Popular Woodworking 2002-08 № 129, страница 52
Going Mobile The goal of a mobile base is to give a heavy machine enough mobility to easily move it around the shop. When positioned, you want it to rest on the floor without any movement. Lifting mechanisms, such as a single foot lever, two levers or a detachable handle that functions as a lever accomplish this. Another common system involves locking mechanisms. These mechanisms actually stop the base from being mobile and include lock knobs (screws that are turned into the wheel tread), brake knobs (screws that are turned into pads on top of the wheels), retractable feet and locking casters. All but one of the bases, when set for immobility, rest on two or more of its wheels. Some bases rest on wheels and adjustable feet while others use locking casters to keep the base from moving. Only the Vega allows the machine to rest on the floor without any chance of rolling. The location and design of these lifting and locking mechanisms determine how easy the mobile base is to use and how stable it is when employed. Testing Although mobile bases are designed to mobilize, stability is key. When a mobile base is immobilized it should be able to withstand an accidental hip check and stay in its place when ripping some 8/4 maple. To test the mobility and stability of the bases, we assembled each one according to its instructions. Then we plopped a 360-pound cabinet saw on each base. Next, we maneuvered the cabinet saw from the center of our shop up against a wall to a precise position - call it parallel parking for saws. Next, we did whatever was necessary to make the base stationary. With it sitting level on the floor (adjusting to compensate for floor deviations) we gave the base a couple of good shoves to simulate standard use. What We Found We're happy to report that all the mobile bases we tested will do a good job of mobilizing your machines. Some are easier to use, and we gave higher marks for this achievement. Bases also earned points for stability. Our favorite design is Delta's single foot lever. When the foot lever is in the up position, the base's two rubber feet rest on the floor. To compensate for uneven floors, the feet can be adjusted by tightening and loosening two nuts. By pushing the lever down with the foot, the front of the base lifts, the rubber feet clear the floor and the base becomes mobile. This design requires no bending down and we (and those standing behind us) appreciate that. The HTC2000 mobile base features actuator cams that are kicked up and over for lifting and lowering, and rubber feet. But unlike the Delta, you have to actually lift up on your machine to get the cams kicked over, an aspect to the design we didn't like. We have several problems with bases that feature locking casters. On some you have to orient the swivel wheel before the locking lever on the caster can be pushed up or down with your foot. The locking levers also are much smaller than the single foot pedal, making them more difficult to use. And on one of the bases, the locking caster, when locked down, keeps the wheel from turning, but still allows the caster to pivot, which was a stability problem. Bases with lock knobs and brake knobs require bending down, which, if frequent, can be tiresome for those not fond of stooping over. The lock knobs have screws that dig into the face of the non-swivel wheels, which could later cause damage to the wheels. The brake knobs have screws that press against brake pads located on top of the fixed wheels - helpful, but ultimately more work than we preferred. The Shop Fox base features retractable feet controlled by screw knobs. When lowered, the feet serve as brakes and easily compensate for uneven floors. But to ' mobilize your machine, you must bend down and turn the knobs, which, with a heavy machine on top, can be rather tiresome. BUILD YOUR OWN, SAVE MONEY Both Delta and Harbor Freight offer mobile bases with a design we love for $50 or less.The catch? You supply the hardwood stock and they can hold only 300 pounds. The Delta 50-345 mobile base utilizes the foot-operated control-lever lifting mechanism, holds 300 pounds, costs about $50 and is constructed with self-supplied hardwood stock. We noticed one problem: The directions say to add V2" to both dimensions of your stock, but we discovered that wasn't enough room to clear our bolts. The Harbor Freight 41915-OVGA mobile base also utilizes the foot-lever lifting mechanism, holds 300 pounds, costs about $30, and is also constructed with self-supplied hardwood stock. We noticed two problems: The base wobbled in use because it had one fewer weld on its corner brackets than the Delta. Also, several of the bolts snapped under less-than-normal tension. But overall, these bases serve as good, universally sized inexpensive alternatives to get your otherwise stationary machines moving. Contact Delta at 800-438-2486 or www.deltawoodworking.com, and Harbor Freight at 800-444-3353 or www.harborfreight.com. The Delta 50-345 mobile base, built using self-supplied hardwood stock, is an inexpensive alternative to the Delta 50-273. MOBILE BASES
On the 1-5 scale: 1=unacceptable, 5=excellent.Winners are labeled in red. On the 1-5 scale: 1=unacceptable, 5=excellent.Winners are labeled in red. www.popwood.com I 51 |
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