welding table & casters

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going to buy a 4x8 1" thick table he thinks it is at least 1600 lb because he had troublelifting it with his bobcat ok casters if i get 4 400lb casters will that work or do i need 4 1600 casters
Reply:The steel itself will weigh about 1300 pounds.  But the undercarriage might easily bring it up to 1600.If the table is going to just sit on the casters, then the total load for each is 400 pounds.  If you're going to be rolling the thing over uneven surfaces or pounding on it a lot with a 4 lb sledge, then there might be spikes in the force you're applying to each caster.  But ask yourself: do you really want to be rolling around a 1600 pound table?  Sooner or later, someone's going to lose a finger.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:400 lb ones will do but what will you have on it to weld on,projects wise??? Plus C-clamps, small pieces of iron and whatever else you choose to put under it. Mine is a small one(3'x3' w/ 3/8" top) w/ a 16" catwalk overhang for a cutting surface. I keep all my C-clamps and 2 shelves under it to hold all the odd small pieces left over from projects.                           MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenThe steel itself will weigh about 1300 pounds.  But the undercarriage might easily bring it up to 1600.If the table is going to just sit on the casters, then the total load for each is 400 pounds.  If you're going to be rolling the thing over uneven surfaces or pounding on it a lot with a 4 lb sledge, then there might be spikes in the force you're applying to each caster.  But ask yourself: do you really want to be rolling around a 1600 pound table?  Sooner or later, someone's going to lose a finger.
Reply:Although my 4' X 8' table is just 1/2" plate with six legs of sq. tube, I have heavy casters on the four corners only.  On the center legs I put 1" solid threaded screw-down supports with steel swivel pads on the bottoms.  I put SS 5/16" rod with balled ends through each to facilitate cranking them up and down.  This way I can take much of the load off the casters except when I'm wheeling it around as well as prevent it from moving around when I'm doing work on it.  I can even pound on the center section with confidence when it's resting on the jacks.I have a very slight grade to contend with when I move my table and it's all I can do to maintain control of it.  Since yours will be twice the weight, I sure hope you have no grade at all.ScottMiller XMT 350 CC/CV w/gas solenoid opt.Miller S-22A wirefeederBernard 400A "Q" gunMiller Spoolmatic 30A / WC-24C-K 200A torch/gas lensWeldcraft WC-18 watercooled torchHypertherm Powermax 30Victor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by DmaxerAlthough my 4' X 8' table is just 1/2" plate with six legs of sq. tube, I have heavy casters on the four corners only.  On the center legs I put 1" solid threaded screw-down supports with steel swivel pads on the bottoms.  I put SS 5/16" rod with balled ends through each to facilitate cranking them up and down.  This way I can take much of the load off the casters except when I'm wheeling it around as well as prevent it from moving around when I'm doing work on it.  I can even pound on the center section with confidence when it's resting on the jacks.I have a very slight grade to contend with when I move my table and it's all I can do to maintain control of it.  Since yours will be twice the weight, I sure hope you have no grade at all.
Reply:Originally Posted by KHKDmaxer has this one NAILED!!   His solution is the best!
Reply:Keith:Thanks for the compliment.  It's good to be affirmed now and then.gclamp:I agree with you that 400 lb. rated casters are too light for a table weight of 1500 to 1600 lbs. (plate = 1306 lbs & frame 250 lbs. approx.).  This is especially true if they're imported HF casters.  When wheeling a 4' X 8" table, sometimes its weight rests on just two casters due to an uneven floor.  I'd look for quality 500 to 600 lb rated casters at Grainger or the like.  If the OP buys imported HF casters, he should look for 800+ lb. capacity and hope intensely for luck.ScottMiller XMT 350 CC/CV w/gas solenoid opt.Miller S-22A wirefeederBernard 400A "Q" gunMiller Spoolmatic 30A / WC-24C-K 200A torch/gas lensWeldcraft WC-18 watercooled torchHypertherm Powermax 30Victor O/A
Reply:I would also try Grainger or other higher quality parts house. Good casters will cost you more up front, but they will last alot longer than the hf ones ever will.Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:Originally Posted by DmaxerAlthough my 4' X 8' table is just 1/2" plate with six legs of sq. tube, I have heavy casters on the four corners only.  On the center legs I put 1" solid threaded screw-down supports with steel swivel pads on the bottoms.  I put SS 5/16" rod with balled ends through each to facilitate cranking them up and down.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadcant quite pitcher it..fotos  pls?
Reply:Get 1000 lb rated casters and call it done.  A good table is a significant investment, so you might as well do it right the first time.