Any drawbacks from putting workbench on casters?

[jconnor3]

I'm about a month away from finally having the time to build my new workbench. It wont be anything too crazy, 2x6 construction, 4x4 or 6x6 legs and butcher block top most likely and 6-8ft long.

I was just curious if anyone who has put their workbench on wheels/casters have any drawbacks?

To be honest, I don't forsee me moving the workbench all the often but figured since I'm building it from scratch, it may be a good addition. Obviously, I would want to get some quality casters that locked but was interested to hear from others that have done it if they would do it again.

Thanks

 

[matt_i]

If you do it "mobile base style" meaning a way to put it back solidly down on the floor, then I'd do it for sure. If you have a pallet jack, you have one of the easiest solutions. Just design the bottom of the bench so it can be easily engaged by the forks.

I wouldn't build a rolling-only workbench, too easy to move at the wrong time, like when you need a little extra leverage on a part in the vise.

 

[a52-830]

i have. got heavy duty casters with a really big base. ran 2X6's around three sides at the very bottom. screwed several of the bolts for each on into the stringers rather than into the post. i dont move it often, but being able to move it is great.

dont forget to allow for the height of the casters when you are cutting the legs. you dont want the bench to ned up 4" taller than you wanted.

 

[evildky]

It moves. I have a roll around teardown table, My bench is bolted to the floor and through the wall, it doesn't move. My last bench I thought was "heavy enough", but when you got something chucked in the vise and a 4 foot cheater pipe, it moved.

 

[firebirdparts]

I vise mounted on it won't do you much good, ha ha. But then maybe you don't want a vise.

 

[ripperd]

In my new garage my plan is to have the best of both worlds. I plan to have very sturdy brackets against one wall so that when I need to do heavy prying or hitting with something in the vice, I can keep the bench in one place. And then when I want it mobile, I'll just unhook the couple bolts holding it to the wall and roll it to where i need it.

 

[06switchback]

I wouldn't use wheels

My bench is not on wheels it is 3x6 steel legs steel lower shelf and 1/4 inch steel top I have 2 turn buckles securing it to the wall after almost tipping it over trying to loosen something in the vice I had a pipe wrench with about a 4 foot pipe on the handle when I put my body weight on the pipe pushing down it wasn't hard to tip the whole thing even with all the stuff that's on my bench

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[glentre]

Google "custom workbenches with casters" and you will see several ingenious ways to equip heavy benches with casters that can be lowered to move it or raised to have it sit directly on the floor. Some very inventive ideas.

Glen

 

[denis4x4]

I have two 4’ x 6’ benches on HD locking 4” casters. Greatest thing since sliced bread

 

[jdoe213]

With casters the bench will move even when you don't want it to. Retractable casters are the way to go. If you are not planning on moving it often, a crow bar and two moving dollies work great.

 

[DCarr2]

I have thought about this for my main bench.. itd be nice to be able to move it out of the way.... the problem is, its 6.5' wide x 11.5' long.... and one end weights probable 1500;bs, if not more...

 

[finn]

You don’t want to be chasing the bench across the floor, so it needs some way to lock it to the wall.

 

[woodvice]

Like most of the replies here, I am not in favor of wheels on a bench for mostly the same reasons.

Delta makes a universal mobile tool base for tools that has two fixed rollers and a foot pedal operated retractable third caster. One of these, or a shop built clone might work for a bench. When the third wheel is retracted, the bench would be firmly planted on the ground.

If you do go with casters, use two swivel locks with brakes and two fixed wheels. Four swivel casters are more maneuverable for the last 2% of the journey but are totally unmanageable for movement in a straight line or on a surface that is anything but dead flat.

Avoid large diameter swivel casters. If you move the free end of the bench 90 degrees and hit an obstruction on the floor that stops the wheel from rolling the bench may continue to move in a direction that you didn't anticipate.

John

 

[fourjeepin]

I bolted mine to the wall and the floor to make sure it didn't move. I would only put one on casters if I needed to move it often.

 

[a52-830]

mine is tucked in a corner, and has both a vice and steel bending jig, something like this:

https://www.harborfreight.com/bench-top-bar-and-rod-bender-38471.html

locking casters on the front, careful mounting of the two appliances mentioned above, and a minute of thought before wailing away on something has caused me not to have issues with movement of the bench.

