Project #1 posixPilot, Cat: Custom Welded Shop, Mobile Tool Base

[posixPilot]

Hi Everyone,

I have mostly wood working machines in my garage/shop and fixed base machines do not work well in a small 2-car garage . So, I've always purchased mobile tool bases for my machines in the past (basically a metal frame with wheels) to make them easy to setup/tear down. However, when I bought my sander, I was told that the company which makes the tool base was no longer in business. That was several years ago, and without an urgent need to use my sander, I let it sit in the box (it's way easier to move when crated up).

All of that is to say, this isn't by idea, but I'm going to take credit for it anyways .



The idea is pretty simple. Build 4 corner pieces out of SQ tube, and add a diagonal strap on the bottom for the leg/corner of the tool to sit on. Add a couple of fixed wheels to the rear corner pieces, and get a size smaller (nesting) lengths of SQ tube to join the corners together.

Here's a closeup of the lever/handle ... I already had it from my other tool bases, but it would be easy to build.



Tack the corner pieces ...



Add a strap for strength and for the tool to rest on.



Weld some nuts on, and the finished product (minus the casters). I found that leveling the wheels was a bit challenging. You want the base to rest of the corner straps so that it's solidly on the ground when the tool is in use. However, the wheels need to be basically dragging on the ground, since the lever is only going to lift a few degrees to engage them.





Cheers
Mike