DIY sawstop industrial saw mobile base?

[duke bryant]

Has anyone seen a DIY version of the sawstop industrial saw mobile base?

I have access to welding equipment and I’m looking for some design guidance on making a base that uses a small foot operated hydraulic jack to lift the saw up onto 4 swivel casters like the one sawstop sells, I just can’t bring myself to pay almost $400 for a mobile base.


Thanks
Duke

[David Buchhauser]

Hi Duke,
I would highly recommend the Grizzly Bear Crawl Heavy Duty Mobil Base for your application. I have one installed on my 600 lb. table saw and it works great. It has lifting jacks with foot operated levers to raise or lower it. This is a very stable unit. It is rated at 1200 lbs. For around $70, I would probably spend almost that much for the materials to build one.
David

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-Bear-Crawl-reg-Heavy-Duty-Mobile-Base/T28000


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[Tim Janssen]

The SawStop ICS base has 4 swivel casters. That's why a lot of people like it. It makes moving the saw in tight places much easier.

Tim

[Larry Frank]

I have the Sawstop industrial mobile base and would gladly buy one again if needed. It is far and away the best mobile base I have ever used.

[David Buchhauser]

The SawStop ICS base has 4 swivel casters. That's why a lot of people like it. It makes moving the saw in tight places much easier.

Tim

Hi Tim and Larry,
The Grizzly has 2 swivel casters and 2 fixed, which could probably be changed out for swivels for around $20 or so. I am not knocking the Saw Stop - I'm sure it is first rate. Duke indicated that he is on a budget and wanted to build something to mimic the Saw Stop. I offered him an alternative route. So for less than 1/4 of the price of the Saw Stop - this may be a viable alternative for him. Thanks for your input.
David

[duke bryant]

David, it’s funny you should mention the bear crawl base, as I have already ordered one and will probably use it for the sawstop.

The advantage of the sawstop is the 4 swivel as mentioned.

I have to admit, I like to tinker with equipment as much as I like to woodwork so the idea of making something like the sawstop base appeals to me.

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one as I did find at least one video on YouTube where someone built a base with small bottle jack to lift 2 of the wheels.

Once I put the saw on the bear crawl, I may decide it works fine and abandon this project but I’d still be interested in seeing how someone else worked it out if they have.

Duke

[Larry Frank]

If you enjoy tinkering, that is great. I would rather spend the time making sawdust. I need to move my Sawstop PCS to make room for using other tools. The Sawstop industrial base makes it so easy even for this older woodworker.

[David Buchhauser]

If you enjoy tinkering, that is great. I would rather spend the time making sawdust. I need to move my Sawstop PCS to make room for using other tools. The Sawstop industrial base makes it so easy even for this older woodworker.

Hi Larry,
There's really no need to "tinker" - the Grizzly Bear Craw mobile base works great as is - right out of the box. I understand that the SawStop folks are really proud of their stuff. If I was buying a new SawStop then I would probably end up buying their mobile base as well. It looks like good stuff. But at around $400 vs under $100 for the alternative, then perhaps I would consider my budget as well. A guy could buy some really nice saw blades with that extra $300.
David

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I really like 4 casters. Moving a 52" saw around gets real hard if you have to move the saw in the other directions that a straight caster won't allow. A smaller saw, I say it's not THAT critical.

[Paul Wunder]

I know that the thread is older, but Grizzly makes a heavy duty (900lb capacity) with four swiveling casters for easy mobility. When the saw, etc, is not being moved the wheels retract and the tool rests on four adjustable legs. $104 plus shipping.


https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-bear-crawl-all-swivel-hd-mobile-base/t31566

[Charles Coolidge]

The Grizzly has 2 swivel casters and 2 fixed
David

Hi David, Grizzly also makes a Bear Crawl with 4 swivel casters T31566 - Bear Crawl All Swivel HD Mobile Base

[Charles Coolidge]

I know that the thread is older, but Grizzly makes a heavy duty (900lb capacity) with four swiveling casters for easy mobility. When the saw, etc, is not being moved the wheels retract and the tool rests on four adjustable legs. $104 plus shipping.


https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-bear-crawl-all-swivel-hd-mobile-base/t31566

The wheels do not retract and this is important for table saw use. There are 4 foot operated cams you step on that raise the base and wheels up off the floor. The only thing holding the whole saw up from slamming back down onto the wheels during a cut is the cam. I mention this because while reviewing that mobile base I found a guy who reported that the cams on his frequently failed dropping the base back down onto the wheels. I would NOT want that happing in the middle of a table saw cut.

I purchased 2 of these bases, one for a welding table and the other for a mortising machine. I won't be using them on a table saw or other machine where cam failure could result in serious injury, just saying.

[Matt Uchida]

I just got a contactor saw stop. I have a shop fox mobile base so I don't need a mobile base but I was looking at the feet of the saw where you put in the adjustable feet and I was thinking, why not just install casters directly into the same hole? Any input on that idea?

[Stan Calow]

Matt, I have the contractor saw as well, but I sprang for the mobile base. My only thought is that casters might be harder to keep from vibrating and moving, as it would make the saw a bit more top-heavy. But its worth a try. Report back if you do.

[Dan Rude]

The issue with the casters on the feet is they do not allow a steady base against movement. I discovered this on my Craftsman 113 saw. I ended up getting the mobile base that craftsman had at the time. I liked it but the same issue with only having 2 swivel wheels others have mentioned. I am actually thinking of buying the industrial base for my PCS. I have to move the saw and have the PCS base with the 2 fixed wheels under the saw and swivel on the side. You have to have the room to steer it. You might want to also check out the WoodRiver - Retracting Casters at https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-retracting-casters?gclid=CjwKCAjw95yJBhAgEiwAmRrutPfvP78KZwKh hQVTGaUD0swd6AY6jwLr0vBkxznU7WXA39q0ppmJHRoC4BcQAv D_BwE now. Good luck. Dan

[Bob Falk]

The SawStop ICS base has 4 swivel casters. That's why a lot of people like it. It makes moving the saw in tight places much easier.

Tim


+1 I have 4 swivel caster under all my tools....as Tim says, much easier to move around. FWIW, I have the Sawstop mobile base under my ICS and I must say it would be greatly improved if all 4 casters elevated rather than just one side.

[ED Budzinski]

I built a Saw Stop Type Hydraulic Lift for my model 29 PowerMatic Shaper . Originally used the Saw Stop Hyd. base under this shaper , however the shaper was too heavy . The new lift has double wheel castors .

[Matt Uchida]

I looked a lot and I could find some casters with stems where I could mount the wheels to the legs themselves but they all added at least 3.5" in height to the table. I also wanted metal wheels so I could go small and still hold the weight but the metal wheels didn't have stem options.

So I just got metal wheels for my Shop Fox stand. Had to drill a couple holes to make the caster plates fit correctly. The Shop fox does have two feet that can be lowered to prevent it from moving.