Several rolling carts/tool bases are in my future plans. Went looking for casters tonight at HD and Lowe’s. They seem to only carry one type (material-wise) — some kind of hard plastic. Yet looking in the Grizzly catalog, I see several different types of material are used. What do you recommend for the long haul?
The surface to be rolled upon is mostly rubber mats (those jig-saw-puzzle things you buy as a package of squares and put together), but the planer and miter saw would be occasionally rolled outside, gravel driveway. The shop floor, under the rubber mats, is rough cement, but it’s almost completely covered up now (yes!).
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Do unto others as you tell them they should do unto you….
Replies
Look to the industrial suppliers to get good casters. "Google" casters and you can get the manufacturers info on all the different kinds. "Hard" wheels will do as your floor is already soft. Get large diameter(6"+) because it's going to be hard to roll over the rubber floor with little ones if the cart / machine has any weight to it. Other benefit to a big wheel is, they roll over cords, hoses, screws etc., without the quick stop and tip of the cart, slow motion crash. :-) A longer wheel base is needed with the big wheels because when the caster rotates under, the point of contact is not at the corner and a tall, narrow, top heavy cart will do the previously mentioned slow motioned crash once more. Little wheels suck in the off floor world of your driveway. And be careful with the caster oil.
It sounds like you need a larger caster for the heavyweight equipment on gravel. Just last week, I used my mobile base for the first time on the 20" planer I've had for years when I needed to cleanup some lumber for shelving. The boards were up to 16' long and my shop wouldn't handle those lengths, so I move the planer over to the door. I planed one surface of about 40 boards as they exited the door. Then turned the planer around and went outside to plane the other surface as they were fed back into the shop....
If you have a "Tractor Supply", they stock casters of steel and polyurethane. A single 6" poly swivel caster will hold up to 900 lbs. and cost about $27 each.
Bill
Edited 1/31/2006 5:35 pm ET by BilljustBill
Thanks, Bill. Sounds like your mobile base earned its keep that day!
I think I'll be able to get what I need from the Grizzly catalog. They have an extensive selection of casters. Some are solid rubber with nubby tread even. I think those would do well on the gravel, no?? I'm also thinking that they wouldn't dent my rubber mats as badly as the smaller, hard plastic or even flat-but-hard rubber casters. They even have pnuematic casters, 10"D! Whoa. That's what I need to put on the lumber cart -- the ones on there now are too small.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) Do unto others as you tell them they should do unto you....
The mobile base is Shop Fox's heaviest duty model because the planer is about 800 lbs. I laid some 4"X4" hardwood framework 1" larger than the planer's base inside the their frame and put a layer of 3/4" plywood on top of that. The framework was mainly to raise the planer's height about 5". The planer and mobile base had sat in one place for several years, yet the casters didn't even sound or feel like they had any flat spots.
Gravel can be a pain with casters. Even in the grocery store, a small gravel rock or Red Bean will cause the caster to lockup and skid... If your graveled area is loose, about the only thing that will work is an air tire that has a wider footprint and is softer to give-in and go over gravel.
But,,,,those air-up tires you buy, complete with wheel and bearings, usually have a low quality intertube. If you decide on those, be sure to buy a large bottle of "Green Slime" tire sealant to help with slow leak-downs. Yesterday, I saw that the Tractor Supply store has the 8" air-up tire/wheels, 2 for only $9.00.
Bill
Edited 2/1/2006 12:08 pm ET by BilljustBill
Have an old craftsman tablesaw thats cast iron. Built a cart from plans and works ok. However, casters way to small! about 3 ." Have paved driveay and 3 car garage that's concrete. Even w/ those smooth surfaces a "bear" to move! Weighs 100lbs! Probably will remake it with latger casters. GoodLuck
Thanks! You might take a look at those Grizzly links I posted. Seems like a wide selection, and reasonable prices. Actually, their paper catalog gives a better idea of what they have (compared to the web page).
