Mobile bases...how easy to move?

[Jimmie Mayfield]

Hi. I have a 14" Grizzly G0555x bandsaw on a Shop Fox mobile base. The casters spin freely but moving the bandsaw, even forwards and backwards, on the level concrete floor still takes a fair amount of effort. I had assumed that it's due to the weight of the saw or the base's small footprint...

But yesterday I was browsing through the shows recorded on my DVR and came across a couple Woodsmith episodes. One did a segment on bandsaw tuneup where the guy effortlessly moved his 14" PM bandsaw. It looked as if he could move the saw by simply blowing on it! Another episode showed another guy moving a PM cabinet saw with almost as much ease. (Though, for all I know, they may have mounted their equipment on air cushions for the show)

To the folks with mobile bases: how easy does your heavy gear roll around the shop? Is the Shop Fox base typical or inferior to others?

[Steven J Corpstein]

I've not had much luck with the one or two Shop Fox bases I've tried. I don't think the overall build is the issue, it is more to do with the cheap wheels with bushings they use.

Buy a set of replacement wheels with bearings and it will be night and day. I move an 800 lb General saw and large outfeed table attached all the time on an HTC mobile base, and it is effortless.

[Paul Ryan]

Jimmie,

I have a G0555 on a shop fox mobile base and it doesn't move the best either. It moves but the small wheels don't like the small debris on the floor or the expansion cracks in the concret. I built a mobile base for my floor mortiser from plywood, hardwood, and casters from great lakes. The casters were only $6 a piece but do they move nice. The mortiser is about 100lbs heavier than the band saw and it moves so much easier. So I think it is the casters on the shop fox base causing the problem. It is really hard to build a mobile base for a table saw unless you spend time welding and cutting metal. But for the lighter tools I am going to build my own bases for now. I may even sell the shop fox base and make my own. I know some guys have just put casters on the bottom of there band saws.

[frank shic]

the best one i've seen so far is the herc-u-lift made by ridgid for their table saws. i've used the delta on most of my stationary tools but it's not the easiest thing to push around and i'm just glad that i don't have to move them more frequently!

[Pat Germain]

My G0513X2 sits on a JET mobile base. I can easily move the saw with one hand (until I hit an expansion joint). The saw does wobble a bit in the mobile base. Eventually, I'll get around to bolting the saw to the base which I think will solve that problem.

[Myk Rian]

My G0513X2 sits on a JET mobile base. I can easily move the saw with one hand (until I hit an expansion joint). The saw does wobble a bit in the mobile base. Eventually, I'll get around to bolting the saw to the base which I think will solve that problem.
I'm not sure how your saw is set up, but my SC saw wobbled also. The feet under the corners caused the rocking. I ended up cutting 4 triangles to set the corners of the cabinet on. It sits solid now.

[Greg Hines, MD]

I move my router table on a Shop Fox base without a bit of trouble. I recently put together another mobile base (I forget which brand) that I got from the borg for $10 on clearance. It will eventually support a combo cabinet for outfeed and as a place to use my Kreg Jig.

Doc

[Rich Bostiga]

I have also been researching mobile bases and besides ease of moving the machine, I'm also concerned with the base not sliding on the floor when you're working with the tool (e.g. when ripping a large piece of lumber on a tablesaw). Do these bases stay put when you want them to?

[Tim Null]

I use the HTC base on my Rigid 14" saw. It moves with little effort. I also use this base on my 6" joiner, and my planer cart and router table cart.

I am in a 1 car garage shop, so everything is mobile. For the price, these are the best.

For larger casters, the ones from Hartville tool are the best for the money. I put the 3" swivel caster with brake on my rolling shop cart.

Worked so well I used them on my daughers set piece. A 6' x 4' x 6' high bed for "Once Upon A Mattress". This thing weighs several hundred pounds. Built of laminated 2x4's and 3/4" plywood. Needs to be mobile so it can be moved between scenes by junior high kids. Rolls with very little effort.

