Anyone put their workbench on caster wheels?

[Jadis]

Debating on doing this for my workbench build about to start up. On the one hand, it'd be nice to be able to move it around the shop as needed but I'm worried it will be too unsteady. I was planning on a 6' x 30" bench with 5" casters w/ brakes. Thanks.

 

[rtz]

I did. That way everything in the garage can be moved.

 

[ford33]

My woodworking bench is on a set of Rockler workbench casters. It works well. My tool benches and stands are on locking swivel casters.

 

[aafadca]

Most of my things are on wheels or casters. Including my work benches,tables,drill, air compressor, band saw,etc. It really is handy, especially when I use one of the work benches as a welding table.

 

[crane_guy]

Yes, you wont regret it as long as you dont cheap out on the casters

 

[fourbyford]

Shop where I used to work had a large(ish) work bench/weld table on casters... was generally OK... until I was cranking hard on something in the vise. Then, the dang thing wanted to follow you around the shop... lol
Guess as long as the locks on your casters are good you should be OK.

...D

 

[Darby9]

Best way to go in a small shop IMHO. Like @crane_guy said--get good casters. If you've got a way to rigidly mount a vise somewhere else in the shop, you've got all your bases covered. A rolling bench can make for a good outfeed table too, depending on the height.

 

[Citation]

I'm building a bench this weekend. I've got retracting castors. Since this is a low cost project and the bench is narrow I didn't want to use casters as the normal support. I was looking at DIY retracting castor options when I found some on Amazon. The castors are not strong enough to support the bench in use but that is ok for my purposes.

 

[BigGarage]

Debating on doing this for my workbench build about to start up. On the one hand, it'd be nice to be able to move it around the shop as needed but I'm worried it will be too unsteady. I was planning on a 6' x 30" bench with 5" casters w/ brakes. Thanks.

I wouldn't do it any other way. Here's mine.

Dennis

 

[PelicanPines]

TETRIS... I live it... I love it...

 

[rieferman]

Another yes vote here. 4” minimum for easy rolling. You’ll want casters that lock both the rotation AND the swivel. Not cheap but well worth it. With this type, be extremely careful not to ever get a finger caught in the lock mechanism - it’s like an industrial mouse trap

 

[mistadobalina]

Yes, I put my workbench on heavy-duty casters so that it can nest under my miter saw station when not in use. 60" x 30".

 

[ChaseDE]

Yes, mine is nearly identical to BigGarage's

 

[laser3kw]

the smaller the caster, the smaller of an object that will stop it flat from rolling.
Like mentioned previous, 4" is a good diameter.

 

[lilredex]

Everything is on wheels here.

Workbench has floor jack wheels on the rear, a cross member in the front for a jack. A really stable setup.

 

[CraigStu]

You could also do a quick release tie-in to a wall. Screw the top half of a strap hinge to the wall so you can pull up the other half and it will lay on the bench. Drill a hole through the hinge and right through the bench so you can drop a bolt through them. Depending on sizing and how accurately you drill the hole you probably wouldn't even need a nut.

 

[A**holes Garage]

I have 3) steel workbenches on leveling casters. They are available from 110 lb capacity each to 3300 lb. each.
Roll them out, level the pad, easy.

 

[signcrafter]

I've been thinking about doing a 8'x36" or so bench for a while now, even have a few extra sheets of plywood and the other wood to build a nice one in the shop right now for it. Would use it for a general purpose table mostly for woodworking. But would mount my vice to it and my smaller drill press on one end since I don't have anywhere for them in the shop right now. I would build it the same height as my table saw to use it for an out feed table. Would come in handy for building cabinets and doing other glue ups. If I do this it will for sure be on casters to move around. The reason it's not done yet is because I'm worried it will become just another catch all place and be piled with stuff all the time and not usable. Also don't have a lot of extra floor space in the shop right now. But it's on the list of things to do and will be on casters.

