How to Make a Mobile Machine Base

I don't have enough space in my woodworking shop, so I need my smaller machines to be mobile. This is how I build mobile machine bases using some timber and castor wheels.
/ kuffyswoodwork
/ kuffyswoodwork

[@gedionsamuel2256]

Awesome idea!! I’ve been trying to find a base for an extremely heavy wood burning pizza oven that actually needs to be about 2 feet higher. I’ll see if I can modify this idea to rig a base up.

[@Reinhard_B]

Hey! I made it out of soft wood and reinforced the sides with multiplex. Holds my 180kg Bandsaw pretty well. Thanks for the inspiration! Greetings from Austria!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Awesome 👌

[@markmcdonald6907]

Thank you for the inspiration! I made a mobile base like this for "Marissa" my RAS. I used 2x4, 5/8 plywood and reinforced the bottom with some 1x4s. This is a wonderful, fun, and very cost effective answer to mobility needs.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

That's awesome to hear! I'm glad it was helpful. I've never been one to name my machines, but there is something about it that appeals to me.

[@markmcdonald6907]

Marissa is in honor of my late father Maurice who had a Sears RAzS and loved it.

[@richragan4810]

Nice stable base idea. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks Rich 👍

[@markmcdonald6907]

This is just what I need for my radial arm saw!!

Hello my friend. very nice. thank you. be happy. bravo.. see you.....

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks mate 👍

@@kuffyswoodwork You're welcome. See you anytime. big greetings.

[@sk13ppy]

G'day! That looks very impressive! Thanks for the very informative video. I'm going to build a base with retractable wheels but will definitely keep yours in mind for other projects.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Retractable wheels is the better option.

[@doctimw]

WOW PERFECT!!! I have been trying to figure out how to make a couple of my rolling bases more stable and all I could think of (limited brain matter apparently) was to expand the width of the base extending the wheels further out. However, the prototype showed the added width made the base useless in my small shop. However, lower the CG is perfect!! Will be making mine as soon as I get home!! Thank you and you now have a new subscriber!!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Awesome. I'm glad it was helpful for you.

[@jodiepalmer2404]

Just what I need but I need to turn it into a moving bookcase. Seems simple enough. Or even a pull-out cabinet. Your idea is the best.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks. I don't recall ever seeing a moving bookcase, but I guess I've lived a sheltered life :D

[@yossiyaari3760]

Great video. Nice base.

[@SujMenon]

Nice design, Kuffy 👍😁. Looks rock stable

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks mate. It's pretty stable. It's possible to tip it over still, but that would be the result of a silly move.

[@markthompson1796]

Great idea. Thanks. Gonna get cracking on mine!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

It's not my idea, but it's a bloody good idea!

[@FixitFingers]

Very nice little solution Mr Kuffster. Might need a bull bar with that sort of driving though ;)

[@kuffyswoodwork]

No need for a bull bar. People and bulls just need to know to stay out of my way 😂

[@JoesWorkbench]

Nice stand and sander! Mobile bases are the best thing for getting the most out of your workshop space 👍🏻

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Couldn't agree more. Mostly I need the sander for short periods, so it doesn't make sense to have a dedicated position for it.

[@waynecreech]

I really need to build something like this for my Jointer... Thanks for the idea!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

It's handy when you can move things easily, instead of dragging them across the floor.

[@mygarden365]

Nice job, I like it very much, well done.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks. It's working well still after a bit of time.

[@MikeyDreamerLam]

This is awesome, in the space of two weeks I’ve found 3 fellow Aussie woodworkers on KZbin 👌 , subbed right away. Great job btw 👍.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

There's quite a few Aussie woodworkers on KZbin. Many of us have smaller channels that aren't well known.

[@MikeyDreamerLam]

@kuffyswoodwork that's kinda weird, I replied to your comment but it's disappeared???

[@kuffyswoodwork]

The same thing has happened to me. Probably got automatically censored?

[@MikeyDreamerLam]

@@kuffyswoodwork hmmm very strange indeed, didn’t even slag Trump or Biden 🤔.

[@DownUnderWoodWorks]

Mate, if I needed to move my tools around I would definitely make a base just like that 🤣👍🏻

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I probably just need to clean up, and then I wouldn't need to move them either 😂

[@jbb5470]

great build and video! really like the low design, thinking ahead!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks mate. I wanted to keep it as low as possible because the working height as standard is kind of high to begin with.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Nice build. I'll remember this build as I prep wheeled carriers for stationary tools in the workshop. 06/03/24 👍🏽🤠 06/03/24

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks mate.

