HTC 2000 Mobile Base

[Waymon Campbell]

Anyone use the HTC 2000 mobile base for moving around planer and jointer? I see Amazon has them for $50 and was wondering if they "do the job".

Waymon...

[Jim Becker]

I've used the HTC Universal bases and didn't prefer them...I got a lot more "flex" than I liked. The only one left in my shop is under the drill press and that's not a problem. The HTC welded units are far better, as are sturdier mobile bases from ShopFox, Vega, IMHO. The Delta and clone kits are also worthy, especially when you use inexpensive tube steel rather than the hardwood that is specified.

[JayStPeter]

I have to agree with Jim. Although, I haven't used HTC welded bases, only Delta.

I was amazed by the recent FWW magazine review (I think the T&S issue). He picked the HTC universal as a good stable one. What? Then I realized that he was putting it under a puny Delta BS (by puny I mean the span the base has to deal with) with a closed stand. Sheesh, big test that is. Put one of those under a contractor table saw and the results will be lots different (particularly a '70s Craftsman with lots of flex in its own base, unacceptable). Then they said the shop fox was the most difficult to put together because of a high parts count. Please, it does take a while, but not as long as the HTC universal. Even resizing the HTC universal for another machine took me a good half hour because it actually uses either two, or different sized cross braces to span different distances. I think FWW is a great magazine, but their reviews sometimes just plain miss the mark. Kinda seems like they sometimes just let one guy do it all (with little input from others) and write the article. Other magazines (ie Wood) seem to have a shop where a team of people get together and do the test. Not that I would completely rely on any magazine test, but you get the idea.

Anyway, my take is this. If you plan on moving a heavy machine lots, get a welded base. If it's a lighter machine (ie drill press, belt-disk sander), get one of the Delta/Rockler/HF universals. If you will move it rarely and need something really stable, the larger shop fox is nice. It also allows you to position the wheels in either direction (unlike welded). So, if you want to stash your jointer under a bench and pull it out to use, you can reconfigure. Downside to the shop fox is if you always have a messy shop, it gets caught up in sawdust easily. Don't bother with the HTC universal. And from the looks of 'em, I'm not going to bother with some of the other brands (i.e. Jet) universals that use the same erector set looking method as HTC.

Jay

[Chris Padilla]

My Griz TS rides on a Shop Fox and while it is certainly ruggedly built, the two knobs/screws for locking it in place are a POS. One of my threads is shot while the other is on the way out and they've always been difficult to turn since day 1. Maybe I just got a bad threading...I dunno. I probably should've run a fresh tap through them way back when but oh well....

However, I don't really use the lock-downs very much...the TS is heavy enough to stay in place and the mobility is excellent.

So, in the end, I didn't really answer your question since I don't have HTC. I made my own mobile "dolly" for my Delta DP, however.

Chris

http://members.roadfly.com/agent99/dp-ts.jpg

[Jim Becker]

IThen I realized that he was putting it under a puny Delta BS (by puny I mean the span the base has to deal with) with a closed stand.

Actually, one of the machines I had the HTC Universal base under was a Jet 14" CS Bandsaw (as well as a 6" CS jointer)...and it was a real "rock and roll" situation. Fortunately, someone (privately) was selling brand new welded bases that they didin't need for these two tools for some reason for about half price and I scarfed them up. Dan, who bought the jointer, and Ken, who is getting the bandsaw on Saturday, got lucky on that! :D They got/are getting the welded bases. (I gave the HTC bases to another woodworker recently...they are not horrible, just not something I'd buy again due to the flex)

[JayStPeter]

(I gave the HTC bases to another woodworker recently...they are not horrible, just not something I'd buy again due to the flex)
I put my HTC universal under my Craftsman TS. It would twist itself while up and rolling and not set down properly. So the TS would wobble in either the up or down position. Sometimes it would be a half inch out of whack when I set it down. I found that unsat.
When I got my Drill Press, I bought a Rockler and replaced the base under the TS with that. Much better. Still a little wobbly when up and moving (with Maple braces, never tried metal), but set down solid every time. I put the HTC under the DP and it was on the verge of acceptable there. Every now and then it would wobble after being set down, but simply raising and lowering it again would do the trick. With the TS, I always had shims around.
When it came time to sell the TS, I put the HTC back under it and resized the Rockler for the DP.

Chris -
I have to agree with your statements on the lock downs of the Shop Fox. That's part of the reason I only recommend them for tools that don't move often. I'm sold on welded bases for heavier tools I'll move regularly. The good part of the shop fox bases is that they stay solid like welded bases and don't need to be raised up to move. So, they are particularly stable for universal bases IMO. Keep in mind, all I have used is the "Super Heavy Duty" version (likely the same one you have).

