Black industrial casters instantly add character to a piece of furniture while making it mobile. Whether it's for transforming a pallet into a factory-inspired coffee table or upgrading an existing piece of furniture, they combine aesthetics and practicality. In this guide, accessible to DIY decor enthusiasts, we help you choose the ideal industrial furniture caster based on diameter, material, type (swivel/fixed), brake, and mounting method. Browse the entire range here: Wheels / Casters Home Invasion.
Wheel Diameter and Load Capacity
The diameter affects the final height of the furniture, the ease of rolling, and the supported load. Three main sizes: 75 mm, 100 mm, and 125 mm.
- Ø 75 mm: compact (≈ +10 cm in height), perfect for small, low furniture. Cast iron example: 75 mm Caster in Cast Iron.
- Ø 100 mm: excellent compromise (≈ +13 cm), good maneuverability. Rubber examples: 100 mm swivel rubber caster or 100 mm rubber with brake.
- Ø 125 mm: ideal for heavy furniture (workbench, island, large shelf). Metal examples: 125 mm fixed, 125 mm swivel with side brake, 125 mm swivel with locking brake, or comfort version: 125 mm cast iron with rubber tread.
| Diameter | Added Height (approx.) | Load per Caster (indicative) | Uses & Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 mm | ~10 cm | ≈ 50–80 kg | Small furniture (cabinets, carts). Ex.: 75 mm cast iron. |
| 100 mm | ~13 cm | ≈ 80 kg | Coffee tables, TV stands. Ex.: swivel rubber, swivel cast iron, version with brake. |
| 125 mm | ~16 cm | ≈ 150–200 kg | Workbenches, islands, large shelves. Ex.: fixed cast iron, swivel with side brake, swivel with locking brake, rubber tread. |
Tip: keep a safety margin (≈ x1.3) as the load is not always perfectly distributed over 4 casters.
Wheel Material: Metal vs. Rubber
All-Metal Wheel (Cast Iron/Steel)
Assertive industrial look, very rigid and durable. Ideal if the furniture is moved infrequently or on a rough floor (concrete, industrial tile, carpet). Examples: 100 mm swivel cast iron, 125 mm fixed cast iron.
Wheel with Rubber Tread
Quieter, protects floors (hardwood, tile, polished concrete), and offers better grip. Examples: 100 mm swivel rubber, 100 mm rubber with brake, 125 mm cast iron with rubber tread.
Caster Types: Swivel vs. Fixed
Swivel (360° head): maximum maneuverability, ideal for small spaces and frequent movement.
Fixed (single direction): stability and straight-line guidance, often combined with 2 swivel casters for large furniture.
- Ex. swivel metal: 100 mm swivel cast iron
- Ex. fixed metal: 125 mm fixed
Brakes: Wheels With or Without Locking?
Wheel Brake (Simple): blocks the wheel's rotation, the swivel remains free — sufficient for light/medium furniture.
Double Brake (Total/Locking): blocks both the wheel and the swivel's rotation for complete immobilization (ideal if the floor is slightly sloped or for heavy furniture).
- Ex. side brake: 125 mm swivel with side brake
- Ex. locking brake: 125 mm swivel with locking brake
- Ex. double brake 100 mm: 100 mm cast iron double brake
How many brakes? On 4 wheels, 2 brakes (diagonally) are often sufficient. For maximum safety (sloped floor, heavy load), equip all 4.
Mounting Methods
Top Plate
Rectangular plate (4 holes) to be screwed under the furniture (wood, panel, metal). Ex.: 125 mm swivel with plate (side brake), 125 mm swivel with plate (locking brake).
Threaded Stem
The caster has a threaded stem (e.g., M12) that screws into an insert/nut in your structure. See the options on our 100 mm rubber models: 100 mm swivel rubber and 100 mm rubber with brake.
Plumbing Fittings
At Home Invasion, we are specialists in plumbing decoration. This range is therefore specially adapted for pipe furniture: some casters screw directly into 1/2'' (15x21) or 3/4'' (20x27) female fittings. This is the simplest and cleanest solution for your black cast iron/steel structures. Ex.: 100 mm swivel rubber on fitting, 75 mm swivel rubber on fitting.
You can thus install your casters directly under a clothing rack, under the structure of a desk, a cart, a coffee table, or any other creation.
Inspiring DIY Examples
- Pallet Coffee Table — 4 casters under a pallet for a factory look. Static look: 75 mm cast iron or gentle mobility: 100 mm rubber.
- Mobile TV Stand / Console — Opt for casters with brakes to lock the furniture in place: 100 mm rubber with brake.
- Pipe Shelf or Clothing Rack — Use "on fitting" models for plug-and-play assembly: 100 mm rubber on fitting.
- Kitchen Island / Workbench — Aim for 125 mm with a brake for more stability: 125 mm with side brake or 125 mm with locking brake.
- Hack a Basic Cabinet — Add black casters for an instant workshop look: rubber version (sensitive floors) or cast iron version (very industrial look). A simple wooden crate becomes a very stylish side table!
By combining these tips, you have all the keys to integrate black industrial casters into your creations. Adapt the diameter, material, type, and mounting to your project, and transform your furniture into unique, mobile pieces with an assertive industrial character.