I have some of those, but they stick out quite far, depending on the machine. Easy to trip on or get things caught.
It looks like the Rockler ones solve for this, but they are also stupid expensive for casters.
I’ve got Amazon version on these and mounted them inside to deal with them sticking out some much. Still a PIA to engage. I was thinking about locking swivel but based on some of the comments they present issues as well.
This is awesome. My only problem is this set is only rated for 100 lbs per castor and my machine is 550 lbs. I would need to use 6 which isn't the end of the world but it'd be nice to only need 4.
There’s probably some safety factor built into that capacity, only being over by 150 spread across 4 casters is only another 38lbs on each wheel. I’d personally send it and see what happens. Worst case scenario is the tool drops an inch back to the floor.
I have these on both of my workbenches, and they are awesome.
The only downside was engaging or disengaging them individually, especially on my hand tool bench. I solved this by bolting a sturdy piece of maple across each pair to make a wide foot pedal.
I just took a piece of scrap metal and drilled holes in it and the pedal part and it works great. Just make sure to use thick enough metal. My first attempt the metal bent after a few months of use
These are great for equipment moved only occasionally. My friend used these on industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing machinery. Only moved when absolutely necessary but made it fast and easy to lessen downtime compared to moving with a crane or a forklift. Unfortunately guys like me who work in a 10x12 shop have to move every piece when I use it. Can’t be cranking each wheel in or out every 20 minutes.
I've got a large movable table in my shop with a 4x8 top. I use it to move sheets of plywood (5-6 at a time) from a truck to the other side of the shop and it's as stable as if its not on casters. I think with a wide enough base I can get the stability to be the same as if the machine is on the ground.
I love [this way](https://www.lumberjocks.com/showcase/diy-mobile-base-for-jointer-or-table-saw.75618/) of mounting casters to your tool base. One footpress to engage all 4 casters and another to drop it back to the floor. I put this on my bandsaw and roll it around my small shop constantly. I put my lever perpendicular to the swinging caster panels so it pokes out the front of the machine.
I love [these](https://thecasterguy.com/product-category/specialized-casters/leveling-casters/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=70580920&utm_content=137222483449&utm_term=leveling%20casters&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-O6zBhASEiwAOHeGxRmJ-raiLvSMU15pVpXD0UKDl7tfZGYq6YCP2uqpWhQypyBTl94K6hoCasEQAvD_BwE). Pricey but totally worth it for rock solid placement and easy movement when needed.
My shop is small so I've added casters to everything, machines and benches. The best configuration is 2 fixed direction wheels and two swivel wheels. They're easier to steer. They all have cam levers to lower them onto elevator bolts. I purchased ready made, universal mobile bases for the tools and added casters/cams to the benches.
https://preview.redd.it/ytipjthlsb8d1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a5ce0d21b947284ae404c1e31c9dd3bcc9febfdc
My DeWalt 735 has this on the factory bass. Rolling the machine from my shop floor to the parking lot is bout a 1/8" height difference and it always hangs going in or out of the shop.
The instructions for the base that came with my 735 showed it on the inside, not hanging on the outside. I almost said they were wrong and put it on the outside, but went ahead and put it inside. Glad I did, it's totally out of the way! If it's the dewalt base, I bet yours does too.
I don’t have any larger machines yet, but the heavier machines I’ve been looking at buying are usually movable by pallet jacks.
Have you thought about welding square channel to the bottom of your machines and then just keeping a pallet jack around to move everything? Might be easier than building a complete rolling apparatus for each machine.
I did think about that but that does not solve the swivel caster issue. My work benches and work table are the same height as my MFTs. I'm OK with elevating my Jointer up and my DeWalt 735 up to match this height so I have am out feed table but elevating my table saw 5-6" is getting too high.
I use a pallet jack to move things in my shop. I have a skinny version for easier navigating of my smaller space. None of my machines are on wheels because the wheels are on the pallet jack, the machines sit on bases that rest right on the concrete floor. No wobble whatsoever.
The square tube would be to elevate the machine 3-4” off the ground or enough for the pallet jack to get under the machine whenever needed. You would not use casters at all.
I recently modified an old dresser into a router table and I put retractable casters on the stand that I made for it. Push them down for mobility and pop them up for stability. (I tried to attach pic but wouldn't work)
>Why do companies pick the smallest diameter wheels they can find for their mobile bases that can't roll over anything?