Jay

[Chris Padilla]

Jay,

I was rereading your first post about the mobility and laughing. Those small diameter wheels (3"?) get hung up on EVERYTHING! I got my TS moving at a pretty good clip once and nearly dumped it on its side upon hitting an extension cord!

And silly me bought a bunch of 3" red poly wheels when they went on sale once...it'll take a while to get through them before I can buy 4 or 5" dia. wheels....

[Waymon Campbell]

Thanks for the quick responses. Looks like I am going to have to BTB "bite the bullet" and get the good ones. Like I always tell LOML, you gets what you pays for.

Waymon...

[Wes Bischel]

I can't say that I've ever used a HTC. I picked up a few Delta "clones" at a Homier traveling tool sale that are welded steel. I figured hey for $16.99 what could I lose? (OK, OK, I could lose $16.99 :rolleyes: ) They have worked quite well all things considered, though the lifting wheel sticks out and can be a trip hazard which is a problem with all of this type.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Wes

Oh, one negative is they raise the tool up to the top of the mobile base - and they are not adjustable - ah, two negatives. Yes, you do get what you pay for :eek:

[Tom Peterson]

I have only used these for my smaller tools tools, belt/disc, bandsaw, and jointer. I wouldn't put a table saw on one of them. I think they are only max rated at 400#'s. For small things, I guess I would say I have not had any problems. I made insert shelfs for the bottoms to store things associated with the tool and make use that space.

[Mike Kelly]

I don't like the universal bases. I have had three HTC dedicated bases and thay are better than the Delta ones I have. One of the Delta bases I have, I trip over all the time. (Yes I am clumsy, but it hurts your foot too.) I had my old Unisaw on an HTC base and it was great. Very balanced and stable. Didn't have to lock it down because it was so heavy. My new Delta one under a newer Unisaw is OK. The HTC seems to be more well made and sturdier if that is a word.

[Sam Chambers]

Waymon...

I have 2 of the HTC mobile bases - one under my Jet 14" band saw, and the other under my Powermatic 6" jointer. It works great with the band saw, not so good with the jointer. That's probably my doing, since I haven't bolted it down to the base, and it wobbles a bit. They're not as easy to use as the Delta or a custom-sized welded unit, but easier than the Shop Fox under the table saw.

[Mike Evertsen]

I have one under my bandsaw and ordered one for the drum sander,,,I don't move my tools far from where they are just need a foot or two sometimes for long boards and dragging them is not easy,,,,I found putting down a plywood base helps with the base twisting,,,,

[Dominic Greco]

I guess I'm in the minority here!

I just got one for my 300 (or so) lb Jet 18" band saw and am really impressed with it. I will admit that the number of individual parts (108 to be exact) was a bit intimidating. And it did take 40 minutes to assemble. But the mechanical engineer in my found the bolted connections very sturdy and the stamped pieces easy to fit together.

Granted, the width of the bandsaw base is only 17 7/8" and the depth 29 3/4 (all approximate). But I've found that the (2) wheeled design is easier to use than the Delta Universal bases I have under (3) other tools in my shop.

I will admit to liking a welded base a tiny bit better. Usually they are made to fit specific equipment and are designed with the loads in mind. My Delta Unisaw sits nicely on it Delta's base (with extension). However, the base that came with my 6" Jet Jointer leaves A LOT to be desired. I have to keep wedge of wood handy to stop it from rolling even when the wheels are locked in place. Not a real good design in my own estimation!

[john lawson]

I guess I am also in the minority. I have used the HTC mobile bases for a couple of years and found them to work well.

What I really like is that I have bought and sold several machines, a jointer, scrollsaw, and drill press, and have been able to reconfigure the base so there was no need to buy a new one. You can't do that with a welded base.

They are not as good as a dedicated base but for me they have worked well and they are very adaptable should you find yourself needing to trade or replace some of your equipment

john

[Dick Parr]

I have one I use under my small Delta shaper. There isn't a lot of weight though. I think it does a good job moving around in the shop. I like the 3 wheels vs the 4 wheels on my HTC welded base under my Jet jointer. 3 wheel is easier to level on an uneven floor.

[Eric Porter]

I also wanted to chime in with a positive vote. I have the HTC 2000 bases under a Jet 6" jointer, and an older model Craftsman, contractor's style tablesaw, both work great. There is no noticable flex on the jointer, probably due to the short distance the base spans, and the flex on the tablesaw doesn't cause me a problem either. I have been very pleased with them.

[Paul D. May]

Anyone use the HTC 2000 mobile base for moving around planer and jointer? I see Amazon has them for $50 and was wondering if they "do the job".

Waymon...

Waymon,

I am in the minority as well but it seems to be getting more competitive. I have a HTC 2000 under my JET 6" CS jointer and one under my 14" BS. They are stable and move nicely! I have casters on my Contractor's saw which allows the feet to rest on the floor when not in use.

Paul

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