Advice on Casters/Wheels + Extra Bracing?

**Jimmy Recard** · 22nd August 2021, 04:28 PM

Hello,

I have a new computer table and a Digital Piano with custom stand; and I plan to knock up some simple custom dollies to fit all of the footprint that touches the ground for both.

Both are really quite heavy/solid. I'll just knock up the main dolly part from a fairly solid piece of wood - ignore that for now.

So they'll be two square/rectangular shaped dollies for the Computer Table (one square one thinner rectangle), and two very long very thin rectangles for the Feet of the Digital Piano Stand.

I'm also looking for advice on how to add extra bracing to both items as I'm worried they may twist and get damaged after I frequently move/slide around these big heavy items in my room - maybe many times a day? I've seen little metal brackets you just screw to two right angle surfaces - any better info than that? Prefer to avoid adding more wood unless necessary but will consider it.

Thought I might add bracing brackets under the table where you put your feet, and maybe at the back of the table between the tabletop and big boxy shapes etc and similar for keyboard stand?

See the photos below (note at least one photo for each object showing the minimal back bracing between the sides of the items.
Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Right now I'd just like to focus on getting advice on what casters to get for a regular/normal carpeted bedroom (carpet from early 90's/later 80's).

As I said I plan to move these both around regularly and need the smallest wheels I can get away with - that both -
- won't break/stop working properly
- are as small as possible so as to prevent adding extra height to each item (already adding a little from wood part of dolly).
- affordable/good value. Don't want awful/cheap casters - just want good quality but not too expensive - I'm not made of cash!

So - any ideas? I'm hoping to buy the casters and maybe brackets or other things you suggest - today/tonite online or in store?

Any other thoughts you have on my ideas - please fire away

Thank you

Dylan

**rogerwilco** · 23rd August 2021, 06:15 PM

Casters are a whole universe of choices and quality levels, but like everything these days, it seems like there's not much in the middle ground. It's either cheap-as-chips and somewhat disposable options, or, pay 10-100x the price for the real thing, from an industrial supplier. Everything you can buy on Amazon/E-bay/Bunnings is Option 1.

If you really need castors that can reliably take very heavy loads, don't have any play in the wheel bearings (e.g. won't move at all when locked), with good wheels that don't get flat spots, then you'll find that you need to pay a lot more than you might think to get those. Hundreds of dollars and up for a set.

Most of us don't need that level of castor, and don't want to pay that much, so we settle for what's available. I've bought cheapos from Amazon and cheapos from Bunnings. Same/same really. The ones I got at Bunnings were probably a bit better actually. They work fine for rolling cabinets around the workshop.

Carpet means bigger wheels. No smaller than 3" (4" would be better), or you won't be able to push it around. You probably want 2 out of 4 casters to be locking, so that the dolly stays where you put it. This also helps reduce play (but does not eliminate it) from the wheel bearings.

There's a lot of different sizes, configurations, and fixings. It's easiest to go see, and find what need. Then you can check things like bearing play and overall quality on the spot.

**Midnight Man** · 24th August 2021, 09:23 AM

You can get decent ones at a fair price.

Richmond casters: Industrial Wheels & Castors | Richmond Wheel & Castor Co

Give them a ring, describe what you are looking for in terms of features and surface you're rolling on, and they'll sort you out.

Don't forget for your purpose, you may well need 4 braked casters

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