Drill Press Mobile Base

[JG Owens]

I have an early Delta 15" DP that I need to put on a mobile base. I picked up a Shop Fox heavy duty that will easily handle the weight. My question is how large do I make the base? I'll be putting a couple layers of 3/4" ply underneath and not sure if I need to add a few inches all around for stability. I've read other threads about more modern DPs needing the extra inches for stability but the older presses have significant bases. All opinions welcome....thanks.

 

[FrankLee]

I have six of these repurposed server cabinet bases. Four are abutting each other and rarely moved. Spacing is good between these machines. Two are reused over and over for refurbs and are move around often. I think these are a good size. The caster stems are spaced ~14-3/4" x ~21-1/8".

I think a 24" x 32" platform would work well. Depending on the quality of the casters, and because they extend out to the side, your platform could probably just go as wide as the dp base.

 

[Roberts210]

Maybe it is just me, but I'd be wary of putting a floor model drill press on a mobile base. I'd be afraid it would topple over. But hey, to each his own!

 

[FrankLee]

Maybe it is just me, but I'd be wary of putting a floor model drill press on a mobile base. But hey, to each his own!

It could be just you. IMO, it's much safer to move a floor-standing drill press on wheels than trying to muscle it around without wheels or moving it with a hand truck.

Quality of the casters, quality of the floor and cleanliness of the floor are important factors. Stabilizers are needed to prevent rolling.

 

[RTM]

Buddy did that, but made the front a bit too long, he felt it was awkward to use, so he shifted the machine forward for foot room.

 

[Firstram]

I build mobile bases for everything I own. For a drill press, I like to extend the back of the base 1" beyond the the belt cover or motor. This allows me to push it against a wall and still open the lid. Rather than chasing 4 swivels use rigid casters on the back and swivel on the front. It's a lot more stable to push on the long axis as well as easier to steer!

Here's my 800 pound 20" wilton, it's rock solid when I jack the wheels down. I needed the frame to strap it to the trailer wall when we move to the next job.

 

[lilredex]

My solution.....never a tip over. Can even go down the driveway with it, just hold the column. More than 40 years in use.

(SORRY CANNOT LOAD A WHOLE PICTUE OF THE DP, FOR SOME REASON)

 

[Cleave]

My work once had a DP on a small plate with rotating casters - we were cross drilling long sections of aluminum tubing so lateral stability was an issue and I removed the rolling base.
If I wanted a rolling base I'd make it wide and heavy, then use either the retractable casters that flip up, or shim blocks so it doesn't roll around while you're trying to use it. But for small home shop work, maybe any old rolling base would work well enough.

 

[Zeus36]

I build mobile bases for everything I own. For a drill press, I like to extend the back of the base 1" beyond the the belt cover or motor. This allows me to push it against a wall and still open the lid. Rather than chasing 4 swivels use rigid casters on the back and swivel on the front. It's a lot more stable to push on the long axis as well as easier to steer!

Here's my 800 pound 20" wilton, it's rock solid when I jack the wheels down. I needed the frame to strap it to the trailer wall when we move to the next job.

Solid and impressive build, but how about your shins?

 

[FrankLee]

NOT recommended!!!

 

[Firstram]

Solid and impressive build, but how about your shins?

2 bolts and it slides out until it's needed!

 

[tool_scrounge]

For anything big that may need to be relocated, I use two pieces of thick walled square steel tubing as a base spaced 21” apart minimum. If I need to move it, i slide a narrow pallet jack underneath. After moving, I remove the pallet jack and have a very stable base.

Also, quality pallet jacks can be pretty cheap on the used market. I like Crown and Bishimon myself.

 

[NakeDiesel]

This is what I built for my old bench top drill press along with some other things, I call it the whirling fab station. The wheels lock on it to keep it stationary when I'm using it.

 

[sz0k30]

Maybe it is just me, but I'd be wary of putting a floor model drill press on a mobile base. I'd be afraid it would topple over. But hey, to each his own!

Have had all my tools including my drill press on mobile bases for years. Instability is never an issue.

 

[Zeus36]

2 bolts and it slides out until it's needed!

I was going to ask if that portion slid out once you dropped the base. NICE!