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Thread: Pallet jacks

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    Upland CA
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    5,548

    Pallet jacks

    I have been rethinking mobile bases on my larger tools. I can hardly move my 36" Woodmaster drum sander, on its HD ShopFox base, and now have a 600+# saw and band saw. I was going to get some HD casters, and square tubing and have my son weld up some new bases, but am thinking of just putting some 4X4 under the bases and moving them with a pallet jack. Add adjustable elevator bolt type feet for fine leveling.

    These tools only get moved when I rearrange the shop, and then I usually just move around the smaller stuff, like router tables, work tables, etc. I like my tools fairly high (TS is 37 1/2"),
    so putting 4X4's under them is just about right, and gives me room to use a pallet jack. So...I got on CL and picked up a well worn pallet jack to try out. It works well enough (leaks), but I find that the 27" wide forks are just a bit too wide for what I need on the TS. I either have to make my platform wider, which may get in the way, or possibly get a narrow (21" wide) pallet jack.

    So....questions. Anyone using pallet jacks, unhappy with them? Do you have a narrow one (they go as narrow as 16" but 21" is fine for my needs) or a regular one. I can get a 21" for only $10 more than a 27". I am thinking about new since it will cost less than the steel and wheels for what I need, and I will not have to pay shipping, since a warehouse is close to me.

    Normal forks are 48" long, but 36" are available for the same price. Which do you recommend?

    Any pics of the platforms you use with the pallet jacks would be helpful also.


    I should have done this years ago, but never wanted to take up the space a pallet jack would use. My aged brain just realized it would tuck very nicely under a 4' wide shelving unit I have in the shop. I will probably become very popular with neighbors once they find out about it.

    Thanks,
    Rick
    Rick Potter

    DIY journeyman,
    FWW wannabe.
    AKA Village Idiot.

  2. #2
    I have two narrow ones, one with short forks. I use those more than I do my standard one.
    I bought one new, the others used.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Sorry, I can't help, but be careful not to go too narrow.
    Thoughts entering one's mind need not exit one's mouth!
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  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Central WI
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    For the smaller machines you are talking about, the narrow would probably fit best unless all machines have more than 27" of width. Avoidd the really cheap jacks as they don't feather down very slowly and are jarring to the load. Dave

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    SE PA - Central Bucks County
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    For folks who have larger/heavier machinery, I think that a pallet jack is a great investment for that very-occasional need to move something. I've rented one twice...when I first got my slider to put it into position and a couple years ago when I modified the footprint and needed to move it a few feet. My particular machine doesn't require a "narrow" jack, but it does work better with one that has shorter forks. For in-shop use, I suspect that a narrower version with short forks may be more versatile, but one has to consider the specific machines that it would be used with to make a determination. There's no need to buy something really expensive, either, as most of the less expensive ones are rate for weight well above even a 1500lb slider...

    You do need a place to keep it when it's not in use, however...
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  6. #6
    picked a used one up recently after 40 years of stupidity on pipes from bar clamps and other things sliding down beams and and. This one is 20 years old came from an auction at a big shop 2 plus hours away. My reasoning was to take my 86 year old neighbour to see here grandson and his new home. When I asked her she lit up and was almost in tears that was worth the price and time alone.

    Moved two Shapers one SCM and a Griggio. First thing is getting under them they are not high enough and you have to block them at least 3" probably a bit more. In my case I had to go from the front as i have the lift that is 27" to the outsides, The narrow one is the best choice id say think they are 21" but have to measure a machine but pretty sure that would allow side approach. Id say my fork length is medium and presents no issues too long would not matter either extend out the other side of put the machine further down the forks you have some choice there. There is also a lower version model, ive since seen them with adjustable width forks.

    I lifted from the front griggio was fine but the SCM how its built with the brake and spindle lock pedals is not that substantial so felt I was stressing it a bit, it didn't bend and keep a shape but I think it did stress it a bit too much. I also came from the side by running a 2 x 6 from front to back extending out blocking that up then you can do a side approach and the lift will sit on the 2 x 6 and widths dont matter.

    For the dovetailer which is a chunky little pug it has four feet and ill have to build a big block that goes under the center of the base maybe 12" high or so or more. Its on four feet and at 2,500 lbs a bit more serious weight. I can see some lugan has used a forklift on that and not had great aim or just used a fork to push it a few inches from the location and way the paint is chipped off.

    I think most of them are rated for 5,100 lbs if im remembering correctly. Cleaned it all up well and lubricated it and all works smoothly, at 20 years old its got some play in it but thats fine reminds me of some of my old cars in the younger days.

    Joe said I would love it and turns out he was right. used it once and it paid for itself in time saving compared the the past flintstones ways.


    Blocked up still stresses the front part but less as the 2 x 6's are further apart than the forks would be, narrow may not have worked on the base on this machine

    P1680157B.jpg
    Last edited by Warren Lake; 09-20-2017 at 12:36 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    Hayes, Virginia
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    I am sold on using a pallet jack in my shop. I can move my 800 pound band saw with very little effort. Since I purchased mine it is used more frequently than I expected. Even though my 500 + pound planer is on a custom welded steel stand that I built its easier to move it with the pallet jack then push it around on its wheels.

    Its a Northern Tool mini pallet jack, the forks are 15" wide and 31" long.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #8
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    Mar 2003
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    Upland CA
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    Keith,

    Your pic of the bandsaw is exactly what I envision doing with mine. Those blocks will raise the table to where I want it, and make it portable with the jack.
    Rick Potter

    DIY journeyman,
    FWW wannabe.
    AKA Village Idiot.

  9. #9
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    Mar 2003
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    SE PA - Central Bucks County
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    Keith, I'm jealous that you have that Northern Tool there locally. (I bought my hitch receiver carrier there while on vacation a few years ago) That's a nice pallet jack you have for sure.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  10. #10
    I do the same. It works out great. I've welded stretchers at the right height on my metal lathe, short legs on to my milling machine and built short legs on all base cabinets etc. Moving and arranging is easy. I have the small one from Grizzly.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    Central WI
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    It's less important for loads under 1000 lbs, but jacks with good metering valves and a decent build are , Crown, Lift Rite, Raymond ( made in USA ), BT Lifter (Swedish I think ), Jungheinrich, and Bishamon. Those are the ones I look for used. Dave

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Upland, CA
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    I have four that get regular light use. A Big Joe that I bought new 40 years ago and still works fine even though the polyurethane wheels are so thin they are starting to show the steel of the wheel. A Harbor Freight that we just returned for the fourth time and they credited me instead of replacing it for number 5. I think they are just junk. A Jet that is dedicated to upstairs use where it is very lightly used. And a Crown that is an incredible deal if you want a good one. It is good industrial quality and they sell them for $449 including freight, possibly only to a business with a commercial address. They might let you will-call it in Ontario. They sell the standard 27x48", narrow 20x48", and narrow short 20x36". I think it is as good as my neighbors BT (Swedish), which are available locally from U-Line for $700, also a good deal if you will call them, also in Ontario.
    The Crown has had an English phone booth on it for 14 months, which I have to move around daily to get it out of my way. 3x3' base, 8.5' tall and 2100 pounds. Need to find an English Pub that needs a conversation piece.
    Last edited by Greg R Bradley; 09-20-2017 at 5:54 PM.

  13. #13
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    Greg,

    I must have something you want to swap for that phone booth.
    Rick Potter

    DIY journeyman,
    FWW wannabe.
    AKA Village Idiot.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Bellingham, WA
    Posts
    1,933
    Pallet jacks are great for moving machinery around. For machinery that isn't up on blocks for access, I use a pry bar to lever up one side at a time and add temporary blocking.
    JR

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Canton, MI
    Posts
    529
    I've got one and love it. Decide where you're going to store it before you buy. I mostly store it upstairs with the wood or behind the CNC or shaper. Oh, and with some pallets, it works well to move wood around.

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