Simple Retractable Casters for Workbench

Watch as I turn a heavy workbench into something I can move around easily whenever I want using the simplest of mechanisms.
Workbench build video: • How to Build an Easy, ...
Proper DIY Patreon Page: / properdiy
🧰 The tools and equipment I use: www.amazon.co....
Amazon links to the equipment used in this video...
► Heavy Duty Casters: amzn.to/3hn7ufJ
► Seft Centre Drill Bit : amzn.to/3tMoPkK
► Quick Clamps: amzn.to/33qSuW3
► Dewalt Impact Driver: amzn.to/3tvYFmq
► Dewalt 18v Combi Drill: amzn.to/2MiM71A
The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@nomuu6770]

Gahh my comment keeps on getting deleted (maybe because I added links where I wanted to show you the photos of the build). I actually implemented this (female here) and it worked out terrific. Thank you so much! I was sure it was not going to work for me, but it did and I was so proud I got it to work. I'm in Australia and couldn't find those hinges but I found the butt hinges in the hardware store were fine without needing to take out pins. I looked at numerous videos with similar concepts but yours was by far the clearest, affordable and cleverest in my opinion because it was so simple! I really love your channel and your presenting style. You have helped me learn how you need to install wood to concrete/bricks. I really hope your channel takes off because you deserve it to. Thanks again! I've actually got a chronic illness so anything that helps reduce moving tables/lifting manually really helps me.

[@ProperDIY]

Well thank you so much for your comments and I'm glad the project work out well for you - it's very nice to here others doing the same. Welcome aboard - nice to have viewers from the other side of the world!

[@nomuu6770]

@@ProperDIY 🙂😊👌

[@John-gm8ty]

@@nomuu6770 Austyle 85 x 60 x 2mm Black Stainless Steel Removable Pin Hinge bunnings $3 just gotta add "+removable" to your browser search. aussies represent.

[@nomuu6770]

@@John-gm8ty thanks at the time I just went into bunnings and searched high and low, also due to corona lots of stock isn’t on the shop floor due to shipment issues. I will definitely go online for hinges next time 👍🏼

[@tedmaulassociate4063]

@@John-gm8ty Thank you so much for this - I was wondering the same! Off to bunnings I go..

[@paradoxworkshop4659]

A well explained idea by a level headed and soft-spoken wood worker with a penchant for loud inappropriate music queues...

[@pjeball]

That’s not Proper DIY... it’s Proper bloody genius! You’ve channelled the expertise of the craftsman of yesteryear with this one.

[@ProperDIY]

Well thank you very much!

[@benpearce3817]

This problem has been bothering me for months, and I hadn't thought of a solution that works well enough. I have also seen LOADS of videos trying to tackle the same problem, and this is by far the simplest and best option. Thanks for sharing.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad it helped

[@lelandwight8362]

Agree, excellent solution!

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

The way it latches and unlatches is so simple its brilliant.

[@FontesRider]

Hello, I'm from Brazil, and I was looking for a solution like this! Congratulations on the video, another subscriber! And I'm sure I'll learn more from your channel!

[@amaresch66]

Surprisingly simple and easy. I'm glad I found this because I was overthinking a solution for the same problem.

[@lizargh]

I had no woodwork at school or anywhere else. But im slowly resurrecting my dads workshop and learning everything I can from KZbin. yours is my favourite channel by far. I love how clear, concise and to the point you are and with your engineers background your precision and explanations are inspiring. thanks so much. I cant wait to do this to my dear dads bench that he built so many years ago. I feel sure he would approve. x

[@TheSaint196545]

¡Un aplauso! 👏 Llevo un par de meses buscando una solución como esta y la encontré. Saludos desde Santiago de Chile. Usted es un Maestro de Maestros.

[@alistairecook4606]

I can see why your channel has grown at an exponential rate! Keep up the good work 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks, will do!

[@gaelicwinter]

You just seem like the friendliest man ever.

[@njuham]

I like these videos, they compliment Pouse, ultimate handyman, restoration couple, charlie DIYte, Chris Longhurst, that Geordie from Gosforth what's his face?, plumberparts and Peter Millard.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. It is very strange to be included in a list of the people I've been watching for a number of years!

