I missed a fabulous deal because I hesitated for a couple of hours. I’m still hurting.
There was a one years old hardly used Delta 36-729 with iron wings on both sides and 50″ right cut stock fence, not the Beis, for $800 in my area about 85 miles away. No extention table, no mobile base but with a Forrest WWer blade. I don’t have a truck and was figuring how to pick it up with a small SUV. I was wondering if it was too big a favor to ask a neighbor to drive his new truck for 170 miles round trip. While I did, somebody bought it.
How difficult is it to pick up such a saw with a small SUV, a Jeep Liberty?
I suppose the cast iron table top can easily be removed.
I suppose the motor can be removed.
Then what about the rest? How much would such a saw weigh minus rails, fence, cast iron top and motor? Can two people handle the rest of the saw? How would one grab hold of the cabinet and the heavy guts?
Question: was it have been quite feasible?
I comfort myself with there must be a next time. I really don’t know if it would have been an extraordinary deal or just a very good one. I don’t believe I would have needed to sell this saw for less than 60% of its value for the rest of my active life.
It was a right tilt; that makes me feel a bit better.
Edited 12/11/2005 2:00 am ET by woodenfish3
Edited 12/11/2005 2:04 am ET by woodenfish3
Edited 12/11/2005 2:06 am ET by woodenfish3
Replies
Woodenfish3,
I moved my Griz in the station wagon..about 400 lbs. As you noted, the top, wings and motor are removable...probably about 150-200 lbs. left in the trunions and case. I moved mine without taking the top off or motor out..just dragging and dancing with it by myself..(it's very top heavy)
Poundage wise, it's the equivalent of two grown men sitting in the back seat of the jeep...however, it feels heavier and your neighbor may be put out by the request.
One of the things you've learned is don't let issues overlap and confuse. As you said, 85 miles was within your zone...pick-up should not have entered your mind in the decision making. There will be others soon, good luck
Rent a truck with a hydraulic rear lift gate. When getting themachines to the truck, always have your back straight. You can do this with straps strung under the machines and lift on the ends of the straps with your forearms and back straight. When gong up/dosn stairs, use a "come-alon" AKA "coffin hoist". These are devices based on cable or chain that pull with mechanical advantage.
Rent a small enclosed U-Haul trailer.
I moved my saw with the open trailer. It was good because I didn't have to get the thing lifted more than 12". I just built a ramp with ply to do it, breeze. YMMV with weather. :)
Lots of ways to move heavy things. Always better if someone else's back is at risk. So here goes:
1) Hire riggers - small jobs may not cost that much.
2) Hire regular furniture movers - for most smaller machines (ie unisaws and homeowner models two guys and a hand truck can do it.
3) Rent a uhaul and a hand truck and use the ramp - your back is involved here.
4) Rent a uhaul trailer and ramp - your back again.
5) See if the seller will deliver for a small charge
6) Make friends with a tow truck operator that has a tiltable flat bed - these things have a winch and can slide just about anything onto the bed and also unload right at your garage door.
7) Last resort is to disassemble and piece move it.
My thought has always been that I don't want to become an amateur rigger I just want to do woodwork. You also have to consider the time it takes to do these things (you'll easily kill a whole Saturday with running around) Most of today's smaller cars (like the liberty) really aren't suited for these types of loads. Saving a few bucks on the move might cost a few thousand in vehicle repairs. All of these arrangements can be made within a couple of business days so don't worry too much about the move. If you like it buy it and then figure out the move later. Just make sure that the seller will hold for you.
What BarryO said!
Ive had to move my shop twice in the last couple years (All happy moves :-) ) Two strong men can't lift a Uni saw into a truck bed. However I've used a couple of 2x8's to slide the saw up, then when you get to the high end of the boards you can easily lift the low end and slide the boards and all into the truck. Your best bet is to rent a trailer for $20 at Uhaul.
Mike
I have an old 1953 Delta Unisaw that a friend & I rehabbed, painted, installed new motor & fence & set up with right hand extension table & router table on the left side in his shop then disassembled down to the main saw section with motor & hand wheels.
We wheeled it out on a dolly . I had a piece of carpet over the inside of the tail gate & onto the truck bed. We tipped the saw onto its back onto the tailgate that was released from the restraints so that it angled down & then pulled the tail gate up & re-hooked the restraints on each end of the tailgate. With me pulling on the carpet & saw & my friend pushing we had the saw loaded in less then 10 minutes.
I unloaded it onto a dolly at my shop by my self. & wheeled it into the shop & assembled it & set it in a riser to raise it up so the top matches to the height of my bench because I have to use my bench as my off-feed table.
I wouldn't be surprised if this saw is a little heavier than the current models of the Unisaw.
If your going to haul a saw like this get as low a trailer as you can or a lift-gate truck. Especially if your going to load it fully assembled. I believe it can be done with a lift-gate truck & dolly with 2 or 3 guys & some tie down straps.
Good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better & your better best.
"I wouldn't be surprised if this saw is a little heavier than the current models of the Unisaw."It is. The older models have a cast iron base under the stamped steel cabinet; the newer ones are all steel.Mine's a 1951 model. I managed to tip it (upside down) into the back of my Ford Aerostar with the help of the guy I bought it from. Drove home with the tailgate open and the table hanging over the edge of the bumper. Getting it out (by myself) was something else! I finally disassembled it to get it down the stairs into my basement with the help of a dolly (and my wife).It's run great since day 1. Not so the Aerostar (I paid to have it hauled away a couple years ago).BTW, next time you see one advertised, snap it up! I got mine by being the first person to call and immediately driving to the guy's house. The whole time we were negotiating, his phone never stopped ringing! Price was $900 (10 years ago).
Edited 12/14/2005 2:28 am ET by cheakamus
I paid $250 fro mine & by the time I was finished with it including the router table & router & had about $900 in it. So you didn't do bad at all.Good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better & your better best.
I moved my Grizzly Cabinet saw on a dolly.
Just made a plywood and 2x4 ramp to get it into my minivan.
Had one extra person to help and it went easy.
Only removed the fence rails to fit thru the minivan door.
I moved a huge 2000 lb jointer the same way.
On a dolly with a plywood and 2x4 ramp.
Had to use a small trailer as it was too long to get into my minivan.
Just the 2 of us with an extra push into the trailer with a come-a-long.
Jeff
I think I'll buy a small trailer and give up the idea of ever getting a truck.
Trucks just use too much gas for daily commute. May be a trailer is the permanent end to all yearnings, regrets, and sense of inadequacy.
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