Rockler Workbench Casters

[Nick Decker]

I seem to recall that a few here have mentioned these but can't seem to find the threads where they were talked about. If you have them, are they sturdy? Easy to lower and retract? Any problem with mounting them on the insides of the bench legs? (I'd rather avoid ankle biters.)

I'm getting ready to build a moveable bench and would like to have them in hand before I start laying out dimensions.

Thanks!

[Jason Lester]

No problems with mine. My bench is 300+ pounds, depending on what's on the shelf. I have overhang on both ends, so I've never hit them.

[Nick Decker]

Thanks, Jason. Overhangs are probably a good idea, might have to rethink that.

[Dan Friedrichs]

I have some that look very similar, and they work well:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SX3T2LO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jim Becker]

I have the exact product that Dan just linked to on my bench.

[John Ziebron]

I have the Rockler ones on my 250 + pound workbench and have had no problems. The ones in the Amazon link look exactly the same. My workbench also overhangs so no issues with ankle bites. I used 1/4" x 1 1/2 " lag bolts to secure them. If I recall correctly I had to drill the holes slightly large to accommodate the larger bolts but worth doing if your bench is on the heavy side. I also glued pieces of thick rubber on the bottom of the leg pads on my bench. This not only makes my bench immovable when the casters are retracted but also helps with the slight unevenness and possible moisture wicking from my bare concrete floor.

[Robert Hayward]

Lifting just one corner at a time seems like it would twist or at least stress a workbench. Anyone have trouble with that ?

[Dan Friedrichs]

Personally, I haven't experienced any issues with twisting, and my bench has several inset drawers on the front (so it should be particularly sensitive to that). I don't think it's atypically sturdy, either.

[Nick Decker]

Thanks, guys. I'll probably go with the ones from Amazon (Powertec). There's a lengthy review over there, comparing them to the Rockler version. Sounds like they're almost identical, with a slight nod to Powertec. Powertecs are less money, plus easier returns with Amazon Prime.

As benches go, mine will be fairly small (one-car garage shop) and won't be loaded down with heavy machinery. Should be fine.

[Nick Decker]

John Z,

I like the idea of rubber on the leg bottoms. What kind of rubber did you use? I have some self-adhesive rubber stuff from Lee Valley, left over from another project, thinking that might do the trick.

[Jim Becker]

This kind of bench mobility isn't "pretty" getting things up on the casters one at a time--I've found it to be slightly awkward, honestly. But it's effective for having to physically move a bench when it's necessary and for the money, not a bad option at all..

[Brian Nguyen]

I agree, Jim. I use the same (Rockler--but the Powertec one is a rebadged clone) casters and this weekend had to move the bench to resurface and reflatten the bench top. One of the corner casters took some effort to raise, I had to put on work boots and stomped down hard to get that corner up. The next one was easier, but the opposite corner had the same difficulty. Also, with three corners up the fourth one wanted to tip. I'm also finding that moving the bench around to an exact spot is difficult, once the casters start to roll the heavy bench will not want to stop. So it took some adjustments on my part to get the bench back to its original spot.

Honestly it's a pain but, as you said, it's better than wrestling a 300lbs bench with no casters. It's a good thing that I don't need to move my bench often, though.



This kind of bench mobility isn't "pretty" getting things up on the casters one at a time--I've found it to be slightly awkward, honestly. But it's effective for having to physically move a bench when it's necessary and for the money, not a bad option at all..

[Nick Decker]

Yes, I kinda know what you mean from the front casters on my bandsaw. I shudder every time I lower them down to the floor. They use a similar mechanism, which makes a bit of a jolt when they land.

The bench won't get moved every time I use it, maybe once or twice a week, and the legs will be on the floor most of the time. Luckily, it's a smooth concrete floor so I don't need off-road capabilities. Such is the life of working in a small shop.

