Help adding casters to shelf. (floor, Home Depot, Lowes, convert)

[#41]

Any idea on the best way to add casters to this type of shelf?

I have a few shelves like these.



Here is a closer view of the legs.


I have them separated so they aren't as high as the first pic. It's more like two workbenches side by side.

Anyway, I'd like to add casters with brakes. What's the best way of attaching casters to the steel angled legs?

[K'ledgeBldr]

You DON'T attach them.

I ran into a similar situation with metal storage cabinets. Their design would not accommodate the attachment of casters; so I had frames welded of angle iron. The cabinet sits inside the frame and the caster is bolted (I decided to bolt instead of welding them on incase i decided i no longer needed the cabinets, id still be able to use the casters for something else) to the bottom flange- I'd do the same thing in your situation.

Trying to bolt OR weld a caster to those legs would not work- it would just bend and/or collapse.

[Retire in MB]

Try using a caster bracket
Caster Sockets, Brackets and Floor Locks - Casters and Wheels - Grainger Industrial Supply

You mount the bracket to the inside of the legs and then set the caster in.

[#41]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

You DON'T attach them.

I ran into a similar situation with metal storage cabinets. Their design would not accommodate the attachment of casters; so I had frames welded of angle iron. The cabinet sits inside the frame and the caster is bolted (I decided to bolt instead of welding them on incase i decided i no longer needed the cabinets, id still be able to use the casters for something else) to the bottom flange- I'd do the same thing in your situation.

Trying to bolt OR weld a caster to those legs would not work- it would just bend and/or collapse.

Thanks. I was thinking I could build a 2x4 frame at the bottom and mount the casters to that. You still think it would flex/bend? It's almost sounding like more work than I would benefit from it though.

Originally Posted by Retire in MB

Try using a caster bracket
Caster Sockets, Brackets and Floor Locks - Casters and Wheels - Grainger Industrial Supply

You mount the bracket to the inside of the legs and then set the caster in.

Hmmm, i'll research this but I still cant visualize how the bracket attaches.

[fishbrains]

Originally Posted by #41

Thanks. I was thinking I could build a 2x4 frame at the bottom and mount the casters to that. You still think it would flex/bend? It's almost sounding like more work than I would benefit from it though.

It depends on the thickness of the steel legs. If it is thin sheet metal of the quality you purchase at a home hardware store I wouldn't put casters on at all, frame or no frame. If it is thicker, industrial grade you can probably get away with a 2x frame.

Hmmm, i'll research this but I still cant visualize how the bracket attaches.

The bottom pic would work, if your steel is thick enough. It goes on the inside of the corner with those flanges bolting to the upright support.

Putting casters on something like this is not a great idea. Those shelves can hold a lot of weight and people tend to load them up. This is going to give the loaded unit a very high center of gravity. Because of their height and relatively narrow depth they will be a bit unstable.

[#41]

Yeah, it's not very thick metal and I did purchase it years ago at lowes/home depot. And I really don't keep alot of weight on it at all.

Even though, I think I'll forget the idea of casters. It would have just been nice to roll them out of the way when I go to clean the garage. No big deal.

Thanks for all the info.