Which Four Casters for Machines

[flair woodworks]

I need to build mobile bases for my machines (sliding table saw, 8" jointer, maybe bandsaw), which are moving into a small shop.  What is your preference for caster configuration?

[list type=decimal]
[*]Four swivel
[*]Front two swivel, back two fixed
[*]Front two fixed, back two swivel
[*]Something else...[/list]

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Chris

I have done a lot of this sort of thing and made a few videos. I have always used industrial quality castors but sourced from a UK company called Coldene. I do not know if they have a US outlet. If you need any help do let me know.

Peter

 

[GarryMartin]

When I *first* did this a long time ago, the common approach seemed to be two fixed and two swivel. That's never done anything other than frustrate me when moving things around. I switched all of my castors to four swivel with locks and have never been happier.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I would do 4 swivel casters, gives you the best mobility. As long as they all have a brake, there's very little reason not to choose these.

 

[mikeomalley]

Agree with Garry and Alex.
mike

 

[justaguy]

I would do 4 swivel casters, gives you the best mobility. As long as they all have a brake, there's very little reason not to choose these.

I would offer the caution that you consider the floor in your shop and the weight of the tool. My shop is in a home garage that has a pitched floor as required by building code. I tried 4 swivel casters on my 8 inch jointer and went back to 2 fixed and two swivel. YMMV

PS for the jointer think length.. I put two fixed on the outfeed end/side and two swivel on the infeed.

 

[rljatl]

4 locking swivel castors.

I like "F"...
Heavy-Duty Polyurethane Casters

 

[rmwarren]

Agree - 4 locking swivels. Would recommend 4" wheels, as 3" tend to get hung up on flotsam. Also you want the lock that engages the wheel and swivel. These guys have the best prices I have come across:
http://www.castercity.com/cmK3a-plate.htm#Table - Casters

I use the 4" grey poly flavor.

RMW

 

[dltflt]

4 swivels.

 

[mike_aa]

Four swivels are nice, but sometimes I have trouble trying to control them especially when there is a slight incline.

I bought these casters on eBay and they seem to be a good price for a heavy duty 4 inch.  The same seller also has them without the brake.

Mike A.

 

[James Biddle]

My mobile base for my moulder was made with 4 swiveling casters with locks.  They also have pins that can be pulled to switch from rotating to fixed.  Best of both worlds.

 

[Knight Woodworks]

Four swivels for sure. I've only needed two to lock.

John

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Chris

I think everyone has said this already but you do need 4 swivelling castors and the brake should lock the wheels AND the shaft so that they cannot rotate. Without the shaft lock it is not stable enough for hand planning.

This is an introduction to my mobile workshop concept recorded some tie ago:


Do also look at the mobile bench project.

Peter

 

[Billedis]

I have used casters from Castercity.com, and they will help you with all your questions.

 

[Claimdude]

Four swivel double lock casters. All my machines are on Woodcraft red casters (they run them on sale two or three times a year). They roll very well and lock Rock solid. I have a sanding station that has two fixed and two swivels and I cuss it every time I use it.

Jack

 

[jtwood]

Four 4" swivel locking casters for me.  I work out of a garage and have to move half of my equipment out in order to have room to work.  Four swiveling casters means you don't have to back and fill to move something sideways.  Four locking casters means you can lock two of them and the item probably won't move if two of the casters are unreachable.  I prefer polyurethane  tires because they roll so well, and the 4" size will roll over small items that may be on the floor.

Steve

 

[junk731]

Chris for what your doing take a look at Zambus casters, they can take the weight and have leveling ability. The units I've linked to work really well, are low profile, but you have to have a reasonably smooth floor.
http://www.zambus.com/product/ac300.php

John

 

[ScotF]

+1 on Zambus

 

[RobNJ]

I used these for my plywood cart (about 150lbs of construction plus 300lbs or so of wood).  They are super heavy duty and really well made -- each one weighs 5-6lbs and is supposed to support 550lbs.  A little on the expensive side and maybe overkill for even an 8" jointer, but could be helpful for people with even bigger machines or wood carts.
http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G8176...e=UTF8&qid=1456588891&sr=8-1&keywords=grizzly+casters

 

[Kev]

If a swivel castor locked the pivot as well as the wheel I'd be a real fan. When you have four swivel castors you need to make certain the castors are at angles sympathetic to giving you a stable base when you lock them .. otherwise you get annoying movement. To me this is most frustrating if you push a unit against the wall and cannot lock the back castors - yet still want to use it in that location (here two fixed castors can be an advantage).

My favourite is four swivel castors that jack into operation .. not a cheap alternative though and its a lot of mechanical complication.