Mobile Machine Bases

[Charlie Woody]

I have purchased an Axminister Heavy Duty machine base http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-heavy-du ... for=708119 to put my Hammer A3 - 31 planer / thicknesser on.

The base seems well engineered and is very simple to assemble as it just clicks together.

However it is a little too wide for the machine by about 85mm .... should I cut down the bars and drill some new holes to narrow it or leave it as it is? If I leave it it may be a slight trip hazard as I push timber through the planer.

I am also wondering how I can safely get the machine onto the base as its kinda heavy 350kgs? I am quite attached to my fingers and toes and don't want to damage them (hammer)

Does anybody have one of these bases and did they overcome these two issues please?

 

[marcros]

i have the rutlands ones that are slightly different. On the basis of those, I would Locktite the nuts- I only had a table saw and a smaller planer on them, and have lost several nuts from the bolts over time, despite them being tight when assembled.

Getting it on, wise, I would probably suggest an engine hoist to help. i dont know where you would lift it, but there should be a suitable place on the machine.

 

[custard]

Charlie, I moved workshops at the end of last year and was surprised to learn that moving machinery, although a serious matter, isn't quite as daunting as I'd first thought. I got a Felder RL125 dust extractor, which must weigh a similar amount, off a pallet and onto castors by myself working one corner at a time.

Could you for example raise the machine up on blocks, working one corner at a time, then assemble the base underneath it, and finally remove the blocks one corner at a time?

 

[Charlie Woody]

Hi Marcros

The Axi ones (branded JET) use a "sprung pin" to hold the bars in position, so I don't think I need the Locktite.

Unfortunatley I don't have an engine hoist.

 

[Charlie Woody]

Charlie, I moved workshops at the end of last year and was surprised to learn that moving machinery, although a serious matter, isn't quite as daunting as I'd first thought. I got a Felder RL125 dust extractor, which must weigh a similar amount, off a pallet and onto castors by myself working one corner at a time.

Could you for example raise the machine up on blocks, working one corner at a time, then assemble the base underneath it, and finally remove the blocks one corner at a time?

Hi Custard

I was thinking about this method but I can't work out how I could place the blocks without them getting in the way of where the base needs to go. I could get it onto the blocks but not sure that I could then get the base into place as to assemble it you need to fit the two ends together so that the castors are in place, then push on end into the other. This makes me think I need clear space under the edges of the machine.

If I had a hoist then it could be lifted up, base pushed under, then lowered onto the base.

 

[marcros]

that sounds a much better design then.

If all else fails, you could hire a hoist from the likes of HSS etc. That said, I dnt know if the legs of the hoist might get in the way of where you would want to put the base.

 

[Scouse]

I have my bandsaw on the same base. I can't see how it would be a problem to shorten the bars as long as there is enough bar still in the corner sections to be stable and the spring bolts still fit.

I got the saw onto the base by tilting it back and putting a board under one end then tilting the other way and putting another board under so the machine was sitting on the boards. with the machine now sitting about 10-12mm off the ground, slide the base on, secure in place and tip the machine back again to remove the boards. I just made sure the boards were far enough within the footprint of the machine so as not to foul the corner sections of the mobile base as they were slid in. Hope this makes sense!

 

[custard]

Could you close the planer tables, lower the thicknesser table, slot a baulk of timber into the thicknesser (packing it so it's only bearing on the planer table mounts) then jack up both ends of the timber thus raising the machine off the ground?

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

my SD300 weighs 250kg....I found the easiest way to lift was with two blokes ie me and a friend. It requires two bearers (long lengths 4x2) to be placed underneath the thicknessing bed. This is the recommended lifting procedure. Two people are easily able to lift 250kg ie 125 each and then slide the base under with your feet (or a third person).

You may be able to repeat with yours but it may be that four stout chaps...one at each bearing end would be safer all round.

 

[custard]

Charlie, I moved workshops at the end of last year and was surprised to learn that moving machinery, although a serious matter, isn't quite as daunting as I'd first thought. I got a Felder RL125 dust extractor, which must weigh a similar amount, off a pallet and onto castors by myself working one corner at a time.

Could you for example raise the machine up on blocks, working one corner at a time, then assemble the base underneath it, and finally remove the blocks one corner at a time?

Hi Custard

I was thinking about this method but I can't work out how I could place the blocks without them getting in the way of where the base needs to go. I could get it onto the blocks but not sure that I could then get the base into place as to assemble it you need to fit the two ends together so that the castors are in place, then push on end into the other. This makes me think I need clear space under the edges of the machine.

If I had a hoist then it could be lifted up, base pushed under, then lowered onto the base.

Here's another thought, make the corner support blocks from multiple layers of 4" x 4" ply, then you can remove one layer at a time and slide it under/over the roller base?

 

[Charlie Woody]

Thanks guys for all the helpful suggestions.

I'm now off to the workshop to see if there is some area that I can place the supports and still slide the base in. Will let you know how I get on.

 

[Dangermouse]

They also make very good bases for Daleks too.

 

[Sawyer]

I had both of these issues when mounting my Rojek p/t on one of these bases. I just replaced 2 of the bars with new metal of the same size, but shorter and drilled holes. I kept the original ones in case I later want to use the base elsewhere.

The machine, I raised on to blocks by gradually lifting one end at a time with a long crowbar, adding blocks progressively until the necessary height was achieved The blocks went 'inboard', clear of the feet making it very simple to position and assemble the base underneath the machine. Reverse procedure with the crowbar then allowed me to remove the blocks and lower on to the base.

 

[Lons]

I did the same thing when fitting to my P/T and Spindle Moulder with blocks (bits of 18mm MFc offcuts but I used my trolley jack to do the lifting.

Bob

 

[Charlie Woody]

Thanks everyone for your help and advice.

The P/T is now sitting happily on it's new mobile base. I cut down the side bars and used the crowbar and blocks method to get it onto the base with the excellent help of my son.

It moves but does take a bit of a shove to get it going due to the weight but is quite easy to get into the desired position. So quite a bit cheaper than the Hammer wheel kit too so I pleased with that.

 

[graduate_owner]

Hi all,
I bought a winch from Machine Mart a while ago. It's a bit naff and is not meant for use as a hoist, but it is rated as 1 ton for pulling so it would probably lift 200-300 kg (but I wouldn't stand underneath). Cost about £18.
For lifting I now have a chain block and tackle - the sort where you pull on an endless chain. That is rated at 1 ton too. I bought it second hand for £15, and being second hand I would not want to use it to full capacity. However it is a very useful item, and the lifting/lowering is very controllable. The main problem is that it is really heavy. It's fine if left on it's RSJ in my workshop, but if I want to use it elsewhere then getting it down (and back up again) is a real back killer. I feel like I need a lightweight winch to lift it.
Machine Mart sell these too, but they're not so cheap. Better than cropping fingertips off though, and as with most tools, once you've bought it you have it for good.
Anyhow, I used it to lift my Axminster PT and my Scheppach TS250 on and off home made mobile base (while making adjustments) - no problem at all. A doddle with - a headache without.

K