Show your shop made mobile bases

Jayman17 · Oct 19, 2020

Hi all, I would like to see examples of shop made mobile bases for tools or cabinets/workbenches.
I want to fab some mobile bases preferably out of steel so I can get some practice on my welder. I also want to make the bases with casters that are mounted alongside the base instead of under it. I am trying to avoid adding that much extra height.
I'm not really sure of a solid design where the casters are mounted on the side of the base.
Feel free to post a photo of any mobile bases that you have made, especially those made of steel. Extra attention to the area where the casters meet the base would be appreciated!
Thank you...

Jay

lilredex · Oct 20, 2020

Here are some..

Jayman17 · Oct 20, 2020

Lilredex, thanks for the photos. The ones with the casters offset up into the base or side mounted is what I was talking about.
Looks like the clamp rack just has some plate welded to the top of angle that you used to mount your casters to.
:beer:

Jay

lilredex · Oct 20, 2020

Yes, that is how it was done. Here it is again turned around. Notice that the wheels on this end are on a pivoting beam.....automatically keeps it from rocking on rough terrain. I do all of them this way except those on three wheels.

Jayman17 · Oct 20, 2020

So the pivoting beam pivots from front to back? I have that same jointer.

Jay

isb cornbinder · Oct 20, 2020

I have built this and other mobile bases for most of my shop machines. The handle is transferable. The handle works like an inverted fifth wheel.

shoot summ · Oct 20, 2020

Still a work in progress, hope to finish this up now that the weather has cooled down a bit.

rsanter · Oct 20, 2020

Some bases I have made

rsanter · Oct 20, 2020

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69553

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

Jayman17 · Oct 20, 2020

isb cornbinder said:
I have built this and other mobile bases for most of my shop machines. The handle is transferable. The handle works like an inverted fifth wheel.

Isbcornbinder, I was just thinking of something like this today. Very smart design! Thank you

shoot summ said:
Still a work in progress, hope to finish this up now that the weather has cooled down a bit.

Shootsum, wow did you actually repurpose a pallet jack into a mobile base? That looks heavy duty. Thanks

rsanter said:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69553

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5601&pictureid=69555

Rsanter, thanks for the photos. I like the offset mount of the casters

Jay

Oregon rock crusher · Oct 20, 2020

Here are a few. I put a lot of stuff on wheels or casters just for the ease of movement it allows. A lot of them have jack screws or other means of stabilizing the machine for use. Ed.

Jayman17 · Oct 21, 2020

Oregon rock crusher said:
Here are a few. I put a lot of stuff on wheels or casters just for the ease of movement it allows. A lot of them have jack screws or other means of stabilizing the machine for use. Ed.

Ed, really good ideas there, thanks for responding. Simple materials used as well. :thumbup:

Jay

tarmy · Oct 21, 2020

Here are a couple. Most of my portable bases are custom cabinets built with a structure to support the tool...

Brandon_oma#692 · Oct 21, 2020

isb cornbinder said:
I have built this and other mobile bases for most of my shop machines. The handle is transferable. The handle works like an inverted fifth wheel.

Absolutely brilliant. No need for swivel casters just straight wheels. No need for a handle on everything to pull/push. Best part everything has an automatic parking brake.

Jayman17 · Oct 22, 2020

tarmy said:
Here are a couple. Most of my portable bases are custom cabinets built with a structure to support the tool...

Tarmy, that is an awesome set up you have for your table saw. Nice saw too. :pimpflash

Is that drill press a floor model? I am working on something similar to that for a dp I have. Thanks for posting

Jay

tarmy · Oct 22, 2020

Jayman17 said:
Tarmy, that is an awesome set up you have for your table saw. Nice saw too.
Is that drill press a floor model? I am working on something similar to that for a dp I have. Thanks for posting

Jay

Thanks...

Yes the DP is a floor standing unit. I actually cut about 6 inches out of the stand tube to get it where it was most comfortable for me to use. The bottom is full of metal cut offs from projects and weighs another 100 plus lbs...so nice and stable.

That saw and DP have what I install on all power equipment...which is a BIG STOP switch. The DP is where I can smack it with my head if something ever gets away and I am afraid to let go!

dreamingmuscle · Oct 23, 2020

I put most of my stuff on HF furniture dollies.

Between the two sizes offered I've only had to cut up one to make it work better. And took the wheels off another when the dolly would have made the gladiator cabinet too tall.

