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Threaded Stem Casters | 1/2-13 and 3/8-16

Diameter: 2 to 5 inCapacity: 80 to 350 lb per casterStem: 1/2-13 and 3/8-16
Threaded stem casters screw into a tapped hole, a threaded socket or a nut on the leg of a cart, rack or table. Most here use a 1/2-13 x 1-1/2 in stem on 3 to 5 in wheels rated 200 to 350 lb, from CasterHQ and Colson. Light 2 to 3 in casters use 3/8-16 stems and carry 80 to 100 lb. Treads include polyurethane, gray TPR, rubber, phenolic, nylon, polyolefin and semi-steel, with wheel lock and total lock options. A 7/16 in stem is a grip ring stem, not a threaded one; those are on the grip ring stem casters page.

Shop by stem type

2 types

Match the stem: type, diameter, thread and length. How to measure a stem →

Threaded Stem Casters: buying guide

Threaded stem casters that screw into a tapped hole or threaded socket. 1/2-13 stems on 3 to 5 in wheels rated 200 to 350 lb, and 3/8-16 stems on light 2 to 3 in casters.

1/2-13 and 3/8-16 stems2 to 5 in wheels80 to 350 lb per casterWheel and total lock
Watch: How to Find a Replacement Caster — Full Measurement Tutorial

Shop by Stem Size & Wheel Type

By stem size

Stem Wheels Rated load Examples
1/2-13 x 1-1/2 in 3 to 5 in 200 to 350 lb CasterHQ poly, TPR, phenolic, hi-temp phenolic, nylon, semi-steel, cast iron; Colson Performa rubber and HI-TECH poly
1/2-13 x 1-1/2 in 2 in 200 lb Polyolefin
3/8-16 x 1, 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 in 2 to 3 in 80 to 100 lb Light rubber, TPR and poly casters, some with top lock
3/8 in stems 2 in 80 lb Shepherd polyolefin ball casters

Product titles and fields [S1].

How to measure a threaded stem

  1. Diameter: measure across the threads. Close to 1/2 in means 1/2-13, close to 3/8 in means 3/8-16.
  2. Thread pitch: the second number is threads per inch. Count the threads in one inch or use a thread gauge. 1/2-13 and 3/8-16 are the US coarse threads.
  3. Length: measure from under the swivel to the tip. It must be shorter than the depth of your socket or tapped hole.

A round stem without threads is a grip ring or friction stem, and a stem with a rubber sleeve is an expanding stem. Those need different sockets: see sockets and T-nuts.

Choosing a wheel

  • Polyurethane or blue solid poly: quiet and non-marking, the usual choice for carts and racks.
  • Gray TPR or Colson Performa rubber: softer and quieter on tile and wood.
  • Phenolic and hi-temp phenolic: for heat and oily floors.
  • Semi-steel and cast iron: for hot or rough shop floors.

Locks

Top lock and wheel lock brakes stop the wheel. Total lock brakes stop the wheel and the swivel. See total lock casters for more.

Threaded stem caster questions

What does 1/2-13 mean on a caster stem?

A 1/2 in diameter thread with 13 threads per inch, the US coarse thread for that size.

How much weight can threaded stem casters hold?

On this page, 80 to 100 lb for small 3/8-16 casters and 200 to 350 lb for 3 to 5 in casters on 1/2-13 stems.

How do I measure my stem?

Measure the thread diameter, count threads per inch, and measure the length from the swivel to the tip.

Do threaded stem casters come with brakes?

Yes. Top lock, wheel lock and total lock versions are listed.

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.

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