Machine Base---advise needed

[Mikegtr]

I am wanting to buy a portable machine base to move machinery (bandsaw / bobbing etc.) in my small workshop.
I want the machine base to swivel 360 degrees. Do I need to look for one that has 4 swivelling castors and not 2 swivelling and 2 fixed castors? If you know of a make I would be pleased to hear from you.

Many thanks.

 

[Fitzroy]

Yes would need with four swivelling castors. All my bases have two fixed and two swivel, the make I have do not make a four swivel version so can’t recommend a make. Mine uses a ply board (self supplied) rather than a frame and the kit bolts to the corners.

 

[jetsetwilly]

I've always thought most machine bases are pants - flimsy with small wheels and I've never seen one with four swivelling castors. I'm quite impressed by the Felder/Hammer system -

Been pondering bodging up a generic version, eg a square angle-iron frame with rear wheels out behind the machine and slightly off the floor, and a bracket at the front to accept a wheeled lifting bar.

 

[Sachakins]

I only have a narrow gap down middle of my shop, with benches, saw etc on one side and fixed lathes the other. All my stuff on castors are all 4 swivel and braked, as I need to rotate them as they get slid out.
Without them I couldn't get my saw, planer, bandsaw, bobbin sander in to positions to use, if they were 2 fixed and 2 swivel I couldn't get them easily into the middle.

 

[Cabinetman]

I've always thought most machine bases are pants - flimsy with small wheels and I've never seen one with four swivelling castors. I'm quite impressed by the Felder/Hammer system -

Been pondering bodging up a generic version, eg a square angle-iron frame with rear wheels out behind the machine and slightly off the floor, and a bracket at the front to accept a wheeled lifting bar.

that’s pretty much the same as on my SCM Minimax combination mc, and I have thought the same as you about making it fit all my kit.
Mine doesn’t have a bracket though, the towbar has a raised spigot and the mc (which has a higher- 100mm front edge ) just has a hole for it to locate into.
It’s very easy to manoeuvre anywhere which if it had 4 castors it would be very difficult indeed.