Welding or bolting on casters?

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Is it acceptable to weld casters onto lets say a welding table or work bench legs?  I think welding a separate support plate with four holes to a table leg, then bolting casters through the holes is good if I want to replace them someday but...I never want to replace the casters nor do I have  a drill press to make my own holes.  I can't find a plate with four holes that match up exactly to my heavy duty casters from my two steel supply yards.   I'm pretty lazy and really don't want to use a hand drill either for a work bench or welding table.  Thank you for any advice.A Liberal is someone who lives in a gated community with private security,  but says that a boarder fence won't work and people don't need guns for self protection.
Reply:Square plate on the bottom of the leg. Stitch weld down 2 opposite sides. Then if you DO need to replace later only 2 welds to cut and grind out.If you cant fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."Boy, everyone starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty."-Grandad circa 1990ish
Reply:You can weld them on but it will boil/melt the grease out of the bearings.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Depends on my mood. I've done it both ways. That said, I generally prefer bolted because it's easier to salvage casters as needs change. Nothing goes to scrap with the wheels attached.
Reply:I usually weld them on stuff for myself, just stitch the sides, but bolt them on things made for my customers. I can cut them off and weld new ones on faster than bolting.
Reply:My vote is to bolt on. If I feel lazy I get setup to weld and then change my mind. Either or.
Reply:I weld them all - couple slices with the grinder and they come off Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Well, to cover all the bases on suggestions, weld them on, then bolt them and weld the bolts too, just to be sure. If I were to do it myself, I would just bolt them on though.
Reply:Sounds like a REASON to buy a drill press !
Reply:Four small 1/2" or so beads usually for me.  I will do some drilling on visible stuff though.Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.
Reply:Bolt-on.  GET A DRILL PRESS!-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:If you bolt them on you will probably never need to replace them and if you weld them on you will have one fail and need replacing within the next month.  That is how it works for me.  I would probably bolt them on but I have a milling machine and drill press.  If you weld the casters on just weld a small beed on two sides of the mounting plate.  No need to weld all they way around.Miller Dynasty 200dxMillermatic 252Hypertherm PM45A shop full of Machine Tools
Reply:I drilled and tapped holes in leg mounts, can be removed later to lengthen or shorten table height, replace casters...etc...
Reply:Bolt them on.You don't have to worry about frying the plastic or grease out of a bearing with welding heat.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:I've always bolted them on.Hobart Handler 175Lincoln 225Rockwell 15-017 Drill Press
Reply:Picture looks nice. bolt emm on is my voteTOOLS AND TOYSSMAW Mid States Inc. "MISSING LINK" 10-150 AMP Buzzer circa 1945ishSMAW Magic Wand 40-60 AMP Suitcase Buzzer circa 1939ishGMAW Hobart 210 IronmanOxy-Propane TorchMany other old and cold goodies"Rusty but Trusty"
Reply:If it's for me I take the time to bolt them on. If its for someone else I weld unless they want to pay the extra $100 to get them bolted on. I offer but no one has yet paid to have them bolted on and I have not had any come back in 10 years. Recent table for a clientRegards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:If you bolt them on and you have to change one, all you do is block up the table and bolt a new one on. If welded on you have to flip the table to cut them off and weld them back on. Mine are bolted.rickyvLast edited by rickyv; 03-11-2014 at 05:57 PM.Reason: typo
Reply:Originally Posted by Robert HallIf it's for me I take the time to bolt them on. If its for someone else I weld unless they want to pay the extra $100 to get them bolted on. I offer but no one has yet paid to have them bolted on and I have not had any come back in 10 years. Recent table for a client
Reply:I've done both.  If you buy a heavy duty enough caster and it's affixed to something that will rarely move, then I vote for WELDING them on.  You don't have to get all crazy with the welds either for most applications.  Skip around the caster plate to allow better cooling. If you burn off some grease, hit it with a grease gun if the casters have a zerk fitting. If not, a small tooth brush dipped into some grease and brush it into the bearings.  It will be fine and just a dab of greas is all that's needed. "Hey I didn't come to look and learn, I came to turn and burn.... If I can't light up, I'm gonna light out!"-JodyIdealarc 250 "Fatman"MM 252MM 211 "Little boy" Victor Torches
Reply:Welding them on it ghetto.If it's a swivel caster then weld a threaded plate on the bottom and thread in a stem caster, unless you're a barbarian!This way is also very easy to shim if you should need to.Last edited by MikeGyver; 03-11-2014 at 11:03 PM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverWelding them on it ghetto.
Reply:Bolt on and use the caster top plate as the template for drilling the holes.  Easy.
Reply:I could've welded on five carts' worth of casters by the time I read this thread down to the last post!  HINT:  Things that are welded on take Stick-Man longer to steal than things that are bolted on.  Plus, he makes more of a ruckus getting them apart.
Reply:If you are really as lazy as you say then you prob don't even need a welding table. I have welded castors right through the bolt hole. Can be removed with a drill bit.Dude, 2nd pic... hog on a grill. lolWelding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com