Hard to even imagine working outside at this point, it's been raining so much it feels like a permanent situation!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) Do unto others as you tell them they should do unto you....
Edited 2/2/2006 2:04 am by forestgirl
Are you developing webs between your fingers also? I think the pain in my neck I feel is an attempt to grow gills!1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Ah, jeeez, it's awful! I have to force myself to think of the folks piling sandbags to come anywhere close to feeling better. Our driveway is a mess -- we're renting a tractor next Friday to do a little grading, and calling in the gravel guys. Seems like we're definitely making up for last year's dryness!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) Do unto others as you tell them they should do unto you....
Hi FG,
I have very good results with these from Grizzly.
http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2006/Main/264
I use the red poly casters with brake at the bottom of the page 264. The brake also locks the swivel. They are very similar to those sold by Woodcraft but the cost is better from grizzly. I have my TS with 52"combo router table on these, Also my Bandsaw, Lathe, and will soon have my Drum sander on them also.
edited to add: I use the 4" HO694 and HO695
edited to add: Sorry FG didn'y catch the gravel part :( I use mine on rough concrete they would probly bog down in the gravel. You will need something wider I would think.
Hope this helps.
Mike
Edited 2/2/2006 3:35 pm by MiKro
Edited 2/2/2006 3:36 pm by MiKro
Edited 2/2/2006 3:51 pm by MiKro
"didn't catch the gravel part" Well, good news on that front. Hubby informed me last night that he's planning to pour concrete in front of the shop "sometime soon." (I'm hoping he means this summer.) That will pretty much take care of the gravel problem!
What's the part number on your wheels?? and size?? I have the old 2005 catalog, so the page numbers are different.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 2/3/2006 1:38 am by forestgirl
This link goes to page 264 on the new 2006 book.
http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2006/Main/264
Part # 4" HO694 and HO695
MK"El planeamiento pobre en su parte no constituye una emergencia en mi parte"
Thanks, MiKro, I forgot about that option, plus -- having DSL now, it's a pleasure to browse on-line!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
You're welcome as always!
Mike"El planeamiento pobre en su parte no constituye una emergencia en mi parte"
FG,A few more observations for your consideration. Everything in my shop is on castors, including the utility shelving. Well, everything but the big workbenches, that is. I personally do not like the setup on the commercial mobile bases. They generally use two fixed casters set perpendicular to the stock feed direction (for stability in use) & one or two swivel casters to get mobility. I find that does not give me the maneuverability that I need in the overcrowded space I call a shop. As a result, I have scrapped most of the factory mobile bases and put 4 swivel casters under my machines. If you go that route, you need to pay the $ to get good quality locking casters. The cheaper locking casters will not lock the swivel function, and many of the "better" ones that claim to lock do not function very well. I have had good luck with the ones that LV and Woodcraft sell. I've gotten significant discounts from LV by contacting their customer service people and asking for special pricing on bulk buys. Woodcraft sells a model that can bolt right to the machine base.If you're talking 15" planer, those casters won't be large enough to roll much across gravel. I have to take my planer outside on occasion, also. I don't think anything but the pneumatic sized casters would be useful for rolling a 400# or so planer over gravel & then it would still be top heavy and somewhat unstable while moving. I just put a scrap piece of plywood down on the ground and then roll the planer on it.
Hi bd, thanks. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it!) my planer's just a portable Delta. Thanks for the tips on what you've found successful and not so much so -- will probably save me some grief. I'll take a look at LV, I really like to order from them when possible. I might order one set of the double-locking ones from Grizzly just to check out the quality.
"Top-heavy" seems to be a planer problem, no matter the size. I think I'll make a somewhat oversized cabinet to put it on, getting some storage and a little more stability.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forestgirl,
The best carts I've ever seen were built years ago by my old mentor. They had two lawnmower wheels on one end and legs on the other with two turned handles parallel to and about 24" from the floor. They were actually tool chests with handles and wheels. They were about 20" W x 36" L x 24" high. (Handles made them nearer 48" long)
The cart frame was 2" x 2" stile and rail construction with the top stiles extended and turned on one end to become the handles. The closer the machine sat to the end with wheels, the easier it was to lift and move, but none of them took much effort. Beautiful pieces. I'd love to have them but they're long gone.
