Why You Need to Be Careful When Choosing Replacement Castor Wheels
Castor wheels can be needed for furniture, toolboxes, carts of all sorts and a variety of other uses around the home. You can even add castor wheels to pieces that didn't have them previously so you can easily move around a heavy bookcase, sofa and other such pieces. When you're ready to shop for castor wheels, you need to exercise some caution with your purchase, as they're not all alike; buying the wrong model can actually be a mistake. Note what is meant by that and also a few tips for ensuring you make the right choice for your castor wheels.
Electrical shock
Rubber castor wheels are better than hard plastic if there is any risk of an electrical shock when moving an item. For example, in the garage, running your toolbox over an exposed electrical cord can cause shock. In the home, running any item over carpeting can cause the build-up of static electricity and a resultant shock. In these cases, always opt for rubber wheels rather than plastic. If there is a big risk of shock, such as in a workspace, you may also want to shop for castor wheels that have an added rubber strip around the neck, as this will help to ground any electricity you come into contact with, for added safety.
Uneven loads
If you're adding castor wheels to an item that may often have uneven loads, consider dual wheels in all four corners or the two that may be most affected by that uneven weight. For example, if you have a tool box that holds heavy wrenches and other pieces in the front, you may want dual wheels in the front of the box as these will better support that weight. Dual wheels are also good in the back of an item that you may often tip onto those two wheels, such as a cart that you take up a ramp or up a step. Those added back wheels better support an item's weight and are less likely to slide out of place and cause the item to topple.
Plate
Castors either screw into the leg of a piece or they attach with a plate. The plate helps to disperse the weight of the item while it's being moved, but an overly thick plate with deep and wide screws may actually splinter thin wood. It can be better to add more castor wheels on an item made of thin wood if you need more support, versus having a thick plate that could actually do damage.
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