Unloading and moving a Jet JJP12HH Combo

[Tony Maio]

I'm expecting delivery of this unit in April, and could use some advice about removing it from its crate and putting it on some sort of mobile base or casters. It apparently weighs 600 pounds.The manual gives no clue about how to lift it. I assume it's not a good idea to lift it by the tables. I can lift it using straps and a chain hoist, but I'm not sure where to safely attach the straps.

Jet does not make a mobile base specifically for this unit. They make a universal base which will fit it, but it's "rated" for 700 pounds, and some reviewers say that it's flimsy at that weight.

I looked at leveling casters made by Great Lakes casters. I saw a posting indicating that someone used them on this unit, but Jet tech support says that casters should not be used on this unit, because the base could be damaged.

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone with first-hand experience with these issues.

Thanks,

Tony

[Matthew Bradburn]

I put mine on casters similar to the great lakes ones, and discovered that the horizontal tab at the bottom of the base (through which I'd attached the casters) isn't really strong enough to support the machine -- the tab bent a bit over time, which allowed the caster to sag. After that the pad on the caster would tend to catch on the floor as I pushed the machine, causing further bending.

Now I've got it on the jet heavy-duty universal base (jmb-umb-hd), which I've shrunk to approximately the right size by whacking the crossbars down. This is working well for me, but I don't move it miles and miles all the time.

I didn't have a particular problem getting it off its pallet, I was able to slide one end at a time, and it was easy enough to jack it up with a small scissor jack and put blocks under the feet. Well, there was a certain amount of head-scratching involved...

[David L Morse]

Thanks for your post Tony, the timing is perfect. Mine is supposed to show up between Noon and 3 tomorrow! I'll be following this thread intently.

Thanks also to everyone on this forum. All of your excellent postings have helped me immensely in purchase decisions.

[Dick Mahany]

Tony,

Here's what I did for mine. I used a Shop Fox medium-heavy duty mobile base (~$70) and modified it with locking / swivel casters for improved mobility. I used an overhead chain fall in my garage. I backed my pickup into the garage, removed the outer cardboard from the crate, and used 4 motor cycle hold down straps (2 on each short side of the base) to lift it about 2 inches. Next I drove the truck out from underneath it and left it dangling ( not pretty! :eek:). I then lowered it to the floor and removed the pallet securing bolts, lifted back up about 3 inchs and lowered into the mobile base. It was much easier than it sounds and a come-along could just as easily have been used if you have a convenient overhead support member. I really like this machine (although mine is pre-HH version). Add a DRO for thicknessing and you'll be in heaven:)

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[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Tony, have you considered a mobility kit like Felder/Hammer/MiniMax?

These use an axle and two wheels, plus a removable tow bar to make a semi-live skid design.

They are extremely easy to install, just put a scrap of wood under the two corners and slip the axle/wheels in, put in the cotter pin and you're done.

You could easilly drill a couple of holes in the frame and duplicate the results yourself.257383257382

I've included a phot of my B3 with the wheels and a bracket I added for the tow bar, and a photo of my A3 with the tow bar..........Rod.

[Dick Mahany]

I've included a phot of my B3 with the wheels and a bracket I added for the tow bar, and a photo of my A3 with the tow bar..........Rod.

I now have slobber all over my keyboard from drooling over that B3 :D, Like the mobility solution very much too.

[Bas Pluim]

Getting it off the pallet shouldn't be too hard. Two people can walk it off with the help of some 2x4s and maybe a little plywood.

I've used the Great Lakes casters for the past 3 1/2 years. I haven't had any problems with anything bending. But, I rarely move the machine, maybe once a year. If you plan on moving it regularly, a conventional mobile base is much more practical. The Great Lakes casters are very solid, but you do have to get down on hands and knees to raise/ lower them.

The Shop Fox mobile bases are pretty good. I have the medium duty one for my band saw and the heavy duty one for my Grizzly slider. They've held up well.

[Rod Sheridan]

I now have slobber all over my keyboard from drooling over that B3 :D, Like the mobility solution very much too.

Thanks Dick, it's a copy of the Hammer system, just a lot less expensive.
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Here's another tool porn shot, one of the shaper/feeder making cedar replacement window sills for my Moms house, and a couple of shots of it setup for tenons.257393

[Curt Harms]

When I moved my JJP-12 to a basement shop, I removed the jointer tables. I was aware of possibly having a difficult time getting them readjusted but no issues as far as I can determine and jointed boards have straight edges/faces. I made my own mobile base. I know me, if I used the typical base I'd be moving the thing by pushing and pulling on the jointer tables - what else is there to grab? - and that seemed like a bad idea. The tables seem designed to bear vertical loads, not horizontal loads. So I came up with this.
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The downside to this design is that it doesn't move sideways well but I don't need it to.

[Dick Mahany]

Curt,

That is one VERY NICE mobile base. I really like the steering handle..........As you mentined, I steer mine by the table, but it hasn't been a problem.

[Tony Maio]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. A very special thanks to Dick Mahany, who sent a detailed description, with pictures, of the process. It should be easy.

Tony