If your desk chair has left marks on the floor, it may be time for new casters. Are caster wheel sets universal?
Long answer short, after thorough research, we found that most wheelchairs are universal, but there always remains a small percentage of them which has different stem sizes.
Most of you might wonder why most chairs have five casters. Physics says that a chair with four casters will be less likely to fall over than one with five, and five casters make it stronger. In addition, five casters reduce the chance of breaking, so they’re safer.
Since the wheels provide support for your desk, they’re also damaging your carpet, hardwoods, or any other floorings at the same time. If you see minor scratches and black scuffs on your floors, it may be because of your rolling office chair.
Fortunately, you can simply remove and replace the office chair wheels at your own house. With the right measurements and wheel sizes, you can modify them at your residence. As we know, office chairs are nearly universal. Now, let’s go into the details and learn about it through this post.
Also Read: Top 5 best chair caster for carpet
Table of Contents
Office chair wheels: Explained
Let’s start by looking at office chairs’ wheels, styles, sizes, and shapes before moving on to their functions.
Castor wheels are wheeled devices that connect to the legs of chairs to allow them to move and roll easily on the ground. They’re used because they increase the ease at which chairs can be moved by their owners.
Did you know?
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Parts of the wheels
There are three main components of an office desk wheel:1) The hub – which connects the wheel to the base
The mount
The mounting point for a chair casters’ wheels is called its stem or plate. Depending on your chair’s design, the stem or plate may be either round or square.
The Stem-Mount Casters
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Stems-mounted casters are designed for light duty applications, like mounting chairs or tables to walls.
They can be mounted in various ways.
- Hair casters have threaded rods that screw into the cart and hold them in place.
- Hollow kingpins fit into the holes in the stem and then slide over a plastic insert which holds them in place.
- You can get stemless wheels, which don’t require any glue to secure them together.
The plate-mount casters
Stem mounts offer a more stable solution for attaching casters to carts. They come in various shapes and sizes and are used for both light and heavy loads. These are designed to fit into the hole found on carts and fixtures. To secure them, they require a screwdriver to tighten the nuts that hold them in place. Once secured, these casters can be easily removed and replaced if needed.
The wheel
Some materials used to manufacture the casings of rolling equipment are rubber, metal, wood, glass, and plastic. Rubber is the most commonly used material because it is inexpensive and easy to work with. Rubber casings can be made in various sizes and shapes depending upon how they will be used.
Metal casings are often used for heavy machineries such as tractors and bulldozers. Wood casings are also very popular due to their durability. Glass casings are used for fine products such as jewelry. Plastic casings are quite expensive and are only suitable for small items.
The wheels work such that despite having been loaded, they continue to rotate. It enables the user to move the seat around small amounts of distance without getting out of bed. Wheels may also sometimes be shaped like balls that can spin in any direction.
Most office seats are made of plastic, however, heavy-use casters are often metal. As we understand, the seat back comes with a five-starred footrest to enhance mobility and stability.
Also Read: How long does a lounge chair caster typically last?
The stem
Castor sizes typically range from 2 to 2.25 inches. However, the type of castor stems determine whether the wheel pops into the leg holes or not. Most castor stems have a “grip” design.
There exist three main types of castor stems for rolling office chairs. They include swivel, tilt, and recline.
- Gripper stem – This stem has a broad base with a thin neck.
- It’s a standard design for an ergonomic chair. This type of chair has a groove at the front covered by a metal split ring.
- Threaded stems appear and function like screws. They twist into the sockets and are strengthened by nuts and washers.
There may be additional components based on the specific application, design, and type.
Are office chairs universal?
Casters on office chairs are universally designed because most modern chairs have the same seat diameter (22 cm) and backrest height (40cm). However, some older chairs have different sizes, but they’re rare.
For example, if you’re designing an office chair, then your office chair casters should be designed to fit into a universal standard size. Your office chair casters should have either one or two casters. Double-wheeled casters can be difficult to find and they may not offer the same range of design choices as single-wheeled casters.
A single-wheel roller skate has less friction when rolling than a double-wheel roller skate. However, because a single-wheel roller skate doesn’t distribute body weights well, it’s harder to use than a double-wheel one.
Interesting Fact:
Moving around large and/or heavy items using carts or vehicles (such as cars) is an old concept. In 1876, David A Fisher invented the first caster for moving things such as chairs, desks, tables, and cabinets. He applied for a patent for his new device. Today, casters are used in almost every household.
Besides, office chair tires are available in various sizes, and every tire comes with an identical set of features. For example, the diameter of a tire doesn’t affect how much weight a chair can carry. But if you want to know what kind of tires work best for your office chairs, you should consult our guide about choosing office chair tires.
Even if you somehow manage to buy the wrong wheels for your chair, there’s no need to panic. You can always replace them with new ones.
Also Read: Stealtho Magic Office Chair Caster Wheels REVIEW – Honest review
Can you replace the chairs’ wheels?
You can change out your office chairs’ wheels yourself using a flat-head screwdriver, an old blanket, some duct tape, and the chairs themselves.
To remove,
- Place an old blanket or towel on the floor or your bench.
- If you want to keep your desk stable, put your office chairs upside down or sideways at an angle against the wall.
- Start pulling the wheel out now. It should come out easily.
- If the wheel won’t come off, use a flat-head screwdriver to pry them loose. Then, remove the wheel. It may take some effort and strength.
To replace,
- After pulling off the old tires, put the new ones onto the wheel hubs.
- If necessary, use some kind of tool to hold them in place until they click into place.
Before purchasing new replacement parts, take into consideration these factors.
- The correct measurement for the diameter of the wheel of your office chair.
- What kind of floor material does your office or house possess?
- Using your office chair properly.
- The material of the caster wheels.
What are Office Chair Casters?
Office chair casters are wheels attached to the bottom of an office chair. They allow you to move the chair from one place to another without having to lift it up and down. This is very useful when you’re moving heavy objects like desks or filing cabinets.
You can use these wheels on any type of office furniture, including:
- Desks
- Chairs
- Tables
- Filing Cabinets
- Bookcases
- Stands for monitors
- Storage units
Types of Office Casters/Wheels
The most common types of office caster wheels are:
Rollers – These have a smooth surface that rolls easily over surfaces such as carpeting.
Rimless – These don’t have a rim, so they won’t roll off the floor.
Rubberized – Rubberized wheels are great for indoor use because they grip well against hard floors.
Metal – Metal wheels are durable and long-lasting.
Wood – Wood wheels are often used in outdoor settings.
Also Read: How to clean caster wheels on office chair?
Bottomline
It’s safe to say that most wheelchairs are universal; however, there are some minor variations between them. Before buying new wheels for your wheelchair, you should check out the different types of wheels available.
There aren’t any major concerns regarding the colors and sizes, but there are some things to consider including the stem types, floor-types, and weight capacities.
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