Welding table wheel questions

[OregonWelder]

I am going to build the Miller design welding table:

http://www.millerwelds.com/interests...welding-table/

The plans call for two swivel base wheels (locking) and two stationary wheels. I will be moving this table around on the concrete floor of my shop. Is there a reason not to use swivel base wheels for all four corners instead of using 2 swivel wheels and 2 stationary wheels? Wouldn't it be easier to turn and move the table around if all four wheels were locking swivel wheels?

I read the other threads on the forum about welding tables. A few people mentioned having a threaded leg mount to one of the wheels so that you can level the table. Would you only need to do this to one corner? Can anyone post a photo showing how to set up the threaded adjustable leg?

Thanks!

[NoogaD]

Four straight wheels go straight but don't turn. Four swivel wheels turn easy but hard to keep going straight. Two swivel two straight goes straight and is still pretty maneuverable. If ever decide to change the orientation of your table, then you are going to need your levelers on each corner.

[fjk]

i used to do 2 straight +2 swivel
i've changed over to 4 swivel
it's just a lot easier maneuvering stuff
around in my small home workshop

if you want to movemsomething straight,
pull it, don't push it

if you wish to level the table then you need
levellors on all 4 legs. what happens if you lift
one leg of a chair off of the floor?

frank

[OregonWelder]

FJK, I think I will also go with four swivel wheels because I will be moving the table often, and like you said, I can pull the table to make it go straight.

I have no idea how to build the levelers on the legs. If someone would post photos of that setup, I would appreciate it!

Thanks for your replies!

[Broccoli1]

I built my table off of those same plans and just recently changed out the fixed wheels.

I do not have any levelers, floor is pretty flat.

[Jim-TX]

I built my tables with 4 swivel/locking casters. They work okay, but I wanted the maneuverability for a small area. If you have a pretty good size floor, I'd opt for 2 swivel and 2 fixed. They will allow you much better control, but not quite as much maneuverability in a close space. The problem with 4 swivels is that they all seem to have a mind of their own. lol

[Dmaxer]

On my 4'x8'x1/2" table with six legs, I used four swivel casters on the corners and two screw-down supports on the center legs. I can support most of the table's weight when working at the table using the supports and raise them to wheel the table around. The table weighs nearly 700lbs. so it takes some effort to move it. I felt this method offered the best compromise for portability vs steadyness and support.

The two screw down supports are 7/8" machine thread stock I found in a scrap yard and I bought matching nuts for the end of the legs. I boxed the nuts using a "U" shaped piece of 14 ga steel with a hole cut to 15/16" using plasma. I thought this a better choice than welding the nuts to the ends of the legs. I made and attached a swivel pad to each of the ends of the supports. I cross drilled each support for a sliding 1/4" x6" handle for leverage in raising and lowering the supports. If you search for old threads, I think you can find photos previously posted.

[nfinch86]

dmaxer, Just the 4'x 8' x 1/2" plate = 653.5 Lbs. , you must have had fun mounting that baby !

....... Norm

[NoogaD]

This is how I mounted my 3/8" top. Not quite 653.5 lbs, but 500+ still hurts the back.

[fjk]

I have no idea how to build the levelers on the legs. If someone would post photos of that setup, I would appreciate it!

Most that I've seen (sorry, don't know of any photos off the top of my pointy head)
use a combination of a levelling mount (go to www.mcmaster.com and search
for levelling mount) and caster. The caster is attached to the side of the leg, while
the levelling mount is directly under the leg and screws into it.

Frank