Best Mobile base for unisaw

[Anthony Diodati]

This is the older unisaw, around mid. 40's. The Delta 50-273 is made for unisaws, but will not work on the older ones.
So this being the case, what is the best for the older unisaw.
I looked at the Grizzly (Shop Fox) 2057A but some report it is not so good, trouble with the casters.
I am not looking to build one at this time.
Also to add, I do not have a 50" fence, just a 30, so don't think I need the long mobile base.
Thanks,
Tony

[Earl Rumans]

I really like the Jet 708119 JMB-UMB mobile base. I have this base on both my Saw and my Jointer/planer. The base can adjust from 24x24 to 34x34 and anywhere in between. I made it smaller for my stuff by just trimming the connecting pieces. It is easy to move my equipment and they are very stable with everything locked up.

[Loren Woirhaye]

Oasis MB800 is the best value in a heavier duty adjustable mobile base. I have Shop Fox that's probably like the Grizzly and one of the wheels broke and compared to the Oasis the frame is flimsy.

[Joseph Tarantino]

after using general, htc and delta 3 wheel bases, this is probably the best mobile base available for a reasonable price:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2080750/33126/WoodRiver-Universal-Mobile-Base-Hardware-Kit.aspx

it can be crafted to whatever size one wants and, if two pieces of 3/4" material are used for the base, it'll be rock solid. at $50, it's a good value on a really functional mobile base.

[Jim Tabor]

I put my Grizzly 1023 and two Unisaw's on Shop Fox D2057A's at $59.95 ea. (On sale for a few more days, I think) They seem to work just fine.

[Anthony Diodati]

Oasis MB800 is the best value in a heavier duty adjustable mobile base. I have Shop Fox that's probably like the Grizzly and one of the wheels broke and compared to the Oasis the frame is flimsy.

says Min. Size: 18 x 24-1/2 Inch. Can you cut the long rails to get it a little shorter?
Where is the best place to buy it?
Amazon wants $50.00, but they want $30.00 shipping.

[Anthony Diodati]

what is it with these places?

They all want $30.00 for shipping, I think that is crazy.

I may just try the Shop Fox D2057A.
Of course the MB800 total cost is only about $10.00 more than the total cost of the D2057A.
If the MB800 is that much better?
It might be worth it.

[Loren Woirhaye]

It's pretty robust. The rails are about 1.5"x2.5" cross section. The Shop Fox rails are about .75" x 1.5".

Yes, I think you could cut the rails off. It has about 6 holes at the end of each rail. You could probably cut 3" off each end of a rail and still have it go together without having to drill additional holes.

[Anthony Diodati]

OK, I think I need 21 3/4" X 21 3/4" for the uni. I found the MB800 on e bay for $69.00 total cost. I was going to pay about $72.00 for the D2057A Shop Fox from Grizzly.


It's pretty robust. The rails are about 1.5"x2.5" cross section. The Shop Fox rails are about .75" x 1.5".

Yes, I think you could cut the rails off. It has about 6 holes at the end of each rail. You could probably cut 3" off each end of a rail and still have it go together without having to drill additional holes.

[Charles Lent]

I bought an odd sized mobile base on a close-out sale from HTC for my old saw for about $30. When I upgraded to my Unisaw I began to search for a new mobile base to fit it, but the HTC base for it was out of my budget. I was sitting there and looking at the old base, and suddenly realized that this old base and the one that I needed was identical except for the size. The frame was made from 1" X 2" square tubing and I already had some, so I cut up the old base and changed it's size by welding in extension pieces where needed. A little grinding, some gray hammertone paint, and it now fits my Unisaw. It works perfectly. You would have to scrape off some of the paint to see where I extended it. I offer this as a suggested way of making your old base fit your new saw. It was certainly the best way for me.

