Castors and Plant Stands: Instillation Instructions for the Home Gardener

December 16, 2013

Ross Castors

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Being an avid home gardener means that plant stands are a given in your home. They are staple features in your living room, dining room, and kitchen, showcasing your prize collection of flowering plants, vegetables, and herbs. You roll them throughout your home during the day, brining the plants to the best natural light they can get inside. Or at least you would, if you knew how to instal casters to the stands.

Luckily, it isn’t that difficult to do, and can offer quite a few benefits, like versatility, mobility, and the ability to provide plants with the exact amount of sunlight they need. Not sure what to do? Let’s get started.

Castor Wheels and Plant Stands

Take the plants off the stand and place them in an area out of the way where they won’t be accidentally knocked over or exposed to too much sunlight. Then, turn the stand upside down.

Measure the dimensions of the base or legs of the stand. This will provide you with the information you need to purchase the correct castors. Remember, not all plant stands are alike, and some may require different casters than others.

Choose your castor wheels. Consider the base plate of the castor; it should be the same size or smaller than the base of the stand’s leg. Consider also the material the castor wheel is made from. Castors made from nylon, for instance, work well on carpets, while those made from polyurethane are safe to use on laminate, tile, and hardwood.

Once you have the caster in hand, place the base flush with the bottom of the leg or base of the stand. Mark the holes with a pencil, then pre-drill the holes so inserting the screws will be easier later.

While it may seem like you can simply screw the base plate down and be done, it’s important to instal the castors correctly. If you want them to hold- forever- apply a bit of super glue to the bottom of the castor base plate and hold it to the stand until it is completely dry. Important: Super glue can be used on the base plate, but should not be used anywhere else on the castor. If you need to replace the castor later, the base plate can remain the same while you put on a new caster.

After you’re done glueing the plate to the bottom of the plant stand, connect the castor wheel to the base plate and drill in the screws. Repeat this process for every castor you’re working with.

Doesn’t that seem just a little too easy? That’s because it is. You don’t have to have a background in working with castors or construction to ensure your plants get the necessary sunlight they need. By placing casters on the bottom of your plant stands, you can be in control of where your plants go, so you can help them live a long and happy life. And all you need to know is how to use a tube of super glue and an electric drill.