OCtoolguy Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I have a DW788 type 1 with the tubular stand that came with it. I am changing some things around with the stand to make it more comfortable for me. My question is, I want to make it movable so I can put it in the corner out of the way when not using it. I don't want all four legs to be on wheels. I only want to make the two legs furthest from the table to be wheeled. I can lift up on the table end and move it around that way. But when I'm using the saw, I want the four legs to be on the floor. Have any of you folks designed and built such a contraption? I know that there are roll around frames like the HTC but I don't want one of those. Any ideas would be appreciated. Ray AlfrediaMum 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 If ,you are serious about using the saw and mastering it ,I would forget the portability and set up a small area dedicated to it .The portability with your conditions and restrictions will be a major project and impose limits , that you say you do not want .moving the stuff you seldom use ,and seldom need ,is chore enough . Spring loaded caster's are expensive and require raising and lowering mech. space and stability issues abound by your own design . In my mind not worth the effort or expense ! Only you can decide ,what your actual plans are for the Scroll saw and it's future with You ! Rob Roy and thatknobtony 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I am not familiar w/ the table. I'll make a guess... Install Locking casters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Ray, I have often considered doing that with some benches. Although I haven't yet done it, I think all you have to do is affix stationary casters to the rear legs on the back side. I would set them about 1/8" or less off the ground when you mount them. When you lift the front of the stand the legs will give way to the casters and you should be able to move the saw easily. I would refrain from lifting by the table. Instead attach a handle to the stand. Some things to think about, if your floor is not very level and you move the saw to a different location you may have to readjust the height of the casters. If you floor is very level I would set the casters 1/16" above the floor. If you have to lift too much on the front of the stand to move it lower the casters some more. In my pea brain is sounds like it will work. OCtoolguy and Travis 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 (edited) Obviously install casters then set the casters on blocks of wood with centers cut out. Lift and remove blocks to roll Edited February 17, 2015 by LarryEA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 When you figure this one all out you should be able to design a better mouse trap too.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustLarry Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Ray, You might find some ideas here. Larry Phantom Scroller, Scrolling Steve and OCtoolguy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Sound like you have gotten some Great advice, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamminjack Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Hey Ray, I know this isn't exactly what you were looking for but maybe you could get some ideas. I designed and built this stand for my shop. It is three leg design with leg cut outs. Very comfortable to work off. I can roll it where ever I want and just lock the wheels. Some times when the weather is sunny, and warm I roll the saw out on to the deck and saw outside. Very rewarding. Take a look. You might get a few ideas for your situtation. Later Jamminjack bobscroll, Fish, OCtoolguy and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I took a 1X12 board just a little larger thae the leg span of the stand. put 4 castors on it and put strips around the board so the stand won't slide off . Lift the saw stand so the back willsit on the caster assembly , lift the front of the stand and you can move it any place. Hope this is clear. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 With my factory stand and the dewalt i put the stand on a narrow dolly ,fastened it down and then put the planer under the and with a cover over it .It's pretty hard for it to fall over moving it around with all that weight on it. I raised the back legs of the stand up as high as they would go, and lowered the front as low as it would go so i ended up with the saw 1 foot higher in the rear than the front .Makes for comfortable no back ache scrolling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Finn Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I made a movable podium in the way you suggested in the original post. Just mount large wheels on the far side of the stand (not the bottom) just touching the floor. When you tip the saw in that direction it will rest on the wheels and can be then moved. It will sit on the original legs as you tip it back to horizontal. No moving parts (except for the wheels themselves) OCtoolguy, Travis and tomsteve 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Wow, I'm very impressed with all of your suggestions. Thanks to all. My problem is I am restricted to a 9 x 13 shop area. With all of my other shop tools and a very big work bench, I have to make everything somewhat movable. I'd love to have a dedicated spot for my saw but unless we win the lottery and are able to once again live in a real house, it ain't gonna happen. With that said, I was trying to use the original tubular stand and figure out a way to make it easy to move. I was going to put a handle on either side of it to lift the table end up and just roll it in and out of it's nesting spot. I'm still going to try to stay with that stand but in the end I may have to build something else. I am not an engineer and I know that there are many ways to do what I'm wanting but I like KISS thinking. I have so far switched the saw end for end putting the wider two legs at the rear of the saw and then having the narrower legs at the front working area. I also have unbolted the two lower extensions and turned them 90 degrees and rebolted them to give them an even narrower profile. I can now straddle the two front legs. And by front, I mean the end where I would sit and work. So, now all I have to do is figure out a way to make the rear end sit on some sort of caster base. Or, as one of you suggested, mount the wheels so that when tipping the saw, it forces the wheels down onto the floor. I like that idea. The problem is that the two rear legs are not straight up and down. They are slightly angled