Adding Casters to Equipment

[JoeMA]

What is the best way to add casters to shop equipment?

Specifically, I want to add 4 rigid, rubber, pneumatic casters to a portable generator weighing >300lbs. The generator is the same as the Multiquip in the picture, which shows the optional wheel kit. I don't want the wheel kit because I prefer to have 4 wheels like the picture of the Mi-T-M generator.

Each lengthwise corner of the generator has two threaded bolt holes 4" apart. I could bolt on a wood frame and then attach casters many ways but I would prefer to add them directly to the metal frame. The frame is not open so clamps are not an option.

 

[astroracer]

Use a solid tire so you don't have to worry about leaks.
Look here for caster/tire options.
https://www.surpluscenter.com/Casters/
https://www.surpluscenter.com/Wheels/
Every piece of equipment in my shop is on casters. Even the hydraulic press and stomp shear. I have 5 mobile work benches on casters. Most of the bases are reworked Harbour freight furniture dollies.
Mark

 

[cosmo52]

I welded 2" angle iron frame to fit around 600 pound planer and welded casters to the angle iron. Gravity holds the planer in the frame.

 

[John in OH]

I add casters to essentially EVERYTHING in my shop that I possible can !! Including storage cabinets and most of the machine tools. There are a few items that are too big for casters (12"x 30" engine lathe, milling machine, bigger workbenches, etc.) but everything else gets casters. I typically buy steel-wheel casters with locks. Many methods to mount casters from direct bolt-on, to direct welding, to angle iron frames, to screwing to 3/4" plywood bases.

 

[Slednut]

My engine hoist already had casters but I wanted to used it to transport stuff to a graveled area so I could pressure wash stuff. Added these tires from HF to it and it is steerable. Also made the handle so I can hook it up to a lawn tractor.

I also made a dolly to move things around but when I got this parts washer it's now sitting on it.

 

[renloy]

What do you do when you need to turn the engine hoist with wheels on? Or do you line up and just roll it out and back in?

 

[Slednut]

What do you do when you need to turn the engine hoist with wheels on? Or do you line up and just roll it out and back in?

It has steering.

 

[JoeMA]

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, I usually use rubber or foam casters, not pneumatic (copied/pasted that from somewhere else in original post).

I don't have a welder so am looking for a direct bolt on solution.

Wheels on an axle may work better than casters. I was thinking of using an axle bracket like the attached picture--unsure if I will need one with a bearing.

Know of anyplace that has a good selection of axle brackets?

 

[kbs2244]

Casters is one thing H F does well.
A good selection
Strangely their dollies are cheaper than 4 casters.
So, I use them, often hacked, under everything.

 

[gemniii]

What is the best way to add casters to shop equipment?
<snip>

You really need to define "best".
Least cost?
Fanciest?

<snip>
Every piece of equipment in my shop is on casters. Even the hydraulic press and stomp shear. I have 5 mobile work benches on casters. Most of the bases are reworked Harbour freight furniture dollies.
Mark

I try to keep most of my "stuff" on HF dollies, from 900 pound tractor attachments, 800 lb planer to 36" toolboxes.

Casters is one thing H F does well.
A good selection
Strangely their dollies are cheaper than 4 casters.
So, I use them, often hacked, under everything.

And I try to keep about 4 or so on hand, just to help move that big box I didn't know I was going to buy.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It looks like there's plenty of metal on the bottom of that thing where you could just drill and tap a few new holes for mounting the casters. If you don't want to do that, cut a flat strip of metal to fit across the existing holes, bolt the caster to the metal strip, and then bolt it to the bottom of the generator.

 

[matt_i]

Imo the best way is to buy a pallet jack and build base-frames for your cabinets, tools and machines. You have solved the weight issue as well as the issue of how to keep them from going wobbly. The ~4" height extension can be a benefit if you are a tall person.

 

[JoeMA]

It looks like there's plenty of metal on the bottom of that thing where you could just drill and tap a few new holes for mounting the casters. If you don't want to do that, cut a flat strip of metal to fit across the existing holes, bolt the caster to the metal strip, and then bolt it to the bottom of the generator.

Thanks Stuart. Good suggestion. I am going to try to find an axle bracket and add axles/wheels; if not, I'll add casters using your suggestion.

Imo the best way is to buy a pallet jack and build base-frames for your cabinets, tools and machines. You have solved the weight issue as well as the issue of how to keep them from going wobbly. The ~4" height extension can be a benefit if you are a tall person.

Cool idea but I have to pull this out of the concrete floor into rough terrain.

 

[MushCreek]

I had a problem with HF casters. I made a dolly for my 1000 lb. three point wood chipper so I could move it around the shop. The casters were plenty strong, and the wheels seem hard enough, but after a few months they flat-spotted so bad I could barely move it. I bought phenolic wheels from McMaster-Carr and it works fine now. Your generator likely isn't heavy enough to do that, but I tell this story for others wanting to put heavy stuff on casters.

 

[kbs2244]

I am a fan of the H F asters
But they are what they are.
I am not surprised they would flat spot with time under a 1000 lb load.

 

[fluid power]

https://casterconnection.com

 

[John in OH]

I had a problem with HF casters. I made a dolly for my 1000 lb. three point wood chipper so I could move it around the shop. The casters were plenty strong, and the wheels seem hard enough,

but after a few months they flat-spotted so bad I could barely move it.

I bought phenolic wheels from McMaster-Carr and it works fine now. Your generator likely isn't heavy enough to do that, but I tell this story for others wanting to put heavy stuff on casters.

Yeah, I've had the same problem with HF casters on heavy items. That's why I use steel casters for any tools that I know will be spending 99% of the time sitting in one spot. Sets of 4 steel casters with locks can be found pretty cheap on eBay.

 

[James-W]

I have castors on a lot of my equipment and for the most I am happy with being able to move the equipment around the garage. HOWEVER, the equipment being able to "move" can be a double edged sword.

For example, my table saw has castors on it so I can move it wherever I want so that it gives me the space I need to do whatever cutting job my project requires. Problem is, even with locking castors when I cut a sheet of plywood the saw can move a little on me which is not a good thing.

Having castors on the equipment so you can move it is around is wonderful, but when you are using the equipment you want it to stay stationary. As long as you can do that, you have the best of both worlds.

 

[Angelfire]

I have castors on a lot of my equipment and for the most I am happy with being able to move the equipment around the garage. HOWEVER, the equipment being able to "move" can be a double edged sword.

For example, my table saw has castors on it so I can move it wherever I want so that it gives me the space I need to do whatever cutting job my project requires. Problem is, even with locking castors when I cut a sheet of plywood the saw can move a little on me which is not a good thing.

Having castors on the equipment so you can move it is around is wonderful, but when you are using the equipment you want it to stay stationary. As long as you can do that, you have the best of both worlds.

A proper mobile base that allows for the tool to be moved when desired and then locked into place by raising the wheels would be a better solution vs. just casters. All of my WW equipment has them.
Cheers.

 

[kbs2244]

I use sandbags made from old jeans legs to keep my stuff in place.
They are handy when you need something held on the workbench as well

 

[MushCreek]

My Ridgid table saw came with a mobile base that works surprisingly well. Mash the plate and it raises up on casters; hit the pedal, and it's back down on it's own legs. That saw has impressed me since Day One, and I've had it quite a while.

 

[John in OH]

A proper mobile base that allows for the tool to be moved when desired and then locked into place by raising the wheels would be a better solution vs. just casters. All of my WW equipment has them.
Cheers.

On several of my machine tools that I've added casters to, I've also added hockey-puck tool levelers to get stability. Crank down the levelers just enough to lift the casters off the floor.



Easy to make from standard sized hockey pucks, 1/2" or 9/16" dia. carriage bolts, and several nuts and washers. FAR less expensive that commercial levelers and work just fine.