Moving a table saw

[Dan Masshardt]

I couldn't easily find an answer with a search here...


I'm picking up a craftsman zip code table saw from a friends house tomorrow...

Here's what I have - a pickup truck, only two guys, ramps, a two wheel dolly and a 4 wheel furniture dolly. Is this unrealistic?

I don't know exactly what the saw weighs. Is there an easy way to split the weight up (remove table?) without a complicated operation?

I'd really appreciate any input.

[curtis rosche]

bring the saw to the back of the truck, flip saw into bed so its now upsidedown. strap down and drive away

[Richard Coers]

No idea if a craftsman zip code table saw is a cabinet saw, or contractors style saw. But any table saw is top heavy. I like to move them on their backs or sides if possible. To load, I lay down a sheet of 7/16" OSB on the ground and on the back edge of the bed. If it's really heavy, a couple 2x6's under the OSB helps. Lean the saw back onto the OSB, then lift and slide the saw and OSB into the bed in one motion. It may take some repositioning after the load is in the bed. The OSB will make unloading much easier. If more weight than 2 can manage, rent an engine hoist. I wouldn't want to remove the table, as that will add hours to the setup.

[Dan Masshardt]

Here is the type of saw.

[curtis rosche]

There was a thread on this a week or two ago with pictures of how to flip it in. Flip the saw into the truck so its upsidedown.

[Dimitrios Fradelakis]

When I picked up my Unisaw all I had was 1 friend to help me, a furniture dolly, my SUV, and a few large pieces of cardboard. We got the saw on to the dolly and wheeled it over to the back of my SUV. Once there I laid out the cardboard to help the saw slide easier and with one lift we tilted the saw on to its side and it was now resting on the back of my SUV. Took us a minute or so to push the entire saw in but the cardboard worked like a charm in making the saw slide freely. The entire 90 minute ride home the saw was on it's side with no issues in the end.

[scott spencer]

It weighs close to 425# complete. Take the fence and wings off first, and secure or remove the motor, then try the flip move.

[Matt Day]

I've moved my cabinet saw alone, and it's really not that hard at all with the top off. After the top is off, all your left with is a sheet metal box, trunnions, and the motor, which is not very heavy and is easily moved by one guy - hand truck and a ratchet strap.

If you're buying a used saw that you have to move, you're going to want to do a full alignment of the table/blade/fence right? So remove the 4 or 5 bolts and take off the top, in my opinion.

[Dan Masshardt]

Thanks for the ideas guys - I really appreciate it.

Found out my friend does have a trailer - which I may use instead - quite a bit lower. :-)

I also have a RAS and possibly a planer on a stand to pickup at the same time.

[Joseph Tarantino]

absolutely doable. bevel the motor to 45°. that way the center of gravity is within the cabinet. +1 on scotts comments.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

It weighs close to 425# complete. Take the fence and wings off first, and secure or remove the motor, then try the flip move.

If you take the wings off, it is annoying to put them back on, but it reduces the weight and the profile making it much easier to move. I moved my SawStop into the basement using a appliance dolly. Put some ply down, flipped it over so the top was on the ply..... I could have taken it down the stairs myself. Well, I did almost all the work, and my two "spotters" were there if needed. The point is that it made it much easier to deal with.

Give us an update on how it worked.

Oh, side note. I rented the appliance dolly from UHaul for about $20. Took less than an hour to go, get the dolly, go home, move the saw, and return the dolly. Money well spent.

[Jay Park]

I have the exact same Cman table saw. Took me plus 3 of my buddy's to lift it on a dolly, and push it up on a UHaul ramp gate trailer. Wasn't smart enough to think of taking the wings.

I love the saw thought.

[Dan Masshardt]

Thanks for all the ideas guys. Unfortunately - actually fortunately for me, by buddy came by with a trailer that lined up almost level with the shed it was in. Slid right on with no removing anything except the fence just because.

I'm really happy with it so far - coming from a contractor style saw. It is so quiet running.

Oh, and the price. Free. Given to me by an older friend who is moving and downsizing. I'm very grateful.

[scott spencer]

Now that's a friend I'd be sad to see go. Is the motor cover missing? It looks to be nice shape otherwise. I had one of those for more than 3 years and loved it. Mine worked great on 220v and with good thin kerf blades. FWIW, the B.O.R.K riving knife will fit that saw, as will Delta throat inserts. Congrats!

[Dan Masshardt]

Now that's a friend I'd be sad to see go. Is the motor cover missing? It looks to be nice shape otherwise. I had one of those for more than 3 years and loved it. Mine worked great on 220v and with good thin kerf blades. FWIW, the B.O.R.K riving knife will fit that saw, as will Delta throat inserts. Congrats!

Yes, the cover is missing. Not sure how that happened. He said he didn't have it but I'm going to hunt around his sheds / garage some to made sure.

Should I try to fabricate something for it urgently or eventually?

[scott spencer]

Yes, the cover is missing. Not sure how that happened. He said he didn't have it but I'm going to hunt around his sheds / garage some to made sure.

Should I try to fabricate something for it urgently or eventually?

It'll help with DC, so let that be your urgency guide.

[Paul Wunder]

Dan,

Congrats on the saw and also for having such a good friend. It's a great saw, particularly the Biesmeyer fence.

Craftsman will have parts for it and so will Steel City Tool Works. Steel City made the saw for Cman through its Orion Division.

Do you have the instruction manual and parts list? If not, PM me and I can get you a copy.

Paul

[Dan Masshardt]

It'll help with DC, so let that be your urgency guide.

That's what I was thinking the issue would be. I piece of lexan would probably work too I'd think.

My shop is currently a dust storm anyway, so no great urgency there.

It seems like the saw might actually be decent at dust collection with the cover in place.

[Dan Masshardt]

Dan,

Congrats on the saw and also for having such a good friend. It's a great saw, particularly the Biesmeyer fence.

Craftsman will have parts for it and so will Steel City Tool Works. Steel City made the saw for Cman through its Orion Division.

Do you have the instruction manual and parts list? If not, PM me and I can get you a copy.

Paul

Thanks Paul. I believe it's available online. If not, you will be hearing from me.

[Jay Park]

Now that's a friend I'd be sad to see go. Is the motor cover missing? It looks to be nice shape otherwise. I had one of those for more than 3 years and loved it. Mine worked great on 220v and with good thin kerf blades. FWIW, the B.O.R.K riving knife will fit that saw, as will Delta throat inserts. Congrats!

I ordered but did not like the B.O.R.K riving knife for this saw model. It strapped on to the arbor arm with a couple of hose clamps. So I returned it.

I now have the Shark Guard from Leeway. Uses the existing splitter slot and seems to be a much better fit. I'm very happy with it.

[Jay Radke]

make sure you make a box about the same size as the cover. that is where the motor tilts into for bevel cuts.

[Paul Wunder]

+1 on the Sharkguard for the Zipcode saw. But, you cannot do a 45 degree miter cut because the saw's splitter assembly gets in the way. To do a 45 you will need to grind out some of the bottom of your cast metal table insert