Casters to use for Lista and Vidmar boxes

[alpinewhite]

I have several 30" wide 59" tall Lista and Vidmar boxes on which I'd like to install casters for mobility. What's a good size caster to use? I am contemplating on 5" casters. Any suggestions from experience? Thanks in advance.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I have several 30" wide 59" tall Lista and Vidmar boxes on which I'd like to install casters for mobility. What's a good size caster to use? I am contemplating on 5" casters. Any suggestions from experience? Thanks in advance.

The current lists cabinets need to have 2 stiffeners called a waffle plates to be able to convert to caster wheels. Nor hard to install, but needed for stiffness. Larger is better for casters and ease of rolling I used high quality 6" Colson casters with radial bearings on the last set I converted.

 

[alpinewhite]

The current lists cabinets need to have 2 stiffeners called a waffle plates to be able to convert to caster wheels. Nor hard to install, but needed for stiffness. Larger is better for casters and ease of rolling I used high quality 6" Colson casters with radial bearings on the last set I converted.

I would guess that I can fab some 1/8" flat bar that's 4" x 28.5" as the stiffener which I'll bolt into the bottom of the cabinet and into which I'll bolt the casters. Do you have pics of the waffle plate? I can't find it online. All I found was this but I can't see details on the waffle plates:

https://www.qualitymill.com/2883560/Product/Lista™-CB-MW4ML

 

[alpinewhite]

In addition, I think I need to remove the feet that are currently installed to lift up the cabinet for pallet jacks or fork lifts.

 

[Rory Bellows]

In addition, I think I need to remove the feet that are currently installed to lift up the cabinet for pallet jacks or fork lifts.

I attached 5 inch casters to the forklift channel on my Lista. Works good and no need to add any reinforcement.

 

[alpinewhite]

I attached 5 inch casters to the forklift channel on my Lista. Works good and no need to add any reinforcement.

Thanks. I'll look into that possibility.

 

[nutjob]

This is a pic of the moble casters Lista sells. The wheels are 6"x2"

Kevin

 

[alpinewhite]

This is a pic of the mobile casters Lista sells. The wheels are 6"x 2"

Kevin

Thanks. How thick is the sheet metal for the blue channels?

 

[pcmeiners]

These are what I used on 59" Vidmars, fiberglass reinforced, 1000lb rating each, wheels do not indent. I needed no addon plates, Vidmars I have already have them.

Apollo casters

4 x 65513
Caster; Swivel; 3" x 1-13/16"; Glass/ Nylon; Top Plate (3-1/8"x4-1/8"; holes: 2-3/8"x3-3/8"; 5/16" bolt); Zinc; Precision Ball Brng; 1000#; Sure-Lok brake (Shepherd BMS30152TZ-GFN61(KK)SL) $91.44
---------
Sub-Total: $91.44

 

[Slednut]

I like the ones that lock the wheel and swivel like these. Problem is don't know who made them or where they came from.

 

[FJC13]

I just joined two Lista cabinets together and made them mobile. Removed the fork bases and bolted them to a 2”x4” aluminum tube - also bolted together through common side. Mounted Colson 4 - series casters Model # 4.04109.929 to aluminum tube. I stole the idea from GJ member jeepinerdeep.

 

[nutjob]

Thanks. How thick is the sheet metal for the blue channels?

I don't know. These were from a cabinet I purchased and did need them, sold about 5 years ago.

Here is another pic that might help with how thick, looks less than 1/8"?

Kevin

 

[alpinewhite]

I just joined two Lista cabinets together and made them mobile. Removed the fork bases and bolted them to a 2”x4” aluminum tube - also bolted together through common side. Mounted Colson 4 - series casters Model # 4.04109.929 to aluminum tube. I stole the idea from GJ member jeepinerdeep.

Wow. Those casters are nice but expensive ($120 each)
https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...vLlsS59HiEbgEidUup05q_tpI5-4-0cYaArCLEALw_wcB

 

[nutjob]

Wow. Those casters are nice but expensive ($120 each)

Try here: https://shop.servicecaster.com/default.asp

I have been happy with the casters from them.

