Seeking advice on making a cabinet table saw mobile

[Frank Pellow]

I have decided on a table saw. It will be a General 350. I am still looking for a used one but it is looking more and more like I will have to buy one new.

Here are a few of the pertinent specs are:


right tilt

3 hp 230 volt 1 phase motor

495 pounds

50 inch “T” Fence System with a melamine extension table.
For more info and pictures, refer to: http://www.general.ca/product/general/350an.html

I am not planning to move the saw around much, but I do want it to be mobile. My backup plan for this is to support the cabinet with a General International 50-025 and cobble something together myself for the legs on the extension table. One problem with this is that, at 495 pounds, the cabinet is almost at the rated limit of the mobile base (500 pounds) and I am usually conservative about things like this.

So, I am seeking a better solution to make the cabinet and extension table mobile.

[Jamie Buxton]

Frank ---

Here's a pic of one way to do it. The wheels are fixed casters, bolted to the side of the base. They're set so that they don't ordinarilly don't touch the floor. To move the saw, you pick up on the ends of the rip-fence rails, and the wheels touch down. Now you just wheel the saw around like a wheelbarrow.

Jamie

[Jamie Buxton]

Some of you may be wondering about other saw details in that photo. The fence is a Paralock, which is no longer built. The wooden bar across the front of the base is a touch-to-stop bar; I built a magnetic starter with a remoted stop switch. I turn off the saw without taking my attention off the blade, or my hands off the workpieces. You can also see holders for the miter gauge, push sticks, and magnetic featherboards. There's an HTC outfeed table folded down in back. (After this photo was taken, the Paralock finally died and was replaced with a Biesemeyer, so there's now a holster for it along the right side of the base.)

[JayStPeter]

Frank,

For a large item (like a cabinet saw), I'd recommend you try and find a nice welded mobile base. IMO, the universal ones are for smaller machines (I know everyone doesn't agree with this, but I've tried a significant number of different bases and am convinced that welded is the way to go for machines over 300lb or so).
Delta and HTC both sell a variety of welded steel mobile bases. One of 'em should fit your General well. It wouldn't surprise me if HTC makes one especially for it.
I have the Delta under my Unisaw and it works well. Really, the only negative of it is that it lifts the right side of the saw up to move. If I add storage cabinets under the right extension it may overwhelm the mechanism. Someday, I'll weld up a custom one with storage built in (another good option if you are, or know, a welder).

Jay

[Tyler Howell]

Frank,
It's a little pricy for a roller skate but you get what you pay for. I have my PM, Excalibur blade guard, extension table and mock up out feed table all hanging off of it. Rolls as smooth as silk on the rough concrete floor and easy to maneuver too.
Over 600lbs worth. Amazon!

Powermatic 2042335 Mobile Base
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000225QW.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.gif (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0000225QW/ref=dp_product-image-only_0/104-1165936-6249561?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=229148)
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=small vAlign=top noWrap align=right>Price:</TD><TD></TD><TD class=small>$199.99 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours

<SCRIPT language=Javascript1.2 type=text/javascript><!-- Hidingdocument.write("Want it delivered Tuesday, December 21? Order it in the next , and choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details (http://See details).
");// Done Hiding --></SCRIPT>Want it delivered Tuesday, December 21? Order it in the next 67 hours and 36 minutes, and choose One-Day Shipping

[Tyler Howell]

[QUOTE=Jamie Buxton]
Looks like a good ole work horse Jamie that's served it's master well.
Thanks for sharing.

[Frank Pellow]

Frank,
It's a little pricy for a roller skate but you get what you pay for. I have my PM, Excalibur blade guard, extension table and mock up out feed table all hanging off of it. Rolls as smooth as silk on the rough concrete floor and easy to maneuver too.
Over 600lbs worth.
Amazon!

Powermatic 2042335 Mobile Base


I expect that the size of the saw and table that I buy will be a little different than yours Tyler. Is the base somewhat adjustable?

[Frank Pellow]

Jamie, that looks like a good way to do it. :)

The problem that I see for me :( is that there is no way that the Genertal 350 extension table is a strong as the extension table on you saw. Nevertheless, I might be able to rig up something along the lines of yours.

[Dave Wright #2]

Frank,

The rails on your 50" T fence are quite strong. You could easily pick up their ends to move the saw like a wheelbarrow. The lift won't be a light one though. Wheels placed like on Jamie's will put a fair amount of weight at the other end. You might have a 150 - 200 pound lift.

How often do you really plan to move it? We lowered my SS Cabinet Saw onto a piece of plywood and then moved it to the build spot by crowbarring up one end to get started and rolling it on top of 3/4" iron pipes that I use for clamping normally. I rolled the saw while a friend juggled the pipes. If only moving the saw once in a while I would consider going that way since it's so quick, cheap, and easy. Sometimes low tech is good tech.

Heck, as woodworkers we're supposed to be resourceful. I would design and make my own mobile base as the first project. That's what I'm doing with the SS.

Regards,

Dave

[Allen Grimes]

Frank,

First of all, I am still really sad that I didnt get that saw, but I'll make up for it with a laguna bandsaw.
I dont know if you remember but I posted some pictures of my table saw a while back. The mobil base I got was the rockler one. I just used 1.5" squared steel tube instead of would. A hacksaw and a power drill are all you need. just make sure you clamp the tube to the corner pieces before drilling or you'll get a loose fit like I did. Because of that loose fit it seems to bend a little, but it more than supports the weight. The TS you're going to be getting isnt that much heavier, so it should work just fine. Though if you want I can sit on top of it and have my neighbor move it to see if it can support the extra weight

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&offerings_id=2383&objectgroup_id=331&catid=69&filter=base

[Tyler Howell]

I expect that the size of the saw and table that I buy will be a little different than yours Tyler. Is the base somewhat adjustable?It's a fixed base Frank with a recessed platform. Enough room for a hardwood glue -up, a sheet of steal or solid plywood.

[Jim Becker]

I expect that the size of the saw and table that I buy will be a little different than yours Tyler. Is the base somewhat adjustable?
Frank, the welded bases are made to the right size for your particular saw arrangement. HTC is one source.

[Jamie Buxton]

Frank,

The rails on your 50" T fence are quite strong. You could easily pick up their ends to move the saw like a wheelbarrow. The lift won't be a light one though. Wheels placed like on Jamie's will put a fair amount of weight at the other end. You might have a 150 - 200 pound lift.


Dave

Dave --

You're right, rip fence rails on cabinet saws are darn strong. They're often made of things like 2" diameter steel tube, or 2"x2" angle iron. One man's muscles are not enought to bend that. And that's what you're doing. One man is lifting up on the wheel barrow handles. His muscles are all that are stressing those rails. And one man is not strong enough to bend those things.

As to whether one person could lift that saw with 50" rails, my rails are shorter -- maybe 40"? That means I have a shorter lever arm to lift the weight of the saw. However, I do it without straining. I'm not your big he-man type -- 170 lbs and 58 years old. With longer rails, it should be even easier to pick up on the wheel barrow handles.

There's an easy experiment. With the saw assembled, but without bolting on wheels or the like, pick up on the ends of the rails. If you can do it comfortably, you're home free. If you can't, this method isn't for you.

Jamie

[Frank Pellow]

Frank, the welded bases are made to the right size for your particular saw arrangement. HTC is one source.
Jim, you would not believe how many companies have the initials HTC. Can you supply me with a URL to their web site?

[Jim Becker]

HTC does not have a web site...perhaps someone can post the phone number so you can get a catalog. I don't have it anymore since I "cleaned up" my office just a little...

[Frank Pellow]

Frank,

The rails on your 50" T fence are quite strong. You could easily pick up their ends to move the saw like a wheelbarrow. The lift won't be a light one though. Wheels placed like on Jamie's will put a fair amount of weight at the other end. You might have a 150 - 200 pound lift.

...

Dave
I would be afraid that I would put things out of alignment if I were to use the rails this way. Is this an unfounded fear?

[Frank Pellow]

HTC does not have a web site...perhaps someone can post the phone number so you can get a catalog. I don't have it anymore since I "cleaned up" my office just a little...
No web site, that's not very good! I usually avoid companies that do not have web sites.

I did scan through the long long list of mobile bases on the USA Amazon web site and they did not appear to have anything there for General equipment.

[Frank Pellow]

It's a fixed base Frank with a recessed platform. Enough room for a hardwood glue -up, a sheet of steal or solid plywood.
Tyler, could you post (or direct me to) a picture of how you have used this base?

[Jim Becker]

No web site, that's not very good! I usually avoid companies that do not have web sites. There are still a number of companies that don't have web sites, inluding both HTC as mentioned and Ittura design. Both are excellent companies who just don't have the time or skills to do a site. I also would be happier if they were online as I do about 90% of my shopping for "anything" online, but...sometimes you have to do it the old fashioned way!

Most stationary tool retailers have HTC available but since they are made specific to the machine, you will not usually find them "on the shelf".

[Norman Hitt]

Frank, if you might want to consider building one yourself, (or have a welder friend), you might like the one I made for my PM-66, or something similar. You can see Pics of it on Terry Hatfields site at: http://www.terryhatfield.com

I have built a New extension table since these pics were made, and now have the extension legs attached to the base and the end of the extension table.

Hope this helps........Norm

[Tyler Howell]

Here You go Frank!

Saw sits about 3/8" off the ground. Eye balled the saw compartment at 24" deep and 21.5" wide.
You'd have to check with Powermatic for the exact specs.
Yes it is getting used!

[Frank Pellow]

Frank, if you might want to consider building one yourself, (or have a welder friend), you might like the one I made for my PM-66, or something similar. You can see Pics of it on Terry Hatfields site at: http://www.terryhatfield.com

I have built a New extension table since these pics were made, and now have the extension legs attached to the base and the end of the extension table.

Hope this helps........Norm
That looks like a good rig Norm. :) But, I don't think that I have the skills or tools to build it and, as far as I know, I have no friends that do welding. :(

[Steve Evans]

Frank

Not a real good picture, but if you're interested, take a look at Dizzy's site. That's where I got the idea from. Any welding shop will weld it up for you.

My mobile base

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4058014&a=30439961&p=62090643

Dizzy's base

http://home.pacbell.net/jdismuk/jtas10.html

[Jamie Buxton]

I would be afraid that I would put things out of alignment if I were to use the rails this way. Is this an unfounded fear?

Frank --

In my experience, that's an unfounded fear. Cabinet saws are not delicate little things. They're great big lumps of cast iron and steel, and shrug off stuff that lighter machines might be offended by.

I dunno exactly how your rails are going to mount to your particular saw, but all of the ones I've seen on cabinet saws are beefy things which mount directly to the cast iron table. The mounting bolts are big things like 3/8" ones. You mount the rails, and honk on the bolts with nice big wrenches. What's to knock out of alignment?

Or you could ask specifically what could move or bend? As I said in some other posting, your muscles aren't strong enough to bend 2" steel rails. And as to what could move, I guess you could lever up one or both of the fence rails -- that's about the only way anything could move. If you can do this, you have play in your bolt holes and you didn't tighten the bolts down. Unlikely, I'd say. :)


Jamie

[John Weber]

Jamie,

Wow, you don't see that many Paraloks, what happened (cable break, pulley)? I have the original on my PM 66.

http://www.weberwoodworking.com/pond/shoptournecorner-l.jpg

Frank,

HTC bases are great, it seems they are connected with this site:

www.sawdustsales.com (http://www.sawdustsales.com)

John

[John Weber]

P.S. Tool Crib/Amazon also has access to the entire line and should be able to order anything you want. And HTC will custom make a base to any size you want, they have about a dozen wheel configurations and weight classes, and can make a base for about anything. I have 5 or 6 HTC bases and really like 3-pt stands for my slightly uneven shop floor. They are well made and work as advertised. I also have a Delta welded base that is nice, and one Delta universal base. In general I think the universal bases (more the all metal bases rather then Delta's "you add the wood" base) look crappy. Nuts and bolts all over the place, small levers, etc... The custom sized welded bases are much cleaner looking, have tight footprints, and typically can support more weight. Amazon just had a bunch on sale this week, normally $85, on sale for $71. Not bad considering a universal usually cost around $50.

John

[Tim Morton]

This is the one grizzly uses on ITS cabinet saws, and is rated for over 700lbs...I have used it and it works flawlessly.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DD6B9/qid=1103371424/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3_etk-tools/103-7425607-7324612?v=glance&s=hi&n=228013

[Bill Arnold]

Frank,

I have the HTC welded mobile base under my Jet cabinet saw. It works great! Most of the time I keep the saw in position on one side of my garage shop. When cutting sheet goods, I can unlock the base and the assembly rolls very easily to the center of the garage door or all the way onto my driveway.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000223L9.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg (http://www.c3scripts.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?asinsearch=B0000223L9)

Don't waste your money on the adjustable base. My neighbor has one under his Jet tablesaw and it wobbles like crazy. He reinforced it a bit with some 2x4's to stabilize it some. Mine was rock-solid out of the box.

Here's a link I found with info on the 350:
http://www.tooltrip.com/tooltrip8/woodworking/general350/general350.htm
Good luck!

[Dave Wright #2]

Frank,

Jamie's right about cabinet saw fence rails being both sturdy and solidly mounted. Check your saw closely after it has arrived. The fence rails might be mounted so that they cannot be knocked out of alignment with the main table casting. The front rail on my SawStop has countersunk holes. The bolts go into tapped holes in the cast iron top. There is no way to knock this arrangement out of alignment. Any T-square style fence that has vertical adjustment of the fence is likely to have been made this way.

You can also reduce the wheelbarrow force effect by mounting the wheels along the saw's midline - closer to the center of gravity.

Regards,

Dave

[Kelly C. Hanna]

I am sold on the Shop Fox bases. I think HTC is very similar so you can't go wrong there either. I paid $69 + shipping for my SF base from Griz. Can't remember exactly how much shipping was, but it was reasonable.

[Frank Pellow]

Frank,
...
Here's a link I found with info on the 350:
http://www.tooltrip.com/tooltrip8/woodworking/general350/general350.htm
Good luck!
Bill, thanks very much for the link. I found a wealth of information there, and not just good information about the base. By the way, he used a Powermatic base for the General saw, which answers my concerns about fit that I had with Tyler's recommendation.

[Jim Becker]

Frank, the HTC base I have under my Jet LT Cabinet Saw is identical to the one in Rob's picture. I'm very pleased with it and have been for almost five years now.

[Rob Russell]

Frank,


On my old saw (Unisaw), I used an HTC base. That saw had another 150 or 200 pounds of weight added with 3 1/2' of extra cast iron wings and router table extensions I added to the saw. Everything was bolted together and, with some threaded black pipe and fittings, bolted to the HTC base you see. The pictures are from Nathan Hoffman's post when he bought the saw and moved it into his shop - the green router hanging out the bottom is his Hitachi. I never had any problem with the base handling the weight.

<fieldset class="fieldset">
<legend>Attached Images</legend>
<div style="padding:3px">
<img class="attach" src="attachment.php?attachmentid=5347&amp;stc=1" border="0" alt="" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img class="attach" src="attachment.php?attachmentid=5349&amp;stc=1" border="0" alt="" />&nbsp;
</div>
</fieldset>

[John Bush]

Hi Frank,
I have Delta bases for all my big stuff and like the 4 point floor contact when in the working position. I just got an HTC base for my new 18" BS, and I find the 3 point arrangement a little wobbly. Also you need to lock the back wheels individually by hand and the front wheel by torgueing the wheel lock with your toe. If the front wheel isn't in the right position, it's hard to lock it down. With the Delta all is done with by pushing the foot lever down for mobility and lifting it up for the working position. Fortunately I don't have to do much moving, but the BS stability concerns me some, Happy Holidays, John.

[Scott Parks]

Frank,
<fieldset class="fieldset">
<legend>Attached Images</legend>

attachment.php?attachmentid=5347&stc=1 attachment.php?attachmentid=5349&stc=1


</fieldset> Rob,
It appears that fender is too high to use as an outfeed table.:D You might have to shim that mobile base higher...:cool:

[Rob Russell]

As I noted in my post, the picture isn't from my shop. It's not my saw anymore - it now belongs to fellow Creeker Nathan Hoffman. The truck is in his Dad's shop.

You can see the details here ==> http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=7412

Rob

[Gary Sostrin]

I have a shop fox on my pm66. It moves pretty good. I did not like the others in that they seemed to wobble more. In fact I like the shop fox mobile bases I put one on my sears workbench.

[Scott Parks]

As I noted in my post, the picture isn't from my shop. It's not my saw anymore - it now belongs to fellow Creeker Nathan Hoffman. The truck is in his Dad's shop.

You can see the details here ==> http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=7412

Rob
Ooops:o I was too busy looking at the pictures... Missed the old saw part..

[Jamie Buxton]

Jamie,

Wow, you don't see that many Paraloks, what happened (cable break, pulley)? I have the original on my PM 66.


John

John ---

The great thing about the paralok design was that cable scheme. It kept the fence parallel to the blade at all times -- both when clamped down and when being adjusted.

The not-so-good thing, at least on my fence, was the clamping mechanism. It had parts that wore out. I could get replacement parts while the company was still in existence. However, when the company went out of business, the fence was no longer viable.

Jamie

[Rob Blaustein]

Frank,
I noticed these casters in the Sept. 04 issue of Wood Magazine, and in searching for them for myself, ran into this pdf of that page Wood posted on the WMH website:
http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/site_files/wood1.pdf
The reviewer says he has them on his 550 lb cabinet saw, and on his jointer, and seems to like them. I also just bought the Woodcraft retracting casters, featured on the lower portion of that page. I plan to use them to make a mobile outfield table for my new table saw.

Incidentally, this is my first post here. I've been reading quite a bit on this site and have learned much from you folks, so thought I'd try to return the favor. I have also been impressed with the colleagiality here. I am just beginning in woodworking and look forward to torturing you all with many basic questions (and I guess, photos).
-Rob

[Roy Fleming]

Frank..I have the general 350 and it is mounted on the HTC mobile base that has an extendable section on casters for the right side table. The system works ok for me as I don't move it around much

[Frank Pellow]

Frank..I have the general 350 and it is mounted on the HTC mobile base that has an extendable section on casters for the right side table. The system works ok for me as I don't move it around much
Roy, first of all I notice that this is your first posting. So, welcome to Saw Mill Creek!

I don't think that you are giving this a ringing endorsement in that you say it is OK. Do you think that it would stand the test of a lot of moves?

There are a lot of HTC mobile bases. Was this one specifically made for the General 350? What is the number of the base and where did you purchase it?

[Frank Pellow]

Frank,
I noticed these casters in the Sept. 04 issue of Wood Magazine, and in searching for them for myself, ran into this pdf of that page Wood posted on the WMH website:
http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/site_files/wood1.pdf
The reviewer says he has them on his 550 lb cabinet saw, and on his jointer, and seems to like them. I also just bought the Woodcraft retracting casters, featured on the lower portion of that page. I plan to use them to make a mobile outfield table for my new table saw.

Incidentally, this is my first post here. I've been reading quite a bit on this site and have learned much from you folks, so thought I'd try to return the favor. I have also been impressed with the colleagiality here. I am just beginning in woodworking and look forward to torturing you all with many basic questions (and I guess, photos).
-Rob
Rob, welcome to Saw Mill Creek! I have learned a great deal here and you are right that that most folks are quite friendly and helpful.

As it stands right now, I am leaning towards building my own mobile base for the saw and the casters that you have pointed to appear to be the best that I have read about.

[Chris Padilla]

I'm with Kelly...the Shop Fox mobile base keeps my Grizzly 1023 moving around nicely. :)

[Nathan Goins]

Here is Amazon's link to the HTC mobil base for the general.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001LQXQ8/102-8911102-6880147?v=glance

They make very good, high quality units, and they are always my first choice for a mobil base.

[Matt Woodworth]

I just made one myself. This is the best picture I have: link (http://www.just4fun.org/images/tmp/DCP_2952.jpg) and these is the drawing I made as a design: link (http://www.just4fun.org/images/tmp/mobile_base.jpg). But since you said you're not interested in building one I'd saw HTC is the answer. In my mind they make the finest mobile base you can buy and they recently won the FWW mobile base shootout, if that means anything to you.

I'd bet they know your saw and have the deminsions ready to go. If not, custom work is a big part of their business. I know it sucks that they don't have a website but this might help you.

htc Products Inc.
PO Box 839
Royal Oak, MI 48068

Full Line Catalog Available
1-800-624-2027

http://www.sawdustsales.com/mall/tablebases.asp (their distributor)

[Frank Pellow]

I just made one myself. This is the best picture I have: link (http://www.just4fun.org/images/tmp/DCP_2952.jpg) and these is the drawing I made as a design: link (http://www.just4fun.org/images/tmp/mobile_base.jpg). But since you said you're not interested in building one I'd saw HTC is the answer. In my mind they make the finest mobile base you can buy and they recently won the FWW mobile base shootout, if that means anything to you.

I'd bet they know your saw and have the deminsions ready to go. If not, custom work is a big part of their business. I know it sucks that they don't have a website but this might help you.

htc Products Inc.
PO Box 839
Royal Oak, MI 48068

Full Line Catalog Available
1-800-624-2027

http://www.sawdustsales.com/mall/tablebases.asp (their distributor)
Matt, I might make one myself, so thanks for the links. What material did you use and where did you get the hardware.

I do now know the HTC number (HTC_HGS-10-G) for the saw that I will be purchasing (General-350).

[Matt Woodworth]

I got the 1 1/2" by 3" steel from my father in law's garage. It was under about 2 tons of other clutter. Sorry, that's not much help. :)

I got the wheels from caster city (http://www.castercity.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=PY4x2) and the pivot wheel was left over from my new planer (http://www.wilkemachinery.com/OnlineCatalogDetailResults.tpl?SearchDetail=107091 4725260012&PreviousCategory=Planers&RecNum=0). It's a long story but I build a little wooden base for that because lifing it enable me to save some shop space by putting it next to the jointer. The pivot wheel is probably the hardest part about making the mobile base but I didn't have to do it. Another option would be a pair of double locking swivel casters.

[Aaron Mills]

Hey Frank,

Just curious if you went with the HTC base, or if you went an alternate route. I've been looking to make my 350 mobile, and the HTC was my first thought, but the reviews on Amazon were not that favourable (at least for the version built to fit the Jet & Delta saws).

EDIT: Sorry, I noticed that you did opt for the HTC base in a later post. Any thoughts on its performance and if it's met your expectations? I've read about some problems with the saw's weight causing flex/bowing through the middle of the base if the rails are not secured. Have you noticed this problem at all?