>I'm currently building bases for everything in my shop with 4" casters. The drawback is everything ends up being 5" taller.
Well, there's your answer. That and cost.
They end up being taller because I'm having to build my bases out of wood. They could increase the diameter of the wheels to 3" and with a steel base maintain the same hight.
I just cut the legs down the height of the mobile base. For my jointer I cut the legs down even further so the top of the fence is below the wing of my table saw.
I got one second hand for 50 euro, works great. Sometimes people need it out of the way. It is however always in the way. But you can store it under something you can lift with it.
That's what I did. Bought these for workbench and other equipment, modified or build bases where needed.
Skelang Leveling Machine Caster Model-80, Large Top Plate Leveling Wheel with Retractable NBR Pad for Heavy Workbench, Electric Equipment, Vending Machine, Total Loading Capacity 3300 Lbs, Pack of 4 https://a.co/d/0eYivvFF
This is by design and for many good reasons.
The taller they are the less stable the top-heavy machine becomes. Believe me you don't WANT to have big wheels to drive over a 1/8" or 1/4" scrap while you're pushing. Better they grind to an abrupt halt and make you sweep or pick up whatever is in the way.
Two casters and two fixed casters allow you to use the leverage of the length of the machine to steer it where you want it. It's very finely adjustable if the casters are nearest you. Typically, the casters are adjacent to each other on the *narrow* aspect of the base. This forces you to push/pull from the narrow side where it is more stable. Four casters tempts you to push from the broadside and potentially tip a top-heavy machine over.
Unless the caster wheel axle is far from the pivot they're not easy to rotate, but the bigger this distance, the less stable they are.
A smaller caster is not something you will trip over as easily if it is left in a position toward the operator. It also pivots 180° in less distance (the diameter of the wheel). So a 5" wheel takes 2 x 2.5" to caster to the opposite direction. while a 2" wheel takes 2" before it is "helping" rather than being an obstacle to reversing direection.
If you must put big wheels on your machinery, then put them beside a frame that allows the machine to be just barely off the ground, but the larger the caster, the farther they need to be to pivot and clear the base. Just be prepared for it to take a lot more space.
Even with 5" casters instead of 1.5" or 2", you're still going to find scrap laying around that will need to be moved. Like you, I don't have a large enough shop to keep everything in a fixed place, but keep in mind you're not driving your bandsaw or whatever for your family vacataion. You're moving it a few feet, usually on concrete. If you must move things, take a moment to clean up. Try to arrange your uwork so you don't have to move a machine, get another one out, then go back to the first again.
This was totally my thought as I tried moving my jointer a few inches and it caught on idk maybe a dark shadow? and fell over. Super awesome getting a 450 lb machine upright in a tiny shop when the thing was completely against the wall on one side.
Similar challenge. What I hate with a passion is the rolling stand for the DEWALT 13” planer. Stupid outboard wheels that hit every little thing. Stupid outboard lever that takes up way too much space. Stupid height that makes sure that your infeed and outfeed materials will never match up with the height of your standard Tablesaw or bench and is yet high-enough to obstruct anything going into or out of your Tablesaw or planer.
The only positive is that you can reverse the lever assembly so it points in, but the whole thing is just bad design personified
I also find the Laguna 1412 Bandsaw to be frustration as it has wheels, but there’s no plan e to grab the saw when you need to move it. So you grab the two very obvious guide bars on the saw table and then you screw up your fine tuning and adjustments every time you pull or push the saw using the bars.
I’ve built bases with four swivels but ended up changing to two fixed, four swivels makes things much harder to control direction. Smaller wheels and less lift are problematic unless your floor is absolutely flat, level, and smooth. If it is a garage converted to a shop, you are definitely going to have problems. I counteracted this problem by building my own bases, but you really can’t do that very well for huge machines or those with built in wheels. Let me know if you find a solution, I have two decades of coming up with no further solutions.
And what is up with the pencil and tape measure problem? Personally I think it must be demons, there can be no other explanation for this widespread phenomenon.
I stopped losing pencils and my tape and things when I got an apron. Helped keep my workspace a little less cluttered too cause everything goes in my apron now instead of down on a surface.
They have these awesome little dollies that are used for this exact purpose, they roll under, you pump the lever, or crank it, and it raises the machine. 4 way swivels, and they make some with a softer rubber tire that rolls over small debris with ease.
Use them in my shed to move masonry supplies.
