Moving an 18 inch Bandsaw on its Side

[Bob Deroeck]

Hi,

I'm considering buying a used Laguna LT-18 bandsaw and I'm trying to figure out how to move it on a utility trailer.



I'm not comfortable towing this trailer with the bandsaw in a vertical position. My thinking is to remove the table and then lay the saw down horizontally on the trailer bed with the "stock feed" side (left side when looking from the front of the saw) facing down. The saw would be supported on the left side of the saw base plus a large wooden block under the spine of the saw, located about the height of the axle for the upper wheel. In addition a wooden block would be installed under the frontend of the saw, also at the height of the axle for the upper wheel.

The saw will be firmly tied to prevent movement in any direction. Scrap carpet pieces will be used to protect the saw finish at the base and on support surfaces. This cosmetic protection should not be a challenge. What I'm concerned about is the possibility of bending, warping, or twisting the frame of the bandsaw if it is transported in a horizontal position.

I'd appreciate any comments on my concerns, the plan I've explained, or other recommendations for how to move this saw on a utility trailer.


Thanks.


Bob

[Jim Terrill]

I moved my 16? inch laguna on its back. Pretty sure its a 16, but either way my experince holds true. Literally laying down on the flat spine of the frame. Yes, this is the taller way of moving comapred to laying it on its side, it but it is very strong this way and you have less risk of it twisting or putting weight down in an uneven way. Just shimmed it with 2by blocks and strapped down tight but not insane. if you want to get more involved you can build a c shape cradle and attach it to a longer 2x6 which will help prevent it from rolling if you need to evade those wonderful mass drivers. Think of it like how a boat trailer cradles a boat. That would give a wider base. Either way, they are very nice saws.

[Bruce Page]

I think you are making more work for yourself. The saw will transport fine vertically with a couple of decent ratchet straps strapped over the frame above the lower wheel. Remove the lower door and ratchet it tight to the trailer.

[Matt Meiser]

We moved my 17" Grizzly as Bruce described. Twice in fact--once when I helped the original owner move and then when he sold it to me.

[shane lyall]

I know its a smaller saw but I moved my Delta upright in my pick up truck. Just ratchet straped it down thru the base and took my time. I only went across town but 10 miles were 70+ mph interstate. It made the trip fine.

[johnny means]

Don't listen to these guys. Moving a massive chunk of welded steel and cast iron requires a silk lined bed of the finest goose down atop a mattress of the finest memory foam money can buy. It must be stabilized by a troop of cherubs wearing kid gloves. Any strapping must be spun from the wool of unborn lambs. Anytging less will twist your prize into a useless heap of scrap just before it shatters into a thousand shards of shrapnel. If this seems like a lot of trouble to you just let me know where it is and I'll save you the trouble.

Good luck with the acquisition. Btw, band saws are usually shipped vertical or on their spine. I drove my 24" Centauro home vertically in the bed of my truck with a couple of straps. No problems what so ever.

[Dave Aronson]

I moved my saw in my wife's minivan with the seats removed laying on its spine. I removed the table to make sure nothing broke in the trunion mechanism.

[Thomas Hotchkin]

Bob
I moved my complete Mini Max 16 on it back. Lowered the band saw on to it back to a wood ramp and slid it into bed of my pickup with the help of my adult sons. How deep is the utility trailer? Should be as deep or deeper the band saw height for safe passage. Use as many tie-downs as possible, 500 lbs band saw at 30 mph or more, is hard to stop. Good luck, Tom

[Aleks Hunter]

I agree. just be sure to stop about a mile down the road and after the first good bump in the road to be sure the straps stay tight. I moved a very top heavy 24" jointer 150 miles last year over mountain roads on a U-Haul flatbed with no trouble using 6 trucker's ratchets to hold it down, and secure it fore and aft and side to side.

[Anthony Whitesell]

I moved my saw in my wife's minivan with the seats removed laying on its spine. I removed the table to make sure nothing broke in the trunion mechanism.

I don't often chime in like this, but DITTO. If you're going to lay it down, remove the table. The trunnion is not built to take stresses in that direction. If you're going to transport it upright, what is the possibility of bolting it to the trailer bed or to a large pallet (they way it was shipped in the first place). This would help with the rocking by giving it a larger footprint. Bandsaws aren't necessarily "top heavy" but they don't exactly have a low center of gravity either.

[glenn bradley]

I moved my 17" vertically. I understand that Grizzly has you sign a waiver if you want to pick your saw up at their location and move it any way BUT vertically. Properly tied off, it is a non-issue.

