Mobility in the Workshop: The Ultimate Guide to Workbench Wheels

Having an organised workplace or garage, with a rounded suite of storage solutions, means more safety, improved mobility, faster workflow, and tools and equipment free from damage. Basic items in this context are a variety of toolboxes, wall shelving and workbenches. Different configurations will suit different needs, but all need to be made tough, be dependable, have enough space for all tools and related gear, and be optioned with the features you need.

With that said, mobility is a key issue, both in bigger workshops and smaller garages. Here sturdy workbenches with high loading capacities and the ability to carry your most used tools make a huge difference. This is true of auto garages, wood shops, smash repairers, metal fabricators…the list goes on. Fitting older storage solutions with sturdy workbench wheels turns a forgotten workshop accessory into a tool that changes how you run your business.

Let it Roll – Workbench Wheel Basics

Putting wheels and castors on fixed benches, tables or workstations opens many possibilities. There’ll come a time when these need to be moved – either when cleaning your garage, workshop or garden shed, resurfacing the floor or doing major upgrades and renovations. Heavy benches are difficult to move without risking your safety or damaging anything you haven’t cleared out of the way. 

A bigger benefit is that workbench wheels transform bigger storage solutions into mobile powerhouses. Slapping on a sturdy set of wheels lets you move all gear and tools where needed, cutting down fatigue and improving workflow. Of course, tied to this is the increased worksite safety so heavier items are close by. You’ll also rule out the chance of unforeseen accidents and injury, or cause damage to inventory, client or personal assets. 

Also consider the benefits a workbench on wheels provides in everyday activities, from creating more storage space in tighter spaces to speeding up work with fewer steps to complete designated tasks. 

Wheel Kits 

To get any fixed bench or table moving, consider kits consisting of 4 supplied wheels, mounting plates, fasteners, installation plates and the necessary tools to get them on. The wheel assemblies are additionally fitted with handy foot pedals doing double duty, letting operators lift benches when they need to be moved, or pressed down when they need to stay in place. Each wheel can comfortably manage up to 100 kilos, meaning a whole set is good for benches and storage options weighing 400 kilos. Most are also made with non-marking polyurethane wheels for smooth and quiet rolling. 

There are two basic designs to choose from – wheels with fixed mounting, and those with a quick release. Kits with fixed mounting plates are a permanent solution that let you lift benches 25mm or 1″ off the ground. This allows easy movement and repositioning. To operate the wheel, press down on each castor pedal, and move the bench to the desired location. The wheels are 3″ affairs and of the swivelling type so can be handled in tighter spaces. 

Quick-release types offer more versatility in that they can be removed when not needed. They work by attaching quick-release plates to the workbench legs or base, and a spring-loaded latch that easily slides in or out of the plate. They’re similar to operate, by pressing down the provided foot pedal to lift the bench, and lift the pedal and disabling the latch to remove the castor assembly. 

Installation Tips 

The two types of workbench wheels are installed somewhat differently. For wheels with fixed mounting, drill holes in the table or workbench legs. 4 corner screws should provide enough stability in wider legs, but for thinner variants (less than 75mm), most plates also have two centre holes. Insert the screws, attach the bolt-type castor through the plate, secure the assembly with a nut and apply adequate torque with a wrench. 

Quick-release wheel assemblies first require attaching the base plate, using the supplied mounting hardware consisting of countersunk bolts, nuts and washers. Once this is done, follow up by bolting the castor through the plate hole, threading the matching nut at the other end, and then tightening with a wrench. Lastly, slide the castor assembly into the plate. The spring lock does the rest and secures the entire wheel to the workbench. 

Reliability, Safety and Other Considerations

Kits are especially useful in levelling out benches, tables, cabinets and heavy machinery. The mounting hardware consists of durable, treated steel, and is tested for quoted loading capacity. Foot pedals are easy to operate, and secure the equipment once lifted or lowered. And the poly wheels have high load ratings, (higher in bigger and wider variants), generate little to no noise, and won’t damage softer floor surfaces. What’s more, they offer good grip and traction over different floor types (from wood to concrete) and won’t rust or jam. They’ll safely transport workbenches and all tools within the workplace, and with the quality build, outlast the bench itself. If you decide that you’ll be moving to more heavy-duty options, or miss your fixed bench, the mounting hardware and castor assemblies are just as easy to remove as they are to install.