Ideas needed for welding table casters

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Im starting to build my welding/fab table, and need ideas for a caster system.  I want to have adjustable feet to level out the table, but also want to put casters that retract so it can be rolled around.  The table is going to be 4x8 1/2" thick. Any ideas or pics would be greatly appreciated.ThanksMiller Synchrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Torchmate 2x2Victor O/A
Reply:My table is 4'x8'x1/2"steel and has six legs.  To the four outside corner legs I welded 1/4" prefabbed/predrilled plates to attach the heaviest HF solid metal/rubber casters I could find.  As I recall, they are supposedly rated at 500-600 lbs each.  For the two inside legs I fabbed and installed 14" of 7/8" all-thread with self-made steel swivel pads bolted on the lower ends.  The adjustable all-thread shafts run through matching nuts that I attached to the ends of the two legs and they can be raised/lowered with their 6" x 5/16" SS sliding handles (like on a vise or c-clamp).  This way I can raise the adustable center legs to roll the table around and then lower them to take weight off the casters and stabilize the table.  Never had a problem with table unsteadiness.  When not using the table I always leave the adjustable legs down to support it and take most of the weight off the casters to preserve them.I considered making casters that can be independently raised/lowered like I have on my table saw, but decided against it.  The casters on the saw have been a recurring problem.  It's been a couple of years now and I don't regret the design choices I made on the welding table legs.  Good 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:Here are some pictures of my table.  I use a floor jack to lift under the crosstubes and I can spin the bolts 1 1/4-7 with plates welded on the heads by hand.  When I want to move it I just screw all the bolts up into the legs. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by 85cj7boyHere are some pictures of my table.  I use a floor jack to lift under the crosstubes and I can spin the bolts 1 1/4-7 with plates welded on the heads by hand.  When I want to move it I just screw all the bolts up into the legs.
Reply:I am thinking to build a table  too, and I want to use this item fron northern Tools:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...4698_200414698Is already on sale in $ 19.99._________________________________________________Equipment:Simadre UNT 520DX 50A plasma cutter/ 200A TIG/MMAEastwood MIG 175
Reply:Hello Legacy, here's an idea that is somewhat on the cheap, yet still allows for mobility when you need it. Could likely be incorporated in one form or another with the ideas that others have already presented. Good luck on your project and best regards, Allan Attached Imagesaevald
Reply:great ideas.Miller Synchrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Torchmate 2x2Victor O/A
Reply:I'm going to use these I think...http://www.footmastercasters.com/can get them here:http://www.greatlakescaster.com/prod...View=2&cat=277Last edited by turbocad6; 05-04-2011 at 08:55 PM.miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:I don't know if I will be able to explain the contraption that my brother and I came up with, but he we go, the legs on the table are 2x2,  the casters are mounted on piece of 2x2 laying horizontal between the legs with a 1/4" gap, each end of the horizontal 2x2 has a 6" piece of 1/2" black pipe notched in and welded (similar to the top anvil on a press brake) the black pipe rides in 1" square tube that is welded to the inside of each leg, now to move the casters up and down we ran a piece of 1/2" black pipe trough both legs a 1/2" bolt was welded in the pipe so a wrench can be used to rotate the pipe to lift the table, there are two cams welded the the pipe that ride on top of the two 6" pipes that are mounted to 2x2 tube that the casters are attached, in the rest position the wheels of the casters sit on the floor with no weight on them when the bolt is rotated the cams push the casters down raising the table.   Now that I have everyone confused I will try to get my kids to help post a picture so all this has a chance of making sense. Craig
Reply:The problem with those fancy Foot Master Casters is that they cost too much for what you get.  The casters on my table are 5" diameter 2" wide and are rated at 900 lbs each and they have 3 zerk fittings for grease.  I got them for about $30 each.  The foot masters are double that price and have a wheel diameter of 2.5 inches.  I for sure wouldn't want to push any amount of weight around on a wheel that small.  Think about how much your table will weigh.  Also how much the items you set on top will weigh.  My table weighs 800 lbs. as pictured.  It can be leveled out on a floor that varies up to two inches and when on the bolts can support any amount of weight you want to put on it.  Good luck and look on Craigslist for tables.  I have seen some pretty good deals.
Reply:I know you guys will probly pick this apart but I used inflatable 10 in tires under my sons chassis bench at 1 end and a slide out trailer ball at the other. to move around in the shop we use a cheap trailer dolly if it needs to go out for storage we can use a tractor or truck. We roll it into place let the air out of the tires adjust the leveler bolts and away we go. I'm thinking of auto tires on the end of his brake so he can move it when he needs to do large sheet work.
Reply:I have to agree with Turbo Footmaster is the way to go Miller TigMiller Mig Plasma Cam Hypertherm 100012x36 LatheBridgeport MillPress BreakShear
Reply:I took this idea from another post either here or another welding forum.  I can look up the pics from the other post.  It was a much nicer looking set up.  I was given this bench and is very heavy but rolls very easily with this set up. Two HF jacks for casters and two overload springs off a 95 Dodge 1/2 ton. Casters are HF. Casters with a bearing center mover a lot easier. Was going to take the crank handles off and modify a socket to fit the tops so can raise and lower with a cordless drill.[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]Let me know if I need to resize the pics to a smaller size.