ᐅ Which types of rollers are best suited for retrofitting Ikea Besta units?
Created on: 15 Dec 2017 08:23
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birgittoHello everyone,
I would like to start a discussion on the topic: "Which types of casters are best suited for retrofitting Ikea Besta units?"
Specifically, I am interested in which casters can be easily and permanently added to the Besta cabinet frames to allow for easy movement or flexible rearrangement within a room. In particular, I am curious about the following points:
- Which types of casters offer the best stability and load capacity?
- Are there recommended models with locking brakes or other features that work well with Besta?
- What should be considered during installation, especially regarding material thickness and screw fastening on Ikea Besta?
- Is it better to use small casters with solid rubber wheels or somewhat larger ones with rolling wheels?
I look forward to your experiences and recommendations, preferably with technical details or tips on potential pitfalls when selecting and installing. Thank you in advance!
I would like to start a discussion on the topic: "Which types of casters are best suited for retrofitting Ikea Besta units?"
Specifically, I am interested in which casters can be easily and permanently added to the Besta cabinet frames to allow for easy movement or flexible rearrangement within a room. In particular, I am curious about the following points:
- Which types of casters offer the best stability and load capacity?
- Are there recommended models with locking brakes or other features that work well with Besta?
- What should be considered during installation, especially regarding material thickness and screw fastening on Ikea Besta?
- Is it better to use small casters with solid rubber wheels or somewhat larger ones with rolling wheels?
I look forward to your experiences and recommendations, preferably with technical details or tips on potential pitfalls when selecting and installing. Thank you in advance!
F
FABIAN_DEO15 Dec 2017 10:17Hello Birgitto,
Before I go into specific types of casters, it’s important to know what kind of use you are planning for your Besta units. For example:
- Will the cabinets mostly be light and just moved occasionally, or do they need to carry heavier loads?
- Is the floor delicate, like parquet, or more durable, like tile?
Generally, I recommend using a set of four swivel casters for Besta, with two of them having locking brakes. This improves both mobility and stability. Regarding the material:
- Casters with solid rubber wheels are ideal for parquet or laminate floors because they don’t scratch and roll more quietly.
- Hard plastic wheels are cheaper but may scratch floors, especially stone or wooden surfaces.
For installation: Ikea Besta has relatively thin side panels (about 1.2 mm (0.05 inches) particleboard). Therefore, the casters should be mounted on a mounting plate or a small angle bracket to secure the screws and distribute the load more evenly.
An example of suitable casters would be 50 mm (2 inches) swivel wheels with rubber tires, which can be fastened onto a 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 inches) thick steel plate. You need to pay attention to the height, as Ikea Besta units are not very tall, so the overall height of the casters plus the cabinet should not be too high.
One more tip: If you plan to store heavy items in the cabinets, it’s better to choose slightly larger wheels (60–75 mm / 2.4–3 inches), as they offer better durability and stability.
What kind of casters have you considered so far, and what exactly will you be moving?
Before I go into specific types of casters, it’s important to know what kind of use you are planning for your Besta units. For example:
- Will the cabinets mostly be light and just moved occasionally, or do they need to carry heavier loads?
- Is the floor delicate, like parquet, or more durable, like tile?
Generally, I recommend using a set of four swivel casters for Besta, with two of them having locking brakes. This improves both mobility and stability. Regarding the material:
- Casters with solid rubber wheels are ideal for parquet or laminate floors because they don’t scratch and roll more quietly.
- Hard plastic wheels are cheaper but may scratch floors, especially stone or wooden surfaces.
For installation: Ikea Besta has relatively thin side panels (about 1.2 mm (0.05 inches) particleboard). Therefore, the casters should be mounted on a mounting plate or a small angle bracket to secure the screws and distribute the load more evenly.
An example of suitable casters would be 50 mm (2 inches) swivel wheels with rubber tires, which can be fastened onto a 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 inches) thick steel plate. You need to pay attention to the height, as Ikea Besta units are not very tall, so the overall height of the casters plus the cabinet should not be too high.
One more tip: If you plan to store heavy items in the cabinets, it’s better to choose slightly larger wheels (60–75 mm / 2.4–3 inches), as they offer better durability and stability.
