need pop-up casters

[TBat55]

I have an open-grid layout built in modules with about 12 leveling feet. I want to add some type of pop-up casters for occasional short moves of the entire layout.

I tried to make my own using casters on hinges, but the metal bent. I've also thought of adding 2 long pieces angle iron with trailer jacks on each end.

Anybody done this successfully? I've been searching Home Depot, Woodcraft, etc, for bolt-on casters and jacks.

[ukguy]

tbat55,
the solution that i used for this on my work benches was to bolt the casters vertically to the back of the back legs. this way the casters are off the ground when the bench is level, but if the bench is tipped backwards by lifting the front the bench then sits on the casters and is thus movable. I will try and find a pic if you need to see one.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if this would fit your needs, but there are casters available that have both wheels and swivels that lock. I have several sets on some stationary woodworking machines and they work great--the machines don't move at all when the casters are locked and they are capable of handling up to 300 lbs. each. I think that I got some of mine at Woodcraft at:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=1989,

but Rockler or Menards might have something similar as well--Home Depot does not, I'm sure.

Stumper

[TBat55]

Thanks, but I don't need just casters locking or otherwise. I need to jack up the layout. Lately I've been toying with the idea of using pneumatic (air) cyclinders and casters. Wonder if there's any cylinders that are small, inexpensive, and run on air brush compressor 100psi.

[Anonymous]

Automobile air shocks should do what you want. They should have the lifting power and work in the pressure range you specified. Attaching them might require some ingenuity and controling exactly how much lift you get will be fun, they tend to hop as the pressure builds up.

[ndbprr]

If your benchwork is up to it and can handle some misallignment you could mount the casters on the end of pipes inside a second pipe. Lift one end and insert a pin like an automobile safety stand. Do all four corners and off you go.

[Leon Silverman]

I purchaseda bunch of triangular casters from HD. These casters consisted of a concave triangular plate with small casters attached to each point of the triangle. The eg had to be lifted up only about 2 inches to clear the caster. Lifting the layout was accomplished by using a standard automotive 1-1/2 ton hydraulic jack with a piece of lumber used to reach the underside of the layout. If you are going to lift the whole layout at once, the framework construct will have to be heavily reinforced, using 2 x 4's rather than the usual 1x 3's.