Casters are the wheeled mechanisms that you can find on chairs, trolleys, beds, and more. If you want answers to the question “what are casters on a chair,” then this article is for you!
What’s the difference between casters and wheels?
You might be wondering, are casters the same as wheels? Don’t worry; many people often mistake casters for wheels, too.
They’re different. A wheel is a round object with a hole in the middle. A wheel only spins in one direction at a time.
Casters, on the other hand, include wheels and casings. The casing, also known as the mounting system, lets the wheel roll in different directions simultaneously.
Do you notice how your office chair’s wheels can spin in different directions? That’s the swivel caster at work. The swivel caster lets the wheels turn in a complete circle.
Some casters don’t swivel. They’re also known as fixed casters. This type of caster can be seen on shopping carts and industrial carriers.
You can think of the caster as a wheel and its casing. There are fixed casings, but there are also swiveling casings.
What Are Casters On A Chair?
What about casters on a chair? If you’ve ever seen an office chair, you will notice that it has casters at its base.
What are a caster’s essential components?
A mount, stem, bushing, and wheel are a chair caster’s essential parts. While these may sound very technical, it’s easy to understand!
You can attach the casters to the chair’s legs with a metal mount or a stem. The mount looks like a flat metal plate with holes for nails. This type is more common with office cabinets, though.
Usually, a chair’s casters attach to the chair’s legs through stems. Like its name, the stems look like stubs. You can insert the stems into the special housing inside the chair’s legs.
A caster’s wheels let the chair glide across surfaces. Factories use rubber, steel, nylon, and other similar materials for the wheels. For office chairs, though, the popular choice is rubber or plastic.
There’s also a small metal rod in the middle of the wheel. The small metal rod is called a bushing. You can’t see it from the outside of a wheel, but it helps the caster roll more smoothly.
Sometimes, chair casters have hoods. These can help you avoid dirt buildup. It can also reduce the risk of those annoying hair strands getting in the caster!
How does a caster work?
Casters work through their mount or stem, wheel, and bushing. When these parts work together, you can easily glide your chair across floors.
You can attach the caster wheels with bushings to your chair with a metal mount or a stem. Once they’re on the chair, you can now roll around the office.
Having casters on your chair lets you move freely across the workspace. Adjusting your position is a breeze with chair casters.
How do you maintain chair casters?
To keep the chair casters functioning, you should clean them regularly. Casters are prone to dirt buildup, especially if they don’t have a hood. If you let them become dirty, they might not roll smoothly anymore.
You can clean them by picking out the dirt and debris with your hands, tweezers, and other tools. You can also disassemble the caster to clean it, then reattach it once you’re done cleaning.
Can I add casters to any chair?
Yes, casters on chairs sound delightful. They’re helpful, especially if you’re constantly shifting positions and moving across the work area.
You might be wondering, though. Can you put casters on any type of chair? The short answer is no.
Casters only work for chairs that have a sturdy and balanced base, like an office chair. If you’d like to add casters to other types of chairs, the chairs should meet specific criteria.
You’ll need a sturdy chair with legs preferably made out of wood. The legs need to be at least a quarter-inch thick in all directions.
Since you’ll be drilling a hole for the casters’ stems or mounting plates, the material of the legs needs to be durable. If drilling a cavity can cause cracks in the chair’s legs, then casters might not be for you.
Adding casters will put pressure on the chair’s legs. You should make sure that the chair has horizontal supports. They should be at least eight inches away from the ground.
Now that you know the basics, you can decide whether or not the chair can handle casters. They’re easy to install, but you can still ask a professional for help.
Conclusion
Chair casters are beneficial devices. They let you roll across surfaces in the comfort of your seat.
These chair casters are also simply designed, so it’s easy to understand how they work. With the mount or stem, wheels, and bushing, the caster does its magic. The question “what are casters on a chair” is no longer a mystery!