Disassembling a Unisaw for moving

[milanuk]

Looks like I may have a chance for a good deal on a Unisaw... the problem is I'll have to take it apart to get in down stairs into my basement shop. If I take off the wings and the cast iron top, it should be light enough for a couple healthy fellows to lug down about 10 steps or so, right? Or do I need to take it down further?

TIA,

Monte

[Tom Slick]

I'd take the entire top off. besides making it much easier to move it opens up the top to inspect and do some maintenance.

[milanuk]

Never having had a cabinet saw to look around at the guts thereof... is it worth taking the motor off like a person would on a contractor's saw? Or is it even feasible?

[Uncle Cracker]

Of course it is feasible, because otherwise you'd have to throw the saw away if the motor went bad...

I don't think the motor will make or break the move, so I wouldn't plan on removing it if you can handle the carcass without the top on it.

[milanuk]

Of course it is feasible, because otherwise you'd have to throw the saw away if the motor went bad...

Well yeah...

I meant more in terms of it would be more of a PITA to get loose and then reassembled than it would be worth for a 5 minute trip down the stairs.

Actually, the railing above the external access door to the basement is removable, and depending on how close I could get, I might be able to just rent an engine hoist and check out a chain fall from work (I work at a large hydro power plant) and lower it down right there w/o having to even take the top off... thought I probably will want to take the top off sooner rather than later for inspection/cleaning.

I had to help the previous owner of the house get a huge 10x42 milling machine out through the door and he had called in a few favors w/ an electric motor company - they had a big flatbed truck w/ hydraulic boom to yard that sucker out. This should be a piece of cake by comparison.

At any rate, hopefully it's stil there when I get up in around noon (working nights). $750 for a 10yr old Delta Unisaw in (supposedly) good condition, 220v 3hp, 6' rails, Unifence, outfeed table, extra blades, etc. is just about the best deal I've seen around here in the last 6-7 years.

[cabinetman]

I've had to move a Unisaw a few times. A few thoughts. Taking the wings off is easy and will remove weight. Leaving the top on will give you something to grab onto. Removing the motor is just a matter of unbolting and unwiring the power and switch cables. Not really a hassle to reinstall.

If the top is removed, it's more of a hassle to re-install and align than doing the motor. If you have help, you have gravity in your favor. You could lay plywood down over the stairs or lumber, and attach ropes to let it slide down. You have more resistance keeping the saw under control than a dolly, hand truck, or just walkin' it down.

When the time comes, I'm sure you'll make a post about how the heck to get it up the stairs.
.

[SARGE..g-47]

I would not take the top off unless just absolutely necessary. And if you do now.. or when you do.... make sure you carefully absorb exactly how it came apart to reverse engineer when replacing.

Many years ago when I took a top off and re-assembled.. I ended up with two tiny parts left over. But without those tiny parts the saw would not align properly.

[milanuk]

Nuts. Thanks for the help guys, but it looks like the saw sold. Someone beat me to it. Sucks working nights and weekends from time to time. Ah, well. There will always be another one... eventually

[garymuto]

I removed the top and kept track of any shim washers to get it downstairs. It was easily maneuvered. I wanted to align the top to the blade anyay so I didn't mind the extra time. I didn't want to take teh motor out.