Homemade Cab Dolly ideas? (Avatar Cab)

cscrawford · #1 09-25-2011, 10:15 AM

Well I just pulled the trigger on an Avatar B153 Cabinet. Even with a Neo speaker, 60+ pounds is more than I want to carry very far, so I want to build a slick cart for rolling it, that can handle a future second cab on top.

Has anybody built a simple but solid cart?

I've got some 3/4" walnut boards. I thought some high quality casters would be ideal. I found these with polyurethane (think rollerblade wheels) "tires" with aluminum hubs. They aren't cheap but should keep it light vs. cast iron, cheap-looking/flexy plastic hubs. I'm thinking in the future it could roll TWO cabinets, a second stacked on top. Caster link:

Caster City - Casters - Swivel Caster - Polyurethane on Aluminum Wheel - Model 3

So i don't reinvent the wheel, does anybody have any suggestions? Should I just bolt wheels to the cab, or do the pin style where the wheels plug in? Will that screw up the sound of the cab, adding holes? How about a threaded insert like my 60's portaflex that holds the cart to the cab? Just looking for any input. I don't plan to fly it to the moon and don't want to build a piano, but looking for some thing that looks a lot nicer than a cart from Harbor Freight or Home Depot. The Avatar cabs are mostly the same dimension on the base so any of you Avatar guys might be interested (or already have one). Thanks!
-cs crawford

Mcrelly · #2 10-01-2011, 09:31 PM

where do you live?

Mktavish · #3 10-01-2011, 09:46 PM

Are you overthinking this , or are you really just wanting to get a bit creative?

Cuz honestly , some sort of dolly allready made will fill your moving needs im sure.

But then if your feeling creative , have you seen those tool boxes that turn into a dolly?

Basically they have wheels set so they touch when tilted back , plus a handle that pulls out of the box. I guess similar to some luggage. So your speaker cab can be wheeled , but also carry something on top , like another cab.

Im just not understanding why you would want to build an equipment cart (4wheels) out of walnut?

lbwdog · #4 10-01-2011, 11:14 PM

Harbor Freight has several "Mover's Dollys" that are sturdy and cheap. i recently got a small wooden one there that fits my Carvin LS 1503 perfectly, and has large casters.
I think it was only $7.95 (on sale).
Mover's Dolly

Actually, you could buy the dolly just for the casters and scrap the rest if so inclined. I mean, where can you even buy a set of 3.5" casters for that cheap?????

Mktavish · #5 10-01-2011, 11:33 PM

OIC , I understand now .... its the "movers dolly" Basically the light wood frame 12" x16" made out of 1x2 with 4 casters. Soory I had visions of a big ole cart like you see at the home depot.

In that case walnut would probably be fine (but hard to work with) Im guessing oak would be stronger and a little bit easier to work with.

But why not just use some 2x4's.

Mktavish · #6 10-01-2011, 11:52 PM

Okies sorry to get to indepth here ... But how big are your walnut boards?
Width depth dimensions and I guess length will matter ... hehe

bassgod0dmw · #7 10-02-2011, 06:12 AM

I just picked up a Magnacart yesterday. It's a small, folding handtruck. It's great!

Doug Parent · #8 10-02-2011, 06:17 AM

Amazon.com: Magna Cart Flatform 4- Wheeled Hand Truck: Sports & Outdoors

Liam Wald · #9 10-02-2011, 06:27 AM

I have a B153. I just screwed a set of 4" ATA wheels to the bottom.
I like permanent wheels.

bertbass666 · #10 10-02-2011, 06:28 AM

I find that the problem with a dolly is that every venue that I play has some kind of door step or stair that has to be negotiated to gain entry so a dolly is next to useless and bungy straps or webbing are a PITA to fix on. I Always fix the wheels to the cabs and lay them on there sides to use.

StereoPlayer · #11 10-02-2011, 06:36 AM

I get mine at Home Depot/Lowes/Menards. Cheap. Moving dolly(Sp?). I use mine for rolling into clubs/bars. It also raises the amp slightly off the floor. But what I like best about them...I'm not screwing castors on my NEW cabs! AND It's real nice to be able to spin the amp around when wiring cables and other problems.

I did get one from Harbor freight and the castors didn't roll well.

StereoPlayer · #12 10-02-2011, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbass666

I find that the problem with a dolly is that every venue that I play has some kind of door step or stair that has to be negotiated to gain entry so a dolly is next to useless and bungy straps or webbing are a PITA to fix on. I Always fix the wheels to the cabs and lay them on there sides to use.

I'm always fearful that the castors would rattle( with the thunder

) when the cabs are on their sides. And YES, door thresholds are a pain.

Dekker · #13 10-02-2011, 07:18 AM

To the OP, don't poke holes in your cab for casters - even with the casters in, there is enough leakage to affect the sound, and possibly induce a whistling sound.

I know you didn't want something for HF or HD like a hand cart, but that truly is the best option as has been mentioned. You can store it backstage when doing your show, and it won't rattle or make noise during the show.

StereoPlayer · #14 10-02-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dekker

To the OP, don't poke holes in your cab for casters - even with the casters in, there is enough leakage to affect the sound, and possibly induce a whistling sound.

I know you didn't want something for HF or HD like a hand cart, but that truly is the best option as has been mentioned. You can store it backstage when doing your show, and it won't rattle or make noise during the show.

+++1

bertbass666 · #15 10-02-2011, 07:23 AM

Never had a wheel rattle but I always use decent ball raced 3" wheels. I used to use the wheels from supermarket trollys but the cabs never ran in a straight line.

jnewmark · #16 10-02-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dekker

To the OP, don't poke holes in your cab for casters - even with the casters in, there is enough leakage to affect the sound, and possibly induce a whistling sound.

I know you didn't want something for HF or HD like a hand cart, but that truly is the best option as has been mentioned. You can store it backstage when doing your show, and it won't rattle or make noise during the show.

Wow, I have never had this happen to me in 40+ years of lugging 215 and 212 cabs around that had casters on the bottom. I have been told it happens more often with unused speaker jacks, that they should be plugged up if not in use, but , again, I don't do this and have never had a problem.

u84six · #17 10-02-2011, 09:24 AM

I just use this and it works fine.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000USIM5M

StereoPlayer · #18 10-02-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u84six

I just use this and it works fine.

Amazon.com: Sparco Compact Luggage Cart, Easy-Grip Handle, Flip-Out Support Platform, 150 lb. Capacity, Chrome: Electronics

kinda neat!.And a nice price.

BassmanPaul · #19 10-02-2011, 12:57 PM

i came across some large casters at a garage sale. I built several dollies from 3/4" ply I had lying around. If you want more on how I constructed them PM me and I'll tell you how.

i question using walnut. One of my six string basses is made out of walnut and the instrument is really heavy.

335guy · #20 10-02-2011, 01:32 PM

we use this to move PA speakers and amps. I have even managed curbs and steps with it. I guess if a cabinet is deep enough, balancing could be a problem, but we haven't experienced any real difficulties so far.