Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 02, 2003 11:42pm | #1

   "What should I be looking for when choosing a mobile base?" 

   • Still-as-a-rock when in stationary position and in use
   • Easily switched over to mobile state (some have pedals, some have gizmos you have to bend over and push/pull -- how important this is depends on how often you move the tool)
   • Casters large enough to easily handle your tool's weight when moving
   • Adjustability of footprint

   Certainly, you'll have to figure in the cost of the hardwood for the Rockler base.  You might want to do a quick web search and see what else is out there.  Shop Fox bases are pretty reasonably priced (buy through Grizzly.com).

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   wendy | Oct 03, 2003 07:55pm | #9

   HI

   I know Shop Fox table saw fences are good. So I'll definitely check out their mobile bases. I'll  also check out the Grizzly site. My saw weights around 250lbs. And I will be moving it around a lot since I don't have a big area to work in. My workshop floor is concrete. Not exactly level in all places but it's pretty smooth. I usually just put a wood shim under the leg stand to level it and keep it from tipping. Seems to work great.

   Thanks for the webpage FG

   Wanda

   Edited 10/3/2003 1:03:06 PM ET by wanda200b

2. 
   bill_1010 | Oct 02, 2003 11:47pm | #2

   if your garage has fat edging/expansion joints, uneven concrete or asphalt driveway not flush with your apron id make sure you have large enough wheels not to get stuck or halted when it meets the uneven surface or gaps.

3. 
   BG | Oct 03, 2003 12:04am | #3

   Wanda,

   Some great advice has already been posted.  I bought the Shop Fox from Grizzly...works extremely well for the cabinet saw.  Most of these bases have two wheels that can 360 and two that are fixed (forward and backward only)  Personally, I like 360 wheels all around...makes it a lot easier to move around...I can get two replacement 360 wheels for my shop fox from grizzly very cheap....that is what I would do...
1. 
   Robbie | Oct 03, 2003 12:19am | #4

   I have not used the Shopfox base, but will look into it as I am in need for a base for a Unisaw.

   I had an HTC base under my Delta Contractor saw for years and it was fantastic.  Two of the three wheels are not 360 swivel and so one has to operate tactfully.  At the same time, I wonder that having to lock four wheels every time you move might get old after a while. 

   I will probably go with the HTC again.  Much better than the Delta.  Do not buy the Rockler where you supply the wood.  Just got one of those for my little table saw and it is a piece of (*$*&%.   It is the same as the Delta.  Even there, I would think the HTC adjustable would be better IMHO.

   Bob

4. 
   ChippingWood | Oct 03, 2003 12:21am | #5

   The Shop Fox Bases are great!

   I have them on everything but my drill press. I change around my shop every few months trying to figure out the magical work flow, and my cabinet saw (well over 400lbs) glides around the shop with hardly any effort at all. Also have them on a shaper, band saw, mortiser, and 8" jointer. You lock them in place with a few twists of two threaded posts next to the wheels. If anything I would say that the more heavy it is the better they work!

5. 
   ron61 | Oct 03, 2003 12:50am | #6

   My Delta Band Saw came with a mobile base . I really like it good and strong  very stable very easy to roll around. I am ordering another Delta mobile base for my TS.

   Who Ever Has The Biggest Pile Of Tools When You Die Wins

6. 
   ToolDoc | Oct 03, 2003 06:31am | #7

   Wanda: Have you checked out Harbor freight mobile bases.. there cheap & there Good,I have a few of em. modified em thou used square tubing instead of wood..

   http://www.harborfreight.com      do a search for bases.. check also to see if they got a store near you.. a note here these bases are nearly identical to Delta mobile bases..

                                       ToolDoc

   Proud Member of the Delta & Klein Tradesman Club & Milwaukee HD Club & Knots Bad Boys & Girls Club..

   A Non ~ Member of the Knots Bandsaw Guru Club..

1. 
   BG | Oct 03, 2003 01:35pm | #8

   Wanda,

   One other minor point about mobil bases that might be important to you.  Recently I built a drop down outfeed table for my table saw.  To provide more outfeed table length, I came off the back of the saw with a 10" fixed platform. The platform is attached to the fense back rail.  In addition, I added a couple of wood supports that attach to the platofrm and the top of shop fox wheels...kinda handy.  Could have attached the supports elsewere..but the holes were already drilled in the shop fox...   BTW, the outfeed table is really great...   

1. 
   wendy | Oct 03, 2003 08:11pm | #10

   Hi BG

   One of these days I'll get around to building an extension table. My fence rides along the front rail and there is also a back rail on the table saw. Do you have a picture of your extension table that you could post here on the forum? I'd like to build a fold down ext. table for my table saw.  Everytime I need  to rip a  board I have to get my sister to help me. I trained her in well. LOL

   Wanda

1. 
   BG | Oct 03, 2003 08:39pm | #12

   Wanda,

   It's so nice to see sisters getting along and helping each other ...hope my suggestions don't hurt that...:-)

   I don't have a digital camera...sigh.  Basically, the drop down outfeed table I made was quite simple.  I don't remember the exact measurements so take the numbers as a reasonable guess.  First, I took a piece of 2x12x50" (about) and put two 3/4" rabbits on the face side.  I drilled through the back rail in four places (metal bit) and through one of the rabbits(on the face side) and put bolts in to affix the 2x12 to the back rail. (You may need to come out more with a contractor saw..and maybe use 2 pieces of 3/4 ply).  Then I took two pieces of pine and cut so that each was flush with the underside of the 2x12 and the tops of my shop fox wheels (again, the pine could be attached to your legs as opposed to the wheel tops). I used those half wood screw, half machine screw faseners.  

   I then took a large piece of Melamine (could be plywood) and built a torsion box on a portion of the underside.  The reason for the torsion box was to provide extra support and (most importantly), when I attached the table fold up legs, gave me the height I needed for the outfeed to be reasonable flush with the table top.  I attached the outfeed table to the 2x12 with a wrap-around piano hinge( at the second rabbit), replaced the screws with 1" wood screws. 

   I pull up the table top and pull the legs down, they lock in place (simple cheap folding metal legs).  When down the table top is off the ground by about an inch.

   I then added square pieces of stock on top of the 2x12 to flush it with the TS top and match up with the dados.

   What kinda surprised me was how much I am enjoying having a huge area for several different uses...but can easily fold out of the way and does not add to the shop clutter  

2. 
   wendy | Oct 03, 2003 08:15pm | #11

   Hello again BG

   What materials do I need to build a simple ext outfeed table. Is 3/4 inch plywood stable enough and level enough? or should I go with melamine for the table top. I'd also like to cut 2 slots in the table for my sliding crosscut box. Would be nice to have a table with adjusting legs as well. Is it absolutely necessary to attach it to the back rail? if so does that require drilling a few holes in the back rail? 

   Wanda