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Attaching a swivel caster allows you to freely move your furniture about and in any direction. So if you want to move your furniture easily and safely, you should purchase high-quality swivel casters. Once you’ve done this, you can either attach them yourself by following the steps that are discussed in this article or seek the help of a professional. So please read on to discover more benefits of swivel casters and how to attach them to your pieces of furniture.
Benefits of Attaching Swivel Casters to Your Wood
Attaching a swivel caster to your wooden furniture is one of the ways to improve the look and feel of your home. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of doing this and why it may be worth your while.
- It works perfectly for small size rooms. Since you can move the furniture in and out, you can easily create space in your room whenever you want.
- It changes the outlook of your furniture. Gone were the days when wooden furniture was perceived as old-fashioned. With swivel casters, your furniture will have a brand new appearance.
- Swivel casters are great for when you want to clean your furniture. It makes it easy to move around and clean up.
- Swivel casters are a great way to add more functionality to your wooden furniture. They allow you to move the furniture around your home, making it easier for you to get from one room to another.
Choosing the Right Swivel Caster
Although attaching swivel casters to your wooden furniture is quite simple. It is essential to choose the right swivel casters. This is because furniture casters differ in terms of how much they can carry. Hence, the material, size, and style of your furniture determine the type of caster you get. Below are some factors you should consider when purchasing swivel casters:
- The type of surface on which the casters will be placed.
- The maximum weight they will support.
- The size and number of swivel casters needed.
Necessary Materials to Attach Swivel Casters
Before you attach swivel casters to your wood, there are certain materials you should get ready. These materials will help prevent accidents and ease the entire process.
- Dust mask
- Safety glasses
- Power drill
- Safety gloves
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Hammer
- Bolts, nuts, and washers
- Clamps
Once the above materials are ready, you can then proceed to attach the swivel casters by following the steps below.
Prepare the Surface
The surface should be smooth, hard, level, and free of cracks and holes. This is to ensure a stable weight distribution. It will also prevent the swivel casters from shifting and wobbling, which could cause damage to your furniture. For a piece of furniture, you need to add wood sections to the corners of the furniture. This will help to create a flat, stable base.
Mark Out the Positions of the Casters
Mark out the four positions on the wood using a pencil. The casters should be positioned not too close to each other and away from the edge of the wood. While marking out the positions, ensure the casters are symmetrically aligned, of equal size, and evenly distributed across the wood. This helps to avoid stress points and also ensures stability.
Drill Holes
Once you’ve marked the positions of the holes and you’ve confirmed the alignment, the next step is to drill pilot holes for each of the caster positions. Ensure the drill piece is about 50% of the bolt diameter.
Install the Swivel Casters
The next step is to install the swivel casters in their positions using bolts, nuts, and washers. For best performance, it is important to choose the right screw strength, preferably grade 8.8. You can ask your local expert for help when choosing the bolt. They could recommend the best quality ones for you to choose from.
Check the Maneuvrability
Once you have installed the casters, ensure you test their maneuverability to ascertain that the wheels are all working perfectly. In case any of the wheels are not touching the surface, you can correct the height with packing shims.
In conclusion, although the steps are simple and easy to follow, they do not rule out the need for an expert. Experience and skill are also important for purchasing the right swivel casters and attaching them to your wood. Therefore, it’s best to consult professionals for the best results. You can find these experts at your local furniture store.