TimN

[glenn bradley]

My G0513X is on a ShopFox and although well within it's rated capacity, I wouldn't want to move it often. The SF parks by lowering two screw down feet so the tool is pretty solid after bolting double 3/4" ply between the SF base and the saw. It works fine for the very little I have to move it. If you have to move your saw daily or even several times a week, buy a very serious base. If you scrimp, you'll be sorry every time you move your saw. JMHO ;-)

[Joe Jensen]

I've owned a 20 year old HTC with grey rubber wheels. Newer Delta bases with hard black plastic wheels, and I recently made some bases with Zambus leveling casters. The HTC wheels were terrible. Very had to roll as the grey rubber deformed a lot. The newer Delta bases are much easier to roll. The Zambus are amazing. My 650 lb jointer with Zambus casters rolls by itself on the sloped floor of the garage unless I lock two of the 4 casters. If I lock one, it will rotate and roll.

The casters make a huge difference, and the wheels are a large part of that. The Zambus wheels are a hard black plastic with no bearings, but they have great bearings for swiveling and I think that is part of the reason...joe

[David Christopher]

I got tired of those cheep ( high priced ) mobile bases so I built my own... it keeps everything alligned and is very easy to move....I used steel tubing and trailer jacks and just remove them when I dont need themhttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=103209&d=1228869503

[Joe Jensen]

Here is how I made the bases for my recent tool purchased. I used the 30lb rated Zambus leveling casters and 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" 1/4" thick angle iron. For the plates that the casters mounted to, I used 3/16" thick steel plates, but if doing it again I'd go with 3/8" thick as I had an issue bending some when the machine dropped a few inches.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3328.jpg

[Doug Shepard]

Rated from best to worst of any mobility option that I've owned as far as easiest to move and smoothest rolling:
Zambus casters
Performax 16-32 casters - Noden Adjust-A-Bench casters (tied)
Powermatic mobile bases (Welded Frame)
HTC mobile bases (WF) - Delta mobile base (WF) - tied for 4th place
Jet mobile base (WF) under my old BS
Delta universal kit type (wooden rails)
Craftsman tool chest casters
Minimax Mobility kit
Shop Fox HD Universal type

I've got an uninstalled set of LV casters that look much like the Performax casters but I'll have to wait on the cabinet they go under is done before I can report on those.

[David Christopher]

Here is how I made the bases for my recent tool purchased. I used the 30lb rated Zambus leveling casters and 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" 1/4" thick angle iron. For the plates that the casters mounted to, I used 3/16" thick steel plates, but if doing it again I'd go with 3/8" thick as I had an issue bending some when the machine dropped a few inches.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w99/AZEngineer/_NIK3328.jpg
Joe I wieh I had known about your solution when I built mine... it looks just as sturdy and a whole lot easier

[george wilson]

My 600# dewalt 10" table saw may as well NOT have the Shop Fox mobile base. The saw is within it's rated weight range.

In case you guys don't know it,the Shop Fox brand is derided on the Practical Machinist's Forum.

[Jason White]

I had the Herc-u-lift on my RIDGID TS3650. Didn't like it so I threw it away.

Instead, I removed the steel legs and built a mobile base/cabinet with casters and like it much better.

Jason


the best one i've seen so far is the herc-u-lift made by ridgid for their table saws. i've used the delta on most of my stationary tools but it's not the easiest thing to push around and i'm just glad that i don't have to move them more frequently!

[Stephen Edwards]

I made a simple mobile base using 2 x 4s and HF casters for my G0555X. Though I don't move it very far at any time, I have no problem moving it on a plywood shop floor.

I've seen some good posts here at the Creek showing shop built mobile bases made from wood. I bet if you do a search you can find some photos of what others have done, and been satisfied with.

As one OP said, I really like the mobile base on my Ridgid Contractor's Saw. I've never had a problem with it in going on 10 years now.

[Ray Newman]

Awhile back, I asked if anyone had any experience w/ the Rockler "All Terrain" mobile base, item #22672 , -- US $189.00 --ouch! I bit the bullet & purchased one in December. @ the time, it was on sale for $159.00 or so. It goes w/o saying that I was somewhat hesitant to spend that much.

www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21257&filter=mobile%20base (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21257&filter=mobile%20base)

A few weeks ago, I moved the engine hoist into the shop, lifted the planer & rolled the base under my Sunhill 15” planer (approx. 450 lbs). It is now very easy to move. How easy?? Well I can move it w/ my manual wheelchair pushing. The 5” wheels are the cat’s meow!