Kevin

 

[tarbellb]

Check out

Colson, RWM, Albion, Wagner, Laird, and Aerol?
all very high quality casters.

5"+ and you're rolling over gaps and cracks no problem.

 

[FJC13]

alpinewhite - check out casterdepot.com Casters were about $22 each - $40 with brakes. They are really great quality.

 

[alpinewhite]

I bought some sets of 4" (swivel w/brakes) casters with a load capacity of 2200 pounds (per set) from Amazon for a killer price on CyberMonday. I was planning to use these for the front casters. Installed height for these casters is 135mm (5 1/4").

I have been searching for fixed casters for the rear to match these. However, almost all of the 4" fixed casters have an installed height of 5 5/8". That's a delta of 3/8".

I suppose I could fabricate some 3/8" spacers for the front swivel casters to bring them up to the same installed height as the fixed ones but I would rather use the time on something else instead of fabricating these. Any ideas?

 

[tool_scrounge]

I bought some sets of 4" (swivel w/brakes) casters with a load capacity of 2200 pounds (per set) from Amazon for a killer price on CyberMonday. I was planning to use these for the front casters. Installed height for these casters is 135mm (5 1/4").

I have been searching for fixed casters for the rear to match these. However, almost all of the 4" fixed casters have an installed height of 5 5/8". That's a delta of 3/8".

I suppose I could fabricate some 3/8" spacers for the front swivel casters to bring them up to the same installed height as the fixed ones but I would rather use the time on something else instead of fabricating these. Any ideas?

Are you going to add a stiffener or just mount them direct? 4" casters will work but you may find them harder to push if you need to move it over distances. I have found 6" diameter casters are a lot easier to move heavy Lista or Vidmar tool boxes.

In regard to making a spacer, Are you considering the alternative of living with a 0.8 degree tilted tool box? or heaven forbid washers? Why not just make the spacer plate?

 

[alpinewhite]

Are you going to add a stiffener or just mount them direct? 4" casters will work but you may find them harder to push if you need to move it over distances. I have found 6" diameter casters are a lot easier to move heavy Lista or Vidmar tool boxes.

In regard to making a spacer, Are you considering the alternative of living with a 0.8 degree tilted tool box? or heaven forbid washers? Why not just make the spacer plate?

I abandoned the 4" caster idea. I'm going to 5" casters for the lighter cabinets and 6" casters for the heavy ones.



I'm contemplating on building my own waffle plates and attaching casters I bought from Amazon. It will be made of 1/8" steel plate with 3/4" square tube welded on. Then, I plan to bolt the casters on the square tube using bolts and nuts. I've attached a picture I drew up on Sketchup.

Any comments will be appreciated.

 

[tarbellb]

Plate system looks ok, but how do you plan on attaching the bolts/nuts?

From that picture it looks tough to run any hardware?

Remember you may need to service these.

Perhaps a self tapping screw, but you always run the risk of snapping one.
Or, run the 3/4" tube inside the plate bolt pattern, enough to clear nuts. Even better, weld the nuts on first, then install is easy.

 

[matt_i]

I would advise against self tappers, they can pull out at a bad time under load and over a sudden impingement and then suddenly the world is falling over on you. Been there and done that on a setup that I didn't make. Not fun.

I'd advise 3/8" or M10 fastener diameter @ 1 diameter deep, which is heavy duty but then you won't be worrying about it. 5/16 or M8 would be a step back but still good.

 

[alpinewhite]

I would advise against self tappers, they can pull out at a bad time under load and over a sudden impingement and then suddenly the world is falling over on you. Been there and done that on a setup that I didn't make. Not fun.

I'd advise 3/8" or M10 fastener diameter @ 1 diameter deep, which is heavy duty but then you won't be worrying about it. 5/16 or M8 would be a step back but still good.

Good advice. Thanks.

Plate system looks ok, but how do you plan on attaching the bolts/nuts?

From that picture it looks tough to run any hardware?

Remember you may need to service these.

Perhaps a self tapping screw, but you always run the risk of snapping one.
Or, run the 3/4" tube inside the plate bolt pattern, enough to clear nuts. Even better, weld the nuts on first, then install is easy.

