Replies

1. 
   bones | Oct 15, 2004 02:56pm | #1

   I have no experience with the unisaw, but my grizzly 1023 arrived on a crate pallet.  I purchased the shop fox base. The saw arrived in various boxes. The only main component finished was the cabinet with motor and top. The cast wings and rails were not attached. Without all the parts attached it is not that bad. I actually assembled the base around the cabinet as it sat on the crate. It only required a slight tilt to get each piece going. Did it by myself.  After the base was on, I placed a couple of boards on the crate and eased it to the floor. It was a piece of cake. I finished assembling the saw on the base. I could not have moved the thing if I had assembled it first and then attempted put the base on.

   I was in the local wood craft a couple of weeks back and they had just received a new unisaw. It was in various boxes as well. It's amazing the boxes even looked similar to the way my grizzly was packaged. If it is pre-assembled you could remove the rails and wings and cut the weight. Good luck. Post a picture of the new toy!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/15/2004 8:02 am ET by bones

   
1. 
   JohnSD | Oct 15, 2004 03:06pm | #2

    Bones, although I cant remember how, I was under the impression that the saw arrived in only two or three boxes too heavy for one person.  If it arrives as you describe...no sweat.  Thanks

1. 
   BG | Oct 15, 2004 03:33pm | #3

   JohnD,

   Just want to add just a touch to Bone's comments.  The 1023s is very top heavy and I suspect your Unisaw is the same....making it fairly easy to tip and walk up to a higher level (on boards) and slip the base under.  You have to be careful not to let the center of gravity get away from you....

   Congratulations and good luck 

1. 
   BarryO | Oct 15, 2004 09:48pm | #6

   Just want to add just a touch to Bone's comments.  The 1023s is very top heavy and I suspect your Unisaw is the same....making it fairly easy to tip and walk up to a higher level (on boards) and slip the base under.  You have to be careful not to let the center of gravity get away from you....

   That was the case with mine.  Before you attach the fence rails, tableboard, etc., it's fairly easy to move around.  The base unit box was also mounted on a pallet, if I remember correctly.

   You could also probably pick it up with some nylon straps connected to an engine hoist without knocking anything out of alignment, if you were gentle/careful.

   Edited 10/15/2004 2:52 pm ET by BarryO

1. 
   JohnSD | Oct 15, 2004 10:44pm | #7

   Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I am almost frothing at the mouth in anticipation... -John

2. 
   JohnSD | Oct 19, 2004 09:22pm | #9

   Tom, thanks for the suggestions, my saw is supposed to be here today, and I will try to do as you explain, thanks again.  JohnD

3. 
   RandMCapozzi | Oct 20, 2004 04:34pm | #10

   My Unisaw came bolted to a pallet. The rails and fence come in a separate box.  Here's how I got it from pallet to mobile base. I cut the box off the saw at the bottom. Removed the separately boxed accessory items (motor cover, blade guard, etc). I unbolted the saw from the pallet (2 lag bolts with clips if I recall). I moved the mobile base to the right of the saw (make sure the mobile base is in the stationary position and facing the correct way). I placed two 2x4s (positioned perpendicular to the pallet) across the mobile base to slide/walk the saw on to the mobile base. Then I walked the saw onto the 2x4s on the mobile base. Just lift one side and twist. Then lift the other side and twist. Once the saw is positioned over the mobile base correctly, you just tilt the saw up and slide out a 2x4 and set the saw down into the mobile base. Do the same on the other 2x4 and you're all set ).

   Very easy process. Even though the saw's total mass is heavy, you can easily tilt/pickup one side of the saw and "walk" it around. I'm only 125lbs and had zero problems moving it around.

   Good luck and have fun with your new toy!!

   --Rob

2. 
   bones | Oct 15, 2004 04:21pm | #4

   I don't know the specifics of the unisaw. The one I saw at WC was in a box very similar to mine. Be interested to see how yours arrives. I had 7' rails and a table and other items to make up the other boxes. The big box (on a pallet) had several boxes inside i.e. cast wings. They are very heavy. When you get all that off (if Delta packs them that way) you are left with a base and motor and cast top. As mentioned by another poster, it is top heavy. 

