How do you pickup a tablesaw by yourself? Here’s what I did.
The mobile base was a piece of trash when I bought this. The former owner said he had nothing but trouble with it. I replaced the lift caster, and it almost worked, but didn’t last.
I finally went and got the Rockler all terrain mobile base,and the B set of extensions.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21257&filter=mobile%20base
I cut a 4×4 in half, and placed them crossways under the table. Then another crossways under them.These were all held together with clamps. I then placed the base of a ramp used for getting a vehicle off the ground as a base for a hydraulic jack. Here’s how I did that.
Then it was just using the jacks to get the saw off of the base. I used a stand roller to stabilize the end of the table after it was up.
With the saw off of the ground , now I could move the old base out of the way. I cut a piece of plywood to fit inside the. base. Then I slid the new base into position and lowered the jacks. About this time, the guy next door comes over with some boards he wants me to cut. It was cool, I was ready to remove the 4×4’s and jacks.After I took care of him, I bolted on the legs to the base.All of this took about 2 hours.
I wish I had done this before, this mobile base is a good one.
I have some more plans for the saw in the works, I hope they are as successful as this.
-- I'm a lumberjock and I'm ok, I sleep all night and I work all day!
8 comments so far
bluchz
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143 posts in 272 days
posted 47 days ago
That is a good looking saw! and i like the base and the innovations u used to make it a 1 man job!
Rick Dennington
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332 posts in 93 days
posted 47 days ago
Way to go Hairy: That’s using the old noodle! Always a way to skin a kitten, just by thinking.
My old daddy used to say “you’re head’s used for more than just setting a hat on”
Looks like a nice UniSaw. I really like mine. It’s a ‘09 X5, 5 hp, and that sucker is a beast, These saws will handle anything you throw at them, with no problem.
-- Remember--- one good turn-- gets most of the blanket!!!!
Bob A in NJ
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532 posts in 897 days
posted 47 days ago
Great idea on the one man lift. How do you like those wheels? Is it easy to steer the saw around the shop and do they feel stable/sturdy enough?
Bob
-- Bob A in NJ
PineInTheAsh
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195 posts in 166 days
posted 47 days ago
Excellent job Hairy…very, very cool.
Thanks for taking the time to record the stages and techniques and posting it here.
Being able to move stuff is a very big—dominating—deal.
I’ve had my eye on this for some time now.
I’m gonna have to break down and get one (or more) of those mobile base systems.
All the best.
—Peter
a1Jim
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17023 posts in 475 days
posted 47 days ago
Good thinking well done.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com
hairy
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296 posts in 430 days
posted 47 days ago
Thanks, fellas!
Bob,it seems pretty sturdy. The plywood insert is 48” long. Before installing it, I stood on the stretchers, one foot on each. It held up well. Each wheel locks,the 2 wheels farthest away from the cabinet are the steering wheels, the other 2 are fixed.It rolls very easily.
-- I'm a lumberjock and I'm ok, I sleep all night and I work all day!
Scott Bryan
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20769 posts in 720 days
posted 47 days ago
Now that is a good idea. I would not have thought of it.
When I put my saw together in April I had resigned myself to trying to coordinate my two sons and a neighbor to get it on the mobile base. This pained me because, if there is a way to do something by myself I generally try to find it. Fortunately I had to have my electrical box upgraded and the electricians volunteered to help me lift the saw onto the base.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
JJohnston
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118 posts in 189 days
posted 47 days ago
Cribbing and bottle jacks. Must remember this for the future.
-- Measure twice, then try to figure out which one was right.