[@glennirwin4710]

Well thought out.

[@alistairfrith7772]

This is so good, I'm going to use something virtually identical for my chunky workbench I'm building. Main difference is that the system will have to be inside of the legs, using up valuable shelf-space.

[@johnparken2607]

What makes this such a valuable piece of information (e.g., tool in my pocket!) is how simple it is once implemented. I am sure it was by no means "obvious" initially. Kudos to Proper DIY for thinking up the concept and explaining it in very easy-to-follow explanation. (That too sounds easy but is much harder than you would think to learn.) Thanks for sharing.

[@TheTomdell]

Make sure you purchase the “Blickle” version of this recommended caster type. Key is “rolling resistance and compression set” both attributes you depend on with this application. Blickle is far superior than the “Chinese” version.

[@verrezen]

There are ready to use casters that lift but they are hideously expensive. Great idea you have here. Great vid.

[@testingtimes7924]

What a clever and simple design. I only found your channel a few days ago but it is already one of my favourites. You explain what you are doing and the thinking behind it so well.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much for your comment - much appreciated

[@ballisticbuggy]

Made this today! Fun doing it...used a load of old pallet parts and has been a fab addition to my recycled wood bench

[@somewhereelse3813]

Great idea and seems easy to do. My dad when he was with us used to say to me..... "Don't chuck it out son, it'll come in handy even if you never use it"!! 😁 Your metal catch from mfi reminded me of that

[@ProperDIY]

Exactly right - only problem is finding the stuff when you need it!

[@somewhereelse3813]

@@ProperDIY can relate to that 😂 keep doin this. I look forwards to it weekly. Thankyou

[@c3ramics]

Amazing tutorial! Planning to make a rolling outdoor storage for olympic bumper plates.

[@jasoncary6287]

This is the type of stuff I l like to see! Simple, smart and effective. No need to overcomplicate a functional build. Well done.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much. That's the aim

[@pKova55]

What can say but: PLAUSIBLE, FANTASTIC, GREAT ect.!

[@MrGelowe]

I did not think it was going to come out that good. Well done.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@darranedmundson1505]

I built mine today ... and promptly took the workbench on a rolling tour through out of my studio space and around the communal woodshop.

[@bartoncessna1]

Another great vid. Seriously mate - this channel is WAY better than the DIY cr@p on the telly!!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you think so!

[@TheThoughtfulMinority2067]

Well done! Your approach is so much better than what's being sold today!

[@seanwalsh8725]

You are very fast becoming one of my favourite channels, keep it up 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks, will do!

[@adamlawonphotography5219]

Me too

[@sanki1404]

This is so clever & efficient yet simple that it surpassed 'smart' level and directly landed on 'genius' level.

[@paulhad69]

"MFI" blast from the past had our bathroom from there, makes me think it's time for a new one looking a bit tired now😆

[@ProperDIY]

Sorry to have potentially cost you a bathroom!

[@patrickkelly7085]

Remember Texas the DIY store well i bought my ceiling rose from there many years ago pastel colours were not popular in the sixties so the one i bought was bright yellow, yes you have guessed it I got my Yellow Rose from Texas.

[@stephenkennedy212]

now that's what i call using your brain to work things out, there is no better Computer on Earth, 10/10 Mate

[@kevinlove2433]

This has quickly become my fave KZbin channel. Love it. Love the vids! A proper inspiration!

[@ProperDIY]

Well thank you very much.

[@alanl3437]

I admire your imagination. Retractable castor is a really good idea.

[@lourias]

This caster installation video came up at the perfect time! I just finished my workbench a couple days ago.

[@ProperDIY]

I'm glad it helped

[@ChinqMiau1]

Love your prototyping approach and as-you-go problem solving. True skill. Thanks for sharing.

[@Marsmate88]

This is absolutely brilliant, and perfect timing for me. I'm currently in the process of re-building my 20 year old solid hardwood work bench and this is a feature that I've always wanted to add. Such a perfectly simple solution. I'll definitely be adding it to my new bench.

[@ProperDIY]

Good stuff!

[@willtube61]

Genius in its simplicity. Using this design on my benches.