[@OneManBandWoodworks]

Very good mate, looks a lot more rigid and free wheeling than my $250 carbatec steel version

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I'm way too cheap to spend 250 bucks on a stand. I probably should have used better wheels though (these are the cheapest) 😂

[@julietphillips1991]

Perfect! I have a small space so almost everything is on wheels. I like the consideration for low center of gravity. Your table saw is awesome...been meaning to compliment you on it each I see it!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks. I love the saw, couldn't be without it. I've made stands in the past with higher centres of gravity, it didn't work very well.

[@trep53]

The casters you are using look to be very narrow. What is the dimensions of the castor hole pattern and thickness of the wood?

[@JaseTheAussie]

Informative and entertaining :) Great work Kuffy

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks mate. I live to entertain :D

[@barbarianatgate2000]

I think for the most part this is a nice build. The only thing I would change based on my personal experience is that I would not use fixed casters at the end. Rather, I'd put swivels all the way around. Using what you have on hand is great, but you can already see that only pivoting from one end is leading to positioning issues. Save the time and aggravation, spend a few dollars and get swivels for all 4 corners.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

A lot of people have suggested this. I specifically did it with one pair of swivels and one pair of fixed because I have the room in my shop to maneuver it. It also means that I can essentially lock it place using one stop on one of the swivel wheel, given that the pressure is being applied sideways. It works for me.

[@barbarianatgate2000]

@kuffyswoodwork I can definitely see the benefits of only having to lock the front wheels. My personal setup is that entry inch of space counts more than I would really care for. Lol

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I've worked in huge factories in the past. There is NEVER enough space. We seem to grow into the space and then complain there is no space 🤣🤣

[@TGYoung99]

My concern is that square cut made to create the wheel attachment points. There will be a lot of weight/leverage on that square corner which increases the likely hood that the lumber will split along the grain. Generally you'd make that cut a smooth curve from the bottom of the lumber to the wheel attachment point.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I had the same concern, but I figured it would probably be OK. Hasn't split yet.

[@peternewman9713]

Good work, Kuffy!!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Cheers Peter 👍

[@anthonypalazzolo6181]

Nice job 👌 i think ill be building something like this for my new contractor saw instead of spending $400 for one cheers 🍻

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Haha, yeah! I can't bring myself to pay big money for things I can easily make myself using scraps in the garage.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

That machine is a pig to move around, surprised you got it on by yourself. Mine wobbles like crazy, this is a great solution

[@kuffyswoodwork]

It's pretty heavy for what it is. I spent about 10 minutes thinking about how to get it out of the back of my Ute when I bought it. I eventually just said "f it!" and picked it up. Twas a good workout for my spine 😂

[@RobinLewisMakes]

@@kuffyswoodwork hahaha. It’s cos they’re so top heavy, an accident waiting to happen!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I almost dropped mine at the start of this video. That wasn't some BS acting, almost came crashing down 😂😂😂

[@kellytoffey354]

This is just what I've been searching for! May I ask what size wood you used? It looks larger than 2x4's. And I didn't catch any dims. Thank you for this great plan and video.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I used some hardwood scraps, milled to be 90x45mm. I'm pretty sure a 2x4 is close to 90x45mm. The dimensions need to be specific to the machine that the base is being fitted to.

[@kellytoffey354]

@@kuffyswoodwork Thank you. Finished mine last night, it's for my table saw. Delighted with it! The wings that hold the wheels were a bit narrow for my comfort, so I added blocks. Can't tell you how pleased I am with this project. Wish I could upload a picture. Thank you so much!

[@keithhaycraft3765]

I have to correct you on one thing: you remove an arris in this case, not add it because an arris is a sharp edge!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Perhaps you are correct. I don't think I say "I'll add an arris" very often. Normally I will "ariss the edges to knock the sharp edges off".

[@CuriousOldMan]

Really like the build! But isn’t that a lot of weight to go on that thickness of MDF?

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I guess it's a little bit deceiving. The weight comes down at the four corners where there is a lot of support. I'm more concerned with the lower ledge of timber breaking off, but it hasn't and I'm sure it won't.

[@serlutor]

Excelente!!!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Obrigado!