Thanks,

Aaron

[CPeter James]

I used to have a 12" cabinet saw that I make a mobile base for. I welded it up out of 2" by 3" square stock. It was 9' long and had a sliding table on one end and a router table on the other. The saw had an overarm blade guard. I used steel wheel casters as the weight was in the 800 to 900 pound area. Worked great and I would do it again if the need arose.

CPeter

[Frank Pellow]

Hey Frank,

Just curious if you went with the HTC base, or if you went an alternate route. I've been looking to make my 350 mobile, and the HTC was my first thought, but the reviews on Amazon were not that favourable (at least for the version built to fit the Jet & Delta saws).

EDIT: Sorry, I noticed that you did opt for the HTC base in a later post. Any thoughts on its performance and if it's met your expectations? I've read about some problems with the saw's weight causing flex/bowing through the middle of the base if the rails are not secured. Have you noticed this problem at all?

Thanks,

Aaron
Aaron, I have the HTC mobile base for the General 650 saw and I like it. I have not experienced any problems of the type you mention.

[Floyd Cantrell]

Woodcraft has a good supply of HTC bases to select from.

HTC phone number 1-800-624-2027

http://www.woodcraft.com/depts.aspx?DeptID=1152&FamilyID=1173

I bought my Mini-Max mobile base from them, expensive but very good, moves 750lb around with no problems.

[Peter Kuhlman]

Hello Frank.
It depends upon the directional needs you have for mobility. My shop is extremely small so the saw sits against the side wall until needed. None of the factory made cabinet saw bases designed to also support the extension table legs worked rolling front to back - only side to side. Another need was for it to roll on a plywood floor so wide type wheels were needed to not sink into the wood and I wanted 4 wheels - not 3 to spread the weight. I decided upon the JET 1200 # rated adjustable base that has 4 wheels. Then I added the HTC? extension to support the extension legs. It works great. Not only does it support the saw but also a very heavy tool cabinet under the extension wing.
Pete in Louisiana

[Andy Hoyt]

I read this whole darn post before I found out it's ancient history. Oh well.

For anyone that's still interested, I found this photo on one of those "other forums" and think that this guy was right on target with respect to Frank's original issue.

Might be a pain to move stuff all the time, but for occasional or rare moves this would be the ticket, especially for heavier machinery.

Looks straight forward enough for someone who's a good hand with welding.

[Frank Pellow]

Hello Frank.
It depends upon the directional needs you have for mobility. My shop is extremely small so the saw sits against the side wall until needed. None of the factory made cabinet saw bases designed to also support the extension table legs worked rolling front to back - only side to side. Another need was for it to roll on a plywood floor so wide type wheels were needed to not sink into the wood and I wanted 4 wheels - not 3 to spread the weight. I decided upon the JET 1200 # rated adjustable base that has 4 wheels. Then I added the HTC? extension to support the extension legs. It works great. Not only does it support the saw but also a very heavy tool cabinet under the extension wing.
Pete in Louisiana
Pete, you are correct about the saw not easily moving front to back on the 3-wheeled HTC base. Sometimes, I also want to move it that way and I find myself tacking back and forth like in a sailboat. It's good that I have the wiggle romm to tack.

I also have a plywood floor and I do not find the HTC wheels sinking into the floor.

[M Toupin]

Frank,
Here's the solution I came up with for my saw. I'm working out of a 1-car garage and need to move the saw outside into the driveway for long cuts. I needed a base that would allow me to easily move the saw and be very mobile. All the prefab units I found had 3 problems, first they only steered on one end making them difficult to get into the tight place I store the saw in. Second, the wheels are so small any debris locked the wheels and were very aggravating. Third, they all had very little clearance when in the raised position making movement over uneven surfaces difficult. As you can see in the pictures I've got some fairly wide joints in the driveway, the small wheels just wouldn't get over them.

