Casters on an SVT212av

Jaycephas

Jaycephas

Gold Supporting Member
Feb 3, 2003
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#1
Hey,

I am getting ready to install a set of removable amp casters on my 212av. I plan to drill holes for the internal sockets and was wondering if I need to remove the lower speaker, or if there is no issue so long as I am careful and use a correct-length (to the internal socket) drill bit?

Thanks.
 
#8
IME, stem-type, pop-in castors are sufficient for almost any cab for typical service. If you really have to have heavy duty removable casters, TCH Hardware has the receivers for three different sized caster plates. That stuff is all pretty standard-sized, so you can opt for some pretty nice casters if you want to part with the scratch. The mounting system for these plates is far superior to the ones Mesa offers, IMHO. (Apologies, Andy ;))

Industrial and Electronic Case Component Distributor and Supplier | TCH
 
#11
Redbrangus said:
IME, stem-type, pop-in castors are sufficient for almost any cab for typical service. If you really have to have heavy duty removable casters, TCH Hardware has the receivers for three different sized caster plates. That stuff is all pretty standard-sized, so you can opt for some pretty nice casters if you want to part with the scratch. The mounting system for these plates is far superior to the ones Mesa offers, IMHO. (Apologies, Andy ;))

Industrial and Electronic Case Component Distributor and Supplier | TCH
Click to expand...
The only problem with the flat release spring plates is that if they get caught on anything (especially while sliding without the caster installed) that spring lever is quite vulnerable.

This is why we used caster boards in the PA business, plus it’s a lot harder to lose a caster board than loose casters… which seem to walk off in some neighborhoods.
 
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#12
agedhorse said:
plus it’s a lot harder to lose a caster board than loose casters…
Click to expand...
I experimented with using removable casters on bass cabs in a small PA system about ten years ago. What to do with the casters after removal was a big issue -- just four sub cabs yield 16 loose casters that HAVE to be present for the load out at the end of the night. Plus it took much more time to remove and replace 16 loose casters than four caster boards. It quickly became obvious that using them was much more trouble and risk than it was worth. But part of that was related to scale -- the extra effort would not be nearly as big a deal if you're only wanting to do one or two. But I'll reiterate that IME there aren't many situations where that grade of caster is required for just a basic bass amp cab. OTOH, there's a lot to be said for having really good castors under a cab; I just think that the stem casters are probably adequate for most player's situations.
 
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#15
I must admit that I don't have any direct experience with any other removable casters on a speaker cabinet other than the ones from Mesa, (except the dolly boards on my old Ampegs).

What I like about the Mesa Track-Locs from having a set on a MB Road Ready Diesel. 115 cabinet is that considering that this is not a light cabinet, (60, or 70 Lbs?), they seem very sturdy, and I also like that the release button is smooth, and recessed between the side rails where it does not protrude above the rails. I see this as a feature that will not catch on anything while no caster is installed, and also there is virtually no chance of inadvertent release. You have to deliberately press the button to remove the caster.

I have only briefly looked at the photo of the Penn Elcom, so maybe my thought that the release tab design is not as good as the Mesa may be not well thought out.

I have a Mesa Subway 115 coming my way this week, and have planned to buy the Mesa Track-Loks for it. That cabinet is so light, it almost does not really need casters, but I have thought it might allow the cabinet to be a base to stack other stuff on top, (and so serve double duty as a dolly that makes sound;)). And, I also thought I might be able to use the system as a tilt-back by removing the two casters at the rear. I am still thinking this through though.

So, before I pull the trigger on the Track-Locs, I do intend to check out other options.

Actually, the flat dolly board concept is also something to consider as well.

The Mesa Track-Locs are like everything else Mesa sells, very well designed, heavy duty, and NOT CHEAP. Just the kind of stuff that attracts my attention.

Some buying decisions I have yet to make are: 3 or 4 inch diameter wheels, all or two swivels, and all, or two locking varieties. I lean toward larger diameter wheels, and soft rubber composition.