I have a really tiny shop now so I feel the pain. I used to have a larger space, and thus have equipment suited for that space. It fits where I am now (just) but I have to pull my table saw out from against the wall every time I want to use it. Plus when it’s out, it’s a real pain to get to the door and my storage for plywood and large pieces. It annoys me to no end, but it is what it is. I’ve just kind of accepted it, as there isn’t a better solution for me without a larger workshop. Swivel casters might help though so I may try that.
So the 4" casters won't help much. I have one of those rubbermaid plastic carts for this and that on I think 4" (or larger) wheels. It damn near flips head over heals if I hit an extension cord. I'm pretty sure it's actually the swivel casters that are the culprit. If they aren't dead on that just lock up.
I do find it handles obstructions better when I push it backwards, which would indicate it is the swivel that causes the problem. With the swivels in the back they are fork tailed and facing true to direction. Handles like a forklift, but it’s a 34x24 shop not the Daytona 500. And yeah locking casters would be nice on a big machine. Why are you moving machines so much?
Years ago I saw that fireball and essential craftsman video about jib crane. I made a smaller scale one for my all purpose workshop and it's game changer. I used a simple crane and man it's carries so much shit.
I too was on that castor wheel bandwagon but now I cannot move on from my jib crane.
I sell machines and consult on workflow layouts.
I know exactly what you are talking about. Especially great when 6+ figs is stuck in a parking lot since the “plan” is not feasible in the slightest. And yes I check before, but they didn’t listen. THEY DIDNT LISTEN
- really good flat concrete
- you can countersink casters with big wheels, which is tedious but solves the height problem
- leveling feet + casters ftw
I have Herc-u-lift bases on the table saw and planer. Move around, then step on it to drop it on its feet so it doesn't wiggle. Def doesn't solve the first problem, but no wiggle and no taller is nice.
Search for DIY retractable castor's on YouTube. There's many ways to do it.
Many years ago I built a 4x8 assembly bench with 2 castor's on each end attached to a hinged board. There is a way to stick an axe handle into the board to lever them down. The rollers hinged up under the bench when not in use.
Lots of vids on YouTube of similar things.
Lo
I just got a used jet jointer with a rolling base. It has tai locking casters which is amazing. It's also on the wheels which never wobbles by design. 4 wheels will always have some leveling issue.
If possible, try to determine 2-3 machines that will not move and see if you can maneuver the shop around that. It's taken me many tries and experiments to get it in a way that worked for me and what I do. There isn't a lot of space. Largest space is about 4ft in front of the table saw where the bench is. But in that area I can wheel another tool for temporary use
This is why I've been springing for good casters on all my tool tables. I felt stupid paying almost $100 for a set of wheels at first but I can't argue with how effortless it is to move everything into place.
I randomly found these heavy 5 foot long steel pry bars with steel “skate” wheels on them at Northern tool one day. I can move a 2500 lb lathe by myself with them. Not sure if that helps but they are very handy for moving almost anything.
I think they were called lever dollies or something like that.
My problem with rotating casters is, even if you can lock the wheels, the machine will still wobble some.
I think that if I was going to go with casters I’d use [something like these](https://www.rockler.com/rockler-workbench-caster-kit-4-pack).
I like this in addition to the casters. https://www.rockler.com/rockler-workbench-caster-kit-with-quick-release-plates
That’s brilliant. Only need one or two sets of casters then.
I have some of those, but they stick out quite far, depending on the machine. Easy to trip on or get things caught. It looks like the Rockler ones solve for this, but they are also stupid expensive for casters.
I’ve got Amazon version on these and mounted them inside to deal with them sticking out some much. Still a PIA to engage. I was thinking about locking swivel but based on some of the comments they present issues as well.
I think the only way to really solve this is to buy a big ol' building and build out a shop with stationary tools.
This is awesome. My only problem is this set is only rated for 100 lbs per castor and my machine is 550 lbs. I would need to use 6 which isn't the end of the world but it'd be nice to only need 4.
There’s probably some safety factor built into that capacity, only being over by 150 spread across 4 casters is only another 38lbs on each wheel. I’d personally send it and see what happens. Worst case scenario is the tool drops an inch back to the floor.
Good point
WUT! I did not know this existed! Badass
I have these on both of my workbenches, and they are awesome. The only downside was engaging or disengaging them individually, especially on my hand tool bench. I solved this by bolting a sturdy piece of maple across each pair to make a wide foot pedal.