Charley

[Anthony Diodati]

Good Job Charles, Trouble is, my old T/S base is the one delta has out where you add your own wooded stretchers. And that base is only rated at around 300 lbs.
It is the Delta one, that HF had a clone of for a while.
I did order the MB800 from e bay.
Thanks,
Tony

[Charles Lent]

I debated long and hard about the base for my previous saw. Then I found that HTC had the clearance sale (some years ago) and found one in their sale list that would fit it. It was bought more for the price than it's design, but I grew to like it very much. At the end with the saw there are 2 wheels outboard of the metal frame with a knob above each wheel that allows the wheel to be braked by screwing it down. At the table extension end there is one non-locking caster between the front and rear legs of the extension table. It moves around quite easily with the brakes released. With them locked I've never had a problem with the saw moving when it wasn't supposed to. This is the main reason why I decided to modify it, although the price of a new mobile base also affected my decision. I never cared for the Delta mobile base because the pedal occupies the area under the table where I planned to put shelving or a cabinet. The HTC bases use the brake knobs on the non swivel wheels and they are outboard of the frame so they don't interfere with anything under the table. My present shop is very small so I don't move the saw much, but it sure is handy to be able to move it when I want to clean the floor. I just release the brakes and push it wherever I need to. It rolls very easily if I remember to release the brakes.

Could you replace the wood pieces of your present mobile base with some 1 X 2" square pipe?
Even if it was just bolted together it should be much stronger than it is with the wood pieces. If you have access to a welder or know someone who is a welder maybe you could build a good rigid version out of the parts and some square pipe. My base is just a 1 X 2" pipe frame with some flat plates welded to the corners for diagonal bracing and for the saw feet to sit on. Front and back there are caster type wheels on bolts extending outward from the frame with metal fender pieces welded around them. The brake screw is just threaded down through the top of this fender to contact the wheel. A single piece of pipe then extends from the side of this welded frame to connect to a rectangular box with metal plates on the bottom to hold the leg feet from the saw extension table. An additional piece of metal forms a raised pocket for the caster wheel and it is welded in the center of this box. It is just high enough for the caster to hold the frame above the floor at the same height that the frame is at the saw end (about 3/4"). With a welder and about $30 in square pipe and casters it wouldn't be very difficult to build one from scratch.

Charley

[Anthony Diodati]

Could you replace the wood pieces of your present mobile base with some 1 X 2" square pipe?
Even if it was just bolted together it should be much stronger than it is with the wood pieces. If you have access to a welder or know someone who is a welder maybe you could build a good rigid version out of the parts and some square pipe. My base is just a 1 X 2" pipe frame with some flat plates welded to the corners for diagonal bracing and for the saw feet to sit on. Front and back there are caster type wheels on bolts extending outward from the frame with metal fender pieces welded around them. The brake screw is just threaded down through the top of this fender to contact the wheel. A single piece of pipe then extends from the side of this welded frame to connect to a rectangular box with metal plates on the bottom to hold the leg feet from the saw extension table. An additional piece of metal forms a raised pocket for the caster wheel and it is welded in the center of this box. It is just high enough for the caster to hold the frame above the floor at the same height that the frame is at the saw end (about 3/4"). With a welder and about $30 in square pipe and casters it wouldn't be very difficult to build one from scratch.
Charley
I thought of that, but someone at OWWM suggested it may be more of a matter of the casters, than the stretchers.
I do not know for sure myself though.
I like the Idea of the screw up/down jack screws better (The MB800) than that big center pedal I am often tripping on.
Thanks, Tony

[Jason White]

You need one of these... :D




This is the older unisaw, around mid. 40's. The Delta 50-273 is made for unisaws, but will not work on the older ones.
So this being the case, what is the best for the older unisaw.
I looked at the Grizzly (Shop Fox) 2057A but some report it is not so good, trouble with the casters.
I am not looking to build one at this time.
Also to add, I do not have a 50" fence, just a 30, so don't think I need the long mobile base.
Thanks,
Tony

[Charles Lent]

That big pedal was the reason why I did not originally buy the Delta mobile base or another (can't remember the brand) that had a similar pedal. Screw down feet is another possibility and I have used them on other shop equipment, but find the knob type brakes that are used on the HTC mobile base to be easier to use. If you want screw down feet, the ones that are used on pinball machines are very reasonably priced and work well. www.pbresource.com is where I get them.

Charley

[Anthony Diodati]

You need one of these... :D

Very nice, did you build that ?

[Anthony Diodati]

Charles, what are the "knob type brakes"

[Jerome Hanby]

I doubled up 3/4" plywood and attached a set of Kreg casters. My saw is still in the refurb process, but it lets me push the carcass out of the way.