Choice 1: I thought about tapping the square tube but it'll have to be thicker material (may be the better choice for strength, too).

Choice 2: Drill some holes on the plates and the square tube to have access holes for the bolts.

Choice 3: Install rivnuts on the square tube for the casters to bolt into.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I would advise against self tappers, they can pull out at a bad time under load and over a sudden impingement and then suddenly the world is falling over on you. Been there and done that on a setup that I didn't make. Not fun.

I'd advise 3/8" or M10 fastener diameter @ 1 diameter deep, which is heavy duty but then you won't be worrying about it. 5/16 or M8 would be a step back but still good.

The Lista supplied fasteners for the waffle plates to the cabinet are self tapping screws. Being similarly paranoid, I put a screw in any pair of holes that lined up (7?). Also, the self tapping screws are a standard thread (3/8-16?) and relatively long so torqued down a mating nut on the far side with Loctite so it would never move. Out of all the ones I converted I never saw an issue.

 

[tool_scrounge]

KOk... the Lista waffle plate is 7" wide. To make a rectangular plate that has the same stiffness and is 7" wide, it would need to be 0.44" thick out of steel and 0.63" thick out of aluminum. At least that is what the calculations say if I did them right.

 

[alpinewhite]

KOk... the Lista waffle plate is 7" wide. To make a rectangular plate that has the same stiffness and is 7" wide, it would need to be 0.44" thick out of steel and 0.63" thick out of aluminum. At least that is what the calculations say if I did them right.

Oh wow. Thanks for doing the calcs for me. May I assume that you're a P.E. in Mechanical Engineering? I never took a class in Strengths Of Materials.

Sounds like I need to go with 1/2" steel or 3/4" aluminum plate.

 

[alpinewhite]

When all is said and done, it might be more economical to buy waffle plates from Motorhead Extraordinaire. And I don't have to fabricate anything.

 

[tool_scrounge]

When all is said and done, it might be more economical to buy waffle plates from Motorhead Extraordinaire. And I don't have to fabricate anything.

That is what I concluded. They also are painted to match the tool box. If I had the material laying around I would have made them but material + shipping has gotten more expensive. I did buy my own casters to get the exact ones I wanted.

 

[alpinewhite]

Has anyone used this set from Global? It looks similar to the Lista waffle plates:

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...EYJkh8BvVVMCzVFLnvOXSLBHpSi5ZJyxoCACYQAvD_BwE

 

[tool_scrounge]

The Lista waffle plates are asymmetric left to right. Those look symmetric. Unlikely the mounting holes would line up.

 

[alpinewhite]

The Lista waffle plates are asymmetric left to right. Those look symmetric. Unlikely the mounting holes would line up.

Good to know. Thanks. If the holes are the only things incompatible, I could live with needing to drill holes to save a bit of money and work. I suppose I should order a set to see for myself.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Do note that the Global Industrial wheel kits you show are only rated for 300 lbs per caster (1200 lbs total for 4). This is because the Global Industrial cabinets are rated for only 200 lbs capacity per drawer. The Lista cabinets are 440 lbs per drawer. The 6x2 Colson series 4 casters with phenolic wheels I picked up on Ebay were rated for 1200 lbs each. It really depends on how much weight you plan to put in each drawer.

 

[macgee]

I have about 6 or 7 Vidmar, Lista, Nu-Era and Lyon cabinets on casters.

Not going to say what to use but more of what I've experienced having various types of casters on them.

Question, how often are you moving them, everyday or just want the option if needed? How smooth/bumpy is the surface they're moving on? And how far will they be traveling? How heavy/full will it be?

Casters for these heavy cabinets can get very expensive, especially if you want all four casters to swivel, have dual lock and nice rubber, which I recommend. However, they're cheap ones on eBay & Amazon that can work just fine. All depends on questions above. I have orig. stock Lista 8" wheels on one cabinet and I don't love them, they're not the most user friendly and feel cheap.

Another question, is height an issue for you? and is there specific height that you want? I now do everything I can to have these cabinets as low to the ground as possible to make the top surfaces more useful (to me). Big casters can really make them very tall.

