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 HTC dedicated base has a three-wheel “nose-cone” design that aids in stability. Engineered to a high standard, this is a top performer, even on an uneven floor.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Blackwing Pencils

If you've listened to Shop Talk Live, you've heard them talk more about these pencils than you could possibly imagine.

Buy at Amazon

Jorgensen 6 inch Bar Clamp Set, 4 Pack

Small light-duty clamps are best bought in quantity. These clamps are a great balance of affordability and quality—so stock up!

Buy at Amazon

Makita LS1219L Miter Saw

This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.

Buy at Amazon