 

[slim39]

I think craig has a great idea latching it to the wall

 

[alexb2000]

I have 3) steel workbenches on leveling casters. They are available from 110 lb capacity each to 3300 lb. each.
Roll them out, level the pad, easy.

These are the best of both worlds IMO. They are expensive, but you can pick them up on ebay used a lot of times very reasonable. For example I bought 20 1500lbs. ea. for $100 about 3 months ago, they were take offs from telecom rack system cabinets..

 

[69charged]

I have my welding bench, 5’ x 36”, on castors. These are the ones I used. About the only nuisance is it rocking a bit when I hacksaw something.

 

[Jadis]

Thanks all, yeah I'm in a 2-car garage and my wife refuses to park outside so space is limited. Tetris for sure, lol.

You could also do a quick release tie-in to a wall. Screw the top half of a strap hinge to the wall so you can pull up the other half and it will lay on the bench. Drill a hole through the hinge and right through the bench so you can drop a bolt through them. Depending on sizing and how accurately you drill the hole you probably wouldn't even need a nut.

That's a cool idea.Seems like something that could be done after the fact too if the bench isn't steady enough. Will definitely keep in mind.

I have 3) steel workbenches on leveling casters. They are available from 110 lb capacity each to 3300 lb. each.
Roll them out, level the pad, easy.

These are the best of both worlds IMO. They are expensive, but you can pick them up on ebay used a lot of times very reasonable. For example I bought 20 1500lbs. ea. for $100 about 3 months ago, they were take offs from telecom rack system cabinets..

I've never seen these before, that's interesting. How do they work? Do you turn the knobs to make the wheels come down more? Or is it more that they are balanced on the wheel and flat surface so they're more stable but still able to move around? Thanks.

 

[alexb2000]

I've never seen these before, that's interesting. How do they work? Do you turn the knobs to make the wheels come down more? Or is it more that they are balanced on the wheel and flat surface so they're more stable but still able to move around? Thanks.

You turn the knobs to extend the rubber feet on the bottom which can lift the wheel off the ground. The adjustment of the rubber feet allows you to level things out as well as keep it from rolling. I like the rubber feet more than say steel or wood on concrete because they don't slide easily when you are cranking on something.

The downside is that the casters are small and the clearance isn't that great. They are only good for a smooth level floor surface like troweled concrete.

I use these on things like a workbench that I don't intend to move a lot, I need to be level, not slide, and still occasionally be able to roll out of the way to clean or rearrange. If it doesn't meet that criteria I use a regular larger locking caster.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Thanks all, yeah I'm in a 2-car garage and my wife refuses to park outside so space is limited. Tetris for sure, lol.



That's a cool idea.Seems like something that could be done after the fact too if the bench isn't steady enough. Will definitely keep in mind.





I've never seen these before, that's interesting. How do they work? Do you turn the knobs to make the wheels come down more? Or is it more that they are balanced on the wheel and flat surface so they're more stable but still able to move around? Thanks.

When I have my benches where I want them, I lock and level them in place by running the rubber pads down to the floor far enough to prevent the table from moving (lifts wheels off floor). That can bed done using the orange hand twist leveler.

Once the pad hits the floor, and the weight of the bench makes it difficult to turn by hand. You then use a wrench to turn the leveling steel hex nut that is under the orange hand leveler. They supply a wrench to turn the nut once the pad hits the floor and starts to lift or level your table.

I don't think there's much more than 1" or so of adjustment per each caster.

You shouldn't have any issues pushing them around in your garage over uneven floors or expansion cracks in your floor, unless your benches are really heavy.

 

[b-boy]

I wouldn't do it any other way. Here's mine.

Dennis

OK - I have to ask about the cast iron stove. What do you use that for?

I have one in my pole barn that was 'gifted' to my wife as a working stove. When it arrived, it was pretty clear that it had been sitting in someone's back yard for a few years. I've still got it, and I'm trying to figure out whether to scrap it or figure out a use for it.

 

[niget2002]

I have a 4'x8' bench on 4" rubber coated casters with locks.

