Mobile Base on a Drill Press: Yes or No?

[Anil Kalagatla]

Hi:

I recently bought a Powermatic PM2800 drill press (~200lb) and was wondering if putting this on a mobile base is a bad idea. The manual actually says not to put this on a mobile base! But I remember seeing a couple of folks putting these top heavy machines on mobile bases (I'm not able to find those posts for some reason).

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thanks
Anil

[Gary Herrmann]

I didn't put mine on a mobile base. Just didn't feel safe to me.

[Bill Fleming]

I put mine on a mobile base - no problems when set in place - of course you need to be careful when moving but that is not often and much better that the "rocking on the edge" of fixed base for those times when it needs to be moved to provide more room for usage, etc.

Bill

[Jason Beam]

My intention, one day, will be to build a mobile base with a larger footprint than it's standard base. Preferably with dimensions that are around it's actual space footprint with the add-on table I built. This should give me around 18x24" of base rather than the 10x15 or so. By extending the wheelbase, I'm hoping it will counter some of that top-heaviness.

[Scott Loven]

I put mine on a 2'*3' piece of plywood and stand on the plywood when I use it. I can drag it around if I need to.

Scott

[Steven Wilson]

I had, but then I removed the mobil base - just not steady enough with my garage floor. Instead, I added some good leveling feet and took my time setting up the machine so that its stable.

[Steve Sawyer]

Put mine on a mobile base w/no problems. The base is home-made from 2x4's so it's rock solid. Two fixed wheels in the back and rests directly on the floor in front. I lift the front with a broom-handled jigger with a couple of fixed casters on it and a hook that catches a "U" bolt sticking out the front.

Yeah, you need to exercise some common sense when moving it - not too fast, no sharp changes in direction, make sure the floor is clear when doing so, keep one hand on the column or the quill or the table or something.

I couldn't have a DP if I couldn't move it easily when I need to, which is often.

[Jim Becker]

I have one under mine...necessary to move it around in my shop...but I'm darn careful when I'm doing so. DPs are very top-heavy. Ideally, they would not be on a mobile base or one would move it (carefully) with a hand truck.

[Doug Shepard]

Mine's on a mobile base but it's almost impossible to move without one. Roughly 600 Lbs or so. There's a lot of cast iron down low as well as up top so tippiness isnt a problem.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showpost...91&postcount=3

[Anil Kalagatla]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Since I'm sure I won't install the DP in its ideal location the first time, I will probably go ahead and put it on a mobile base. But I will probably try to increase the footprint to as wide as possible and make it a little less top heavy (by loading the base with bricks or sand). Hopefully that will make it less tippy.

Anil

[Bob Wingard]

If you make your own base, try using three wheels instead of four. The tripod effect will keep it steady even on floors that arent level.

[Benjamin Dahl]

I have a mobile base and threw a 75lb. bag of sand on the foot to help with stability.

[glenn bradley]

I can't speak for that particular DP but, here's mine:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=57448

[Anil Kalagatla]

I can't speak for that particular DP but, here's mine:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=57448

Glenn:

Thanks for the link. This was the post I was looking for, but couldn't find (I've bookmarked it now :-). I think I'm going to copy your solution. Are you using an HTC-1000 base there?

Thanks
Anil

[Basil Rathbone]

I am more interested in what you think of your PM 2800. I don't think they are available in Canada but from what I have heard, I wish they were.

As to your question, I have just read the manual for a Steel City DP and it says not to mount it on a mobile base. It may just be a CYA statement, but having one even remotely able to fall over doesn't sound like a good idea.

Basil