[@chuckfaber7521]

This is genius. And far more entertaining than a video of an older British gentleman doing woodworking has any right to be.

[@creaturemythos]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Its nice to learn little tips and tricks that would otherwise take years to figure out.

[@ProperDIY]

No problem

[@r.d.1991]

That's pretty ingenious. Nice one. 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@David-co5sf]

Simple ideas are usually the best. Thanks for sharing it. Very grateful.

[@oldandbroken]

Bloody brilliant idea, well explained and demonstrated. I have been looking at doing this to an older type bench for years but never getting around to trying anything. Thanks for posting and as they say, “ Using someone else’s idea is a form of flattery”. All the best.

[@ProperDIY]

Absolutely! Learn and get as many tips as poss then modify to suit your situation!

[@ahorton6786]

That's such a clever solution to a common problem, thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge.

[@DiHandley]

Very clever! I like your subject matter, presentation, videoing and editing. You have a really great channel. If only I could be that smart I wouldn’t be living in Australia! 🤣

[@ProperDIY]

Well thank you! Someone's got to live there!

[@DiHandley]

@@ProperDIY Yep...just us convicts!

[@alanesterline2310]

One of the reasons that I like your channel so much is that we seem to have the same thought of how work should be done. As I've tried to teach the people around me, "Work smarter not harder!"

[@QGG639]

For the locking mechanism, I was thinking a vertical board hinged to the "top" board that you press on. It can be flipped into place to wedge against the upper frame.

[@SouthMiamiMartialArt]

?? Sounds interesting but I'm not "seeing" it. Can you link to a graphic or video?

[@mike8984ify]

Ok, I've watched well over a dozen videos on DIY retractable casters, this is by far the most simple and easy to make. No need for complicated locking mechanisms, large dowels, curved cuts, or attaching larger levers on the outside. Just some 2x4, hinges and a simple L bracket. Wow

[@ProperDIY]

As an engineer it's my job to make things as simple as poss - less to go wrong!

[@peterevans9153]

Hi Stuart .... just found you and really excited about your mobile workbench. Now I can’t wait to get my hooligan workbench off the ground so to speak. Such a brilliant idea and so much easier than many others that I have looked at on you tube ... Your straightforward calm and detailed approach is a joy to behold, so many thanks for your time in making and sharing these tutorials, you’re an inspiration

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you for your comments and welcome

[@prado.offroad]

I worked in the wheel and caster industry for a number of years and this is brilliant, thank you for sharing

[@DALILOMODIY]

perfect for my workshop! thanks!

[@ProperDIY]

Great to hear!

[@SW-jo7vy]

Great vid. Hated my store bought casters. Replaced with this design. Love the simple functionality. Love yer intros too!

[@vespamorelli7090]

Genius idea ! You can take the man out of engineering but you can’t take engineering out of the man 😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you! 100% correct!

[@RayMondElec]

If only we had teachers like you in school these days. !!. Or for that matter when I was at school .

[@copperhead228]

Wow, that is a very simple and impressive way of making lifting castors. Nice job!

[@mandyleeson1]

Great video and really useful idea. I reckon you could dispense with the music though. 🙏🏻

[@harryinhuahin1272]

Really excellent quality vlog... It always seems to me that if one feels a to add music then there might be something wrong with the video. My own (very old) vlogs are mostly still-montage, with no sound effects... but I tried to get the music to add to the pictures, not just to fill an audio gap. My favourite vlogs allow us to listen to the work being done - planing sounds can be very relaxing. I'll be checking your channel - for more good ideas.

[@jeffersonallen7718]

Hey thanks for the great idea- it's a solid and economical solution that now has my bandsaw gliding around the shop.

[@ColinRichardson]

MFI !!! Oh god.. I remember that shop. I remember one of the employees telling me it stood for Made For Idiots as a joke.. But I was too young to even comprehend his answer at the time.

[@ProperDIY]

Yes, a long time ago!

[@retiree1033]

Finally got rid of a piece from MFI that we used as office storage and stationary that we took delivery of a week before they folded. Just replaced it with with a pair of "Billy" bookcases from IKEA. :D

[@ProperDIY]

@@retiree1033 There's nothing like a Billy bookcase! They must have sold millions of them

[@davedunn4285]

I am making one now mate and I am using really heavy duty hinges because my bench is one heavy sucker

[@MS-bh7ok]

Loved it....but you could do without the music. Tool sounds are better.