Anyway, lawnmower wheels are relatively cheap, often free, and I'd guess they would work well on your mats.
oldfred
"Anyway, lawnmower wheels are relatively cheap, often free" Thanks, oldfred -- we have a couple sets "out back" so I'll think about those. Esepcially for the miter saw!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
to "oldfred": If u r energetic, sure would appreciate a sketch of the cart u were talking about. So far I've built two. First from plans for my ancient craftsman tablesaw. I'm fortunate enough to have a garage to work in with a concrete floor. However, saw weighs a ton and a bear to move! Second doesn't even use casters! It's for my delta scrollsaw and using straight "appliance" wheels. Changing that this weekend. Found a cart at work that was getting junked. However, it had "dual" type swivel casters that rolled real easy. Can hardly wait to make the new dolly. Thanks, Glenn
garmtn,
I'll see what I can do, but I'm facing three obstacles: doing the sketch, figuring out our new scanner, and transferring the sketch from the scanner to the forum post. That should keep me off the streets and out of the bars for a while. :)
oldfred
Know what u mean. I'm system tech with phone company, and can't even get away from "technology" at home.
Finally fished dolly for my scrollsaw. Can't believe can now roll around with 1 hand. Then just pick up front end, give "foot" a kick and now becomes stationary. Wish table saw moved that well. Thanks, Glenn
oldfred, if you're quaking in your boots vis a vis posting the scan, drop me an email (click on my name). I'll write back and you can tell your scanner to email it to me. I can post it for you. It will take some editing so that it's not a humongo file, and I can do that quickly.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forestgirl, thanks for the offer. New "reconditioned" scanner that's not producing very clear copies, so we need to play with it a bit. As soon as I do a sketch I'll try it and see what develops. The round tuit is the current dilemma.
Procrastination is my sin
It brings me endless sorrow
I really must stop doing it
In fact............
I'll start tomorrow!
Hi, Forest Girl -
I checked out the Griz pages - WOW - terrific variety, very nice prices. I think I'm going to buy some...
But YOU - how can you be so demanding? Gravel? And wet gravel at that (Oregon - I looked you up)?
Nobody suggested huge, pneumatic tires, but they would work the best on gravel based on my experience. Locking the base once in position would be a problem, and steering would be a problem, but 10" diameter, wide tires would be wonderful on gravel. That's why they use them on wheel barrows.
Probably overkill, but it depends on your situation. HF sells wheels with tires for under $10 about every other month.
Good luck. And thank you for your prolific contributions to the forum.
Moi? Demanding? Li'l ole moi? Too funny. Oh, BTW, you've got me located too far south. Bainbridge Island is 9 miles west of Seattle, which barring any major earthquakes, is still located in WA State.
Looks like the gravel will be a non-problem by the end of the year. Hubby has plans to pour concrete, level with the shop floor, next summer. That'll make wheeling the planer around pretty easy!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Gurl, Google up Faultless Casters They will have suggestions for your requirements. Grizzly sells the junk found on cheap dollies (Have hard plastic wheels no ball bearings and riveted shafts (Can't replace just a wheel) If you install four on a cart, Jamie,use two swivel type at the front, and two stationary type in the rear. (The better to steer not like those stupid dollies)
ED.
Ed, I think you meant that post for me. Grizzly sells many types of casters. No, I can't swear to the quality, but they don't sell only "hard plastic wheels." Look back through this thread and see which casters I'm leaning to (nubbie rubber wheels) and check out the link to their catalog (I think it's up there somewhere).forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Like forestgirl says, they're not all the same model. I just received some 4" casters from Grizzly and the wheels aren't riveted, and aren't hard plastic. I don't know if they're ball-bearing, but they spin very freely under load.My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
Hi Forest the rubber are the best hands down, The hard plastic will not last especially if u have a jointer or some heavy equipment u are pushing around!!