YMMV

 

[James-W]

My workbench is 4ft by 8ft and I have 6 castors on it. I can't lock the wheels, but I have not found that to be an issue. I have storage beneath the top of the workbench and I store all sorts of stuff in there. The workbench is a little on the heavy side but the large wheels make it move fairly easily, yet not so easy that it rolls around when you don't want it to. I do mostly woodworking and I lay my project on the workbench to be glued, or nailed, or screwed, or whatever it is that I am doing with it.

 

[Viper98912]

Depends what you need to use it for. I built a small workbench out of steel angle and a butcher block top, and put it on 4 swivel casters with locks. While slightly cumbersome at times with 4 swivels, it's been extremely convenient. The locks definitely make all the difference. At the same time, I don't exactly use my table for "big jobs" either.

 

[guyerst]

I put casters that you can drop and retract with a foot. Makes it easy to roll to the corner when I need more space, drops to the floor when I want it locked in place.

I tried locking casters, but they still rotated around when locked.

 

[tarmy]

I did both...having a bench bolted down or to the wall is best for me....then I also built a rolling table to fab up things...sand on, etc.

I am in the process of welding up a serious rolling table for welding and fabing items as well...

 

[johninct]

I had my bench on heavy duty locking casters and I cut them off. My 8" vise was almost useless because the bench would move. I had it rigged up so I could put each leg on a couple of 2"x4"'s and be off of the casters. It was better but still moved. I really never used the bench for much because of it moving for maybe 10 years. Now, I bolted each leg to the floor and the back to the wall and the bench can be used as a real bench.

 

[Sammgb]

Mine's on wheels and for the most part, it's okay. Only real issue is the vise. When I'm beating, pounding, bending, it will/does move on me. I did it because I thought I'd move it to where ever I was working and make my life easy. Turns out, in 4-years, I haven't moved it once.

 

[finn]

I do have a bench on wheels. My bending brake is mounted to it as well as a buffer and a portable arbor press. The arbor press works ok. The other two....not so much.

It’s ok to use as a tear down and assembly table though.

I don’t think i’d add wheels to another bench.

 

[Jack Olsen]

It's a personal thing, I guess. But I hate it when benches move. Whenever I can, I attach them to the wall.

 

[ddawg16]

I put casters that you can drop and retract with a foot. Makes it easy to roll to the corner when I need more space, drops to the floor when I want it locked in place.

I tried locking casters, but they still rotated around when locked.

That is what I have on my table saw setup

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I've got a super heavy steel bench, 'bout 3'x 5' on steel casters, with my vice,....

It rolls easy enough, 'n when I Don't want it to move, I've got a couple of lengths of 5/16" chain, 'bout 2' long,....
I just whip the chain 'round a wheel on the floor, on a couple corners, 'n it's Anchored, Solidly,....
When I want it to roll again, just pick up the chains, 'n Push,...

 

[jconnor3]

I think this may be a winner. Didn't know these existed. I also could easily run screws or brackets into the back wall and if/when I want to move the bench I can just unscrew those brackets.

Thanks for the insight guys.

I put casters that you can drop and retract with a foot. Makes it easy to roll to the corner when I need more space, drops to the floor when I want it locked in place.

I tried locking casters, but they still rotated around when locked.

 

[yeldogt]

I have a Noden Adjustabench --w/ wheels option. Have to be able to move it around in the city -- so I can hide it. This type works well -- you have to get the bench off the wheels or it will rock. If the bench is not to heavy -- the kind where you tip the bench back on the wheels works also.

 

[66Caprice]

Did you watch the video on the home page of this site? That's an excellent way to go.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Spend a bunch of money, time, and effort to make a heavy bench. Then, think up a way to make it wiggle and shake. This must be how my ideas sound to others at first.

I use a wheeled hydraulic system. It is good for a couple of tons. I can move it between tables. I have a relatively small amount of money ******* in it. Picture (not mine) is below.

Actually, a Paulk style torsion box workbench is light enough to move without wheels. Stout, stiff, light, and cheap. Should make the fans and haters happy.

