Essentially a mobile base, General’s Hoverpad floats a machine on a 1/8-in. to 1/2-in. cushion of air. It comes in two sizes-18 in. by 24 in. (model 10-824, $165) and 29 in. by 29 in. (model 10-929, $265)-with all the necessary fittings to attach to a compressor. The smaller model is rated to lift up to 600 lb.; the larger, up to 1,200 lb. A 500-lb. load will need between 2.5 cfm and 3.5 cfm at about 90 psi, while heavier loads require 5 cfm to 6 cfm at around 120 psi. We tried the 29-in.-sq. model, using it to move a floor-standing hollow-chisel mortiser that weighs about 360 lb. In areas where our shop floor was smooth semigloss paint, the Hoverpad worked great. In areas where the floor was rough or pitted, the Hoverpad did not work. General says the pad requires a hard, airtight floor surface and recommends you do a suction-cup test before buying. If the suction cup sticks to the floor, even slightly, the Hoverpad will fly. If it doesn’t stick, you’ll need to treat or cover the floor in some way to make a suitable, airtight runway. For more information, visit www.general.ca.

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