Industrial Tables - Who Uses Wheels?

[Ian1783]

Of the four industrials I've had, three came with lengths of wood attached to the legs, running from front to back legs, one on each side (by the time I got them, beat up and dirty, so tossed). This was meant perhaps to help facilitate both moving of the machine when needed and also offer more surface area for better stability and surface "grab".

I put a set of lockable wheels on one of my tables (right to the metal legs) and love the option of moving the machine about for cleaning or repositioning in my tight quarters. But the wheels are lighter duty than I'd like, though they were what would fit the holes in the legs.

Do you use wheels? Why the wood used on these? Is there a general thought about how best to manage tables on indoor (home, not commercial) floors?

Wheels attached to lengths of 2" X 4"s might raise the pedal more than I'd like, but would allow for good quality, heavy-duty wheels. Thoughts?

Ian

SF Bay Area

http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

[veedub3]

I have wheels on mine. This was my first commercial machine and when it arrived, I had to put the table together. The instructions had "optional" , but said to raise the table put 2 x 4 on each size and add wheels which I did. Didn't really understand why the need for the wood because it had holes to insert wheels directly into the legs but I guess using the wood allows one to use those wheels that don't have the insert, but the four screw hole models. I am glad I did add the wheels because for the chair I use, the table without them was too low. I am sure I could have found another chair, but once you break in one you don't want to let it go. I got my wheels from Harbor Freight and they are heavy duty. My machine is set up in my basement at the moment which is carpeted and I can still move it around with no problem.

Karina

[cdthayer]

I want wheels under all of my heavy machines. They’re just no fun to carry around at my age. I have a Singer 20U33 on a power stand that doesn’t have wheels, and although it doesn’t get moved very often, I want to get wheels under it someday.

My Consew 225 came to me with wheels already mounted on the power stand. They are mounted with metal brackets to keep the stand just slightly above the original height off the floor. All 4 swivel, and none of them lock. The machine will tend to move around while in use, if not blocked by a wall or table, but it’s used once in a while out on a sidewalk, so I’ve got to have wheels to get it out there. The casters are a nice heavy weight, but the brackets allow enough flex for the stand to wobble. It’s not the best setup, but can be put up with.

I built a 1x4 wooden “trolley” under my first Singer 29K70 treadle. It’s a rectangle on casters. The 2 casters on the needle end are rigid, the 2 casters on the handwheel end swivel. It works well with this configuration. Concern for putting stress on an individual cast iron leg of the stand while moving it (something unexpectantly blocking one wheel) caused me to want to spread any stress like that onto the wooden trolley.

I built a 1x4 wooden trolley under my second Singer 29K70 treadle. It’s similar to the rectangle trolley, except it’s in the shape of an “I” with only a single 1x4 running across from end to end of the stand. Rigid casters on the needle end, swivel casters on the handwheel end. Works as well as the rectangle, but with more foot room. I’m not sure if I have the same protection for the cast iron stand legs.

I added 1x4 boards and casters under the ends only on my Singer 111W153 H-leg power stand. The stand feet are hollow with a narrow support surface around 3 sides, so the boards provide a flat surface for the casters and feet to mate up. All 4 casters swivel, but the 2 on the needle end can be locked. They’re a dual-wheeled type of caster that I got from a homemade furniture dolly that I picked up at a yardsale. They’re heavy duty enough, but I think eventually the wood will compress under each foot and will get loose, so it’s probably only good for a temporary installation. I roll this machine out of its storage area for every use, so I had to have wheels under it quickly, and that’s what I came up with.

I’m now trying to decide how best to put wheels under my cast iron Singer 31-15 treadle stand. I bought some post casters that will bolt directly onto each foot, but I’m still leery about putting stress on the legs if one wheel gets blocked.

CD in Oklahoma

[Cobra Steve]

Hi Ian. We use wheels on all of our machinery. It is very easy to move the machines around if you need to clean or move to a different place in your shop. Steve

[Itch]

We have wheels on or I should say under our sewing machines..We also have three 4x 8 foot tables to work on that have heavy duty caster wheels under them..

[Ian1783]

Thank you all for these responses. Karina's info let me know that raising the frame (as I would, with wheels) was not a bad thing - in fact, suggested by the factory as an option. Cool.

CD, your description of what you've done is this regard is great, and the photos give me an idea of options I wasn't considering. Thanks!

Steve and itch, sounds like it's a regular practice. I'm glad to know I was on the right track.

I attached 2X4s to my legs so I can move the machine without the metal legs digging into the floor, but then I don't have the original motor in. A servo will lighten things up considerably, but wheels will be a part of the final configuration, for sure.

Ian

SF Bay Area

http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

[GerryR]

With a pretty crowded shop, I have to be able to move things around pretty easily. I built this sewing center that keeps everything handy and can be moved into a corner to get it out of the way Two of the wheels lock once in place to sew.

[Ian1783]

Gerry, that looks like a typewriter table. Heavy duty enough to handle that machine, apparently. Certainly gives me ideas. It also has me thinking how a smaller table-saw stand might work well as a portable SM table. Cool.

Ian

SF Bay Area

http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

[GerryR]

Ian, it is actually an adjustable height work station table from Harbor Freight Tools ($28.00) (http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-height-heavy-duty-workstation-46725.html). It is supposed to support 1000 lbs. I doubled the top and added / welded on the wheels, etc. It was a fun project.