Decked Out Ridgid Model R4511 Table Saw #2: Redesigned Mobile Base

The Herculift mobile base supplied with the saw worked well, but it wasted a lot of space under the cabinet:

In addition, the heavy (~200#) granite top and cast iron mechanism made the saw feel top heavy and somewhat unstable when moving it, due to the small caster footprint. As others have done, my solution to this condition was to redesign the mobile base with a wider caster footprint:

The wider footprint distributed the weight much more evenly and made the saw feel very stable.

The improved mobile base is a 3/4” plywood box, sized to fit the saw cabinet base, with 10” outrigger panels on each side for mounting 3” diameter double locking casters. The double locking casters were sufficient to prevent movement of the saw in use. Much of the time, locking them was not necessary. Provisions were also made for a full length drawer in the cabinet.

The outrigger panels were supported by integral gussets in the front and back panels and an additional gusset at each caster location. Dust covers were added to improve appearance and eliminate debris accumulation.

The mobile base was also designed to accept modular storage cabinets on both sides.

In case you are wondering, the mobile base and other parts were painted with Rustoleum Hammered Paint, No. 7218, Dark Bronze.
Many folks have commented that the paint makes the wood look like metal!

An integral dust collection duct was also incorporated into the top of the mobile base. Other dust collection features will be discussed in a following section.

Please stay with me, there’s much more to come…...........

-- Paul, Auburn, WA