What kind of casters have you considered so far, and what exactly will you be moving?
Hey,
if you want to give the Besta a bit more mobility and style, you could consider casters with black rubber tires, which usually look more elegant. 😎 They can be installed quickly, and your cabinet will glide almost like on clouds over the floor.
But honestly, despite the appeal, you should also make sure the cabinet doesn’t become a nuisance in your home. That’s why brake casters are a must-have; otherwise, the cabinet might start sliding around on the hardwood floor when you’re mopping or during everyday use.
Just make sure the casters are not too small—50 mm (2 inches) is a good middle ground. Casters that are too small can get stuck on carpets, while larger ones might look a bit bulky.
Jokes aside: don’t forget that the installation needs to be secure; otherwise, your speedy ride might quickly turn into a wobbly block. Good luck!
if you want to give the Besta a bit more mobility and style, you could consider casters with black rubber tires, which usually look more elegant. 😎 They can be installed quickly, and your cabinet will glide almost like on clouds over the floor.
But honestly, despite the appeal, you should also make sure the cabinet doesn’t become a nuisance in your home. That’s why brake casters are a must-have; otherwise, the cabinet might start sliding around on the hardwood floor when you’re mopping or during everyday use.
Just make sure the casters are not too small—50 mm (2 inches) is a good middle ground. Casters that are too small can get stuck on carpets, while larger ones might look a bit bulky.
Jokes aside: don’t forget that the installation needs to be secure; otherwise, your speedy ride might quickly turn into a wobbly block. Good luck!
Hello Birgitto,
I can only emphasize what has already been said here and would like to add a few basic points about retrofitting casters to help you make a better choice:
- Ikea Besta uses rather thin panels, so attaching casters with screws directly into the side walls without reinforcement is very risky; there is a danger of the material tearing out or deforming.
- Often, a mounting plate made of plywood or MDF fixed to the back of the cabinet helps to distribute the load and securely mount the casters.
- Regarding types of casters: rubber-tired swivel casters are best if you have a hard floor. They reduce noise and protect against scratches. Especially if you plan to move the cabinet frequently, such casters are recommended.
- Locking brakes are, in my experience, very important for safe use as they prevent the cabinet from sliding when opening the doors.
If you want, I can also provide a brief guide on reinforcing the attachment.
If you have any further questions, just let me know!
I can only emphasize what has already been said here and would like to add a few basic points about retrofitting casters to help you make a better choice:
- Ikea Besta uses rather thin panels, so attaching casters with screws directly into the side walls without reinforcement is very risky; there is a danger of the material tearing out or deforming.
- Often, a mounting plate made of plywood or MDF fixed to the back of the cabinet helps to distribute the load and securely mount the casters.
- Regarding types of casters: rubber-tired swivel casters are best if you have a hard floor. They reduce noise and protect against scratches. Especially if you plan to move the cabinet frequently, such casters are recommended.
- Locking brakes are, in my experience, very important for safe use as they prevent the cabinet from sliding when opening the doors.
If you want, I can also provide a brief guide on reinforcing the attachment.
If you have any further questions, just let me know!
Hey Birgitto!
Some time ago, I converted my Besta units to casters, and I can only say: great idea! 🎉
I used 50 mm (2 inch) rubber wheels with locking brakes and am very happy with them. The rolling is smooth and quiet, the floor stays like new, and the cabinets are very flexible in the room.
A small tip: make a mounting plate from MDF, as it adds a lot of stability. Otherwise, the thin side panel of the Besta wouldn’t have held the screws properly for me.
I think this makes your Besta not only practical but also stylish and versatile. Give it a try—it’s really fun! 😊
Some time ago, I converted my Besta units to casters, and I can only say: great idea! 🎉
I used 50 mm (2 inch) rubber wheels with locking brakes and am very happy with them. The rolling is smooth and quiet, the floor stays like new, and the cabinets are very flexible in the room.
A small tip: make a mounting plate from MDF, as it adds a lot of stability. Otherwise, the thin side panel of the Besta wouldn’t have held the screws properly for me.
I think this makes your Besta not only practical but also stylish and versatile. Give it a try—it’s really fun! 😊
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