Stupid to downsize casters for space reasons?

[99paa]

So I have a shelf in my garage with about 37" of clearance underneath, and a 48" wide space that would be perfect for a rolling tool cabinet. But most of the good 40-44" rolling cabinets are slightly too tall.

I've found a few cabinets that are 38-39" tall and suit my needs. To make them fit I'd have to replace the 5" casters with I guess 3" ones. Would this be a terrible idea? I would rarely need to roll the cabinet (a few times a year, max) so would mostly need the casters to for support.

Talk me out of this and/or let me know what I should consider. Top candidate for the cabinet now is the blue 41" Homak (the wife approves of the bold color). http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200580683_200580683

 

[Ehcrain]

Take the casters off replace with short feet and use a pallet jack when you need to move it?

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[matt_i]

It will be very noticeable if the cabinet is loaded up. You will want a very hard wheel on the caster, even metal. The pallet jack is a good idea but need 3-1/2" of clear space, plus the assurance that the structure can be picked up nearer to the center where the pallet forks go... I'd consider a riser of 2x4s doubled each side, plus a piece of 3/4" plywood on top, if 4-1/4" will work. I have many small machines and cabinets on such for moving around with the pallet jack.

 

[larry4406]

I think I would raise the shelf and use the box with its casters.

 

[David Paul]

I went from I believe 5" casters on a new to me SO box to 3" for the very same reason. Same weight rating and the bolt pattern matched. Don't move the box much but can if I need to. Don't know why you wouldn't. Worked well for me.

 

[a52-830]

as david paul said, as long as you get smaller casters with the same weight rating and bolt pattern, it should not be a big deal. the larger casters are larger to help get over small imperfections in the floor and such if you move the cabinet a lot. if you are only moving it rarely, and there is a good floor, it should not be a problem.

BUT, getting the blue one, which the wife likes, might be a smarter long term choice. letting her have a say in such decisions is often the smartest path.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Don't know the OP's height but I am just 6'2" and I like the extra tall workbench height given to me when I built it, to where my HF 44 " roll cab went under it ....with its OEM casters still on it.

 

[finn]

If the op doesn't have space for a tool cabinet, where is he going to keep a pallet jack?

 

[Modern Jess]

I think it's plausible. There are some pretty high capacity 3" casters at McMaster (in fact, I've bought some recently) so it's just a matter of finding ones with the right mount.

Pay special attention (on the mcmaster.com site) to the mount height spec, which is ultimately more important than wheel size for your situation.

 

[nes999]

Does anyone know the size of the plate on the castor?

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[rsanter]

I hardly ever move my toolboxs other than to clean and then not often at that.
I do have a working toolcart that gets moved around a fair amont.

I would say go for it, you can always save the original casters if you have to go back to them

bob

 

[mechanic217]

Take the casters off if you need to, one of my SO cabinets I did that to slide it under a bench top that was at the right height, hasn't moved in 25 yrs.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

No way would I drop a loaded 44 in. HF box right on the concrete with no way to get anything under it later to move it. If mine, I would at least put something like these under it. Adjustable from 18 - 28 in. long and 1.25 in. high. 2000 lb. rating at $33.33 a pair from McMaster Carr. JMO

 

[99paa]

Thanks, all. Just waiting for labor day sales to pull the trigger on the homak cabinet. I'll measure the casters myself - replacements require 330lb capacity per homak. Will also check out the mcmasters options. Raising the shelf isn't an option so small casters us probably my best bet.