My casters are 2" poly wheels with a 1/2"x13 thread. I looked around for 1/4-20 threaded casters but all I can find are cheap 1" black plastic wheels in that size thread.

I put the shelf pole in a vise and tried to remove the insert with pair of channel locks. Nothing. Next I tried to drill out the threaded insert with a 1/2" drill but, but the insert seems to be made of a hardened steel.

Solutions:
1. Amazon has 5/16" & 3/8" threaded casters . Maybe I can drill and tap the current inserts. This would require me to buy a 9/32" or 11/32" drill bit for the job.
2. Cut shelf pole just above the threaded insert and weld on my new wheels.

Any other ideas?

 

[jack stand]

Build a simple wooden base and set the whole shelf on it.
Think big furniture dolly.

 

[infinkc]

whats on the other end of the poles? a plastic cap? if so you can get an insert and use your caster or weld like you said, those poles should work the same in either direction. Those adapters are typically pressed in, so you would need a long rod to knock them out, they wont twist out.

 

[PugetDude]

Weld a 1/2-13 coupling nut on the bottom of the legs.

 

[gregs]

Weld a 1/2-13 coupling nut on the bottom of the legs.

+1 For this. Easiest solution. Will probably have to drill out the 1/4" insert to 1/2" or bigger to allow the caster stem to inside the tube.

 

[nadogail]

Pictures will assist me in visualizing your problem.

 

[BillK]

Do you have a slide hammer ? If so put a 1/4" bolt in it and pull the inserts out that way. How big is that tubing ? Almost looks too small to be putting a 1/2" threaded insert in.

 

[fsae0607]

Male to female thread adapters.

 

[branimal]

whats on the other end of the poles? a plastic cap? if so you can get an insert and use your caster or weld like you said, those poles should work the same in either direction. Those adapters are typically pressed in, so you would need a long rod to knock them out, they wont twist out.

Turns out each individual pole is threaded together from 2 smaller poles. (probably for shipping purposes). I unthreaded the poles and popped out the insert with a rod and hammer. I welded the 1/2" nuts to the bottom. My welds don't look great -feel free to critique. I was doing flux-core and just started doing MIG.

Now the shelf is on wheels and I can move it around when I need the space. The black shelf in the background has a 3/8" insert. Found some 3" wheels with 3/8" thread for $20 shipped.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[LXCam]

They make 1/4 to 3/8 rod couplers. If you’re not loading the **** out of these it’d work.

 

[FredWanaker]

Build a simple wooden base and set the whole shelf on it.
Think big furniture dolly.

sounds like a solution. Make two layers of the base held apart by 2x4, then drill the top one so the legs can sit down thru it. would be very secure as long as the wire racks aren't loaded top heavy. You can store things on the base also.

 

[aardquark]

I did this last year (added casters to wire shelf). I bought the shelves at Home Depot and just walked to a different aisle and bought 2" casters that screwed right in after I removed the leveling feet that came with the shelves. But later when I decided I needed more shelves, I bought these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-To...m-msg-id=e6781eac-42b5-46c5-8f73-4412213ac692, they came with bigger casters and it was cheaper to buy complete than to pay for larger casters at HD.

 

[Bad Habit]

They make 1/4 to 3/8 rod couplers. If you’re not loading the **** out of these it’d work.

Come on man, this is GJ! Why do a simple easy solution when it can be made much more complex

 

[gregs]

A friend donated me an old commercial kitchen wire shelf. The entire unit is made of wire rod. It had some plastic feet on the bottom that broke off years ago. My plan is to weld on some 3/8 coupling nuts and pick up some of those cheap 3" casters for it. I dont know if its still the case, (was a couple years ago) but if you look in the electrical section of the Depot or Lowes they have threaded rod there and the coupling nuts that are much cheaper then the hardware isle.

 

[driftpin]

Don't expect to get a stable set up with that shelving for heavier loads close to what they say it can bear if it's just on legs not on casters.

 

[branimal]

I did this last year (added casters to wire shelf). I bought the shelves at Home Depot and just walked to a different aisle and bought 2" casters that screwed right in after I removed the leveling feet that came with the shelves. But later when I decided I needed more shelves, I bought these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-To...m-msg-id=e6781eac-42b5-46c5-8f73-4412213ac692, they came with bigger casters and it was cheaper to buy complete than to pay for larger casters at HD.

Casters at HD are expensive. I've had some good luck with threaded casters from Amazon. $16-20 for a set of four.

 

[snyder]

It's a little late now, but those threaded inserts will just pull out.
There are caster wheels made for those poles.
The have a plain post with a groove and ring similar to an air impact nose. You just hammer them into the end.