so I will have to design some type of caster mounting brackets. I will come up with something but now I have a lot more to work with since so many of you offered suggestions and pics. Once again, I say thank you all. Ray tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 (edited) I got a set of plan from Wood Magazine website for a mobile base like this (better picture here: http://www.woodmagazine.com/ideas/wood-shop-showcase/idea-shop-3/?page=5) I have made and use three of them for various machines. I love them, easy to make and work great. I have a stand made for my scroll saw, (I do not like the metal stands) out of part of a kitchen cabinet that I got for free. I have wheels under the cabinet, but am thinking of making another one of these bases to set the cabinet in. Edited February 17, 2015 by Scrappile OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kragax Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Harbor freight has a flat movers dolly that might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I just noticed that the stand for the dewalt 788 is a 3 leg stand I have My on a lod porter Cable stand which is a 4 leg stand which makes moving it around easier, I have an extra 4 leg stand here in my road, but you are 2000 miles away. my set up for you wouldn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 My stand is not like any I have seen before. It is a very early one made up of tubing. All tubular construction with a couple of stamped steel plates that connect everything together. It has four legs spaced unevenly apart. Narrow in the rear and wide in the front. I am reversing them as we speak. I may end up not using this stand as it is not as rigid as I would like. I do have some plans that I found on one of the two forums but I can't seem to find where I got them. Anyway, it is made up of two by and four by construction. Three legs. But once again I would reverse the leg pattern so I could straddle the single leg when sawing. I really want to thank everybody for all the great ideas. I watched all the videos and I think I now have a good idea of what I want to do. But, don't stop. Keep sending the ideas because what doesn't work for me, might work for the next person. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I got a set of plan from Wood Magazine website for a mobile base like this (better picture here: http://www.woodmagazine.com/ideas/wood-shop-showcase/idea-shop-3/?page=5) I have made and use three of them for various machines. I love them, easy to make and work great. I have a stand made for my scroll saw, (I do not like the metal stands) out of part of a kitchen cabinet that I got for free. I have wheels under the cabinet, but am thinking of making another one of these bases to set the cabinet in. Thanks for this one Scrappile, I like it. I did go to their site to check it out but they want me to "pay" for their plan. I will try to figure it out and make one on my own. I like the idea of the kitchen cabinet too. My saw came with a tubular stand and it is just not up to my liking. I have fiddled with it and tried changing the configuration of the legs but it is still not stable and it is too high for my liking. I am going to have to build something that is more "customized" for my height and size. I am also going to try to find a different shop chair/stool that is more comfortable. I bought a nice shop stool that is great for working at my bench but it's just too high to sit at comfortably while scroll sawing. I can see now why one of the early posts said that it is all about each individual's preferences. I DO like that mobile base though. I will try to duplicate it. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 If it is any help, here is my setup. narrow enough to stradle and convient storage. I really like it except for I have locking wheels on it and I have to get down on my knees to lock them. That is why I am considering making another mobil base like I mention. Then I can lock it in place with my toe. Phantom Scroller and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 I'd like to see the tubular frame dewalt used to make ,send us a photo,please and thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry1939 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 I made mine quite similar to the one posted by "JamminJack", EXCEPT that my saw faces the other direction. My legs straddle the single leg. However, it has a 1 X 4 across the "far" end that the back wheels are mounted on. The reason I like it is that when you are swinging a large piece, you can push the stand away with your feet on that board. Pull it back toward you with the ankle on the "near" leg of the stand. I also push the stand/saw away for getting in and out of the chair. The wheels on mine do not caster. If I had to do over again, I would build it the same. jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Ok, here are a couple of pics of my saw. Keep in mind that I have reversed it so that the narrower legs are close to me so I can straddle them. R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Hi, Ray, You mentioned a few times that the stand is tubular and I get the impression that seems to bother you or seems to make it seem to you more complicated to modify. You can easily drill small holes for something like 3/16" Carriage bolts and bolt a 2" x 4" across the back two legs. Even though the legs are not straight up and down, a board bolted very near the bottom of the legs would then give you more support on the legs and give you the board to attach wheels to. Forgive me if my perception was incorrect. Just trying to add another suggestion that may help. God Bless! Spirithorse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I too believe that only one leg should be in front.Why saw bowlegged,lol Man made it man can modifie it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Thanks Spirithorse, I was going to do that but have decided to build and entire new stand out of 2 by and 4 by lumber. It will be much more stable than this thing is. My floor in my shop is not the flattest and not the most firm so I have to do something better than what i have for a stand. I'm going to modify the plans that I found on the web and make it a bit taller and the single leg will be in front so I can straddle it. Someone else made the comment that the metal stands are not meant for stability. They were very much correct. Mine will be much better. Thanks again to all. I'll post pics once it's done. R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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