Mobile bases on the cheap?

[GaryA]

Where can I get cheap mobile bases for my equipment? I can't drop $60-$80 per base, and I thought I had seen where you can buy the hardware and attach it to 2x4's...is this a good way to go? Or who sells decent bases for a good price? I need them for my BT3, bandsaw, planer & router table.....??? Thanks

[Mainemarc]

Hi Gary:

Wood Magazine recycles a lot of its content in their compilation issues; something like "100 Best Jigs and Shop Fixtures". One of them has a very nice design for a mobile stand that uses maple and inexpensive swivel casters. One of those compliation issues is out on the stands now, you could check and see if it includes this particular design.

It features a wooden lever and cam arrangement that elevates the body of stand by about 1/4" onto the casters. It allows you to roll your tool out of it's storage position and then you flip the lever back, retracting the wheels.

I'm not describing it very well. It looked to me like a simple, effective and attractive mobile base solution. A dozen 3" casters from Harbor Freight, some hard maple stock and that Wood Magazine special issue would probably get you and your tools in mobile base heaven for less than $100.

[Napoleon]

Hi there! I think this is the plan refered to above by Mainemarc.... http://woodmagazine.com/wood/story.j...urs.xml&page=5 Looks interesting enough, I might check it out more!
Have a good weekend
Mark

[hines]

quote:Originally posted by GaryA

Where can I get cheap mobile bases for my equipment? I can't drop $60-$80 per base, and I thought I had seen where you can buy the hardware and attach it to 2x4's...is this a good way to go? Or who sells decent bases for a good price? I need them for my BT3, bandsaw, planer & router table.....??? Thanks

I bought this one for my BT and it works great. All you have to do is add a piece of 3/4" plywood and it's done. Usually Woodcraft sells them for $45-50 at the store. They're really well built.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5114

[atgcpaul]

This is still my favorite mobile base. Hardware, casters, and
scrap wood should run you less than $20. Many of us have built
this. It's easy.

https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...-4-wheel-dolly


Paul

[Knottscott]

The Homier traveling sale comes through our town a couple of times a year. They have a $16 mobile base that's been very good. My jointer's been on the first one for over 2 years. I liked it so much that I bought a second one last year....both have been great. Several weeks ago the Sears universal base was on sale from $60 to a ridiculous $20....my 400# 22124 sits on that base, and I'm extremely happy with it.

[monte]

I agree with the Homier base being very good for the money. My only complaint with it is that it isn't adjustable. I have one that my Shaper sits on and it works very well. I'm also planning on getting another one for my 14" bandsaw.

[Mainemarc]

quote:Originally posted by Napoleon

Hi there! I think this is the plan refered to above by Mainemarc.... http://woodmagazine.com/wood/story.j...urs.xml&page=5

Yep Mark, that's exactly the one I was thinking about. I was focusing on a shop-built design instead of the Homier/Cummins/Harbor Freight versions of the HTC/Rockler/Woodcraft mobile bases because Gary made it sound like he was looking to mobilize several of his shop tools with the bare minimum cash outlay.

The Wood Mag. design struck me as a better thought-out and engineered take on Gary's initial 'casters and 2x4' proposal.

[leehljp]

Another way for mobility is like this:

[GaryA]

Thanks guys...great info! I couldn't locate the Homier base on their site?? I'll also check out the BIY version from Wood mag...looks like a good way to go also!

[GaryA]

By the way...has anyone built the one from Wood Mag...if so...any feedback? The only downside I see is that the footprint is larger than a typical mobile base, and my shop I'm working on is only 11x21??

[plarval]

I made the wood magazine base. I like it alot and it works really well. You're not going to save any money on it though, unless you happen to already have the material on hand. The hardware added up pretty quickly. I skipped out on the angle iron and just made some cleats for my saw to sit on. I also put some beefier wheels on it, but I'm tall so the added height was not a problem. If I were to do it again, I would probably just buy one of the woodcracft or rockler models they put on sale. If it's just for your bt3100, I would try the homemade "herc-u-lift" linked above.

[Pappy]

I have the Wood magazine version under my jointer and BS. Also opted for better 3" casters from Darnell-Rose($12 ea) after trying the 2" caster from Lowe's first. With a slight mod to the plans the height difference was only 1/2" or less. Grizzly has some good casters on sale right now.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item...mnumber=H0692&

[Rounder]

I must admit that I suffer from CRS, but I was looking at one of the books (can't remember which one)on my shelf this weekend and saw a jointer mounted to a very unique mobile base. Simply put, it was attached to two 4" x 4" (length wise) that had casters attached to them. After looking at it, I started thinking about mounting my lathe the same way. I am guessing, but I am willing to bet at least two of the castors are locking.

[GaryA]

Is the $39.99 Woodcraft adjustable base ( http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True ) that is on sale as solid as the hardware they sell for $55? I can probably stomach $40 if its solid...otherwise will probably build....any thoughts?