Replies

1. 
   rslatm | Aug 04, 2002 04:01pm | #1

   I'm not that up on the Vega mobile bases but I do know that HTC can make heavy duty mobile bases and I don't consider 650 lbs especially heavy. I'd be curious about a lathe on a mobile base. Even when locked down you still could have vibration issues. Purely speculation on my part.

2. 
   gpwest | Aug 05, 2002 02:16am | #2

   MSD,

     I would be concerned, as stated by RSL, about vibration on a lathe placed on a mobile base.  If it's any help to you here's how I made my lathe portable:   (Mine is not quite as heavy as yours, probably around 450 lb, including its shop built stand and 100 lb of sand ballast.)     I bought some heavy duty swiveling casters and built  a low platform, like a furniture dolly, the top surface of which is 1/2" lower than the bottom of my bottom lathe stand stretchers. Then band sawed some hard maple scraps into 4 tapered shims about 12" long each. To move the lathe, I roll the platform beneath the lathe and drive the shims in, between the platform surface and stretcher bottoms, alternating from side to side, until the lathe is off the ground, supported by the platform. After the lathe is (carefully) wheeled to its new location, a prybar under the stretchers assists in removal of the shims.  It's not the quickest way to move a machine, but it works well for me because I only have to move my lathe every few months.

      You may not be able to use this method because of the way your stand is constructed, but its just one idea.    GP

3. 
   AlanTurner | Aug 05, 2002 01:58pm | #3

   I have an HTC under my 770 lb planer; no problem at all.  But, you can make your own also.  MOunt 2 non-swivling castors, one on each side of the lathe, about 1" off of the floor, and protruding from the back side several inches.  4-6, perhaps.  Then, mount two holders for 2x4's near the castors.  When its time to move, just insert the 2x4's, lift the lathe up and onto the castors, and drive it like a dolly.  When you put it back down, it is still on its original feet.  I did this on my edge sander without any problem.

4. 
   Elcoholic | Aug 05, 2002 07:24pm | #4

   I have the Vega 'Machine Mover' under my TS w/ 50" fence.  What I like about the design is that the machine sits on 1/8"+/-  steel directly on the floor, not on locked casters like the HTC.  The base has wheels at one end that contact the floor and lift the machine when the other end is lifted with a wheeled jack bar that hooks into a welded loop.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

1. 
   ScottDoten | Aug 06, 2002 08:43am | #5

   John,

   You own one and I have one on order.

   Thanks everone for your help - MSD

5. 
   rdcharbo1 | Aug 08, 2002 06:49pm | #6

   I have the 3520A Powermatic lathe with an HTC mobile base. The lathe is more

   than solid on the base. Make sure you specify the 3520A part number when you

   order the mobile base, the older model 3520 lathe had a smaller footprint.

   Good luck, Russ