Back to Casters

Phenolic Casters, 4 x 4-1/2 Plate

Diameter: 4 to 8 inTread: 2 inSets: 3,200 to 5,000 lb per 4Plate sizes: 4 x 4-1/2
Phenolic caster sets for tool boxes, tool carts and shop equipment, each with two swivel and two rigid casters on a 4 x 4-1/2 in plate and a 2 in tread. The 4 in sets are rated 3,200 lb, the 5 in 4,000 lb, the 6 in 4,800 lb and the 8 in 5,000 lb per set of four. Most include side lock brakes on the swivels. Phenolic rolls easily on shop concrete and handles heat to 250°F but is loud and dislikes wet floors.

The five sets

Set Rated load per set of 4 Brakes Temperature
4 x 2 in, 2 swivel with brake + 2 rigid 3,200 lb Side lock -50 to 250°F
4 x 2 in, 2 swivel + 2 rigid 3,200 lb None -50 to 250°F
5 x 2 in, 2 swivel with brake + 2 rigid 4,000 lb Side lock -50 to 250°F
6 x 2 in kit, 2 swivel with brake + 2 rigid 4,800 lb Side lock Up to 250°F
8 x 2 in, 2 swivel with brake + 2 rigid 5,000 lb Side lock -50 to 250°F

Product fields [S1].

Set ratings are the total for four casters. On an uneven shop floor one caster can lift, so plan on about three quarters of the set rating as your working limit [S2].

Why phenolic for tool boxes

A loaded roll-away is heavy but moves only now and then, which is the intermittent service Hamilton describes for phenolic [S3]. The hard tread rolls with little effort, is non-marking, and shrugs off oil and grease on shop floors [S3]. Heat from welding or a nearby oven is not a problem up to 250°F [S1].

Things to know

  • Phenolic is loud on concrete and gives no cushion. If noise matters, look at polyurethane casters with the same plate.
  • Keep it dry. Colson does not recommend phenolic where moisture is present [S4].
  • Small debris like metal chips can jam a hard wheel. Sweep the path.
  • Check the bolt pattern of your box: the 4 x 4-1/2 in plate is common on roll cabinets, but not universal.

Phenolic caster set questions

How much weight does a phenolic caster set hold?

From 3,200 lb for the 4 in set to 5,000 lb for the 8 in set, per set of four.

Are phenolic casters good for tool boxes?

Yes for heavy boxes on dry shop concrete. They roll easily and resist oil and grease, but they are loud.

Do the sets include brakes?

Four of the five sets have side lock brakes on the two swivels. One 4 in set has no brakes.

What bolt pattern do these use?

All five sets use a 4 x 4-1/2 in top plate.

Sources

  • [S1] CasterHQ product fields (rated load, diameter, width, wheel and core material, temperature range, mount) and product descriptions for the items on this page, pulled October 20, 2026.
  • [S2] Preferred Equipment casters and wheels quick guide PDF (prefeq.com): load sizing on one less caster, wheel types and floor notes.
  • [S3] Hamilton Caster, Industrial Caster Wheels overview and Phenolic & Polyolefin page (hamiltoncaster.com/Wheels): capacity range and use notes for each wheel family; phenolic is resin with macerated canvas, polyolefin is blended polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
  • [S4] Colson D4 Defender stainless datasheet (colsoncaster.com): phenolic is not recommended where moisture is present.

Search