Mobile bases offer the convenience of being able to relocate machinery easily, allowing woodworkers to use shop space efficiently. The foremost requirement for a mobile base is that it be strong and stable. It must not buckle under the weight of a machine, and it must not wobble while the machine is in use. It is an added benefit if it transports a machine with ease and if its handles and foot levers are easy to see and to use.

I tested seven mobile machine bases, both dedicated and universal, to move a couple of bandsaws around the shop. They ranged in price from $50 to $100 and offered a good cross section of what is available. The General universal base is probably the best mobile base in its price range. It required a lot of assembly, but the instructions were straightforward. It’s a massive base that holds a machine firmly in place, rolls easily, and locks decisively.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Dividers

Incredibly useful for laying out, setting equal distances, and comparing measurements, these are an essential tool for any furniture maker.

Buy at Amazon

Shop Fox W1826

The thick, felted bag on this Shop Fox is a plus and a minus. On one hand, it makes the unit much less expensive than collectors with canister filters, and also lighter and easier to hang on the wall. Without a separate plastic bag to catch chips, however, they stay in the felt bag, and the shortish zipper on the bottom makes it tough to shake them out. Otherwise, the W1826 is an excellent value.

Buy at Amazon

Forrest Woodworker II Blade

A high quality, staple blade for your table saw. With 48 teeth, it is suitable for both ripping and crosscutting.

Buy at Amazon