casters illustration; courtesy of accesscasters
If you’re in the market for caster wheels, the good news is that you’ll have plenty of options. The bad news is that you might have so many options that you aren’t sure where to start. If you’re dazed and confused by aisle after aisle of caster wheels, here are just a few tips for distinguishing the best from the rest.
1. Decide Where They’re Going
Why do you need casters in the first place? Where are they being attached? What’s becoming mobile? If you’re shopping for casters for an industrial factory, you might have specific workplace-related criteria that you need to fulfill, and that can impact your final purchase. On the other hand, if you’re just buying wheels for your kid’s dresser, you can afford to be a bit more flexible. Destination is key. So is purpose.
2. Determine Your Budget
Casters don’t generally break the bank, but you should be careful not to overspend anyway. If you don’t need those special interlocking brakes or that advanced no-squeak hinge, there’s no reason to pay for them. Treat your caster purchase the same way that you would any other purchase: How much can you afford to spend? Where can you cut costs? Is there a better deal somewhere?
3. Compare and Contrast Brands
Speaking of deals, once you’ve chosen casters from a specific brand, you should always hop over to their competitors and see if they’re offering a lower price. You never know when a holiday sale or free shipping event is going on, and that can make all of the difference in your bottom line. Never buy casters without going “comparison shopping” between other retailers.
4. Consider Product Specifications
Last but certainly not least, make sure that your casters are actually the right ones for the job. If you need heavy duty casters to handle large loads at your construction site, you don’t want to waste time with flimsy casters that are meant for chairs and lawn decorations. If you need swiveling casters for the library trolleys, there’s no use examining straight-moving casters. Use your time and resources wisely.
It isn’t always easy to buy caster wheels, but it doesn’t have to be fiendishly difficult, either. Use these tips to make the experience land somewhere in the middle. The right casters are out there; you just have to be willing to find them!