Retractable castors

[thehomeengineer]

Hi All
Been a while since I last posted. Busy on a couple of construction jobs over the year so little workshop time. But at last I have got one project finished and decided to fit some retractable castors. Nothing new I know. I was surprised at the cost to buy so decided to make some from scrap box section. The final result works a treat but buying against making is questionable. There was unite a bit of cutting and machining and the cost in items I bought was £6.50 Wheels E-bay £4.50 and cheap spray paint £2.00 so 10% of cost of buying complete set. The material I used is more substantial than the commercially available. But time to manufacture was longer than anticipated so £68 to buy is probably a cheap price but I guess I still have £61.50 in my pocket I can spend on something else, and I did enjoy making them.
Below is a few photos of the castors in place.
Scrap box cut to very rough shape for foot lever

Castor in closed mobile position

Castor in the lifted position.

many thanks for looking
The Home Engineer

[rayh__]

Great set of ankle knockers you've got there.

[thehomeengineer]

Hi Rayh
Thank you for the positive comment. I forgot why I stopped posting on here and now I remember!
Don’t worry you won’t be catching your ankles on these as it appears you don’t make anything looking at your posts on this forum.
The Home Engineer

[DIYer]

Thanks thehomeengineer! We've added your Retractable Casters to our Storage and Organization category,
as well as to your builder page: thehomeengineer's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Retractable Casters by thehomeengineer

tags: adjustable, caster(s)

[rayh__]

Trip hazards as are a legitimate safety concern and should not be ignored, especially by persons with very thin skin.

[thehomeengineer]

You make me laugh. I have been an engineer for 37 years and have never seen anyone with any common sense (or with no sense at all and there are a few) walk that close to a piece of machinery and trip up. However moving heavy pieces of kit can be very dangerous if the correct lifting or moving equipment is not installed or used. Thank goodness I don’t have really stupid people visit my workshop, if they did I guess this could be a real issue My safety footwear protect my feet (and ankles) safety glasses protect my eyes, overalls my clothes and the castors save my back. Also on a daily basis common sense in the workshop saves my life. For my thin skin there is always the first aid kit for a plaster.

[thehomeengineer]

The future for up and coming young engineers. This could be his first day in a modern apprenticeship

[rayh__]

I'll leave value of the safety issue up to subsequent readers.

As for the thehomeengineer's PPE, I recommend the addition of an American type football helmet.

[reynas1]

thehomeengineer, that's a really simple and sturdy design. As far as Rayh__, he must be one of those beach bums wearing Flip Flops or he'd appreciate your casters more.

Keep up your projects and don't pay attention to all the negative/pessimistic others.

[reynas1]

Actually after looking at it and to appease Rayh__, I would place them on the opposite side of the legs (Inboard) so they'd be flush with the sides.

Just a thought...