[Robert Chapman]

The very best mobile base for a table saw that I have ever seen is the SawStop Industrial Mobile Base. Check the SawStop website. It has a hydraulic lift mechanism that is really effective. I think that the price is around $300.

[Jason White]

Yep! I'm tall and needed my tablesaw to be up higher, so I killed two birds by building my own.


Very nice, did you build that ?

[Charles Lent]

This link shows an updated version of an HTC base that's similar to the one that I have. The orange knobs (mine are black) are the brakes. I only have brakes on the wheels at the table saw end and none at the side table extension end. The swiveling caster there has no brake on my base, but I have never had a problem without it. A braking type swivel caster wheel could be used here, but it might be a bit difficult to access the brake lever if the wheel orientation wasn't right. The bracket that the caster attaches to is bent up and over the top of the caster to maintain the same wheel height as the 2 wheels at the saw end of the base. The whole base frame sits about 1" above the floor. The plates that the saw feet sit on are all welded to the under side of the mobile base so the saw sits inside the mobile base frame but about 1" above the floor.

http://www.amazon.com/HTC-HGS-10-G-Table-Mobile-Base/dp/B0001LQXQ8/ref=sr_1_86?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1380189162&sr=1-86

On my mobile base the wheels at the saw end have the same tire as used in the castor wheel at the extension end, but they sit in an outboard fender type bracket attached to the outside of the frame with a bolt through the frame and the fender bracket to act as the axle for the wheel.
The top of this fender has a 1/4-20 threaded hole in it and a standard 3 or 4 wing type knob/bolt is screwed into it similar to this one.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2001072/10139/knob-four-arm-with-1420-x-112-stud.aspx

When screwed down it binds against the wheel, preventing the wheel from turning. When unscrewed the saw and base are free to move.

Charley

[Anthony Diodati]

I see, Thanks Charles.
Again, what is it with the shipping and these places any more?
I was thinking of this table board, but I guess I'll just make one.
http://www.mikestools.com/78-851-Biesemeyer-Right-Hand-Extension-Table-Universal-Table-Board-for-28-30-Systems-Gray.aspx
But they want $36.00 shipping. (Deal Breaker)
That is crazy high to me.
See, that one above is 24" long, the one that came with my fence is only 14".
Am I missing something here, why would they only give you a 14" table, when, the fence has to ride on the table the whole distance.
Or am I missing something?
If it does, I was thinking of just installing the 14" board I have, and just mounting a board on the back rail to support the rear of the fence.
I don't know if that would work properly or not?

[Anthony Diodati]

after using general, htc and delta 3 wheel bases, this is probably the best mobile base available for a reasonable price:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2080750/33126/WoodRiver-Universal-Mobile-Base-Hardware-Kit.aspx

it can be crafted to whatever size one wants and, if two pieces of 3/4" material are used for the base, it'll be rock solid. at $50, it's a good value on a really functional mobile base.

How are the foot raising pedals on these bases, as far as strength, and also as far as being out of the way. I am forever tripping on the big center pedal like the delta bases have.

[Christopher Pine]

http://youtu.be/UBHSHVVoSXQ

I also built my own.
chris

[Anthony Diodati]

http://youtu.be/UBHSHVVoSXQ

I also built my own.
chris
yes, that is a good looking base. Seems to work well.
Woodcraft has the HTC 300 on sale for $90.,00, not sure what the shipping is, Woodcraft never has free shipping any more.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005331/10869/HTC-HD-Adjustable-Mobile-Base-HTC-3000.aspx?refcode=13IN10NL&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=+HTC-3000+Heavy-Duty+Adjustable+Mobile+BaseON+SALE+%2489.99&utm_content=Oct+Sale+Flyer+9-28+&utm_campaign=09%2F28%2F2013

Well here it is for $90.00 with free shipping.
http://www.tools-plus.com/htc-htc3000.html?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=froogle&utm_term=H-PHTC3000&gclid=CPjFvbyW7rkCFY6Y4Aod6zAAnQ (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005331/10869/HTC-HD-Adjustable-Mobile-Base-HTC-3000.aspx?refcode=13IN10NL&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=+HTC-3000+Heavy-Duty+Adjustable+Mobile+BaseON+SALE+%2489.99&utm_content=Oct+Sale+Flyer+9-28+&utm_campaign=09%2F28%2F2013)

[Anthony Diodati]

question re: Biesemeyer fence.
Is the rear of the fence designed to ride on the table only?
So if this is the case, would one need the table board to run the full length of the fence rails?

