I just ran across this while looking for something else. It may have been on the forum, but I don't remember. This guy designed and built easy to operate retractable casters for his machinery. Even if you don't need them, it's interesting to see the relatively simple variations he came up with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TTnb3TyH5Y

Jim, thanks for sharing this video.These retractable castors are just what I need so I'll be making a few very soon.Jamesjj

 

That's a smart and simple design, very neat.

 

Pretty nifty

 

Thanks for pointing!!

 

That's a good one Jim. I might have to try adapting that to my big planer.

 

Carl has some really neat stuff. I have a set of his plans for something else (can't remember what it is) but he has a dozen different ideas. Well done plans if I remember correctly. Go out to his web site and look around

I just remembered: his storage system. Check it out it is ingenious

 

What's his name, or how about a link to his site?
Wish I had thought of this system, my retractables are too awkward to use much.

 

What's his name, or how about a link to his site?

Carl Holmgren:

Woodworking Plans And Projects

And thanks for posting the video, Jim. Carl makes it sound easy, but I'm betting there's some tuning necessary for each set up.

 

Thanks, Jim, for posting, those are really cool. What a deaL for woodworkers with limited space. I will give you 10 stars for that.
Herb

 

does anyone have a set of the plans the site doesnt seem to exist any longer?

Thank you

 

Welcome @jeneli. I've tried several retractable wheel sets and they really don't work all that well. I've settled on two fixed casters on the back and double locking swivles on the front. I also extend the board I mount them on so the front swivels are reachable with my foot instead of being under and behind and out of reach.