Product Reviews
Jet 708118/JMB-UMB Heavy-Duty Universal Mobile Base
Our table saws are Craftsman models dating back to the 60s; belt-driven, cast iron frames and motors the weigh-in somewhere between a Buick and a large bolder. Needless to say, our saws don't get moved around much. We picked up a JET HD mobile base to see if we really wanted 400 lbs of tool as rolling stock in our smaller shop.
The JET was our choice initially, based soley on the fact that according to the specs it was more adaptable to non-standard frame sizes than a Rigid, HTC, Delta or Craftsman.
 The ease of adjustment and size range was as advertised plus the the Jet 708118 was extremely easy to assemble. It took less than 5 minutes and unlike other bases we have used (Craftsman and Rigid), the JET required no tools. The base is constructed using spring-loaded pins – so, quite literally, assembly is a snap. Despite this system, the unit provides a very solid feel.
Movement around the shop was relatively effortless. The unit has two fixed castors on one side and two swivel castors on the opposite side. The lock system (brake) operates with with a foot lever. The braking system is the only weak point in an otherwise great OOBE (out of box experience). It seems on a really smooth floor, it has a tendency to move slightly under the pressure of feeding stock into the saw. There are ways of dealing with that of course, we suggest setting up the stand so the wheels are perpendicular to normal pressure applied to the tool or by using a non-skid floor covering. Or better yet don't poly the shop floor!
The technical details...
- 600 pound capacity
- Adjusts from 18x18 to 28x28 inches
- Two fixed and two swivel casters
- Castors lock
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED assembly
Bottom line: For less than a hundred bucks, the weight capacity, sturdiness and ease of assembly put the any braking system shortcomings in the minor annoyance column.
See your local JET Products dealer or you can purchase this item online though Amazon.com with FREE Shipping. For more information, click here
See other recent tool reviews:
|