Caster wheels for machines

[SheltathaLore]

For those of you who like to roll your machines around, do you have a favorite brand/style of casters?  I'm really tired of not being able to rearrange my shop on my own, so it might be time to slap wheels on everything.

[Rockoboy]

Any wheels I might put under a machine would have to have a locking option IMHO. I guess that might depend on your floor surface - how easy is it for your machine to move about when you want it to stay put? If I had a good floor, I would want lockable wheels.

[SheltathaLore]

My floors aren't super smooth, but locking is a nice feature to have regardless.

[alpha2]

My CowBoy 4500 has locking wheels, and I can't imagine not having that feature. Also, the machine and stand is really heavy, and a good quality wheel is essential. This is not a place to scrimp. 

Jeff

[R8R]

Remember that even a 2" locking caster will raise the table up a few inches. Often the treadle cross arms will need to be lowered with blocks or pieces of tubing to make them comfortable to use. 

[SheltathaLore]

6 minutes ago, R8R said:

Remember that even a 2" locking caster will raise the table up a few inches. Often the treadle cross arms will need to be lowered with blocks or pieces of tubing to make them comfortable to use. 

I understand the problem you're describing, but I just can't visualize your solution.  Do you happen to have a picture of how the blocks or tubing would solve it?

[atexascowboy]

2 hours ago, SheltathaLore said:

For those of you who like to roll your machines around, do you have a favorite brand/style of casters?  I'm really tired of not being able to rearrange my shop on my own, so it might be time to slap wheels on everything.

I went to Walmart and purchased one of their steel restocking carts for $100 cash (which the manager probably pocketed) . They had several out behind their store . I mounted my buffing wheels and bandsaw on it. Handy, sturdy and highly manuverable. I went back and bought one for my 275 lb. anvil and forge. Can't live without them. Great for rearranging and cleaning.

I attached a pic of two of my students in my "Wounded Warrior" school for spurmaking.

[Aven]

Check out Rockler (Renton) Woodcraft Supply (Corson Ave).  They both have casters you can screw onto your base or a casters and a frame for your base to set into.  They are designed for the weight of woodworking machinery, so they should be able to handle your sewing machines.

[R8R]

1 hour ago, SheltathaLore said:

I understand the problem you're describing, but I just can't visualize your solution.  Do you happen to have a picture of how the blocks or tubing would solve it?

This thread explains it pretty well:

 

[SheltathaLore]

Aha, the "tubing" is rigid and provides an offset so that the pedal ends up in the right place.  I was thinking it involved flexible tubing, which was clearly not going to be helpful.