Powermatic on mobile base questions
Every now and then you can spot a novice by the questions . . .
I have a new Powermatic 54A 6″ jointer and PWBS-14 14″ bandsaw. Also ordered the corresponding Powermatic brand mobile bases. The jointer base rests on the inside horizontal lips of its angle iron mobile base with an inch or so of slop, but it’s tight enough that it won’t slide off the lip. I’m still waiting for the bandsaw mobile base to arrive from Amazon and assume it will have about the same slop.
The bottoms of both closed bases are open, and fine when used on the floor without a base. When mounted on mobile bases, both machine bottoms will be some fraction of an inch off the floor.
1. Is this good or bad for motor cooling?
2. Is this good or bad for dust accumulation?
3. Good/bad idea to park the machines on plywood cut to fit the inside dimensions of the mobile bases? This would enclose the machine base bottoms as it they were on the floor. I recognize that neither closed base is anywhere near airtight, even when on the floor.
4. Is my #3 “fix” the solution to no known problem?
Many thanks! Like I said. Novice.
Replies
"Like I said. Novice." And with a great sense of humor!
I doubt motor cooling is any kind of issue. With the jointer, you might get better dust collection by closing off the underneath. In my shop, a little space like that which leads to a nice enlcosed area would be an invitation for a mouse to set up housekeeping or some yellowjackets to hibernate, so I'd lean toward closing it off.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 5/13/2007 2:09 am by forestgirl
Dear G.,
I have a 54A on a mobile base and the bottom is open. I haven't had any overheating and as some will attest to, I push that machine to its limits. The "problem" that I've had is dust collection (DC). I don't know if it is related to the mobile bas or not, but I have had the interior of the PM base fill up with chips. I would suggest that you periodically remove the inspection door and see how that is developing.
Best,
John
Hi "Novice"
Actually I like your #3 solution and may adapt it for my table saw and jointer. Like yours they just set on the lip inside the mobile base. There is about a 1/2" slack between the equipment and the base. Operationally it doesn't matter but it bugs me that the equipment slides around inside the base. I am constantly shoving it back to the center. I just may see if I can lift the equipment and put a piece of 3/4 ply that just fits the base under it. Then I can bolt the equipment to plywood and not worry about it moving any more.
Thanks for the idea, George
You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard
DG, that's exactly what I now intend to do. Three young gents with strong backs will be here later today. I'll have them set the jointer on a piece of cardboard long enough to trace the footprint, which I'll then cut out and use as a template to locate bolt holes on plywood.
Thx for all replies. Was apprehensive about appearing really silly.
Rather than bolting it down, you can fill the narrow gap between the frame and the tool's base on all four sides with strips of wood that will keep the tool from shifting and eliminate a space for dust to collect.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
Edited 5/14/2007 3:21 pm ET by JohnWW
Dang John,
You keep coming up with good ideas that conform to the principle that the simplest way is generally the best way.
Thanks, GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->
<!----><!---->
Its just that I've had lots of experience doing things the hard way.
John W.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled