BT3100 on Herc-U-Lift Photos

[Martin_S]

Here are some photos of my new BT3100 mounted on the Herc-U-Lift.

The instructions for the Herc-U-Lift talk about taking off the front lateral support. I initially did not do this as I assembed the saw base then mated it to the Herc-U-Lift, but I will probably go and take it off later as it really is in the way.

I did use the chain on the spring, but I think that too is going away.

In my other post I questioned the bolts that attach the Herc-U-Lift to the legs of the BT3100 as shown in the Right Rear photo. After having tried this out for awhile I now understand that this is correct.

One thing about assembly that might help out - when you are looking at that chart back on page 30, go ahead and mark the correct information for the 28 x 28 setup on the picture on page 29. That way you don't have to keep looking back at the chart repeatedly.


For $29, I think the Herc-U-Lift is a bargain.

Hope these help

Martin

[Salty]

That's just great Martin. I spent all morning building a mobile base for my saw and probably have more than $30 invested in hardware and wheels. Now we have this thing.
That must have been a sale item at HD, correct? It is at $49 now.
Looks much nicer than mine too! :-o

[bobevans]

Thanks for posting the pictures so quickly. You did a great job on the install.

[havighurst]

Thanks for the pics. I just picked one up yesterday, but I wasn't sure if it would fit - now I know it will. I guess I will be spending the rest of the afternoon out in a very cold garage assembling it.

[JackAZ]

Herc-U-Lift

Salty...The $29 price is permanent, attached to the SKU number. I've recently installed mine under the BT3, am thoroughly enjoying it, and thinking of getting some more for a couple of other tools.

See also this thread: http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=18114

Jack

[Salty]

Is that $29 the price from HD? If not where?

Thanks.

[dlminehart]

Jack (and others): have you put the Herc-U-Lift on anything besides a table or miter saw? In particular, a bandsaw? I'm thinking of building a cabinet for my BT3100, and am wondering how to reuse the BT's Herc-U-Lift.

[mikebanks]

Herculift on a Delta 6 inch jointer

I recently put the Herculift on a delta open base 6 inch jointer. I have been just dragging the jointer for the last few years around the floor.

HUGE improvement. Plus the nuts and bolts will not wiggle off anymore.

[91FE]

Hey Martin,

Did you have to make any adjustments to the rubber feet? I spent a few hours this afternoon putting mine together... and something isn't right. It rolls around fine, but doesn't stay put after releasing the foot pedal. It was really cold in the garage and I quickly became impatient. I've thrown in the towel for now. Any tips?

[Cody.h]

Salty the $29.00 price is at the BROG...I dont know if they're sold anywhere else. They had 4 or 5 at the one I was at last night.

David I installed one on my craftsman euro 12 inch bandsaw...the kit comes with special bracket that fit on the outside of the legs for use with the Rigid BS. I just drilled holes in the legs and mounted it like the instructions show for the Rigid..works like a champ!!

[Wood_workur]

Cool. Did you have to drill the stand? Do the fett of the saw touch the floor with the cross-member in place?

[Salty]

Yes you will have to drill 2 holes in each of the stand legs. I found that using the 'D' marking on the rear extension tube works better. It brings the foot plate out further past the side brace. This will force you to mount the rear support assembly in mounting hole #3 instead of #2.
Also, I adjusted the feet down before I started so that when finished, I would have more overall adjustment.
NOTE: be sure to mount the leg brackets such that the square tubing is UNDERNEATH the bracket. Dummy me got that wrong on the back set. I'll probably change it later because it would be best to have the tube push up on the bracket instead of pulling on the bolt.
This was one of the most difficult set of instructions that I have ever encountered.
And if I were to do it again I would disassemble the saw so that I could mount the lift on the stand while it is on the workbench.

Salty

PS, I have some additional detailed pictures of mine assembled if anyone wants to see them.

[hobkirk]

How It Works & Limitations

Boston, here... $29.00, 8 left, Waltham store
I bought one because of the Bargain Alerts here - great deal.

ASSEMBLY

• I found it well packaged (all the nuts & bolts were labeled on a shrink-wrapped card, all the metal tubes were shrink-wrapped on card stock with outlines of the parts) - pretty spectacular by my standards
• I thought the instructions worked pretty good but they ARE NOT SIMPLE - there are about a dozen square tubes on each side, many have multiple holes which need to be chosen according to the exact size,
• They show good illustrations for 7 different Rigid machines, including the exact parts and holes to be used, etc.
• SUGGESTION - pick a machine that's closest to the size you want. Assemble everything finger tight. Mount the brackets on your legs. Attach the lift to the brackets. Now FIX EVERYTHING THAT'S WRONG.

LIMITATIONS

1. The lift assembly requires about 5" of space inside the legs (there are outrigger brackets, but the main hardware still resides inside the legs) - No real problem
2. The lock release sticks up two inches - but 7" isn't much of a problem
3. When you release the lock, the mechanism goes up about 6", so now the bottom 12-13" of the table cannot be used for storage - and you need a little space above that for your foot to step on the leverage point.
4. So, to recap, that's the bottom 12" of the table is unusable space and any shelf above that needs to be recessed for access.
5. FINALLY (boy this is a LOT of words) the front leg stiffener needs to be removed.

APPLICATIONS
This will work with almost any table, including wood, if...

• the leggs are straight, vertical or spreading is OK (my Jet BS stand flares out - they won't work)
• 16"-31" for side with foot lever and lock (width usually)
• 26 1/2" - 58" for the other side (depth usually)

There's more - especially the proper height to drill the bracket holes and the load levelors - but I haven't finsihed that yet - and I'm tired.

BT3000 TABLE
Tomorrow I plan to attach the LIFT to an un-used BT3000 table as a bandsaw base. Based on memory, I think I will need to reposition the bottom "shelf", add some plywood, and take a few pics. The 20x30 footprint is a lot bigger than the 14x23 of my Jet Bandsaw, but the current stand seems dangerously narrow to me.

I hope this helps someone. Good luck.

[RmeDad]

Ditto that. Installed on CB13F bandsaw without a hitch.

[Never2old2start]

Hey Dad- I just called my local HD and they have 6 in stock. I'm gonna go tomorrow and pick up two for the $29 price. One will be for the BT and the other for the CB13F. Since the install for the BT is here I was wondering how the install went for the 13F? Thanks.
Has anyone tried to mount this base to a Hitachi DP yet? If so, please let me know because I might buy three bases while I'm at HD, if it can be safely done. Thanks again.

~ Paul ~