[Rod Sheridan]

I moved my 17" saw by removing the table and both blade wheels.

Makes it a lot lighter and easier.

As others have said, either upright or horizontal depending upon your tie down abilities...................Rod.

[Jim Matthews]

I don't often chime in like this, but DITTO. If you're going to lay it down, remove the table. The trunnion is not built to take stresses in that direction. If you're going to transport it upright, what is the possibility of bolting it to the trailer bed or to a large pallet (they way it was shipped in the first place). This would help with the rocking by giving it a larger footprint. Bandsaws aren't necessarily "top heavy" but they don't exactly have a low center of gravity either.

+1 on removing the table. This, along with the placement of the motor will help make it easier to handle, when resetting.
That last 2 degrees to upright was VERY difficult, on my own. With the table off, it would have practically rocked upright alone.

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[Jerome Hanby]

My experience isn't with a Laguna. but after bouncing my 14" Rockwell/Delta off the pavement getting onto the Interstate on-ramp, I'd never move another band saw vertically. I lucked out and basically only destroyed the sheet metal base and nicked one corner of the table...

[John Spitters]

Easy enough and safe to transport in an upright possition. BUT! I would either lag it directly to the trailer bed or create a platform that fits tight between the walls and front of the trailer and lag it to this. Also minimum of 4 heavyduty tie down straps secured in a cross pattern from near or at the top of the bandsaw to the trailer sides.
If you are unable to do this then the next best method would be to remove the motor and table and lay it on it's spine, also securely tied down with straps.

[george leonard]

I moved my 17 uprite 250 miles no problem just block it in and rachet down criss crossed.

[Mike Cruz]

I'm with Bruce on this one.

It does bring a smile to my face, though... Remembering the story of a Grizzly TS not staying put like it was told when the driver was negotiating a turn... And a story that was a little closer to home: I sold a Harbor Freight jointer to a guy. Wel loaded it onto his truck. I asked where his straps were. He said it would be fine. I called him the next day to see how the transport went. Going around a turn, it jumped shipped, denting the outside of his fender, landing and skidding across the pavement. Oddly enough, a metal working friend of his got her up and running true again...or as true as a HF jointer can run. :rolleyes:

Just strap here down and you'll be fine. I've moved two band saws vertically with no problems.

[Kevin Presutti]

Mike,
I would take 2 - 2x4's screwed together with either a plywood or OSB gussett and make 2, 3,or 4 whatever you are comfortable with and place the saw upright just ahead of the trailer axle and screw the brackets to the trailer deck as tight to the saw as you can get. Attach any additional blocking as needed and tie the 2 over the table with another 2x4. Place rachet straps as such that you are comfortable, and make sure they are pulling down. I moved a set of french doors and a 3'-0"x7'-0" entry doors with side glass, drove the interstate before the paved it (which it needed badly {3" holes in the concrete}) using this method and everything went off without a hitch. I recommend this mode of transporting, it's always better to be safe than sorry. The high center of gravity (tipping factor) is what you overcome utilizing this method as well as keeping the base in one spot and NOT bouncing around. I wouldn't want to fix it after I got home with it! ;)

[Mike Cruz]

Um, was that addressed to me?

[Bob Deroeck]

Thanks for all your input guys.

I ended up buying the Laguna LT18 and transported it on it's spine with cradleson both ends to hold it upright, based on Jim Terrill's suggestion. The table was removed from the saw, but theheavy motor was not. This approachadded a bit of time on either end of the trip having to go from vertical tohorizontal and then back to vertical at my shop. But, it made the 50 mile trip stress-free. Here's some photos ofthe beast in its cage.

Regards,

Bob

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[Mike Cruz]

Wow, can't say I've EVER put that much effort into transporting a machine! Looks like you did it RIGHT. It had nowhere to go... Congrats, have fun with the saw.

[Bruce Page]

I think there's a moving/rigging company out there that wants to hire you. :)
Congrats on getting her home safe & sound!

[Dave Aronson]

congrats! enjoy the saw and make some sawdust :-)

[mreza Salav]

Great looking saw and a safe trip home; enjoy it.
And I thought I'm the only one who over-kills in crating machines to transport them (but mine was a 2000+2000 miles trip!).

[Myk Rian]

Thanks for all your input guys.

I ended up buying the Laguna LT18 and transported it on it's spine with cradleson both ends to hold it upright,
Smart move. NEVER stand a machine like that up to move it. Too many have taken a dive over the side. (Have you seen the "Stupid" thread yet?)