Have you found a really awesome universal mobile base?

It can’t be “universal” and come with a fixed sized base. Some machines can fit in a base without plywood. Your local big box will stock standard sizes of plywood. 2’ x 2’ x 3/4” will support most machines. After all the base can be bigger than the tool. 2’ x 4’ x 3/4” works for lathes, etc.

Is everything “full height” or do some need mobile stands vs needing just bases? If you need stands, try to vary the stand height so the work surface height of all tools is the same. This reduces lifting when moving work between tools..

One solution is wheelbarrow stands with handles & no wheels on front & two fixed wheels on rear. This allows easy movement by lifting slightly to get the front legs off the floor. You can swivel & move to your hearts content. Drop the front and the legs grab and hold. The two fixed rear wheels resist lateral motion.

I build stands out of stock sizes of ply and 2×4’s so they can mostly be built with just a chop or circ saw. I buy wheels with threaded studs. I drill and tap into the end grain and thread the wheels in until they bottom. This way the threads only carry the weight of the wheel itself when lifted. When down the static weight is a compression load on the end of the stud and not the threads. Even in soft pine wheels installed this way are surprisingly tough.

Printer stand from 2×2x1/2 ply and 2×4’s with threaded wheels.

-- The hump with the stump and the pump!

I’ve had good luck with HTC. Also ShopFox.

The casters deteriorated on the SF.

-- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!!

I like the portamate brand bases. I think the cheapest /lightest one has plastic levers, the ones I have are metal.

Being able to weld I just make my own custom to fit and go heavy duty on the wheels. Cost is about the same but I get better wheels and I know it will fit and hold up.

-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.

The Oasis Machinery ones are real sturdy but they don’t have the foot pedals.

The Rockler kit where you supply the wood is not bad and has a foot pedal. If you use something sturdy like oak it will probably hold 500 lbs. I’ve had worse ones for sure.

Looks like Bora makes a nice adjustable one with foot pedals but the price is $200.

Being able to weld I just make my own custom to fit and go heavy duty on the wheels. Cost is about the same but I get better wheels and I know it will fit and hold up.
- woodbutcherbynight

+1

In addition, a welded frame is stronger and more structurally sound than one held together by bolts.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

I have this. https://www.rockler.com/rockler-all-terrain-mobile-base-holds-up-to-800-

Here’s how I installed it. https://www.lumberjocks.com/hairy/blog/11363

It ain’t cheap, but it’s good.

-- You can lead a horse to water, but you can't tie his shoes. Blaze Foley

I’ve also had good luck with HTC and Bora Portamate bases.

-- Joe | Spartanburg, SC | "To give anything less than your best is to sacrafice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

I’ve built several and owned different brands. The all terrain by Rockler is the best by far. Larger wheels will give easier mobility. I’ve got them on all my tools except the Grizzly saw and jointer and thinking about replacing it. On sale as well right now.

Actually I like the one’s I got from Menards. I did a review on them awhile back if you want to read up on them. I have five of them now in use. Mel

-- MEL, Kansas

Griz has 2 that easily would do 500 pounds. The Bear Crawl, and the Shop Fox D2058A – Super Heavy-Duty Mobile Base.

https://www.grizzly.com/mobile-bases

Probably something is also on sale now too.

Shop Fox D2058A – Super Heavy-Duty Mobile Base

Barring them if can weld, or have someone weld you up one, you could make it pretty heavy duty for the same $$$$ or less.

-- Think safe, be safe

I have my cabinet saw on an HTC. Works well.

-- Dave

The only “awesome” one I have is my Sawstop mobile base. The rest are okay.

-- Measure twice, cut once. If you cut it too short get a wood stretcher.

HTC was mentioned several times, and I have a couple and really like them as well. But apparently the brand was sold and their stuff is all now of Asian manufacturer. They were a USA company. I came across that while trying to get an HTC base for a combo sander earlier this year. They may still be good (I have no idea) so just consider this a PSA.

-- Our village hasn't lost it's idiot, he was elected to congress.

HTC was mentioned several times, and I have a couple and really like them as well. But apparently the brand was sold and their stuff is all now of Asian manufacturer. They were a USA company. I came across that while trying to get an HTC base for a combo sander earlier this year. They may still be good (I have no idea) so just consider this a PSA.

- Fred Hargis

For what it’s worth, my newest HTC base is less than 3 months old. I don’t see any issues with it.

-- Joe | Spartanburg, SC | "To give anything less than your best is to sacrafice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine