Mobile Machine Base

[Steve Maskery]

I've bought the mobile machine basefrom Axminster, but it's not in their livery, it's just a no-name box, also being sold by Rutlands, Woodford, and, no doubt, lots of others.

£36.

Good Points:

Sturdy

Does what it says on the box

Decent finish

Easy to lift

Solid when down

Bad points:

No instructions at all, just an exploded drawing

Components labelled 1,2,3 etc on one part of the drawing but lablelled A,B,C etc on another part!

"Simple self-assembly" - well yes, if you know what you are doing. But without any instructions it's a pain to fathom it out. You just get a box of big Meccano.

"Variable size from 280mm square to 895mm square and 280 x 435mm to 1295 x 483mm rectangular". Well Brian and I couldn't get it that small. We had to lop off a few inches here and there.

The front has two castors, while the back has two fixed wheels. This means it is easy to move it to and fro, but not so easy to move it side-to-side. Castors all round would be better.

Verdict: a big improvement, glad I bought it, should be better instructions, wouldn't be difficult to improve it further.

 

[Philly]

Steve
I have one, too. It is a bit flimsy feeling and there are too many nuts and bolts! Works though
I bought this one for another machine and it is far better-well worth the money and NO nuts and bolts or assembly required.
Cheers
Philly

 

[Mcluma]

I bought the cheape one, (where you have to supply your own wood)

But iam going to replace the wood with some square tubing, which should give it a very rigid feeling.

There is just to much twist in the wood

 

[Steve Maskery]

It is a bit flimsy feeling and there are too many nuts and bolts! Works though

Actually Philly, I thought it was quite substantial - small footprint though (Kity P/T). You are right about the nuts and bolts though, quite daunting!

I bought this one for another machine and it is far better-well worth the money and NO nuts and bolts or assembly required.

What's the difference, Philly, apart from ready-built?

 

[Philly]

Steve
It doesn't seem too different until you put a machine on it. Much more substantial and doesn't bend and twist. I have my big bandsaw on it and it is effortless (and safe) to move it around the shop.
I have my Jet 54a planer on the same base as yours-it is happy enough but creaks and groans if you try to move it.
Hope this helps,
Philly

 

[RogerS]

Have they improved then?

I was looking for a couple of mobile bases recently and this thread really put me off the Axminster stuff and I opted for the Rutlands Heavy Duty base instead.