Thanks Mark, that confirms my gut feeling about the plastic. I think a somewhat wide, nubby rubber tire will be the best. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I missed this thread while I was in Mazatlan for three weeks escaping the rain :) but I did want to say that I've bought the heavy duty poly casters from Grizzly (red) and they are very nice. I've since bought a number of casters from an ebay vendor called casterkid and am quite pleased with them as well. They aren't quite as nice (IMO) as the Griz's but are much less expensive.
Welcome back! (you creep)...LOL. Not too much rain the last couple/three weeks up here. Wind, yes; lack of power, yes; cold, yes; but not much rain. Starts up again this weekend.
Hope those "much less expensive" casters hold up for you. I've had a couple bad experiences going tooooo cheap with things that have bearings and moving parts. :>(forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I'm late to this discussion; I hope not too late. Your rubber floor may be as much of a problem as gravel, especially if any rolling stock is top-heavy. Pneumatic tires or large diameter tires are probably going to do best on your floor. A hard, small wheel will compress the rubber thus making rolling difficult to get started. I have a wooden floor (fir plywood). My very top-heavy tool cabinet with wide, small diameter casters is an accident looking for a place to happen. It takes a hard shove to get it started. I seldom move it for that reason. The frame was a computer rack which included wheels. It was a freebie. My heavier (400-lb) jointer has similar casters but has a very low center-of-gravity. It moves much less hazardously. It does not rest on its casters when stationary as does the tool cabinet, so it doesn't dimple the floor. When the tool cabinet was on concrete, it rolled quite safely.A design you might consider is similar to a twin-wheeled wheelbarrow. Mount two wheels on one axle at the front of the tool stand such that they barely clear the floor. Mount a handle or handles on the other end for tilting it upwards just enough to get the legs off the floor. When you get the tool where you want it, lower the tool onto its legs. That isn't too good for large tools though.Hope I helped.Cadiddlehopper
Hi, nope you're not too late. I agree about the rubber mats. I've learned to be very careful when moving my planer and miter saw, which are both sitting on small-wheeled tables right now. My favorite wheel so far is grey rubber with "nubbies" which seems like would be big enough, but having nubbies would have less in actual surface contact, making things a little easier.
Thanks!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I am not acquainted with the wheel with nubbies, but you might be smart to buy only a few at a time in order to test their compatibility with the rubber floor. I'm glad to see that you are aware of the potential problem. Fortunately for me, I seldom have to move equipment. I have a home-made auto mechanic's creeper with 2" cast iron casters which helps with medium weight stationary items. I raise one side, push the creeper under with one of my feet, then lower that side onto the creeper. I lift the other side wheelbarrow style & go. Those little furniture moving dollies work the same way. They are taller. With enough creepers or dollies, you can move most anything, even pianos. Note to readers: Don't expect a commercial creeper to work. Their wheels are usually too small.Cadiddlehopper
I have my jointer on an old oak furniture dolly with a slab of plywood filling the center. I'm getting nervous, though, about how often I have to lift up on the in- or outfeed table to get it going. I'm sure that's not good for it. The main reason I have to move stuff (tools) around is because I haven't gotten the darned place organized since I put the dust collector and downdraft table in. Just can't seem to get my mind around the whole thing. This too shall pass.
No lifting for a couple days anyway. After having my keester parked on a mechanics stool for an hour last night fiddling with jointer knives, I got up -- not bothering to stretch the ol' bones or otherwise get the blood flowing -- picked up a 40# bag of stove pellets and killed the back. It'll be a little while before putting on shoes seems simple.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Sorry to hear about that! I wishh you a quick recovery.Cadiddlehopper
try this site...
http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdSrch.cgi
Very reliable to the UK. Don't know about further affield...
John Simpson
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