[@ericl6460]

How dare you question my boy Stuart and his music

[@patrickshannon8125]

Love this. I don't have any Ikea so I put a board on a hinge and just push it over the top board to keep it in place.

[@juancortez4726]

awesome solution! now I have to go out and get a heavy workbench so I can do this to it!! I love it!!

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. How about making one?

[@miketucker7466]

Man after my own heart, making life easy for yourself - making the little blocks for fitting etc👍

[@wootenbasset8631]

I surprised myself with an audible cheer when the lever worked the first time. Not sure why it was so satisfying to see it work. Of course I knew it would. But the locking mech at the end is just as amazing in it’s simplicity. Thanks.

[@ProperDIY]

Don't worry, I did the same!

[@southernblueblood5402]

I have a workshop that I have to share the space, so my tool's and workbench need to be mobile. I didn't want them to permanently rest on castor's for safety reasons, this is the perfect solution for me and so easy and inexpensive to do. Thank you for the video, so impressed I've subscribed and rung the bell.

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one - thanks

[@AzaB2C]

Elegant cheap solution. Brilliant! Rummaging thru my Ikea entrails for parts and get this done... Cheers!

[@vocalese]

I am pretty much a novice woodworker. I mean, I dabbled in the past, but have set out to be much more serious. After nearly a year of watching KZbin videos on workbench construction, and disliking most for the overly quick, not-built-to-last approach to framing the bench out, I finally took the plunge. I used mostly your workbench design, but with my 2x4 rails supporting the worktop vertically rather than laterally, and made these part of the frame. I fixed the top to the supports rails and extra supports with pocket holes.. something else I had been longing to try. Thrilled with that result - a very solid, heavy and going-absolutely-blinkin'-nowhere bench - I moved on, buoyed up with enthusiasm and inspiration drawn from your excellent videos. I incorporated your retractable castors design. The first end went fantastically well, so I used those measurements as a template and put it all together on the other end. AGH! The two cross pieces caught when in the wheels up position, meaning one of the wheels wasn't up. So, just like you said in your video, I pulled the pin (almost didn't use loose pin hinges), took off 3 mil and Bob is my uncle!!! I splurged and bought a cabin hook to hold the mechanism in the wheels-down position, just because the brilliance of the design I felt needed a little more effort and investment on my part to make it look as good as the design is. Fantastically elegant and uncomplicated design - bordering on genius! Your approach in your videos is a bit like Jamie Oliver is to cooking - you really make it feel like anyone can do it whilst doing everything properly, accurately and with good engineering. Thank you for being the final inspiration to starting my journey as a woodworker! My wife already hates you... she sees precious little enough of me as it is, or was... she'll stop recognising me soon!!!

[@audigex]

What a great mechanism - simple and effective, and less "heavy duty" than I was expecting would be needed!

[@schuck9326]

Great idea. I was skeptical it will work but you proved me wrong great job.

[@AlanMcFall-q2f]

I came across your KZbin posting after I had built a saw table. My table wasn’t as heavy as your bench so I modified it made it out of narrower timber having found a superb source for 50mm hinges. Brilliant idea, clearly explained and works well. Thank you.

[@ianstroup9507]

Sad I only just found this, super impressed with the ingenuity.

[@YoAug62]

I recently built a storage shelf in my basement (8' wide x 6' high x 2' deep). I want to install retractable casters and your video is by far the best system I've found on KZbin. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@martinholt2844]

What a simple solution, bravo! 👏

[@GeekRedux]

Brilliant! Just the solution I've been looking for for my benches.

[@PieOrCake1974]

To think that I bought a commercial solution for my workbench, when I could have just as easily made one like this! I will definitely do this for my next bench (or perhaps a dolly for my table saw)!

[@ProperDIY]

Go for it!

