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Transporting a used TS?

1K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  ColonelTravis 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I finally found a used table saw on Craigslist - one of the older Craftsman Professional (zip code) saws w/ a Biesemeyer fence.

Now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get it home. It weighs around 450 lbs, and comes with a mobile base. I have an SUV….but no trailer hitch. Would I be better off renting a Uhaul of some sort to get it home, or disassembling it to the point that it will fit inside the SUV?

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Taking the top off will allow it to fit in an SUV with no problems. You'll want to make sure you have at least one other person to help you load/unload. If you don't want to disassemble it at all, you'll need some sort of a trailer, preferably a low one with a shallow pitched ramp you can roll the saw up. You will need to secure it VERY tightly if you put it on a trailer. Table saws are very top-heavy and will tip quite easily.

All in all, you're better off disassembling into as many pieces as you need to get it into the SUV. Bring a socket set, screwdrivers, and some combination wrenches. Don't forget ziplock bags to put the nuts and bolts in, and label the crap out of everything.
 
#3 ·
When I purchased my used cabinet saw (also about 450 lbs) I disassembled the top, wings, and mobile base to get it into my van. I did this alone, so I made a plywood ramp and used a come-along to pull the cabinet into the back of the van. Bring a helper if you can. It will make things go quicker, easier, and safer.
 
#4 ·
Measure the door opening of your SUV. Measure the height of the saw. If the saw is smaller than the door opening, it should go in. I'm guessing the back seats fold down in your SUV, so fold them down to give yourself a bed to put the saw onto. If it will fit, bring it out to your SUV, and remove the motor if you can. Turn the saw upside down near your SUV back door. Both you and the guy you bought if from should be able to lift up one end and get it resting on solid SUV floor. Then go to the back end of the saw, lift it up and slide it into the SUV. When you get it home, don't ask the wife for help.

I don't know how the saw is configured, but the saw I use on sites is only about 150-200 pounds. I bring it up to the tailgate of my truck, lean it onto the end of the tailgate, and flip it onto the TG and slowly roll it onto the top. I slide in it, and put a couple of furniture pads down to keep it from banging into the inside of my bed. The only thing I remove is the motor because belt tension is by gravity, and I don't need the extra 50 pounds of the motor to do it this way. My truck has a camper shell on it, and I haven't had a problem yet. I'm now too old to be doing this **, but it's very doable if you are inclined to want to do it. ...... Jerry (in Tucson)
 
#6 ·
Agree with everyone. I sold a saw that heavy, took off the wings, rails, motor cover, probably something else. Thought about taking out the motor but tilted it and made it secure so it wouldn't bounce around. It's so much more manageable without all that cast iron. 3/4 plywood supported by 2×4s to push the cabinet into the truck was key.
 
#7 ·
When I bought my 12" cabinet saw last January, I rented a pickup truck from U-Haul, and the seller helped me load it using a come-along suspended from his garage ceiling. I unloaded it by sliding it down a makeshift ramp. I had a friend help me walk it into the garage. Friend and me were able to lift it OR walk it, just not at once. Once in the garage, I stuck a piece of OSB under it and slid it to its place.
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