I am looking for some advice. I am going to build a variation of the
grilling center in Junes Workbench magazine. I want to add 3" casters
to the end of the cedar 4x4 legs. Would I be better off using top
plate (1-1/2" x 2-1/2") or stem (3/8" socket) casters.

Thanks

While I like the looks of the stem style casters I think you might have
trouble with them because of the soft cedar. If you can get metal insert
sockets to mount into the ends of the posts that match the stems on your
casters you will likely do OK, and that is the way that I would do it if it
were my project. Otherwise, I would use the plate mounted casters.

--
Charley


"JB" wrote in message
oups.com...
I am looking for some advice. I am going to build a variation of the
grilling center in Junes Workbench magazine. I want to add 3" casters
to the end of the cedar 4x4 legs. Would I be better off using top
plate (1-1/2" x 2-1/2") or stem (3/8" socket) casters.

Thanks

The softenss is what I was worried about with the stems. Even with the
standard metal insert sockets wouldn't the sockets just distort the
cedar instead. With the plates I am worried about the smaller screws
nearer the edge splitting the wood (being that they are inserted int
the end grain).

Am I just being an old lady worrying about everything?

"JB" writes:

The softenss is what I was worried about with the stems. Even with the
standard metal insert sockets wouldn't the sockets just distort the

Consider how forces act: The main force just is along the axis of the
stem, and a castor rolling on the ground giving not much force
orthogonal to the stem axis I would not bather too much about
stability there, just do not expect the stem to turn easy in it's
wooden socket, rotation of the castor around the stem axis has to
happen at a bearing between the castor proper and the stem.

--
Dr. Juergen Hannappel http://lisa2.physik.uni-bonn.de/~hannappe
Phone: +49 228 73 2447 FAX ... 7869
Physikalisches Institut der Uni Bonn Nussallee 12, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
CERN: Phone: +412276 76461 Fax: ..77930 Bat. 892-R-A13 CH-1211 Geneve 23

"JB" wrote in message
ups.com...
The softenss is what I was worried about with the stems. Even with the
standard metal insert sockets wouldn't the sockets just distort the
cedar instead.

Yes it will. I had stem casters on Oak office chairs and the metal insert
sockets still wore the hole out and would never stay in. Stem type casters
are best used with steel feetor legs.


With the plates I am worried about the smaller screws
nearer the edge splitting the wood (being that they are inserted int
the end grain).

This can happen but most of the strain is not on the screws. The screws
simply keep the caster from sliding out from under the leg or foot. You can
also drill a larger hole where the screws will go in and glue in a hard wood
dowel to reinforce the holes that the screws will go in to.

"Juergen Hannappel" wrote in message
...
"JB" writes:

The softenss is what I was worried about with the stems. Even with the
standard metal insert sockets wouldn't the sockets just distort the

Consider how forces act: The main force just is along the axis of the
stem, and a castor rolling on the ground giving not much force
orthogonal to the stem axis I would not bather too much about
stability there, just do not expect the stem to turn easy in it's
wooden socket, rotation of the castor around the stem axis has to
happen at a bearing between the castor proper and the stem.

The biggest problem here will be that the stem type casters will eventually
tend to fall out if the piece is lifted to go over a sidewalk or bump.

THIS is why I browse threads that, on the surface, don't have much
relavence to what I'm currently working on - the chance to find a sweet
nugget like this! Thanks Leon.

Leon wrote:
You can
also drill a larger hole where the screws will go in and glue in a hard wood
dowel to reinforce the holes that the screws will go in to.