MM16 mobile base

[Roger Bell]

I have pretty much had it with the "mobility kit" for the MM16 featuring the jake bar. It was fine for quite awhile, but it is simply too cumbersome to move the saw, now that space is getting tighter. It is an ok unit for most people, I am not knocking it...but it has severe limitations for my situation.

I need a very good mobile base. One that allows me to move the unit in any direction I want with minimal jockeying-around. No more back and forth and this and that. I would prefer something designed for the MM16 if possible and definitely of higher quality.

Like I said, I am fed up with lower quality. I don't care about "saving money"....I just want to get something that works great from the get-go.

Recommendations?

[Steve Rowe]

I feel your pain. I got fed up with a similar mobility kit on my LT-18. My recommendation Zambus AC300 Carrymaster casters. Cost me about $130 for a set of 4 but well worth it. Their quality is far superior to the much less expensive Great Lakes Caster version. The website is: http://zambus.com/

If you go to my previous thread on the Aigner Extension tables, you will see the Zambus casters installed.
Steve

[Jim Becker]

Zambus casters or an HTC welded base.

[Bruce Page]

Roger, this was my solution.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=10507

.

[Fred Woodward]

I got fed up a couple of months ago. LOL I bought the HTC mobile base with an extra brake (Model HSJ 3994). I think the whole thing was about $120 direct from HTC. Placed the saw on 3/4" plywood to give clearance for the mobile base/lower door. Love it. Locks down solid and I can move it anywhere in the shop with one finger if needed.

[Doug Shepard]

I had mine on the one Bruce Page used for about a year. It worked pretty good but on my less than smooth/level floor I still wasn't happy. Finally switched to a set of Zambus casters and love them. Plus if you're tall like me, they'll raise the table up a few inches more which is nice.

If this is what you're after:

... One that allows me to move the unit in any direction I want with minimal jockeying-around. No more back and forth and this and that.
...
I think you want the Zambus casters for sure. You can almost do a 360 degree turn in-place.

[John Bush]

H Roger,

I just built bases for a new BS @ ~600#s and a new jointer @~900#s using leveling castors from Great Lakes Castors. I first used them on a PM 4224 lathe @~1200# with extension and long banjo. The castors have cogged adjustment "wheels" within the castor housing that can be turned easily by hand(finger), and this raises and lowers a hard rubber foot. When in the mobile mode these heavy and otherwise cumbersome machines are very easy to push around and can spin in any direction as opposed to the one swivel two fixed wheel design. When in "lock down", they are rock solid even with a big, irregular blank on the lathe. I have the Delta brand with that design and was quite happy with them until I built these Here are some pics:

castors hot off the Brown truck:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0146.jpg

BS base: fuzzy wuzzy tho

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0149.jpg

another view:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0150.jpg

in action:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0152.jpg

Jointer base:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0154.jpg


Another view:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0155.jpg

In action:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0158.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0160.jpg

Lathe in action

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0151-1.jpg

Oops , try this:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/bushhog104/PICT0169.jpg

The castors are $12.00 each and all the metal was ~$60.00. Google Great Lakes Castor for more info. I got a MIG with the excuse that I needed to make "things" for the shop and I then needed new and bigger machines so I could use the MIG!! I should work for the goverment. How about that color match. It was nice of Rustoleum to make a Griz Green with a hammer finish.