How to solve mobile base problem

[poolhound]

I am sure most of you recall the mobile base I built last year. It is working perfectly with only one exception - the adapted HTC base.




Not long after completing it one of the plastic levers broke in the same manner as in this pick below. I contacted HTC and they dutifully replaced it. The weight is certainly under what this is supposed to lift however it seems that there are flat spots developing on the lower cam portion of these levers. The net result is that it does not raise the wheels enough to move the unit easily. I suspect that before long one or other (probably both) will break. I am therefore looking for an alternate solution that I can retrofit to replace these levers as the base and wheels are solid and work well.

I am considering a number of options but wanted to see what you bright fellows might come up with as possible solutions.

[chopnhack]

My first thought was if someone could cast that part for you... lacking access to a smith, the next thing that popped into my head was a sill plate connector. The edges are bent at a right angle, you could drill a hole and mount it where the existing plastic piece goes. You would need to thicken the portion that would rub over the cam to take up the slack. My 2 cents.



How has the carcass held up so far? Any issues with the drawers binding or rubbing against each other?

[LCHIEN]

a couple of my HTC bases have aluminum levers.

[toolguy1000]

general machinery in canada makes a base similar to that HTC, but it's all metal, even thelevers that are stepped onto engage the swivel wheels. had one on a ridgid jointer for years and its performed flawlessly.

[pelligrini]

Maybe a shop made long lever system using those casters. I don't have access to my mags for an example right now. A single lever pivoting on the back corner operating both casters at once should be fairly easy to fabricate out of wood. A longer lever would make it easier to raise.

I had a craftsman (HTC similar) mobile base on my jointer for a while, but it wasn't easy to operate the levers. It didn't get it far enough off the floor to clear the little ramp into my shop either.

[poolhound]

Maybe a shop made long lever system using those casters. I don't have access to my mags for an example right now. A single lever pivoting on the back corner operating both casters at once should be fairly easy to fabricate out of wood. A longer lever would make it easier to raise.

I had a craftsman (HTC similar) mobile base on my jointer for a while, but it wasn't easy to operate the levers. It didn't get it far enough off the floor to clear the little ramp into my shop either.

This is an interesting idea if I get what you mean, although I am having a hard time visualizing it.

I dont have a problem with clearance. The main issue is that the "flattend" cams wont raise the wheels perpendicular to the floor so it will not roll correctly.

[pelligrini]

This is an interesting idea if I get what you mean, although I am having a hard time visualizing it.

There are many ways to execute it. Here's one idea; below is a view from the back. The 2x4 (or whatever material) would be the same length as the end of your base. The lever would attach to the end and need to clear the back to rotate. Bolt latches could keep the lever in place when down and up.

[poolhound]

There are many ways to execute it. Here's one idea; below is a view from the back. The 2x4 (or whatever material) would be the same length as the end of your base. The lever would attach to the end and need to clear the back to rotate. Bolt latches could keep the lever in place when down and up.

Gosh that is very different to what I thought you meant - A pictures worth a thousand words. I will have to give this some more thought ...

[Pappy]

2 pieces of flat iron, curved on one corner to match the original bracket, with a couple of cross pieces welded in. Shouldn't be too hard to fabricate.

[eezlock]

solving a mobile base problem

I think Pappy's advice is headed in the same direction as mine concerning that
lever for the base. I would buy a piece of 3" or 4" channel iron and fabricate
a lever from that. You would already have sides, where the pin goes thru the lever, all you have to do is bore a couple of holes in the right position and mark and cut away the unwanted portion of the channel iron sides, smooth it up with
a side grinder and it is ready to be painted and installed. I have modified, changed the levers on a couple of my mobile bases to make them work easier for me...not to hard, just a little time doing some metal work and using some scrap metal I already had lying around the shop.