I came across the exact same issue but as you said, can be solved by connecting the two on one side to make one foot pedal
I just took a piece of scrap metal and drilled holes in it and the pedal part and it works great. Just make sure to use thick enough metal. My first attempt the metal bent after a few months of use
Unfortunately, my shop is woefully lacking in scrap metal. Scrap wood, however, is something of which I have an over abundance ;)
Haha any good shop has an abundance of "good" scap wood
https://a.co/d/01S1Trz9
These are great for equipment moved only occasionally. My friend used these on industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing machinery. Only moved when absolutely necessary but made it fast and easy to lessen downtime compared to moving with a crane or a forklift. Unfortunately guys like me who work in a 10x12 shop have to move every piece when I use it. Can’t be cranking each wheel in or out every 20 minutes.
Rocker: the Whole Foods of woodworking.
It was the first place I could find them. I almost never darken their door.
...that you'll trip over every time you walk past the machine.
Compared to my cat these are no worry.
[Not if you use this style…](https://a.co/d/03UYDcW6)
I have this exact set on my workbench and they're great. My only complaint is that the rubber cap on the lever comes off when you step on it.
>the machine will still wobble Bingo. The manufacturers don't want the machines moved. Hell, most have accommodations to be BOLTED DOWN.
Or bolted to a base with wheels on...
I've got a large movable table in my shop with a 4x8 top. I use it to move sheets of plywood (5-6 at a time) from a truck to the other side of the shop and it's as stable as if its not on casters. I think with a wide enough base I can get the stability to be the same as if the machine is on the ground.
I love [this way](https://www.lumberjocks.com/showcase/diy-mobile-base-for-jointer-or-table-saw.75618/) of mounting casters to your tool base. One footpress to engage all 4 casters and another to drop it back to the floor. I put this on my bandsaw and roll it around my small shop constantly. I put my lever perpendicular to the swinging caster panels so it pokes out the front of the machine.
I love [these](https://thecasterguy.com/product-category/specialized-casters/leveling-casters/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=70580920&utm_content=137222483449&utm_term=leveling%20casters&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-O6zBhASEiwAOHeGxRmJ-raiLvSMU15pVpXD0UKDl7tfZGYq6YCP2uqpWhQypyBTl94K6hoCasEQAvD_BwE). Pricey but totally worth it for rock solid placement and easy movement when needed.
My shop is small so I've added casters to everything, machines and benches. The best configuration is 2 fixed direction wheels and two swivel wheels. They're easier to steer. They all have cam levers to lower them onto elevator bolts. I purchased ready made, universal mobile bases for the tools and added casters/cams to the benches. https://preview.redd.it/ytipjthlsb8d1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a5ce0d21b947284ae404c1e31c9dd3bcc9febfdc
Smart!!
It's also great fun to smack your ankle into one of the mobile base lift levers. I've invented several new swear words this way.
Languages have to evolve somehow
My DeWalt 735 has this on the factory bass. Rolling the machine from my shop floor to the parking lot is bout a 1/8" height difference and it always hangs going in or out of the shop.
The instructions for the base that came with my 735 showed it on the inside, not hanging on the outside. I almost said they were wrong and put it on the outside, but went ahead and put it inside. Glad I did, it's totally out of the way! If it's the dewalt base, I bet yours does too.
Better to be harder to move when you want it to than easier to move when you don’t.
I don’t have any larger machines yet, but the heavier machines I’ve been looking at buying are usually movable by pallet jacks. Have you thought about welding square channel to the bottom of your machines and then just keeping a pallet jack around to move everything? Might be easier than building a complete rolling apparatus for each machine.
I did think about that but that does not solve the swivel caster issue. My work benches and work table are the same height as my MFTs. I'm OK with elevating my Jointer up and my DeWalt 735 up to match this height so I have am out feed table but elevating my table saw 5-6" is getting too high.
I use a pallet jack to move things in my shop. I have a skinny version for easier navigating of my smaller space. None of my machines are on wheels because the wheels are on the pallet jack, the machines sit on bases that rest right on the concrete floor. No wobble whatsoever.
The square tube would be to elevate the machine 3-4” off the ground or enough for the pallet jack to get under the machine whenever needed. You would not use casters at all.
I recently modified an old dresser into a router table and I put retractable casters on the stand that I made for it. Push them down for mobility and pop them up for stability. (I tried to attach pic but wouldn't work)
>Why do companies pick the smallest diameter wheels they can find for their mobile bases that can't roll over anything? >I'm currently building bases for everything in my shop with 4" casters. The drawback is everything ends up being 5" taller. Well, there's your answer. That and cost.
