Attaching Casters To 2x4 and 4x4 Ends?

[jaymar_]

Have some big casters with threaded stems I want to attach to a large rack with 2x4 upright supports (maybe paired 2x4s). Is there some kind of square-ish bracket that will bolt into the sides of the 2x4s and give me a box-like structure at the bottom, with enough clearance to mount the casters? Thanks for any help!

 

[cmandp]

I'm imagining you are looking for something like this but metal. And perhaps for a four hole caster pattern.


I like these more but they welded small casters on and I'd think you want something larger for easier rolling and higher capacity.



Sorry I wasn't more help but maybe this will jog something that will help with the search.

I'm not a great welder but for what you want I'd think about taking it on as a project. This is assuming you have a welder though.

 

[jaymar_]

I'm imagining you are looking for something like this but metal. And perhaps for a four hole caster pattern.


I like these more but they welded small casters on and I'd think you want something larger for easier rolling and higher capacity.



Sorry I wasn't more help but maybe this will jog something that will help with the search.

I'm not a great welder but for what you want I'd think about taking it on as a project.

Nice--but I'm using HD casters with big threaded stems, so I need a kind of open-ended box structure on the bottom to accommodate the stem and give me a place to put the nut and washer on. I did come across Bench Dog caster plates, but they put the wheels on the side, and I'd rather have the weight (maybe 700 lbs) coming straight down. Think of the way the casters go on a big Knaack job box. Something like that, but a simple box shape, square or rectangular...

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've just drilled a hole in the bottom of the wood for the caster stem, but that was for a relatively light duty structure. It may or may not work for your application.

 

[Shiftless]

When I needed big castors under 4x4 legs, I screwed a 2x4 to the bottoms of each pair of legs and then bolted castors to that. Can you return your HD stem castors and get castors with 4 bolt holes?

In the case of my machine stand here, 2 of the holes use through bolts and the 2 you can’t see use lag screws.

 

[jaymar_]

When I needed big castors under 4x4 legs, I screwed a 2x4 to the bottoms of each pair of legs and then bolted castors to that. Can you return your HD stem castors and get castors with 4 bolt holes?

In the case of my machine stand here, 2 of the holes use through bolts and the 2 you can’t see use lag screws.

Good thought--and nice work! I kinda worry about the wood splitting, though, with that kind of weight on it. A bracket would help prevent that.

 

[nadogail]

Simpson makes a metal cap to keep your legs from touching the moisture on the floor; you could weld your casters to them.

 

[CraigStu]

If you are careful w/ bit size you can pre-drill the holes for the lag bolts or whatever you will use and pretty much eliminate splitting. I use a drill bit just slightly smaller than the screw base diameter. I knew that 'base' wasn't the correct term. See the 'minor diameter' in this diagram.

Screw Thread Design | Fastenal

www.fastenal.com

 

[Yankeefarmer]

What size are the threads? Can you Just bore the ends of the uprights and use tee nuts instead of hex nuts? Use the nuts (or jam nuts) to lock the caster height in the tee nut.

 

[kbs2244]

you need a socket to hold on the end grain
switch to a 4 bolt caster

 

[jaymar_]

Traded in for four-bolt plate-type casters. Hole spread not right for 2x4s, but something should be workable. Now thinking of an angle iron frame to support the wooden rack I'm planning (5x8'). Matching corner plates MIGHT work, but I'd still prefer some type of box structure (open on two ends) to weld below the corners.

 

[BSTNWHLR]

I'm imagining you are looking for something like this but metal. And perhaps for a four hole caster pattern.


I like these more but they welded small casters on and I'd think you want something larger for easier rolling and higher capacity.



Sorry I wasn't more help but maybe this will jog something that will help with the search.

I'm not a great welder but for what you want I'd think about taking it on as a project. This is assuming you have a welder though.

 

[BSTNWHLR]

I'm imagining you are looking for something like this but metal. And perhaps for a four hole caster pattern.


I like these more but they welded small casters on and I'd think you want something larger for easier rolling and higher capacity.



Sorry I wasn't more help but maybe this will jog something that will help with the search.

I'm not a great welder but for what you want I'd think about taking it on as a project. This is assuming you have a welder though.

These look like exactly what I want. Can you provide a website or source info for them? Thank you.

 

[CraigStu]

I'd look for metal fittings for deck railings or pergolas. 4x4s are real commonly used for both.