The base is 7/8" white oak with the casters attached to pivoting boards on the ends that are raised and lowered via a cam lever. All the commercial bases only raised the unit ¼ to 3/8", this base raises about 1 full inch of clearance to get over uneven surfaces and all the little pieces of stuff that would stop those small wheels. Also, both sets of casters are full swivel 3" and allow the saw to move side to side and front to back easily. The cam levers raise the saw easily and make moving it quick and easy. While I don't consider it "finished" it's very functional and I'm more than happy with it. I still need to come up with some permanent legs for the folding extension and eventually I plan on adding a sliding cabinet on the right hand side for the router top.

Mike

[Frank Pellow]

That looks like a great base Mike. Too late for me, but great. When you figure out what you are going to do for the leg of the extension table, I would be very interested in seeing another picture.

[Mike Scoggins]

Frank,

Looks like you've got the mobile base question answered, but based on your question about the table extension leg I thought I'd offer this up:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showpost.php?p=50347&postcount=17

It's working well for me. Just another option to consider.

Mike

[David Less]

Frank,

This is the sase I made out of 8620. It can get abit pricey but I think it's worth it.

David

http://www.woodworkersweb.com/modules/gallery/albums/albuv69/Base.jpg

[M Toupin]

Frank,

Looks like you've got the mobile base question answered, but based on your question about the table extension leg I thought I'd offer this up:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showpost.php?p=50347&postcount=17

It's working well for me. Just another option to consider.

Mike

Mike,

Not to hijack Frank's post but do you have any issues with stability with your setup? I initially planned on a brace much like yours, but have been debating it in my head. I’m concerned that arrangement might be unstable and tend to want tip the saw over with too much weight on the far edge. Not that I plan on putting a lot of weight on the far edge, but in the event it happens, I don’t want any accidents. My extension is fairly large, 60”L X 36”W. Right now I just have a loose leg with a blind nut in the bottom and a carriage bolt crewed into it for height adjustment. I need to come up with something a bit more permanent (and professional looking) but still debating the stability issue…

Mike

[Mike Scoggins]

Mike,

No, I've not had any trouble with stability. In fact, I'm a little surprised at how stable it is. The weight of the cabinet saw would require a fairly substanial load on the extension table to create enough moment to create a problem.

Mike

[Ed Bamba]

David,
I PM'd you a few days ago re. your mobile base, but you may not have gotten it. Can you provide some detail on that base? I have the 80/20 Industrial Erector Set catalog and found almost all the components you used except for the angle for the casters and the mounts for the adjustable feet. Did you use their product line or someone elses? Do you have to manually adjust the feet off the floor to engage the casters? I didn't see a mechanism to do it otherwise.

Thanks for the info,
Ed


Frank,

This is the sase I made out of 8620. It can get abit pricey but I think it's worth it.

David

http://www.woodworkersweb.com/modules/gallery/albums/albuv69/Base.jpg

[David Less]

Sorry Ed,

This sight isn't as user friendly for noticing private posts as others. To answer your questions: The caster angles and leveler bases are custom made. If I want to move my saw I have to lower the levelers until the casters contact to ground. The levelers were an after thought, as it turned out, I never have a need to move my saw so it was more important to have it level.

Hope this helps and sorry again for the delay.

David

[Jim Becker]

This sight isn't as user friendly for noticing private posts as others.

Just go into UserCP at the top of the forum and tell the software (in the Options area off the left menu) to send you an instant email when you receive a private message. You can't get any more friendly than that!!

[Ed Bamba]

Not a problem Dave and thanks for the info. I am keeping your link in my Favorites and will refer to it if I decide to follow your design. Hope you don't mind.

Take Care, Ed


Sorry Ed,

This sight isn't as user friendly for noticing private posts as others. To answer your questions: The caster angles and leveler bases are custom made. If I want to move my saw I have to lower the levelers until the casters contact to ground. The levelers were an after thought, as it turned out, I never have a need to move my saw so it was more important to have it level.

Hope this helps and sorry again for the delay.

David