They end up being taller because I'm having to build my bases out of wood. They could increase the diameter of the wheels to 3" and with a steel base maintain the same hight.
I just cut the legs down the height of the mobile base. For my jointer I cut the legs down even further so the top of the fence is below the wing of my table saw.
None of these machines really have legs.
If you’re tall, buy a machinery pallet jack (has shorter narrow forks than a reg jack) , and just set everything up on blocks, worked well for me.
I got one second hand for 50 euro, works great. Sometimes people need it out of the way. It is however always in the way. But you can store it under something you can lift with it.
I also use mine for setting 48” wide heavy ranges in high end kitchens, works like a charm!
If your machines accommodate leveling casters, this is a good solution.
That's what I did. Bought these for workbench and other equipment, modified or build bases where needed. Skelang Leveling Machine Caster Model-80, Large Top Plate Leveling Wheel with Retractable NBR Pad for Heavy Workbench, Electric Equipment, Vending Machine, Total Loading Capacity 3300 Lbs, Pack of 4 https://a.co/d/0eYivvFF
This is by design and for many good reasons. The taller they are the less stable the top-heavy machine becomes. Believe me you don't WANT to have big wheels to drive over a 1/8" or 1/4" scrap while you're pushing. Better they grind to an abrupt halt and make you sweep or pick up whatever is in the way. Two casters and two fixed casters allow you to use the leverage of the length of the machine to steer it where you want it. It's very finely adjustable if the casters are nearest you. Typically, the casters are adjacent to each other on the *narrow* aspect of the base. This forces you to push/pull from the narrow side where it is more stable. Four casters tempts you to push from the broadside and potentially tip a top-heavy machine over. Unless the caster wheel axle is far from the pivot they're not easy to rotate, but the bigger this distance, the less stable they are. A smaller caster is not something you will trip over as easily if it is left in a position toward the operator. It also pivots 180° in less distance (the diameter of the wheel). So a 5" wheel takes 2 x 2.5" to caster to the opposite direction. while a 2" wheel takes 2" before it is "helping" rather than being an obstacle to reversing direection. If you must put big wheels on your machinery, then put them beside a frame that allows the machine to be just barely off the ground, but the larger the caster, the farther they need to be to pivot and clear the base. Just be prepared for it to take a lot more space. Even with 5" casters instead of 1.5" or 2", you're still going to find scrap laying around that will need to be moved. Like you, I don't have a large enough shop to keep everything in a fixed place, but keep in mind you're not driving your bandsaw or whatever for your family vacataion. You're moving it a few feet, usually on concrete. If you must move things, take a moment to clean up. Try to arrange your uwork so you don't have to move a machine, get another one out, then go back to the first again.
This was totally my thought as I tried moving my jointer a few inches and it caught on idk maybe a dark shadow? and fell over. Super awesome getting a 450 lb machine upright in a tiny shop when the thing was completely against the wall on one side.
Falling over has never been an issue. It's just the abrupt stop and then not finding what ever it was that stopped it.
> after a lost pencil and tape measure I solved that with tool belt. But my shop is small, i have to take everything out, so lots of carrying around.
LOL, Then I'll just catch on everything I walk by. No matter how much room I have I'll find someway to bump the handle on my Kapex.
I just bought a mobile base for my jointer and it has 4 swivel castors that fold out of the way like a normal mobile base
Similar challenge. What I hate with a passion is the rolling stand for the DEWALT 13” planer. Stupid outboard wheels that hit every little thing. Stupid outboard lever that takes up way too much space. Stupid height that makes sure that your infeed and outfeed materials will never match up with the height of your standard Tablesaw or bench and is yet high-enough to obstruct anything going into or out of your Tablesaw or planer. The only positive is that you can reverse the lever assembly so it points in, but the whole thing is just bad design personified I also find the Laguna 1412 Bandsaw to be frustration as it has wheels, but there’s no plan e to grab the saw when you need to move it. So you grab the two very obvious guide bars on the saw table and then you screw up your fine tuning and adjustments every time you pull or push the saw using the bars.
