Casters on cabinets - stability?

[Druxar]

When people put wheels on the cabinet does it compromise the steadiness of the cabinet during use?  Or do you have to make sure you buy the kind that can lock, or what about those appliance wheels, are they naturally stiffer?  What should be taken into account when figuring out what to do for casters while keeping the cabinet stable?

[ChadTower]

I'd put locking wheels on.  They only cost 75 cents or so more each.  A full sized cabinet is so heavy that it will be pretty stable unless the wheels are REALLY easy to roll.

[miles2912]

I have casters on mine that are hidden because I really did not want the wheels to show.  I wanted to get a locking caster.. but I would not have access to the lock.  Sigh.  Cheap and simple solution, I just lift the cab up a bit and put it on a 2x6 cut to length and that supports it and keeps it from moving.  I know kind of cheezy but no one seems to notice or care as the cab is rarely moved.


D-

[Druxar]

I have casters on mine that are hidden because I really did not want the wheels to show. 
 I just lift the cab up a bit and put it on a 2x6 cut to length and that supports it and keeps it from moving.

That gives me another idea...what about a cab with no casters but have a sort of dolly made up with 2  2x6's with casters, then lift the cab and put into place to move...

Or some sort of self leveling type of caster mock up, if they were bolted to the cab with wing nuts on the inside in a way that you can tighten or loosen them on demand to bring the wheels into play when it's time to move...

[_) (V) (-)]

Casters are a life saver when you have to move the thing around and are by yourself. 

The only 'trick' I can think of is to put them as close to the edges as you can while remembering to allow for the 'orbit' of the wheels. You don't want them peeking out over the edges.

I mysely like to beef up the bottom of my cabnets with a hunk of 2x4 across where the castors are mounted, gives em somthing a bit more solid to bite into.

[ChadTower]

Yep, and since I do pretty much all of my project work alone, I'll second that they are a lifesaver.  You can also get some furniture casters from a hardware store, basically little metal platforms with three small wheels on each.  It's not hard to tilt the machine enough to put some of those underneath while you move it.  That's what I do for pins.

[Spaz Monkey]

i have wheels on my cab and when it comes to moving my 400lbs cab (well that's what it feals like to me), it's a lifesaver.  the only problem with a dolly is that you'll have to lift the darn thing up onto the dolly and then moving the dolly out of the way when unloading, all while not trying to injure/kill you at the same time. Also remember the extra height that the wheel/dolly combonation will give to your control panel if you permanently install it/them.

[deadkenndys1105]

One my millipede cabinet there set up were you have to tilt the cabinet back so the wheels touch the ground.  Its kinda weird the first time you do it but its not to bad after a while.

[Brumaz]

My cab in the making is very sturdy on casters, with lockable revolving ones at the front, and fixed at the back. Buy ones that are combined rated high enough for the finnished weight of the cab

[DrewKaree]

One my millipede cabinet there set up were you have to tilt the cabinet back so the wheels touch the ground.  Its kinda weird the first time you do it but its not to bad after a while.

This is what dk is talking about and what is a pretty good compromise between stability/movement once your cab is in place, and ease of movement when you want to change things up.



http://www.happcontrols.com/accessories/33119800.htm

[NightGod]

My cab in the making is very sturdy on casters, with lockable revolving ones at the front, and fixed at the back. Buy ones that are combined rated high enough for the finnished weight of the cab

I did the same thing-stability has never been an issue. If you want them hidden, it's easy enough to do what I did and recess the bottom enough so that the outer panels are only a 1/4" or so off the floor.

[fjl]

One my millipede cabinet there set up were you have to tilt the cabinet back so the wheels touch the ground.  Its kinda weird the first time you do it but its not to bad after a while.

Can I see pictures of how you did this?

[FrizzleFried]

Call me cheap...I use a hand-truck that is in the next room over.   Works perfectly fine...

[ChadTower]

Me too, but for pins I use a set of four furniture movers with casters on them.