I started building a mobile lathe cabinet this weekend and thought I would share the method I use to retract the casters.
I learned about this technique working as a set designer for a community theater. I needed a way to move large set pieces into position and then lock them so they would not roll.
This is the beginning of the cabinet, for the top I used 2 thicknesses of MDF with oak edge banding. I plan to add a bank of drawers on one side and 2 doors on other. I will post more pics as work progresses.
To make the casters retractable I hinge a 2x4 in the middle, mount a caster at each end of the 2x4 and then mount the 2x4 to the frame with 2 more hinges. I mount the casters 3/4" below the base of the carcass so when they are in the rolling position the cabinet will not drag. it is not easy to explain I think the pictures will help.
I use 3" cast iron casters with rubber tires from HF, on sale for $3.29.
I learned about this technique working as a set designer for a community theater. I needed a way to move large set pieces into position and then lock them so they would not roll.
This is the beginning of the cabinet, for the top I used 2 thicknesses of MDF with oak edge banding. I plan to add a bank of drawers on one side and 2 doors on other. I will post more pics as work progresses.
To make the casters retractable I hinge a 2x4 in the middle, mount a caster at each end of the 2x4 and then mount the 2x4 to the frame with 2 more hinges. I mount the casters 3/4" below the base of the carcass so when they are in the rolling position the cabinet will not drag. it is not easy to explain I think the pictures will help.
I use 3" cast iron casters with rubber tires from HF, on sale for $3.29.