[Jim Becker]

Yea, if I were going to move my bench a lot, I'd go back to Geoff Noden's setup for my Adjust-A-Bench because it's certainly more elegant and raises a whole end at a time. I originally had them, but found my bench was pretty much stationary for several years and wasn't enjoying the "ankle biter" issue when I wasn't paying attention. With my CNC coming soon, I had to again make sure that I could move the bench since it now shares the place where I tend to spray finishes which was previously just open area. Hence, the Powertec casters. Oh, my situation with these casters is "more fun" because I also have a sloped floor and have to shim the end of the bench on the downhill side about 1/2" for level. It's a dance... :D

[John Ziebron]

John Z,

I like the idea of rubber on the leg bottoms. What kind of rubber did you use? I have some self-adhesive rubber stuff from Lee Valley, left over from another project, thinking that might do the trick.

Nick, the rubber I used was from a supply of gasket material that I bought over 40 years ago. Without going out to my pole barn to measure I'm guessing it to be about 1/16" thick. I used urethane glue for my 4 pieces that are roughly 3" x 4" each. I'm sure whatever you have will work OK as long as it's not real thin. And if the self adhesive doesn't stick well you can always re-glue it but if your bench is somewhat heavy it shouldn't be a problem.

[Nick Decker]

Thanks, John.

[Tom Bender]

Consider using just 2 wheels, it's not so hard to lift one end of a bench and wheel it around. Good chance it will settle into one spot and not move much anyway.

Consider straight wheels, they will handle better.

[Dan Rude]

I also picked up the quick release mounts at Rockler, this way I can use them on more than one bench. http://www.rockler.com/rockler-quick-release-workbench-caster-plates-4-pack Dan

[Marshall Harrison]

Consider using just 2 wheels, it's not so hard to lift one end of a bench and wheel it around. Good chance it will settle into one spot and not move much anyway.

Consider straight wheels, they will handle better.

Thats what I was thinking. Also I would just pick ip one end of the bench and then lower the casters. Then do that for the other end. That should make it easier to lower them unless you bench is to heavy for you to pick up an inch or two.

[Jim Becker]

Consider using just 2 wheels, it's not so hard to lift one end of a bench and wheel it around. Good chance it will settle into one spot and not move much anyway.

I could not do that with my Noden Adjust-a-Bench because lifting one end lifts the table surface, not the whole bench. :) At least until it gets to the top and my arms are not long enough or strong enough to hold it up like that! LOL So four casters it is for me.

[Al Launier]

Lifting just one corner at a time seems like it would twist or at least stress a workbench. Anyone have trouble with that ?

No need to do one leg at a time. One could use a garage jack, if available, to block & raise one end to attach casters to two legs, then block the completed end to prevent rolling to raise & do the opposite end.

[Dennis McCullen]

Late to the thread - but I'm looking for advice on "workbench casters" since there are "upgraded versions" out there now. I tried two different sets two years ago, the second set was a replacement for the first that I bent. The second set bent also. My bench weighs around 320 lbs and despite generous weight ratings for the casters, the problem comes in when trying to lift one end of the bench (half the weight) onto the first caster. Half the bench weight (160 lbs) is placed onto the first caster which, in a 400 lb-rated set, is rated for 100 lbs. Since abandoning the idea for my heavy bench, I've seen people solve this by tying the foot plates together with steel tubing. That way you are putting half the weight of the bench onto two casters simultaneously. Now that folks have shown this innovation, I would like to try again, but with the strongest version possible since a third failure is not an attractive option. BTW I made some 90-degree brackets from 2x4 material and used double locking casters. The bench does not move but I'd rather it contact the floor instead. Anyone buying the "heavier duty " version lately?

[David Buchhauser]

You might consider lifting the entire bench off the floor, installing your casters, and then lowering the bench back down to the floor. Some tow straps or ratcheting straps tied together in the center to balance the weight with a cheery picker (portable engine hoist) to do the lifting.
David

[ChrisA Edwards]

I got these casters from Amazon ($51), rated at 800lbs. I put them on my Laguna 24/46 lathe (532lbs). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X2DSJF4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I don't know how much different these casters are compared to the Rockler version.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vJ33gKsoSk