Retractable casters/wheels
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Allen Akin
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 27
I've been thinking about getting a set of these leveling casters. Overkill for most MFT applications, but if they look good, I can use them on some heftier machinery and my old-style workbench.
Allen
Allen
I would attach the MFT to a rolling cabinet with big locking casters like others here have done.
Although they are great for large equipment like big bandsaws, the Zambus style leveling casters are not intended for frequent mobility. They're actually a pain to adjust. http://www.greatlakescaster.com/great_lakes_caster___swivel_caster_with_stabilizer_leg___175_stabilizing_casters_with_a_220lbs_capacity_in_motion_and_a_550lbs_capacity_when_the_stabilizer_leg_in_extended-LV-1710-NYP-S-M12.php is another option. A few folks in my area have had great service from them.
Although they are great for large equipment like big bandsaws, the Zambus style leveling casters are not intended for frequent mobility. They're actually a pain to adjust. http://www.greatlakescaster.com/great_lakes_caster___swivel_caster_with_stabilizer_leg___175_stabilizing_casters_with_a_220lbs_capacity_in_motion_and_a_550lbs_capacity_when_the_stabilizer_leg_in_extended-LV-1710-NYP-S-M12.php is another option. A few folks in my area have had great service from them.
Allen Akin
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 27
Wayne, I don't have a mounting strategy in mind yet. Originally I was looking at these casters for my combination machine, a more traditional use for this sort of thing and one where you'd just drop a bolt through a hole in the chassis and thread it into the caster. It occurred to me that they might be useful on my MFT as well, since I sometimes want to move it short distances with a workpiece and accessories in place, but most of the time it needs to be fixed on the floor.
Mark mentioned that they're tedious to adjust. That's true, and if I were to use them on an MFT, I wouldn't bother using them for levelling; they'd just be locked or loose, not fine-adjusted for height. I have smooth concrete floors in my shop, so the small range of adjustment and small-diameter wheels are fine.
Allen
Mark mentioned that they're tedious to adjust. That's true, and if I were to use them on an MFT, I wouldn't bother using them for levelling; they'd just be locked or loose, not fine-adjusted for height. I have smooth concrete floors in my shop, so the small range of adjustment and small-diameter wheels are fine.
Allen
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 759
I used these Benchdog casters from Woodcraft on a cabinet that I put an MFT onto (no legs).
Here is the story: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-cab-1.htm
I had plans to make height adjustments from the top but never got to that part.
Here is the story: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-cab-1.htm
I had plans to make height adjustments from the top but never got to that part.
I leave my MFT set up but have a rolling table the just fits under the MFT which leaves me room to park my car. I'd like to be able to just roll them out to the floor when ready to use. I need to come up with something on the MFT that would let me lift one side and roll it out without interfering with the table that I store underneath. Maybe just two wheels mounted on the back legs of the MFT that would engage the floor when the front is lifted. maybe the benchdo wheels would work if mounted right.
Found some more at Woodcraft. Item number is 141550. Looks like what I'm looking for to mount to the legs of the 1080. http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=141550&FamilyID=3703
Picked these up at the local Woodcraft store. Gonna have to do a little modification but I think they will work. Nicely made and stout. Maybe overkil for the light MFT 1080 but will certainly do the job. I'm going to try them on two legs for each table. 4 retractable casters for 44.95.
The bracket that attaches to whatever you're attaching to is removable. There are three bolts attaching it to the main part of the caster assembly. I plan on just unbolting that bracket and drilling three holes in the legs of the MFT and attaching with longer bolts through the legs and on to the assembly. I'll let you know how it all works out. The up/down mechanism is very well built and certainly stout enough for the light weight of the MFT.
Got the brackets attached with 4" hose clamps I purchased from Woodcraft. These hose clamps work much better than ones I had from ACE because the thread holes on the clamp go much further along the clamp, which allows a much tighter fit. Simply put a 3/8 socket on my Makita 10.8 and cinched down the bracket with two clamps. Works very slick and makes moving these benches a breeze. ;D
If you take a look at the casters, they are mated with the angular bracket that attaches to the leg of a table saw. I simply unbolted this bracket from the caster assembly and aligned the assembly with the MFT leg and attached two 4" hose clamps around the leg and the assembly. I used my 10.8 v Makita with a 3/8 socket to tighten the clamps and within a short period of time it was working like it had been designed specifically for the MFT. I wasted a lot of time going to ACE to get a smaller hose clamp, but the 4" clamps I had from Woodcraft worked much better because the "threads" on the clamp go almost all the way around the clamp and allow for a much tighter fit than the smaller ones from ACE.
I'll try and see if I can attach some pictures but I have to admit that I'm as challenged with computer/programs as I am with woodworking.
I'll try and see if I can attach some pictures but I have to admit that I'm as challenged with computer/programs as I am with woodworking.
We have developed a industrial retractable caster system that is foot activated. It is rated at 800lbs. We weld it onto the unit we build, but it could be bolted to a workbench or other movable equipment. The current design is 22" wide. I am not sure if there is any interest for this outside of our products, which are machines and racks for a number of industries.