[@stevenwilliams6741]

Yippee, Hooray, Bravo, Stupendous, OMG! Let me be the first to say that you are a genius. I'm 1000% positive that no one will ever produce a video better than this one ever, ever….ever again. I cried with joy throughout most of it, except for a brief moment when my therapist came into the room and starting weeping with me. I know this might sound over the top, but I predict that you Sir will win the Nobel Peace Prize for this incredible feat of unprecedented ingenuity, wisdom and compassion. My life is now complete. I love you.

[@coolhandxxx]

Top banana the simplest of ideas can be pure genius. I have some 3 meter fire doors with 4 x 4 frames that I will now be able to move!! Thank you very much.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@zxborg9681]

That's really ingenious. I love that little holding latch at the end, great idea.

[@johnve8327]

Love it!

[@bretdavisdmd]

Thanks Stewart. I'm impressed. I think I'll move to England and hang out for a few weeks.

[@ProperDIY]

Oh course no problem

[@Projekt5.3]

EXCEPTIONAL solution! This is the definition of an elegant design. Simple, few parts, few failure points, intuitive, and does exactly what it was designed for. Bravo!

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@michaellacaria910]

What an elegant solution, I’m definitely implementing it on my table.

[@chrismills3435]

Love the simplicity of this solution and the IKEA bracket, I have a box of those too!

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one!

[@craigchristensen6082]

Looked at dozens of these retractable caster options and this is the best by far.

[@ProperDIY]

Well thank you

[@davidjames2145]

Excellent solution; I've been looking at jack-up castors but maybe I don't need to now. 🇬🇧

[@timloer5419]

Like your attention to detail and craftsmanship! Nice video brother

[@praful6890]

Liked it. Liked it very much. It's all in my head as you made it so simple. I know I will make mistakes but learn as I go. Good short summer project. Keep up the good work.

[@stevenlane729]

Love everything about this project, well done.

[@wafflebeaver]

I love the simplicity of this mechanism. Proper and affordable!

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@juanrosales3040]

No hablo tu idioma pero me quedo clarita tu explicación, lo haré con mi banco carpintero, te felicito amigo muy didáctico. Desde chile saludos

[@ifbridges]

LOL - "All I need now is a nice smooth floor." LOVE this idea. I've been wanting to build a work bench that I can use as a bar when we have folks over, but it was figuring out how to make it easy to move around the garage that's held things up. Your fix is perfect!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@steviec1871]

Very clever use of wheels and level function..brilliant.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@CAHelmer]

Simple and elegant. Cant ask for more.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@wookiewoo1]

I enjoyed watching your ingenious method for a simple way to move your work bench.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@saltysebi]

Built this for my bench, works a treat. Such elegance in its simplicity

[@SilentKnightProductions]

Not sure why this video showed up, but the algorithm has just created one more project for my list. This is a perfect solution for a stable portable video platform (50cm high) which will double as a trolley for loading in my cameras, stands, lights, etc. to the shows I'm recording. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@ProperDIY]

I do apologise for adding project to your list. I used to be in a band and my equipment that I took everywhere grew and grew so I know how you feel.

[@arthurrowland9626]

One of those designs so elegant we wonder why we haven't seen it before. Thanks for sharing!

[@ProperDIY]

You are so welcome!

[@momentsPY]

Simply brilliant. Very clever solution. I like it and will add it to my workbench. I would add some kind of rubber path where the foot presses the lever to avoid any slippery move. Well done. Greetings from Paraguay.

[@ricardolacza]

Love the simplicity os the lock "mechanism", I wil gonna build one tomorrow. Thanks a lot. Congrats from Brasil

[@LA6NPA]

Serious tip from stage carpenter with 20+ years of experience: Get yourself a bit holder with a chuck. Like, really. There's no reason for getting annoyed with bits sticking in the screw and you having to pull the bit out and back in the holder again. These are the only bit holders we use at work, though we do keep a single magnetic only bit holder for when we have to put screws in deep holes. I promise your day will improve with a chuck!

[@MrHighflyingclive]

I love the simplicity of this solution! Well done!

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@germanpaz8184]

Thank you! Simple enough. I can relate to your comments on getting old and getting a practical solution that is not hard on the knees.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Invisiblehawk007]

Magnificent, I’ve been thinking of a solution for ages and I think you may have cracked it for me. Thank you for sharing