Plate vs. Stem Attachments- Which to Choose?

January 13, 2014

Ross Castors

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No matter what industry you work in, you know that moving heavy objects from one place to another is a difficult process that can result in workplace injuries and strains you want to avoid. That’s where castors come in. These wheel-like objects make movement easy, and can be attached to almost any surface, from furniture to appliances to gates.

Choosing a caster wheel isn’t that difficult either. You simple need to consider what you’ll be using it on, the type of flooring it will be used on, and how it will be used. Did you know though, that there is one other consideration you should think about when choosing a caster? That consideration is the attachment style. It’s often overlooked, but the attachment style is an important factor that will determine whether or not you’re able to use the castor you’ve chosen for your specific purpose.

Castor Attachment Styles

There are two different types of caster attachment styles: plate and stem. Let’s take a look at what both of these styles have to offer.

Plate Castors

Plate styled-casters are typically used on items that require flexible mounting options. Various sized plates are available, and offer a number of benefits, including:

The ability to be either bolted or welded to the object, offering a temporary or permanent mounting option.

Because of the various sizes available, plate styled-castors are often much more stable than stem.

Plate castor wheels come in both swivel and rigid varieties.

Plate castors are often much more cost effective than stem styles.

Stem Castors

The second type of attachment style for casters comes in two varieties, the grip ring, which attaches by popping into a socket, and threaded, which screws into an object or piece of furniture like a bolt would.

Plate vs. Stem: Which to Choose?

Deciding which castor is the right choice for you isn’t always easy, but there are a few easy tips you can take advantage of to make the right decision.

No matter what type of stem castor you choose, it’s important to note that all castors associated with this type of attachment are swivel; if you are looking for a rigid caster, you’ll need to purchase a plate style.

Choosing a stemmed castor is sometimes the better option, especially if you don’t have much room to work with. Let’s say for instance you’re attaching casters to the bottom of a plant stand with tall, but skinny legs. The base of these legs may be too small for a plate castor to fit on well. Attaching a stem caster means you’ll be able to provide the manoeuvrability you want even when you don’t have much room to work with.

If there is plenty of room available for a plate caster, always choose this option first. This will not only allow you the option of swivel or rigid, but will offer a number of other benefits, like a more secure and stable mounting base.

Having trouble choosing what type of attachment style your caster wheels need? Make this decision with confidence by understanding what attachment styles you have to choose from and how they will each benefit you.