[Anthony Diodati]

I am probably going to install this mobile base today, Think I read the old cast iron base is 21 1/2" X 21 1/2" .
Does anyone remember, or have it written down?
I was thinking of sizing the base to 21 3/4" X 21 3/4".
Does that sound about right?

[Anthony Diodati]

I put the beismeyer fence on, Got the fence working pretty well, I need to raise this machine up to get it on the mobile base.
Do you think if I put 2 2 X 4's on each side, under the fence rails, I could jack it up there, or do you think that would bend the angle iron fence rails?
Or should I try to get the 2 2 X 4's on each side, under the table only (Not the wings) and try to raise it there.

[Anthony Diodati]

I am probably going to install this mobile base today, Think I read the old cast iron base is 21 1/2" X 21 1/2" .
Does anyone remember, or have it written down?
I was thinking of sizing the base to 21 3/4" X 21 3/4".
Does that sound about right?
ended up with about 21 7/8" X 21 7/8" on the mobile base. The rails of the mobile base must have been a little inconsistent length, as one way was 21 7/8" and another way was closer to 22" But the saw fit well on the base.
Seems to be a nice sturdy base for the unisaw, although I did not move the saw a lot yet.
The way I cut the rails was to match the longer rails to the shorter rails, and cut the long rails the way the short rails were. Using the same length and the orientation of the bolt holes.

getting the saw on to the mobile base,
One guy tilted the saw, and another pushed the base under. Then we sort of walked it forward the rest of the way on to the base.
It did go on pretty easy.

[Jason White]

Here are more pictures of the one I built. Have used it for 4 years now and it's better than anything I could've purchased pre-made.

I'm not necessarily saying that "mine" is the best, just the one you make yourself! ;)

[Charles Lent]

Jason,

My only concern about your base is that it raises the saw much higher than the HTC bases. My modified HTC base is designed so that the saw is only 1 1/2 inches higher on the base than it would be sitting on the floor. If you are a tall guy, then this is probably better for you. I'm 5' 8" and my 1980's Unisaw is about the right height without any mobil base. The last thing that I wanted to do was raise it 3-4" with a base like yours. It even took me a while to get used to my Unisaw after I raised it only 1 1/2" with the HTC base.

Charley

[John Downey]

273963

Mine is home made too, though not quite as pretty as Jason's :D

I spent the $$$ on good casters rather than a commercial base, the one mobile base I ever bought wasn't very impressive.

[Jason White]

You can easily lower the saw with my design. The saw itself sits on 3/4" plywood bolted on top of steel L-brackets. The L-brackets can be dropped as low as needed (though you might need longer brackets depending on how low you want the saw). You could also use smaller casters, which would drop the saw down even lower.


Jason,

My only concern about your base is that it raises the saw much higher than the HTC bases. My modified HTC base is designed so that the saw is only 1 1/2 inches higher on the base than it would be sitting on the floor. If you are a tall guy, then this is probably better for you. I'm 5' 8" and my 1980's Unisaw is about the right height without any mobil base. The last thing that I wanted to do was raise it 3-4" with a base like yours. It even took me a while to get used to my Unisaw after I raised it only 1 1/2" with the HTC base.

Charley

[Jason White]

John -- If I had your welding skills I would've made mine out of steel, too. ;)


273963

Mine is home made too, though not quite as pretty as Jason's :D

I spent the $$$ on good casters rather than a commercial base, the one mobile base I ever bought wasn't very impressive.

[Anthony Diodati]

Oasis MB800 is the best value in a heavier duty adjustable mobile base. I have Shop Fox that's probably like the Grizzly and one of the wheels broke and compared to the Oasis the frame is flimsy.

just a follow up loren, the Oasis MB800 is still going strong.
Most of the time, I don't even need to raise the casters off the floor. The uni is heave enough that it stays there.
40's Uni, 30" bies, oasis MB800, = a sweet set up.
Got a few sleds built for it too.