[@FranksDIY]

nice job

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks Frank

[@TakamiWoodshop]

Happy days, I like it,. But is it a Ford or a Holden? Or .......

[@kuffyswoodwork]

It's made in Australia, so it can't be either Ford or Holden anymore.

[@TakamiWoodshop]

@@kuffyswoodwork yeah that's right I forgot that both companies had foldened in Aus.

[@cobberpete1]

Everything in my shop is on wheels. Normally I only have to move them to do cleaning. I'm blessed with a big shed. If the wheels do the job, then they are the right wheels. You are not moving great distances. Bunnings best will do for me 😁😁

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Hehe, these wheels were Bunnings cheapest. The pricey ones got really expensive really quickly when I need four 😂

[@rafezetter8003]

For your heavy planer I personally would have made the 2 sides longer so you could then have the 2 ends with top cut half lap joints a bit further inboard of where you have screws so that more of the weight is carried by the wood instead of just 6 screws per end.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I considered doing it that way, but I wanted to keep it relatively simple. I probably still over complicated things, but my plan began being as simple as possible :D

[@anthonypalazzolo6181]

Is ironbark wood ok to use or is too soft to make out of it

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Ironbark isn't soft. It's one of the hardest timbers on earth. It'll be fine

[@schinbeindrumco]

Any idea of weight capacity for this guy? I’m think I need about three of these one of which will be huge and take about 250kgs….

[@kuffyswoodwork]

My sander is 120kgs. I wouldn't be confident at 250kgs. The weak spot is the internal corner cut out at the wheels. The timber can split at that point.

[@justinmorrow2932]

Welded steel

[@steelwood74]

What panelsaw are you using? What size? I also use a panelsaw.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

It's a Prima 2500. It can rip an 8' sheet. I got it from Leda Machinery.

[@Peter-976]

All that work and then you cheap out with the MDF?

[@kuffyswoodwork]

The timber was scraps, the MDF was an offcut, and the wheels were some of the cheapest available. Cheap is good 😂

[@bubutkayuserut8472]

perfect... 👍👍👍👍

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Thanks 👍

[@IrishChippy]

3:08 Oops. Good way to stop the wobble. I have a very small workshop, so everything is on casters

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Lol yeah. That blade could use a clean, possibly even a sharpen.

[@boltyfpv8592]

hi i was considering building something similar for my band saw is there any chance you know what size casters you used

[@kuffyswoodwork]

The castors are 50mm nylon wheels.

[@boltyfpv8592]

Ahh ok thankyou

[@billc6087]

7:46 '...Ahh, like a glove...'

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Haha, I was worried about that for a second. 😂

[@jamesnasmith984]

Without spending big bucks, I find most caster brakes are poor quality. While it is more work up front, a cart that lowers the machine onto terra firma is steadier and needs no pricey hardware.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

The castors that I used are pretty low quality. It's part of the reason why I used only one pair of swiveling castors and the other pair were fixed. I just push my edge sander hard against my router table and it makes it steady enough.

[@xicex9851]

Why did you use tomato ketchup as glue?

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Sauce bottles are the best glue bottles

[@xicex9851]

@@kuffyswoodwork Saucy!

[@ohasis8331]

Will be interesting how long this comment lasts. Love the low c of g.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

Lol. Still here after 11 hours. You might be out of the KZbin sin bin 😂😂

[@ohasis8331]

@@kuffyswoodwork Could be, it's 5 days now. Many of my political comments have disappeared elsewhere though. Anyway, an ID change and a new VPN address should fix that.

[@terryturner1260]

@@kuffyswoodwork Just tried a comment on a news channel. It lasted 17 seconds before being cancelled.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

@@terryturner1260 The cancel culture is strong nowadays. Even if you hold all of the widely accepted mainstream opinions, there's still a chance of being deleted! It's ridiculous.

[@terryturner1260]

@@kuffyswoodwork LOL yeah. I said something innocuous to a mate over 5 years ago. His wife didn't like it and hasn't spoken to me since. It's kinda hilarious as she tries to ignore me whist the rest of the family and friends interact with me. I almost feel sorry for her as she goes off to listen to another Hillary Clinton podcast :)

[@TakamiWoodshop]

Dammit, forgot #first 😑

[@ianwatters5613]

Surprised you still have all your fingers 🙄

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I'll happily choose luck over skill.

[@catsruiz3043]

😂