I have all without waffle plates with no issues but all have partial or full plate of metal that the casters are mounted on to disperse loads, my Nu-Era has 3/16" sheet of aluminum covering the whole bottom of cabinet and casters mounted to them with no issues and that cabinet is totally over loaded. I always add a backing plate for nuts inside of the cabinet , there's plenty of space inside for that and easy to tie in caster backing plates to cabinet frame if you want to. One cabinet does have the factory forklift slots that act like waffles.

I have one cabinet that has a new type of caster, the cabinet is not moved often, only when needed and not far (8' distance max) on concrete. I wanted a solid non-moving table surface when using it and I can level it perfectly flat on a uneven floor. I have a small Emco Compact8 lathe on it.

Also please pay attention to specs for all casters, there's a very big difference between static and dynamic load ratings and most only publish the static weight which is higher making it seem strong. The dynamic load is a more important factor.

 

[alpinewhite]

Do note that the Global Industrial wheel kits you show are only rated for 300 lbs per caster (1200 lbs total for 4). This is because the Global Industrial cabinets are rated for only 200 lbs capacity per drawer. The Lista cabinets are 440 lbs per drawer. The 6x2 Colson series 4 casters with phenolic wheels I picked up on Ebay were rated for 1200 lbs each. It really depends on how much weight you plan to put in each drawer.

Good to know. I was contemplating on using my own heavier duty casters in place of Global's.

Question, how often are you moving them, everyday or just want the option if needed? How smooth/bumpy is the surface they're moving on? And how far will they be traveling? How heavy/full will it be?

Another question, is height an issue for you? and is there specific height that you want? I now do everything I can to have these cabinets as low to the ground as possible to make the top surfaces more useful (to me). Big casters can really make them very tall.

I have 6 that are 59" tall (without casters). I want casters for them only for the occasional need to move then in case I want to rearrange my garage. They won't need to be moved regularly. Height is not an issue.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Please post how the Global Industrial waffle plates work out.

 

[tarbellb]

1/2" steel plate! Nah, thats crazy, plus tapping all those holes is not a fun day.

Waffle plates look nice, cheap, lightweight, built-in hole pattern. Included casters look a little hokey.

If it were me, I likely run some aluminum rectangle tube, big enough for the caster plate footprint. Rivnuts would be nice easy way to mount, but the question to how much movement these see is important.

Also, are you planning on mounting the caster to the plate first? How do the plates get attached to the cabinet?

 

[cbacres]

I’m late to the party! You guys have covered the caster size and attachments well.

I have about 6 of the 60” tall Vidmars, all on casters, so here’s what I have.

I’m using 6”x2” casters. Starting out I used all swivels, kinda a mistake as it’s a ***** to get all four to turn around when pulling away from the wall, so I’m doing two fixed on the rear, swivel on front.


One cab came with casters and had these nut plates.

Most of them I just used nuts and flat washers.



I don’t move mine around that much, but when the need come around, it’s pretty easy.
Plus, it gets the base about 8” above the floor.



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[shortykorte]

Ive moved mine around quite a bit while figuring out the best layout. I’ve used three methods. Started off using an angle iron dolly with welded on casters. Learning more about the cabinets, I switched to factory nut plates or nut/bolt like CBAcres above. For casters, I have 2” or 4”. I have the short cabs, tall cabs and one 60” wide, all on casters. I did remove the casters off my mid-height cabs so they’d fit under my bench. ***** getting them into position.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Nothing really to add, other than 4 or 5" closon (spelling) casters on mine.

I have two that had casters attached directly to the bottom and when used in industrial applications have ruined the bottom. the thin sheet metal isn't rated for the weight. I used some 1x4" tubing to mount my casters on the ones I have to fix the bottoms

 

[alpinewhite]

I used some 1x4" tubing to mount my casters on the ones I have to fix the bottoms

Pls post pics. Thx

 

[930dreamer]

I picked up a 11 drawer Vidmar Sunday and I'm looking for casters. With this setup is any type of stiffener needed? I'm short so 5" plus casters are going to put this in the air. I do have 15 of these 2-1/2" casters