Adding Casters to a Flat File

[egrimens]

Does anyone have any experience adding casters to the bottom of a flat file?

I recently purchased a 5 drawer Safco and before loading it up I was thinking it might be nice to put it on wheels (with locks) so its a bit easier to move and there is less of a chance of it damaging my floor (as it might be on wood floors).

I'm not sure how hard it would be to drill through the bottom to attach casters. So I was hoping there might be someone that has done something like this that might have some tips or tricks, or even just things to flat out avoid. Like is it a bad idea to even try this?

thanks in advance!

[mcgraw23]

It's not any tougher than drilling into wood; you'll just need the right type of drill bit. High speed steel bits will work for most kinds of metal, as will carbon steel bits coated with titanium nitride (TiN for short). For very hard metals, use a cobalt steel bit. I've done it on some cabinets/old entertainment center frames and I'm about to add some casters onto a flat file I just found to refurb. That's what my dad taught me and he's done quite a bit of metal work over the years.

Hope that was somewhat helpful.

[SurfingJeff]

I think other people have mentioned building some sort of wood frame underneath the file to attach the wheels. Hopefully one of them will chime in with more detail.

[mycrospazm]

I am also hoping that someone that has added casters to a flat file will chime in. What is the best way to go about attaching a wooden base I order to properly affix the casters?

[egrimens]

I actually ended up just drilling right into the flat file. Wasn't too hard and there was enough space to secure the bolts without affecting the bottom drawer's movement. The only trick was finding wheels that the bracket fit on the metal frame of the flat file.

[mycrospazm]

Hmmm...do you happen to remember which casters you used? Not having to create a base would definitely be a plus.

[Poeschel55]

it all depends on if it is just the flat file or if you received a base with it.

given how big your base is, you could build a 2x6", 2x8", 2x10" (etc) frame into the interior of the base. Then, put 2, 2x4" across the frame and drill your holes into the 2x4s.

my flat file had a base that already had metal welded with holes drilled out.

[mycrospazm]

Does anyone have any pics of their flat file with added casters? I know there are pics in the various threads, but it would be nice to not have to search through all of them...

Thanks for the help!

[finneganm]

I just dump ballbearings on the floor and walk carefully.

[mcgraw23]

I just dump ballbearings on the floor and walk carefully.

That explains your helmet.. just in case you're not overly careful on any given day.

[shagdonk]

Does anyone have any pics of their flat file with added casters? I know there are pics in the various threads, but it would be nice to not have to search through all of them...

Thanks for the help!

I used a sheet of 3/4" plywood for the base and screwed the casters into 2x4's that I ran front/back for added support.

[mycrospazm]

Very nice, shag!

[DonPiano]

That looks great. So I take it that the flat file is just sitting on top of the plywood that's screwed into the casters? Or is it casters screwed into plywood screwed into flat file?

[tenaciousjack]

JB Weld does the trick nicely.

[summoner]

JB Weld does the trick nicely.

This