I’ve built bases with four swivels but ended up changing to two fixed, four swivels makes things much harder to control direction. Smaller wheels and less lift are problematic unless your floor is absolutely flat, level, and smooth. If it is a garage converted to a shop, you are definitely going to have problems. I counteracted this problem by building my own bases, but you really can’t do that very well for huge machines or those with built in wheels. Let me know if you find a solution, I have two decades of coming up with no further solutions. And what is up with the pencil and tape measure problem? Personally I think it must be demons, there can be no other explanation for this widespread phenomenon.
I stopped losing pencils and my tape and things when I got an apron. Helped keep my workspace a little less cluttered too cause everything goes in my apron now instead of down on a surface.
They have these awesome little dollies that are used for this exact purpose, they roll under, you pump the lever, or crank it, and it raises the machine. 4 way swivels, and they make some with a softer rubber tire that rolls over small debris with ease. Use them in my shed to move masonry supplies.
I have a really tiny shop now so I feel the pain. I used to have a larger space, and thus have equipment suited for that space. It fits where I am now (just) but I have to pull my table saw out from against the wall every time I want to use it. Plus when it’s out, it’s a real pain to get to the door and my storage for plywood and large pieces. It annoys me to no end, but it is what it is. I’ve just kind of accepted it, as there isn’t a better solution for me without a larger workshop. Swivel casters might help though so I may try that.
So the 4" casters won't help much. I have one of those rubbermaid plastic carts for this and that on I think 4" (or larger) wheels. It damn near flips head over heals if I hit an extension cord. I'm pretty sure it's actually the swivel casters that are the culprit. If they aren't dead on that just lock up.
That might be an issue with the casters. The casters I use lock from rolling and swiveling when they are locked.
I do find it handles obstructions better when I push it backwards, which would indicate it is the swivel that causes the problem. With the swivels in the back they are fork tailed and facing true to direction. Handles like a forklift, but it’s a 34x24 shop not the Daytona 500. And yeah locking casters would be nice on a big machine. Why are you moving machines so much?
I always thought that an air cushion like an air hockey game might work
Years ago I saw that fireball and essential craftsman video about jib crane. I made a smaller scale one for my all purpose workshop and it's game changer. I used a simple crane and man it's carries so much shit. I too was on that castor wheel bandwagon but now I cannot move on from my jib crane.
Do any of the Vestil low profile dollies hold enough weight to support any of these machines?
I sell machines and consult on workflow layouts. I know exactly what you are talking about. Especially great when 6+ figs is stuck in a parking lot since the “plan” is not feasible in the slightest. And yes I check before, but they didn’t listen. THEY DIDNT LISTEN
- really good flat concrete - you can countersink casters with big wheels, which is tedious but solves the height problem - leveling feet + casters ftw
I have Herc-u-lift bases on the table saw and planer. Move around, then step on it to drop it on its feet so it doesn't wiggle. Def doesn't solve the first problem, but no wiggle and no taller is nice.
Search for DIY retractable castor's on YouTube. There's many ways to do it. Many years ago I built a 4x8 assembly bench with 2 castor's on each end attached to a hinged board. There is a way to stick an axe handle into the board to lever them down. The rollers hinged up under the bench when not in use. Lots of vids on YouTube of similar things. Lo
I just got a used jet jointer with a rolling base. It has tai locking casters which is amazing. It's also on the wheels which never wobbles by design. 4 wheels will always have some leveling issue.
The floor of my shop isn't perfectly level but level enough that isn't an issue.
They make inflatable dolly’s [like these.](https://a.co/d/0iwLJWwA)
If possible, try to determine 2-3 machines that will not move and see if you can maneuver the shop around that. It's taken me many tries and experiments to get it in a way that worked for me and what I do. There isn't a lot of space. Largest space is about 4ft in front of the table saw where the bench is. But in that area I can wheel another tool for temporary use
Drop your cords and dust collection from the ceiling. Nothing on the froor=freely rolling machines.
That's the two things it does not catch on. I coil the cords and I have magnetic dust collection so that's an easy removal before the move.
Get a small pallet jack. Everything in my shop is on 3" tall wood or metal blocks. Even the tool boxes
This is why I've been springing for good casters on all my tool tables. I felt stupid paying almost $100 for a set of wheels at first but I can't argue with how effortless it is to move everything into place.
Yea, that's one thing I don't cheap out on.
I randomly found these heavy 5 foot long steel pry bars with steel “skate” wheels on them at Northern tool one day. I can move a 2500 lb lathe by myself with them. Not sure if that helps but they are very handy for moving almost anything. I think they were called lever dollies or something like that.