Cabinet Saw Movers?

[3PedalMINI]

I got a really sweet deal on an 8year old powermatic PM2000 3HP cabinet saw. The entire saw weighs close to ~600lbs since the base is entirely out of iron. As most of you know the PM2000s have the flawed caster design and no longer work (my dads 2 year old PM2000 5hp saw is no different)

I need to have my saw fairly movable due to a small garage. I’ve had zero luck with any of the equipment movers on things like jointers and bandsaws that weigh half the amount of the table saw. I don’t have any access to welding material, nor do I know how to weld let alone know anyone that does.

I’m tall so I’m not against the saw being raised a few inches. Has anyone DIYed a heavy equipment mover that can withstand the weight of the saw with minimal vibration out of wood?

TIA!

 

[RKA]

Here is the one I would get. 
https://www.amazon.com/Portamate-PM-3550-Mobile-Base-All-Swivel/dp/B07C74TJKD/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1533782682&sr=8-15&keywords=portamate+pm-2500

It’s got swiveling wheels at all 4 corners which would be handy in a small shop.  I got the 3500, and it seems plenty strong (I haven’t loaded my 700 lb J/P on it yet, but a FOGer recommended it after using it on his larger machine).

I did build a platform for a 250 lb drill press inspired by Peter Parfitt’s Base he built for a J/P.  It’s way overbuilt and the 3” casters support a total weight of 800lbs if you believe their specs.  With slightly beefier stock and upgrading to 4” casters I’m sure it could support that saw.  But the casters alone were $60 a set (ball bearing, dual locking stem casters from castercity.com).  If you don’t mind lifting the saw off the ground 6” or so, you could just build a flat base instead of the design Peter used and put 4” plate casters under it. 

 

[Birdhunter]

I wonder if there is any way to adapt the SawStop base? It has casters and a hydraulic lift system.

 

[rst]

My Powermatic 66 has sat on an HTC 3000 for about 12 - 15 years.  While the saw itself is heavy, mine has the original two cast iron extensions,  both on the right side as well as a Grizzly cast iron router top and the wooden extension that came with the saw.  I also have no longer available sliding table that Jet used to sell and I added 8020 1545 extensions to the front and rear and an attached folding 8020 rear extension.  This monster has to weigh in at close to 1000 lbs and and is close to 8' wide.  I can move it easily by myself.

 

[Grev]

I think @Birdhunters suggestion/question would be the best solution, if the Sawstop base would work.  I have a Sawstop ICS base in my garage and it looks like the inside measurements are just over 19 1/2" x 25 1/2".  Good luck.

 

[zapdafish]

http://www.rockler.com/rockler-all-terrain-mobile-base-holds-up-to-800-lbs

I have this under my jointer planer and it works great.

 

[Wooden Skye]

I would go find a pallet, bolt the saw to the pallet and then go buy a pallet Jack. It will raise the saw a few inches but you mentioned that isn't a big issue for you. 

 

[justaguy]

I had a PM2000 for about 10 years. The casters on mine fell apart after about a year which seems to happen to other mobile bases as well. It seems most common when the casters are on something in an unconditioned space. I have a detached shop that is not climate controlled space.

When I replaced my casters I removed the wings and strapped the saw to a heavy duty appliance hand truck. I used the hand truck to tilt the saw on it's side giving me access to the casters. I replaced the casters with some heavy duty ones I picked up online. While I had the saw on it's side I gave the mechanism an good cleaning and lubricated it with dry silicone lube.

After the new casters, cleaning and lube the built-in base worked flawlessly for the remaining 8 or so years I owned the saw.

You might want to take a shot at rehabilitating the built-in mobile base. YMMV

 

[Alanbach]

I have had the same experience as justaguy with casters falling apart. I live in a very large city (Houston) so I was able to go to a specialty caster supplier that caters to industrial needs. I was able to buy a set of very high quality casters for my mobile base (big jointer) and they have performed like a champ ever since. I also have a Sawstop PCS with the premium mobile base talked about here. It is awesome! The only problem I have with the Sawstop base is that it makes the saw so easy to move I have to be really careful. My shop floor is not perfectly level and the saw will roll away if I don’t pay attention while it is elevated.

 

[3PedalMINI]

Thanks guys! I thought about rehabbing the caster system but it seems like it’s just a failed design. I would do the SawStop base in a heart beat but I’m not sure it can be adapted without some major saw tweaking.

The pallet jack is an awesome idea but I then would have to find room for the jack :/....

Maybe this is an excuse to finally learn how to weld

 

[HAXIT]

I like this one a lot and you can customize it to exact size that you need and because of that you might sell or change your machines, but you would keep this.
http://toolsandmore.us/shop-fox-d3757-mobile-base.aspx

click on owners manual to get more info good luck.

 

[HAXIT]

I was having a hard time to find this on line and I do not know why?!
I bought mine from woodcraft and they do not have it anymore.
Here is some other folks thought about this mobile base.http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/1382

 

[justaguy]

I have the base HAXIT linked to and the 600lb rating is very optimistic. For this application the piece of 3/4 plywood will be so large I’m pretty sure it’s going to flex excessively.

The base I have is under a 240lb tool and it’s just “acceptable” as far as stability.

 

[rljatl]

I have the base HAXIT linked to and the 600lb rating is very optimistic. For this application the piece of 3/4 plywood will be so large I’m pretty sure it’s going to flex excessively.

The base I have is under a 240lb tool and it’s just “acceptable” as far as stability.

I have my floor model drill press on a base like that and it flexes like craxy.  Replacing the base or making it more stiff has been on my to do list.

 

[Mario Turcot]

If you ever still looking for a table saw mobile base BusyBeeTools sells the shop fox base rated at 1300lbs. I have it under my Craftex CX201 (550lbs) added a sliding table. With my 240lbs the cabinet is very easy to move.  [tongue]

 

[ben_r_]

Whats the measurement of the base? If the SawStop ICS mobile base will work you wont find anything better quality than that for the money.

 

[3PedalMINI]

Thanks Guys! I ended up going with the Bora PM-3500. I saw it in one of [member=19644]guyswoodshop[/member] videos and thought "if its good enough for him its gotta be good enough for me"

It gets delivered tomorrow so I'll report back with how it works!