It's cheaper to buy the dollies then it is to buy the casters by them selves.

That said I'm not trying to move anything real heavy like a lathe or mill. But 95% percent of my shop is on wheels.

MushCreek · Oct 23, 2020

I don't like power tools that can roll in use. My Ridgid Table saw has a pretty nice mobile base that retracts when the saw is in use. I posted on here a little while back about a pair of table movers I made to move our 250 lb.maple farm table around the room. I used lift casters, which I never knew existed. If I were to make a mobile base, that's what I would use. Since I made two table lifts, I only used two lift casters and two regular casters on each one.

icecactus · Oct 23, 2020

tarmy said:
Here are a couple. Most of my portable bases are custom cabinets built with a structure to support the tool...

Nice job on the sliding table. I have the Exaktor ex26x. I was thinking of dong basically exactly what you did. I have longer rails though so its a bit more challenging with the 3rd leg. I also cant keep mine permanently attached for storage reasons as its too deep.

ACtC-3c4i4IBoKra6JWzPqS3yhDygZWby7VKUYPrsDrr_1_tT3O33v15byb4ZKk6Umf18b6_Da2ViaJXIiJyqIGYrt4vQOthoJgFv18Z_gpiET2Y8Ypv_JvXYT3rHjxQN0Q-EBbi2hzRy_GOWxR-maW8_2diVQ=w800-no-tmp.jpg

Here is my custom base. The right hand side pivots so its always on the ground. Unfortunately this base will most likely get cut up as I am planning on downsizing the saw so I can lift it up on pallet racking.

tarmy · Oct 23, 2020

icecactus said:
Nice job on the sliding table. I have the Exaktor ex26x. I was thinking of dong basically exactly what you did. I have longer rails though so its a bit more challenging with the 3rd leg. I also cant keep mine permanently attached for storage reasons as its too deep.

Here is my custom base. The right hand side pivots so its always on the ground. Unfortunately this base will most likely get cut up as I am planning on downsizing the saw so I can lift it up on pallet racking.

That looks like it makes breaking down sheet easy...nice.

I wanted a set up that was totally attached to the saw/base...look at this photo of the rear extension...it just pops up if needed. This make set up/ break down very easy and fast.

Jayman17 · Oct 23, 2020

Icecactus, you and Tarmy have a serious table saw set up there. Very nice.
Thanks for posting

Jay

Jayman17 · Oct 23, 2020

MushCreek said:
I don't like power tools that can roll in use. My Ridgid Table saw has a pretty nice mobile base that retracts when the saw is in use. I posted on here a little while back about a pair of table movers I made to move our 250 lb.maple farm table around the room. I used lift casters, which I never knew existed. If I were to make a mobile base, that's what I would use. Since I made two table lifts, I only used two lift casters and two regular casters on each one.

Looks like a good solution to move that heavy table, thanks.

Jay

Gutman · Oct 23, 2020

isb cornbinder said:
I have built this and other mobile bases for most of my shop machines. The handle is transferable. The handle works like an inverted fifth wheel.

isb cornbinder:

I second the 'brilliant' comment.

Would you care to show a few more pics and details? Specifically some detail of the connection point.

Although similar to a trailer dolly I have, your compact design is perfect for what I'd been searching for to help reduce footprint and improve stability.

Thanks!

bggrnchvy · Oct 23, 2020

Chevota Guy · Oct 23, 2020

While not technically a mobile "base", this retractable caster arrangement accomplishes the same function on my 500 lb, lathe. The pipe handle is removable and stores upright on the caster board to avoid a trip hazard.

Mr.N · Oct 23, 2020

Chevota Guy said:
While not technically a mobile "base", this retractable caster arrangement accomplishes the same function on my 500 lb, lathe.

I like it!

Jayman17 · Oct 24, 2020

Gutman said:
isb cornbinder:

I second the 'brilliant' comment.

Would you care to show a few more pics and details? Specifically some detail of the connection point.

Although similar to a trailer dolly I have, your compact design is perfect for what I'd been searching for to help reduce footprint and improve stability.
Thanks!

Gutman, I agree and thanks for asking him for more detailed photos, I was thinking the same thing.

bggrnchvy said:

Bggrnchevy, thanks for posting those photos. Those are some nice bases you've built. I might be copying the drill press and horizontal bs base ideas. :bounce:

Chevota Guy said:
While not technically a mobile "base", this retractable caster arrangement accomplishes the same function on my 500 lb, lathe.

