Herc-U-Lift worth the hassle?

[BobH]

I've got 2 of these, one on the BT3100, and one on a planer stand. It went on the BT3110 using the 28x28 setup with very little fiddling. The planer stand is about 22.5 x 31.5. There are setups for different Ridgid stands in the manual, one of them being their planer stand, which is 22 x 31.25. I started out using the setup for their planer stand for mine. It was pretty close, just a bit of fine tuning and it was good to go.

The point is that I think you can adapt it to sizes that aren't listed in the manual. For instance, for vanguard's 24" x 30" base, I would start off setting up the lower frame assembly per the 24" width instructions, and the upper frame assembly per the 30" length instructions, and fine tune it from there. As long as both dimensions are in the 24" to 32" range you should be able to get it to work fine. Additionally, many of the Ridgid stands that they give specific setups for have dimensions outside of that range - it's really quite flexible as far as size adaptability goes.

I really like these: one push down and the whole thing is up on wheels - one push on the release and it's back down again.

[vanguard]

Well, I got out the tape measure last night, the stand on my RAS is 18" x 26". Page 30 on the instructions doesn't list anything that narrow. Do you guys think it would still work or would I be better off with a Rockler base?

[wreckwriter]

Well, I got out the tape measure last night, the stand on my RAS is 18" x 26". Page 30 on the instructions doesn't list anything that narrow. Do you guys think it would still work or would I be better off with a Rockler base?

I'm pretty sure the box says 24" minimum.

[BobH]

vanguard, check out pages 18-19 of the manual. The setup there is for the Ridgid bandsaw, which is 17x26.5. You have to use the outside leg brackets. That and adding 1 inch to the spreads on the lower assembly should get you there.

[Hank77]

Not too bad...

I just installed the Herc-U-Lift on my BT3100 this afternoon/evening. I followed the instructions for the 28"x28" base as well, and the installation went without a hitch. Works like a charm. Actually, I had not opened it because of the expressed difficulty with fitting the BT3100 in this thread.

I installed the spring as well (believe that was optional), and that worked out well too. I did have to drill a few holes in the BT3100 base (two in each side of a leg for the brackets, one centered on the back support to attach the s-hook for the spring/chain). One thing that did make it easier was to take the saw off the base.

I'm just happy to have a way to move my saw other than lifting it and tripping through my messy garage. I'm definitely an amateur and besides spending time to assemble, drill, and attach, it really wasn't that bad. I stuck to the instructions and read them twice at every step... I've been bitten by reading things just once in the past.

Hank

Edit: I did have to remove the front horizontal support on the base. This allowed the pedal mechanism to come up effectively and sit the saw back on it's feet. I believe the Herc-U-Lift structure should effectively replace that horizontal support. Seems to be fine so far!

[rghammes]

Works great!

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the great tips and advice!

I used some straight angle iron - like you use for garage doors - to avoid drilling extra holes in the legs. I thought the legs were thin enough already

It makes the saw a breeze to roll around - which is critical, since my workshop is a 8x8 spot in the garage.

I did find I had to tweak the angles quite a bit, and the spring was needed.

EDIT: I just noticed someone mentioning they had had to remove the saw's front support - another benefit of the straight angle iron is that I didn't have to remove the front support.

[woodrowB]

- another benefit of the straight angle iron is that I didn't have to remove the front support.

This, I would like to see. If you can post some pics, thanks in advance.

[sacherjj]

I have had two Herculifts sitting around for a little over a month. I finally built one today to go on the Ridgid planer I just purchased. Why did I wait so long? This think if amazing. I just finished building for a 28" square and will be drilling holes in the BT3100 stand tomorrow. This thing is slick. I didn't realize how much easier this is than locking caster or two lever stands. I picked up a third today. This was actually the one I put together for the BT. It cracked me up a little. The small cardboard box was filled with loose hardware. It looks like they person got a little past the rear support assembly and gave up.

[limetwist]

Hi, I've been following the posts for some time now and I have mine pretty well put together (on the living room floor!).

I think I've done something wrong. When I hold the chain up (I'm not sure where to fasten it - on saw, or on the rear brace), but when I hold that up, and then step on the thing, the bottom bar of the "front" assembly hits the floor. Could someone kindly tell me what I'm missing?

Maybe I'm just not certain -how- it will work when it's right.

Thank you~~

Gina

[ryan.s]

Hi, I've been following the posts for some time now and I have mine pretty well put together (on the living room floor!).

I think I've done something wrong. When I hold the chain up (I'm not sure where to fasten it - on saw, or on the rear brace), but when I hold that up, and then step on the thing, the bottom bar of the "front" assembly hits the floor. Could someone kindly tell me what I'm missing?

Maybe I'm just not certain -how- it will work when it's right.

Thank you~~

Gina

I don't think any part of the assembly should be hitting the floor. I have 4 of them and love them. None of them go past parallel to the ground when pressed down. If you post a picture it might help the forum members point out the problem. I just noticed that you mentioned that you have not assembled it on the saw yet. I think it needs to be on the saw for it to work properly. The support bars level out on the corner tabs when pressed down. Other than that I would suggest going over the assembly instructions again to double check that it was put together right.

Here's a link to some pictures I posted on the Hitachi CB13F forum. Maybe it will help.

http://cb13f.cpu-etc.com/cgi-bin/yab...32381331/30#30

[limetwist]

Ahh, ok, if I sit on the bench I think I see how it works Although I'm not sure I understand what the spring/chain/s-hook part is supposed to do?

Thanks for the tip though, it looked really strange with no weight on it--- oops I'm trying to avoid all the crawling around on cold cement that others write about!

Gina

[sacherjj]

The spring just helps the center lift up. It is possible to work without it, but it doesn't work quite as well.

[skruffy]

Am I missing parts?

I'm not sure this is the bext place to ask this question, but it's because of this thread and a couple of others here that I even bought my HUL. I just couldn't stand the enormous peer pressure and I had to be like all of you other guys

I was at HD this past weekend getting myself a new cordless drill for my b-day since the batteries on my 9ish year old DeWalt are finally done, and I found 2 HULs. I was tempted to buy both (peer pressure, remember?) even though I only have one piece of equipment to put on it right now, but I resisted and only got one.

When I got home, I noticed that the outer box of the HUL had a rather large tear in the side. In fact, it's big enough that I can't believe I hadn't seen it in the store. So I opened up the box and took out the contents to make sure everything was there. The inner packaging was intact. The problem is, I don't really know what I am supposed to have so I don't know if something fell out. What was in there was:

- A thin, flat box that is fairly heavy. I'm assuming this contains the main tubes to build the frame.
- A smaller box that is closer to cube shaped, though not quite. I took a peek in this one and it had the casters and chain.
- The pedal assembly
- A card with nuts, bolts, washers, etc.

So does anyone happen to know if this sounds complete, or if there was something in your box that I don't have? The hole in the outer box certainly would have been big enough for another card of hardware to fall out. I just don't want to have to go back to the store to exchange because it's well out of my way (and the other one will probably be gone when I get there with my luck) and I don't want to be caught missing pieces as I try to get it put together.

Thanks for any help you can give.

-Jack

[Copper]

IIRC, I think that is everything. Make sure you have the manual, too. You'll definitely need it.

[limetwist]

Got mine working just fine, a little tweaking where the set-screws are, but seems to be right.

I can't wait to use my saw! I think I'll watch the dvd again to pump me up - lol.

Has everyone had to remove the front support?

Gina