Everything is better on wheels. If you aren’t careful, however, your visions of mobility might come crashing down around you with ill-fitting or badly-chosen casters. If you’re in the market for maneuverability, here are just a few things to consider as you shop for casters.
1. Purpose
While some casters advertise themselves as “multipurpose” or “all-in-one” products, the best fits usually come from specialized casters. For example, if you want to add wheels to your desk or office chair, look for furniture casters that are designed specifically for that purpose. If you’re in the medical industry, look for medical casters; if you run a bistro, look for restaurant casters. Specialized casters can come with sizes and features not available in multipurpose models.
2. Quantity
Some casters are sold individually. Others are offered in pairs or packages. Others still are available wholesale or in massive bulk quantities for commercial use. There’s no right or wrong way to buy casters since it all depends on your individual needs, but make sure that you’re looking at the right features and prices when you browse. Some offers might only apply to large or special orders.
3. Price
Speaking of price, the cost of your casters should be an important factor in your final decision. How much can you afford to spend in total? This number should include things like shipping charges, warranty coverage, assembly fees and any potential maintenance costs that you anticipate in the future. The listed price of the caster is rarely the final price that you’ll pay overall, so consider all prospective expenses when you create your budget.
4. Size
Casters come in a wide variety of dimensions, so it’s important to choose the heights, lengths and widths that are conductive to a good fit. You might also want to consider how high the casters will lift the object off the ground once they’re applied. If you’re adding casters to an office chair, for example, you don’t want your knees to bang on the underside of your desk every time you sit down.
These are just a few things to consider when shopping for casters. As you can see, it isn’t a decision to be made lightly, so take your time and do it right. You don’t want those chairs to suddenly stop moving while you’re sitting in them and trying to get work done!