Mobile Base for PM3520

[Michael Ginsberg]

Does anybody have experience putting a heavy lathe on a mobile base without loosing stability or causing excess vibration. I was planning on getting a PM3520B and would like to have the option of moving the lathe.
I appreciate all input. Thank you.

[Ted Evans]

Hi Michael, I recently placed these castors on a Jet 1642 EVS 2HP and have been extremely pleased with them. I was apprehensive about the small wheels on the ones I chose, however, the lathe moves very easily on them. So far, I have not had a need for lowering the feet on the castors. The largest blank that I have turned this way was 13” and not terribly unbalanced and I could run the speed the same as before the castors. Larger or more unbalanced timber and I would definitely lower the feet.

http://www.greatlakescaster.com/products.php?cat=262

Bear

[John Peck]

Here's what some folks use to make a Powermatic 3520b mobile - http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-hydraulic-scissor-table-cart-93116.html

[John Peck]

You can find other mobility ideas at the Mustard Monster site under "moving". Link - http://mustardmonster.weebly.com/

[Dave Ogren]

Michael,

From what I have been told the Zambus castor bolts right on and each are adjustable to get perfect leveling, and can be locked in place. I believe a member of this forum, Gary Herrmann, was the one that told me. He had used them of his 3520 and was real happy.

Good Luck,

Dave

[William Hutchinson]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Shop%20Tools/enlargingholeforcasters.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Shop%20Tools/tappingthreadsforcasterbolt.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Shop%20Tools/casterinstalled.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Shop%20Tools/Castersonlegs.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Shop%20Tools/Latheset-upwithextension.jpg

These leveling caster work very well and I have no complaints, the increased height has not been a problem.

http://www.zambus.com/product/ac300.php

[Joe Scarfo]

Michael,

I just bought a used 3520B which was mounted on casters...

They look to be 4" double locking casters. The seller said he got them from woodcraft.

They work great.... with a few caviats.

GOOD
The monster is moveable. You have to push hard to get it started rolling, but once it's moving, it's fine.

BAD.. or not so bad.. just you need to know.
1. If the piece is out of balance, the machine will wobble a little. The greater out of balance, the greater the wobble. For me I don't care... Given the entire mass wobles, it doesn't affect the turning since the tool rest is wobbleing too..

2. If you plan to do outboard turning, it'll be more problematic as the the tool rest will not wobble with the rest of the mass.

Net net, I'm comfortable w/ the wobble. it's not much at all, but it is there...

Once the piece is balanced, it's as clean as sitting on the floor...

Good Luck
Joe

[Michael Ginsberg]

Joe, Does it wobble when the casters are lowered in the locked position, or in the rolling position or both?
Thanks.

[Dick Mahany]

Here is a simple cam lever hinged caster arrangement that has worked well for many years on a slightly smaller/ lighter Jet 1642 and doesn't add any height. The cam handle allows for quick and easy lift and lowering. It gets used frequently as my lathe shares shop space with vehicles. I have since upgraded to urethane non-locking casters with bearing wheels (Rockler) and the lathe rolls effortlessly.

[Scott Crumpton]

If I can’t lift it, it better have wheels.

When I got my first lathe, a Jet 1442, I built a mobile base for it. The base was made from 1/4” by 4” angle. The casters are mounted to 3/8” by 6” angle stock. Welding it up was quite a project. The center area of the base was filled with concrete. The base weighed in at around 300 pounds and the lathe feet are bolted to it. The casters are only used when moving the lathe. For use, the end of the base is raised with a crowbar and blocks are placed under the feet. A hole in each block captures the head of the bolt into the lathe leg to prevent slippage. The 1442 is pictured as it was about 12 hours before it was sold.

The base for the 3520B is identical in design, the only differences being the length and width to match the 3520B and also weighs in at a little over 325 pounds (123 pounds for the steel alone). Total weight of the base, lathe, and bed extension is somewhere just north of 1000 pounds and is probably border line for the 300 pound rated casters. The casters used are 3” diameter locking casters (what I could get). There is enough space to use 4” non-locking casters.

A nice feature of this base design, other than the weight is the fact that it adds only 1.25” to the height of the lathe. And since it doesn’t sit on the casters in use, it’s more stable than no base at all.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

---Scott.

[Joe Scarfo]

Michael...

With the wheels in the unlocked position... no wobble if the piece is balanced....

Can't say with the unblanced pieces, I haven't tried to turn with unlocked wheel swith an unbalanced piece....

With the wheels in the locked position.... If the piece is unbalanced, there may be some wobble... I'm ok with what wobble there is... I simply keep the rpm's low and work my way up as the piece becomes balanced....

Thanks
Joe

[Mike Cross]

I don't move my lathe very often, but this is what I came up with and it works great. Just crank it up move it and lower it back down. Then remove them, don't have to remove them but they are easily removable. Just a couple of trailer tounge jacks with the wheel cut off and welded to a piece of angle iron with some casters attached.

[Thomas Canfield]

I made a mover using 3 boat trailer jack wheels that slip under the web on the legs when needed and store away from the lathe. See
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=143434

Jacks were bought on sale at Northern Tool but normal cost is about $20 each so not that expensive and allows setting the lathe ridgid and off the mover for use.

[Michael Ginsberg]

Thank You All for the advise and input. It will not go to waste when the lathe arrives.
Michael