Talk to me about casters...

[aka Larry]

I'm planning my new welding table and of course it needs to be mobile. A rough guess for a 4'x8' table would be 500-750lbs depending on the top style/thickness. So what to do about casters?

From some research I've found that like everything else you can spend as much or as little as you want. I want to decide on a size (diameter) first and go from there. I was iniatially thinking about these 5" ones from HF for about $7 each. Also I looked at these 4" ones from Surplus Center, which are obviously a better unit, but when I add shipping that damn near $75 for four casters.

I'm also trying to decide how to design the legs of the table so when the casters aren't in use that the leveling feet that it will be sitting on don't have to be so long. Shorter caster = shorter (more stable) leveling feet, but also harder to roll.

Here's my idea for the leveling feet. The tubes shown are 2"x2"x14ga. The leveling foot is 1/2"-13NC all-thread with a rubber froot on the bottom from MMC. On top of the all-thread I want to weld a socket so I can raise and lower the table with a 1/2" ratchet/air gun.

\


Thoughts on how to mount the casters so the leveling feet can be shorter when extended? FYI, both casters have a mounting height of approx 6".

 

[WILD-BILL]

My first thought is to mount the casters on a separate higher mounting point so that the frame you have pictured is only an inch or 2 off the ground.

 

[A_Pmech]

Mount your casters in an inverted "L" bracket. That will get the frame closer to the floor and reduce the length of the leveling foot. Obviously, put the casters as far to the outside of the table as possible. At 700 lbs you really don't need feet so long as your casters have good swivel locks and wheel brakes.

I like nice casters, so I tend to prefer Albion, Rhombus and Aerol depending on the application. Outside of respected brands you can pretty much expect to get a knockoff. The quality of that knockoff will vary. Some are good and some aren't worth a damn, so choose carefully.

Overall, I'd choose a minimum 4" wheel made of iron, steel or aluminum with tapered roller bearings and a rubber or urethane tread. Don't neglect the quality of the swivel bearing. Cheap casters tend to roll well but not swivel.

$75 for a set of four casters is dirt cheap if they'll do the job.

 

[trbomax]

I have thought about this too,and always end up doing it the simple way with a couple $10.00HF movers dollys and a floor jack. The truth is that (at least for me) I think ive only moved any benches 3 or 4 times in 30 yrs. I do have a large,4' x 7' ,heavy island bench I built. I put 6" fixed caster wheels on one end and a jack pad on the other. Pick up the one end with the floor jack and away it goes.I built that about 30 yrs ago and only moved it once into its final resting place.

 

[bimmer1980]

I have bought a number of the 5" casters from harbor freight. They work well for lighter duty applications. I think I would avoid putting them under a workbench. You will see the caster get a flat spot and with the soft rubber, it will be hard to roll. Of course, that could be advantageous if you don't want to always lower the leveling feet.

I would recommend a good iron or steel caster wheel.

AP_Mech has some good recommendations on the mounting bracket. I was thinking of a similar solution when I was reading through your post.

 

[rust buster]

I know these are way overkill, but I got them off ebay cheap. They are 8"x2" and with solid steel centers and grease fittings on both the top and axle bearings. They are heavy and I only paid $50 for the set. I'm building my welding table in a few weeks and although it isn't going to be huge, it will be built like a tank to take all sorts of abuse.

 

[larry_g]

I have thought about this too,and always end up doing it the simple way with a couple $10.00HF movers dollys and a floor jack. The truth is that (at least for me) I think ive only moved any benches 3 or 4 times in 30 yrs. I do have a large,4' x 7' ,heavy island bench I built. I put 6" fixed caster wheels on one end and a jack pad on the other. Pick up the one end with the floor jack and away it goes.I built that about 30 yrs ago and only moved it once into its final resting place.

I'm with trbo here. Two straight wheels and a floor jack on the other end. Make the wheels raise and lower to lift the table into mobile mode.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[antinym]

The $7 HF casters will flat spot. The $15 HF caster work better, but won't turn very will. I know this from experience.
If you're not going to move your table very often, the HF casters may work for you. But, I don't really suggest them for a 600lb load.