Rockler Mobile Base - $30

[thrytis]

Rockler has their Power Tool Mobile Base on their two day sale for $30, Regularly $50. This is one of the add 1.5" square hardwood to complete bases. I believe there is a free shipping code for Rockler.

[oracle]

For those of you who never had these...

I've bought a couple of these from Rockler a few years ago and here are my findings.

I have them on a Rikon 18" bandsaw and a HF 17" DP.

For the bandsaw I used steel square tubing instead of wood, and the DP I used hardwood. Unless you have these materials lying around, you will end up shelling out more money than a complete MB. They are made very tough but when moving them I found it to be very unstable.

What I found worked better were the 4 wheeled versions, namely the General MB and the HTC 3000. Check eBay for sweet deals.

Jeff

[sweensdv]

They're already sold out. Makes me wonder how many they actually had set aside for this "promo"?

[theminor]

I always go with the Homier $16 model:
http://www.homier.com/detail.asp?Ses...cat=&sku=04529

It works great - I've never had any issues with these and I have them on 3 or 4 machines. Only problem is that the size is fixed. The platform on which your tool goes is a decent size, though, and I haven't had a problem with any of mine.

I decided to order one of these rocklers and test it out. I've been meaning to put wheels in my ginormeous router table and this might do the trick...

[jovani]

Mobile base

I just purchased a rocker mobile base, but Iam interested in the ones you mentioned, since I need a few mobile bases. Do you have the dimensions and weight limits? They do look better than Rockler.

I wonder why the compnay doen't have the dimensions.

Thanks for the tip. Hopefully I can use them for what I need.

[pecker]

I have one of the Rockler bases, as well as one of the Porta Mates as described in this thread:
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=34133

They PortaMates are $30 also, and I think are far superior to the Rockler. More stable, easier to assemble, no wood to buy,cut, and drill.

[garymuto]

I have the HTC and the Rockler bases. They both serve their purposes. I use the Rockler bases, with wood on my lighter tools and the HTC on heavier tools, like Table Saw and Drum Sander. My top heavy Drill press is secured to a bench.
I'm not familiar with the Homier model. The price seems almost too low.

[jovani]

mobile base

Pecker, As I mentioned in the porta-mate thread, I tried several HP in Los angeles and San bernandino county in california and each time the management said, they never seen it and it did'nt show in their computer. I love to get the porta-mate and return the rockler. Any news on portamate available in this area?

[bearwood]

rockler moble base

This is the same base that is made by Delta and wasdiscountinued by LOWES in the summer. I bought four of them for just 12.oo each. They are not worth the 30.00 price. Sears has one on sale for 50.00 which is so much better. no wood to buy, quick assemb. also saw other bases at tool stores in n.y. for 30.oo much better.

[GrantV]

I always go with the Homier $16 model:
http://www.homier.com/detail.asp?Ses...cat=&sku=04529

$16!!! What are shipping charges like?

[garymuto]

The portamate is not the same as the Delta base that was clearanced by Lowes. That model was very much like the Rockler base and both of those use wood for the frame.

[theminor]

The Homier is definitely priced low and I'm not saying it is the best mobile base you can buy. However, I have had no problems with them - they do the job quite well. I have one on my drill press, jointer, and bandsaw.

I meant to check the dimensions last night, but I just did a search and found that they are 21 ½ x 22 ½ (not adjustable). The corners have heavy braces that hold the tool so you get a decent range if your footprint is smaller than those dimensions. If bigger, you'd probably have to add a sheet of plywood or something. I haven't had to modify it at all for any of the 3 tools I've used it for (other than drilling holes). Do a search for "Homier Base" and you'll find some other opinions.

[pecker]

I have one of the Homier bases also. Bought it 2 years ago and it still sits in the corner. While it is very well made and sturdy, it doesn't really fit anything I own. It's too big for my jointer...it's large footprint gets in the way. And too small or wrongly shaped for my other stuff. It might be good on a bandsaw, or maybe to make a planer stand mobile.

Plus it appears to me as if it's upside down. Your machines don't sit down inside the metal framework, but on top of it. So it adds a bit more height than the other mobile bases I've seen.