 

[nadogail]

My bench, for light work, is mounted on a mobile tool base from Harbor Freight. It is "good enough" for the woodworking chores.
For heavier work I have a Hallowell Industrial Bench that one of my previous bosses told me to get it out of the workshop some 42 years ago. I saluted smartly and had the crew load it into the back of my pickup truck; as far as he knows it is still on it's way to the dump.
My metal working vise, when I had one, was mounted on a steel plate welded to large pipe, attached to a passenger car rim with a tire mounted on it.
I am on the lookout for a truck wheel.

 

[kentenn]

I put casters (locking) on my bench and don’t like it. I’ve seen a solution which uses a 2”x4” “axle” with casters which is locked up on the legs, then you release it, lift the end of bench and rotate “axle” under legs. (Put on on both ends of bench). Roll it in place and put axle back up in locking position.

 

[Viz]

I put small fixed casters on the outside of the two legs on one end of the bench, with the wheels just missing the floor. On the other end of the bench, mounted low enough to tip the bench at a good angle, I mounted a wooden clothes rod as a "handle".

When I want to move the bench, I just lift it up enough to have the caster wheels contact the floor, roll the bench to the new location, and let 'er down.
The bench stays stable, and the casters don't protrude enough to be in the way of anything. Crude, yes. Simple, yes. Works, yes.

 

[sberry]

You can put 2 heavy hard wheels on one end and run it like a wheelbarrow or use a common floor jack to run the other end. If I really didn't have to move it wouldn't, would be bolted in place.

 

[sberry]

I am on the lookout for a truck wheel.

I understand some of the appeal but I like the vise on another bench even if it is small so there is a place to work and set tools etc. Same for those post ideas, looks good on paper but then there is no place to sit something unless you roll another bench up.
I worked a lot of places and paid attn. to ergonomics, the geometry so to speak and eventually came up with this layout, 2 benches, one with vise that is almost as good as it gets. For fab don't want anything on the top, want to swivel a plate or angle around on it without something in the way. On that one electric comes from the floor, a drop cord was a super pain in the azz.
The benches are really scrap tacked up when I moved in, they worked well enough they were never replaced but the location is another matter, very well tuned. Had a guy a while back said,,,, been around and this is the easiest place I ever worked.

 

[exmaxima1]

I have a fixed bench w/vise, and a 2'x5' rolling bench at home. The mobile bench is great to move around in my garage into the sunlight or driveway when working on the car. Ideal for assembly work, painting, or parts cleaning.

At work I built 4 mobile benches (all around 3'x8') that we move around the production area. One has a woodworker vise on the end which is handy at times but does not get in the way. Could not live without them. You need both fixed and mobile benches!

 

[quattroman]

Depends what you use it for, as a light mobile table sure. Not as a workbech with a vice for pulling/pounding on.

 

[RAS61]

Depends what you use it for, as a light mobile table sure. Not as a workbech with a vice for pulling/pounding on.

I agree, my 3'x8' wood bench is on casters and I've never had a problem, but I use it as a light to medium duty work surface. If that's the majority of your work casters are great for cleaning behind and flexibility, like a portable outfeed table for a table saw.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

My workbench is adjustable height and has casters, and neither has been a problem. Use all locking casters and it shouldn't go anywhere.

Or add adjustable feet that will lift the bench just above the reach of the casters, so it can't roll.

 

[JasonMcElroy]

I can't stand it when a bench moves even the slightest bit and always secure them to the wall and floor.

I built this one about two weeks ago in my new house. I have limited space, so wanted it high enough to fit a tool cabinet underneath. I removed the casters from my roller cabinet and built to fit. Bench is a little higher than I like, but I'm 6'3" so I'll get over it.

Jason

 

[chicken89]

i built a work bench, and a rolling work space under it. in the pic, it has the bottles of oil in it. work bench went length of wall, made the rolling bench to fit under it. put my car stuff in it so it was out of the way, but could also roll the whole thing to the car and have everything there.
the rolling table was much more sturdy then the work bench above it, but it was a perfect fit. the rolling part made the table more sturdy, but the table was never used without the rolling part under it.
on the left side of the pic, i was too poor to buy a tool chest, so i used an old dresser and put in to a moving dolly so that could be moved around also.