The brackets accept just about any caster, as long as the mounting plate is the correct dimension, so you can also just buy the plates, and supply whatever compatible caster you want, so, I may just buy a couple sets of the plates, and buy the casters from my local HW store so I can see exactly what I'm getting when I buy them.
 
#16
I’ve had pop-out casters fail with time and don’t use them anymore. Marshall screw on ones, they have a threaded shaft, have given me good service but they are not easy to remove without tools.

I’ve been using custom made dollies or a hand cart. I use ¾” ply cut a little larger than the cab so it takes the bumps, mount casters on the board with countersunk bolts. Good for cabs and ATA cases.


Moving dollies from a hardware store are an alternative. They can be cut down to size. Some have rubber or carpet on them.

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F8D47328-DC80-411F-A4E4-AB5B213EF66B.jpeg
 
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#18
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
I must admit that I don't have any direct experience with any other removable casters on a speaker cabinet other than the ones from Mesa, (except the dolly boards on my old Ampegs).

What I like about the Mesa Track-Locs from having a set on a MB Road Ready Diesel. 115 cabinet is that considering that this is not a light cabinet, (60, or 70 Lbs?), they seem very sturdy, and I also like that the release button is smooth, and recessed between the side rails where it does not protrude above the rails. I see this as a feature that will not catch on anything while no caster is installed, and also there is virtually no chance of inadvertent release. You have to deliberately press the button to remove the caster.

I have only briefly looked at the photo of the Penn Elcom, so maybe my thought that the release tab design is not as good as the Mesa may be not well thought out.

I have a Mesa Subway 115 coming my way this week, and have planned to buy the Mesa Track-Loks for it. That cabinet is so light, it almost does not really need casters, but I have thought it might allow the cabinet to be a base to stack other stuff on top, (and so serve double duty as a dolly that makes sound;)). And, I also thought I might be able to use the system as a tilt-back by removing the two casters at the rear. I am still thinking this through though.

So, before I pull the trigger on the Track-Locs, I do intend to check out other options.

Actually, the flat dolly board concept is also something to consider as well.

The Mesa Track-Locs are like everything else Mesa sells, very well designed, heavy duty, and NOT CHEAP. Just the kind of stuff that attracts my attention.

Some buying decisions I have yet to make are: 3 or 4 inch diameter wheels, all or two swivels, and all, or two locking varieties. I lean toward larger diameter wheels, and soft rubber composition.

The brackets accept just about any caster, as long as the mounting plate is the correct dimension, so you can also just buy the plates, and supply whatever compatible caster you want, so, I may just buy a couple sets of the plates, and buy the casters from my local HW store so I can see exactly what I'm getting when I buy them.
Click to expand...
If you examine how the plates are mounted, I think you'll find the way the Mesa version mounts to the cab somewhat inferior to the TCH or Penn/Elcom ones. Two large lag or wood screws versus 4 through-bolts. Plus, at $119, they're not exactly cost effective. But hey, they ARE Mesa. :D

Other thoughts: the tilt-back idea doesn't work too well if the 2 remaining casters are the swivel type -- the front ones would really need to be the fixed type. That creates a whole 'nother set of issues. If you're going to do four wheels, all four should swivel, IME and IMO. Unless your cab is just monstrous, 3-inch casters are plenty big. Buy the casters from the same source as the plates -- you'll have trouble finding good casters at the hardware store. And the dimensions of the caster mounting plates are only somewhat standard -- there are several different sizes. Polyolefin is pretty much the industry standard now for soft wheel treads. Whether or not that's for the better isn't much of an issue -- it's pretty much all you'll find unless you want to pay for a truly premium caster.

For my money, a small 2-wheel dolly is a better solution for moving just a couple of pieces of band gear.
 
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#19
For the Subway cabinets, the wood screw hardware is not used. There’s an alternate set of hardware, contact me for the info and instructions sheet.
 
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