Changing Casters on Tool Box

[Ozz316]

Just traded out my Matco 5s triple bank tool box for a lightly used Revel X with a hutch. Got a great deal on the box, but bought it off of pictures. Love the box so far, except the fact that it is a 6 inches taller than my last box. I'm 5'8" and this thing sits so high up that the back of the hutch is almost useless to me. I measured my old box, which was 7" off the ground and this one is over 10" off the ground. I don't move my boxes so I was thinking about changing the casters out. Matco says the casters on the Revel X are 8" 2500 lb casters, and the standard Revel has 6" casters. Not sure what my 5s has, but guessing 5" since they aren't the fancy ones and they had a 6" upgrade. What are your thoughts on possibly going down to a 5" caster? I feel like for a toolbox that probably weighs about 1300 lbs empty with the hutch and locker, 6 2500 lb casters are probably a bit of an overkill. Thanks

 

[Wamsutta]

It won't make any difference as long as the top plate and bolt spacing are the same.

Try to get the kind with the gray tread; they ride smoother.

 

[The Cobbler]

going from a 6" caster to a 5" caster will only drop you 1/2" if my math is right?

 

[Wamsutta]

going from a 6" caster to a 5" caster will only drop you 1/2" if my math is right?

I think he's saying that the casters on there now are 8 inch, so dropping down to a 6 inch would be good enough I would think.

You'll lose the stout professional look going down to a 5 inch, and plus they don't swivel as easy as a 6 inch.

 

[LXCam]

Do you have the ability to make a cradle frame for it. You could use the same wheels and drop it an inch off the ground.

 

[whateg01]

going from a 6" caster to a 5" caster will only drop you 1/2" if my math is right?

Usually the fork is a half inch shorter so you get a full inch.

 

[The Cobbler]

^^^ True... good point

 

[Toold_up]

Do you have the ability to make a cradle frame for it. You could use the same wheels and drop it an inch off the ground.

^^^ This

 

[Ozz316]

I could weld up a frame. And yes it has 8” casters on it currently. My old box was in the same spot for 8 plus years and only moved to sweep underneath it. Moving it around isn’t a concern for me. Going from a box that was 43” off the ground to one that is 49” is more of an issue. I want to be able to work off the top, and this thing is really high. I just want to make sure if I switch casters, whatever size I go with will hold the weight. I even thought about pulling the casters off completely.

 

[Pinemarten]

Take the casters off, set it on the floor. Toss the casters in the bottom drawer with the fasteners, for replacement in the future. You won't have to sweep under it anymore!

 

[whateg01]

Take the casters off, set it on the floor. Toss the casters in the bottom drawer with the fasteners, for replacement in the future. You won't have to sweep under it anymore!

And 10mm sockets won't roll under it

 

[whateg01]

Take the casters off, set it on the floor. Toss the casters in the bottom drawer with the fasteners, for replacement in the future. You won't have to sweep under it anymore!

And 10mm sockets won't roll under it

 

[65ranchero]

What about a small GJ special hand crafted step?
Seen plenty of them when a tech buys the 4 story condo-box.

 

[Toold_up]

I once knew a guy who had a MASSIVE snap-on tool chest with side boxes hanging off the sides. It stood over 7' tall. He had a ladder mounted on the side (probably off of an old conversion van or RV) that he used to get to the top. He looked like a monkey hanging from the side trying to get into the top. I've seen him use the drawers as steps before too.

 

[ipgenie]

I don't plan to move my roller cabinet either. I'm going to remove my casters and I will set the box on a wood base with a closed in toe kick like you have on your kitchen cabinets.
I want a lower work surface on top and the toe kick makes it more comfortable to stand up close to the front.
I won't have to clean under it and if I ever have to move it I can remove the face board in the toe kick and lift it with the pallet jack.
I just need to finish the wall it will be placed up against, so for now it's still on wheels and regularly rolled from one in-the-way place to another as I work around my "good stuff".

 

[yhprum]

Just last week I was thinking if I took my casters of my toolbox, anybody trying to steal it would have a hard time. It’s been in the same spot at least eight years now.

 

[Toold_up]

Just last week I was thinking if I took my casters of my toolbox, anybody trying to steal it would have a hard time. It’s been in the same spot at least eight years now.

It's a damn shame you even have that thought. Too much crime in the world anymore.

 

[APEowner]

I don't plan to move my roller cabinet either. I'm going to remove my casters and I will set the box on a wood base with a closed in toe kick like you have on your kitchen cabinets.
I want a lower work surface on top and the toe kick makes it more comfortable to stand up close to the front.
I won't have to clean under it and if I ever have to move it I can remove the face board in the toe kick and lift it with the pallet jack.
I just need to finish the wall it will be placed up against, so for now it's still on wheels and regularly rolled from one in-the-way place to another as I work around my "good stuff".

I like the cribbing with toe kick idea. I left the casters on since my objective was different but that's what I did wit the toolbox in my race trailer.

 

[2oolhound]

I've taken my wheels off too. My boxes have a thin metal skirt that hangs down from the flat bottom the wheels mount to so I placed 2x4 blocks inside the skirt and that was it.