If it makes it easy to move a 500lb lathe I'm going to call it a mobile base.
Nice job on that, thanks for posting

Jay

sberry · Oct 24, 2020

Would make 1 minor change to the handles if I was to do it again.

johno · Oct 25, 2020

Good thread.

Jayman17 · Oct 25, 2020

sberry said:
Would make 1 minor change to the handles if I was to do it again.

sberry, I like the simple design of those fold down handles, thanks for posting.

johno said:
Good thread.

John, I agree :beer:

Jay

shoot summ · Oct 25, 2020

Jayman17 said:
Shootsum, wow did you actually repurpose a pallet jack into a mobile base? That looks heavy duty. Thanks

Jay

I did, took some head scratching, still have a little issue to work out when I get back on it. I narrowed the head to match the width of the Unisaw, and I took the two lift rods from each of the legs and converted it to a single lift rod in the center. Current issue is the way I connected the push rod under the Unisaw allows each of the wheels to pivot individually so it will tip back and forth, I know how I'm going to fix it, just need to tear it all apart.

DrReid · Dec 19, 2020

Greetings. I’m a new GJ member and this is my first post. I just made a new drill press mobile base. It’s overbuilt, but it adds around 100 lbs. for stability and it and rolls around very smoothly. Also, third welding project.

macgee · Dec 20, 2020

DrReid said:
Greetings. I’m a new GJ member and this is my first post. I just made a new drill press mobile base. It’s overbuilt, but it adds around 100 lbs. for stability and it and rolls around very smoothly. Also, third welding project. &#55357;&#56833;

Really nice job Reid, excellent first post and welcome to the GJ group. Cheers

Jayman17 · Dec 20, 2020

DrReid said:
Greetings. I’m a new GJ member and this is my first post. I just made a new drill press mobile base. It’s overbuilt, but it adds around 100 lbs. for stability and it and rolls around very smoothly. Also, third welding project.

DrReid, very nice base you made for your DP. Thanks for posting and welcome to GJ! :beer:

Jay

Monza Harry · Dec 20, 2020

DrReid said:
Greetings. I’m a new GJ member and this is my first post. I just made a new drill press mobile base. It’s overbuilt, but it adds around 100 lbs. for stability and it and rolls around very smoothly. Also, third welding project. &#55357;&#56833;

I will welcome you as well, but I'm still a newbie myself! I tried lurking first but an issue between this site and my computer meant I seen very few pic's so I joined up, about 2 years ago I see [I thought it was like a year tops

I had to go and check]
That base is real nice and as for the highlighted section above, Ha Ha Ha Ha! That is usually a much favoured approach around here! Myself included, anything worth doing is worth over doing, like it should embarrass overachievers doing! :shocking:

I'll add this as my contribution for now: My 30" fan was a bear to move so I added wheels, then I seen Oregon Rock Crushers drill sharpener and had to "Finish" them: If I was to do them again they would need to be further back and much wider for what I wanted. Oh and it will get some sort of handlebar! Harry

DrReid · Dec 20, 2020

Thanks for the kind welcome and compliments. I patterned my DP base loosely upon a design built with wood, and I had a bunch of 1/2” plate left over from my welding table build, so I thought, why not? I should have recalled that even automobile wheel dollies aren’t built anywhere near this rugged.

bradpac · Dec 21, 2020

Very nice base. Keeping it low and plenty of weight, that press will have a hard time tipping over.

DrReid · Dec 21, 2020

Monza Harry said:
I'll add this as my contribution for now: My 30" fan was a bear to move so I added wheels, then I seen Oregon Rock Crushers drill sharpener and had to "Finish" them: If I was to do them again they would need to be further back and much wider for what I wanted. Oh and it will get some sort of handlebar! Harry

The valanced 'fenders' are a nice touch. Did you make those?

Monza Harry · Dec 21, 2020

DrReid said:
The valanced 'fenders' are a nice touch. Did you make those?

Yes, I was just going to cut some plate for three sides but ORC and Doc's Machine, Don Long, and many others showing off their beautiful creative stuff really pushed me to up my game.

Renegade1LI · Dec 21, 2020

Some real nice designs! Here is my TS cart tried to get as much storage & organization while keeping it mobile.

Show your shop made mobile bases

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