   You do not mention the type of base, but mine has two heavy side pieces with interconnecting steel bars. I placed the main bars next to the base and slightly tilted the top enough to get it started with my foot. I slid it under the base and used a dead blow hammer to tap it the rest of the way. Once you have it off the crate you have it licked.  I put mine together with out help. Of course, my first one arrived damaged and it took a week to get the replacement. I had so much adrenaline flowing I could have put together a car that day.

2. 
   Hochar | Oct 15, 2004 08:11pm | #5

   John, I experienced the same thing about 2 years ago. After assembling the Unisaw(simple,easy), I assembled the accompanying mobile base(Delta). I was very concerned about how to marry the two. Was I going to have to find a neighbor or two to help? After some exploration of the bulk & weight of the saw once assembled, I was able to fairly easily maneuver the saw into a tilted position, sliding onto the base. Not very difficult. Maybe it was the 2 or 3 beers by that time. Once on, simple positioning placed it for good. I really don't remember it as being that big of a deal. You may want to position the cabinet first, then attatch the right side extension after its on the base. Good luck.

3. 
   TKanzler | Oct 16, 2004 07:14am | #8

   I put mine on its base alone, more than once (after relocating).  With the extension table and fence rails not installed, tilt the arbor to the right (on a right-tilt machine) or set it to 90 deg (left tilt).  This shifts the CG as far to the left as it will go.  Leave the arbor all the way down, as that keeps the motor lower and increases the range of travel of the CG. 

   Tilt the saw to the left, and insert a couple of 2x4's just small enough to fit inside the mobile base.  When you set the saw down, it should not quite balance on the blocking.  Slide the mobile base under the saw from the right side.  Put another pair of blocks under the right side, inside the mobile base and somewhat near the middle of the saw base, and tilt the arbor back to the left.  The saw should stand up straight.  Now you can slide the mobile base all the way in, if the blocking is high enough to allow the saw base to clear the mobile base.

   Now that the saw is centered over the mobile base, tilt the arbor back to the right (CG moves to the left), allowing the saw base to sit on the left side of the mobile base, and freeing the blocking on the right side.  Now you have to lift the saw off the original blocking, and roll the saw and its mobile base to the left to bring the blocking against the right side.  You have to get it out of there without dropping the saw on your fingers, so stick some additional blocking between the saw base and mobile base for safety.  Have someone else remove the original blocking (with the safety blocking in place) while you hold the saw, or do it yourself.  Once the blocking is out from under the saw, you can lift and kick out the safety blocking with your foot, and set the right side of the saw on the mobile base.

   I hope that makes sense.  I've done it a few times all by myself, and it only took a short while, maybe fifteen minutes (with the blocking already cut to length).

   Be seeing you...

4. 
   TEX | Oct 20, 2004 10:12pm | #11

   When my Unisaw arrived, I had it delivered into my basement where my shop is located. My wife and I rigged a 4:1 purchase (block and tackle) to a floor beam and after removing the bolts to the pallet, lifted the saw, removed the pallet and slid the moble base under it. We had an I-beam in the celing of the basement to attach the purchase to. I made a simple sling under the saw table to attach the other end to. The only problem I had was that the assembly directions supplied by Delta were not correct for my saw. Contacting Delta was no help. I bought the saw from Woodworkers Supply and they copied their set of directions and sent them to me. Not all Unisaws are the same!

   Tex

1. 
   JohnSD | Oct 21, 2004 04:17am | #12

   Thanks to every one for your suggestions.  My saw arrived yesterday, and as you all mentioned it was really no problem to transfer the thing onto the mobile base.  As suggested I simply waked and tilted it onto a pair of 4x4s and wiggled it onto the base.  Assembly was straight forward except a few washers described in the instructions were not included.  No big deal.  I have not been able to use it yet, and plan to spend a leisurely few days tuning it to the best of my ability.  Thanks again for all the help.  -JohnD