SS Casters on My Workbench

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:08 pm

Now that I've cleaned up the casters, I attached them to my workbench today and they work great - so far. The workbench is currently around 250 pounds and I have no idea whether the casters will last under that weight. Time will tell. So far, so good.

[ATTACH]14343[/ATTACH]

bhurley · Post by **bhurley** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:14 am

They sure look nice. The wheels look like they are a metal caster instead of the SS black plastic. Is that the case? If so, do you recall where you found them?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:32 am

bhurley wrote:They sure look nice. The wheels look like they are a metal caster instead of the SS black plastic. Is that the case? If so, do you recall where you found them?

The 10E/ER(as well as some greenies) had metal casters originally.

I would be more concerned with the durability of the mounting brackets. They look a bit 'thin'.

250# is not excessive. That is 62.5# each wheel.

A concern would be the soundness of the metal wheel(wear/rust).

In any event a replacement set can be had with larger wheels!:D

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:33 am

The casters were from a Greenie. I think (but I'm not sure) that steel wheels were standard back then.

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:39 am

JPG40504 wrote:I would be more concerned with the durability of the mounting brackets. They look a bit 'thin'.

250# is not excessive. That is 62.5# each wheel.

A concern would be the soundness of the metal wheel(wear/rust).

In any event a replacement set can be had with larger wheels!:D

The brackets are from a plate I got at Lowes. It's about 1/16" thick (I measured it at 0.060). I don't think I could have bent anything thicker. It seems to me the primary stress is along the vertical in which case they should be OK.

I'm more concerned with the cast aluminum that the main tiebar goes into. They are supporting all of the weight and I don't know if they will hold up long-term.

I won't get larger wheels for two reasons: I don't want to have to remount (or remake) the brackets, and it seems to roll fine over the 15 or 20 feet I usually move it.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:50 am

They look thinner in the pix.

They are canted slightly.(not quite vertical)

I would not be concerned re the camshaft/end cap durability.(unless the brackets allow them to splay out) Maybe a tie rod to hold the brackets 'in'? No! That would interfere with the foot pedal(I was thinking 10E/ER casters)

Consider the weight on a set with a jointer mounted and the headstock in operating position for the jointer. I do not believe you are exceeding that.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:37 am

I would not worry about them holding up until they show signs. In the meantime, be on the look out for some old computer or radio chassis from which you could could new brackets (already bent)

trainguytom · Post by **trainguytom** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 5:09 pm

What a great idea. I was debating making one of my benches mobile & never even thought of these as a way to go. I believe I'll use an extra set that I have to do this. Thanks.

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:21 pm

dusty wrote:.... In the meantime, be on the look out for some old computer or radio chassis from which you could could new brackets (already bent)

The plate I used for my brackets are thicker than any computer case I've ever owned.

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:35 pm

Here's my base design for the bracket. I made adjustments to this to accommodate my bench.

[ATTACH]14357[/ATTACH]