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Phenolic Casters, 4 x 4-1/2 Plate

These phenolic caster sets fit tool boxes, shop carts, and racks with a 4 x 4-1/2 in top plate. Casters in this collection range from 800 to 1,250 lb per caster. All listings are sets of 4 rated 3,200 to 5,000 lb per set. Phenolic handles dry heat, oil, and grease, but it is not made for water or washdown. Wheels in this category range from 4 up to 8 in by 2 in wide with swivel and rigid mixes. Phenolic rolls easily on smooth floors and handles heat and oil. It is hard, so it is loud on rough floors. Match the 4 x 4-1/2 in plate, bolt pattern, and overall height before you order. Choose swivel casters when the cart must turn in place, rigid casters for straight travel, and add a brake when the cart needs to stay put. Read the listing for the exact wheel size, overall height, and mount shown. Phenolic aisle: phenolic wheels. Tool box aisle: tool box casters.

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.

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