With all 4 wheels locked, it's pretty difficult to move. The rubber coated wheels grip the concrete in the shop pretty good.

I just got the red heavy duty castors from home depot.

 

[Citation]

This is the type of retractable caster I bought
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MBYRX83/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I considered something like this but the heavy dirty versions were more than I wanted to spend.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MBYRX83/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The nice thing about the first option is it doesn't support the bench in use, only when moving. I felt like the 150lb/caster was low but ok if the caster didn't sorry support the bench when it was in use.

 

[BigGarage]

OK - I have to ask about the cast iron stove. What do you use that for?

I have one in my pole barn that was 'gifted' to my wife as a working stove. When it arrived, it was pretty clear that it had been sitting in someone's back yard for a few years. I've still got it, and I'm trying to figure out whether to scrap it or figure out a use for it.

I'm storing it for a Brother. It's set up for propane. I'm thinking about using it this summer just to see how well it works. I have legs for it but the dolly I made for it was just to move it easily if needed.

Dennis

 

[Mike Folks]

There's a company in Las Vegas Nevada, www.ricksrestorations.com that takes old stoves and ranges fixing them up making them usable again.

 

[tarmy]

All my stuff except for the main bench is on wheels...

 

[Lynden]

Build retractable casters for your workbench. It will be more stable if it's resting on its legs. Here's one idea.

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/w...-bench-mobile/

If your shop floor is not level, put a leg leveler on the outside of each leg where it won't interfere with the casters. Here's one leveler idea.

https://www.amazon.com/Rok-Hardware-...9EG1HXDR1W9M23

There are a lot of other videos on youtube which show different ways to make workbench casters retractable. Here are a few to give you some ideas.

-- starts at 1:35

 

[Citation]

Build retractable casters for your workbench. It will be more stable if it's resting on its legs. Here's one idea.

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/w...-bench-mobile/

If your shop floor is not level, put a leg leveler on the outside of each leg where it won't interfere with the casters. Here's one leveler idea.

https://www.amazon.com/Rok-Hardware-...9EG1HXDR1W9M23

There are a lot of other videos on youtube which show different ways to make workbench casters retractable. Here are a few to give you some ideas.

-- starts at 1:35

Your first two links got cut off. Would you please repost them?

 

[Lynden]

Sorry about that. Try these...

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/the-easiest-way-to-make-your-bench-mobile/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4BUE1P/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Bmwtie]

Check out floor locks to pair with your casters.




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[jon72vega]

I installed casters on mine.
I don't do any beating or banging on mine, so these are adequate for me.
s casters workbench1 by jon72vega, on Flickr
..
This is an old picture before the casters, but the bench hasn't changed much.
s May 2016 Workbenches by jon72vega, on Flickr

 

[bob15]

I put the ProCaster Workbench Caster Kit on my blasting cabinet. Bought it through amazon. It allows me to move the cabinet and then let it sit on its legs so it doesn't roll away when using it.

 

[DGersic]

I have a reworked Craftsman sheetmetal workbench on flip-up casters. Replaced the top with one made from 2x3 and 2x4 face laminated, topped with 3/4” plywood. Made feet for the corners using square tube, bolts for adjustability, and hockey pucks. Combined with the flip-up casters, it’s easy to move, and rock solid when parked.




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[NUTTSGT]

Neither one of my workbenches has casters as they are fastened to the adjoining wall. My 4'x5.5' work table has a set of casters on one end. I can lift up the opposite end and move it around if need be.

 

[Bill26]

Yeah, casters work great! Just keep in mind that the size of the casters will affect the height of your workbench. Also, take a peek at the flooring of your shop or where the table will be moved. Rolling over cracks or concrete joints is a lot easier with bigger casters.

I added casters to my electric height adjustable workbench (BenchBUD) and I love it.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I just spent almost $100 on casters for my tool box....

And being a 60 YO working box, it was worth every penny.... because it is now, still, a Kickass workstation.