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The Ultimate Mobile Base?

April 28th, 2009 in blogs     
Tom Tom McKenna, senior editor
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I don't really know what this has to do with woodworking, but it's real genius in a primitive sort of way. The video is a bit long, but stick with it. You may get some tips on moving your shop, walls and all, courtesy of Wally Wallington of Michigan. You may even gain some tips on making large jigs.

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Comments (6)

Taigert writes: WOW!!!!!!!
And here I'm worried about gettin my 1034 lb jointer down off it's 6" high skid onto the concrete floor? Posted: 6:04 am on June 17th
WoodyAl writes: Of course, the key to moving heavy objects is in reducing friction. I use this pricnipal in unloading MDF and plywood sheetgoods from the truck to the shop storage place, a distance of about 40' or so. Rather than lifting them, they are slid on edge across narrow (1" wide) strips of scrap MDF placed about 40" apart across the driveway and shop floor. The sheets slide almost effortlessly from one to the other until they're where I want them. The most difficult job is bending over to pick up the scrap sliders for storage after I'm done. Posted: 10:58 am on May 4th
davcefai writes: Ingenious way of doing it - but not the only one. The Easter Island statues and the Maltese temples were raised by dragging the statues or monoliths up earth ramps and then sliding them down into place.

The Maltese stones were then slid into their precise position on stone balls which were left under the monoliths. (These were perfectly shaped - jointed if you like - so that their long sides, although not perfectly straight, mated perfectly.)

I have long found it amusing that Thor Heyerdahl, on Easter Island, could not work out how the statues were raised until the islanders showed him. Yet, according to his theories, the Easter Islanders are from the same race that built the Maltese temples and this construction method had been known for decades before Heyerdahl researched and wrote Aku-Aku.

I'd better tie this in with woodworking: The Mother-Goddess who was worshipped in these temples was a fat lady carved from stone but the head was wooden. Posted: 4:49 pm on May 3rd
OC_Paul writes: I Love it. The genius is with simplicity.

So, do I have to get a box of rocks and spread them on the shop floor so I can move the saw, planer, joiner, band saw, drill press, etc move around the shop?

Is a circle the best shop configuration then? SawDustHinge Posted: 5:08 pm on April 30th
custim writes: Couldn't say it better myself. Having gone from a cabinet maker to a construction carpenter to a general contractor to a furniture maker, I can really appreciate all aspects of Wally's efforts. Thank you for sharing it. Posted: 2:34 pm on April 30th
goodguy writes: It relates to woodworking because woodworkers think for themselves and solve big complex problems with simple concepts.

It is ingenious, and shows the profound power of an individual who works for his own edification. It is art, manifest through simple Newtonian physics from the intuitive mind of an experienced tradesman.

It has everything to do with woodworking, all craft, art, science and the peculiarly inspiring spirit of fellow humans.

It is beautiful.

He does it because he can.

Thank you for posting this.

Now, if we can just get everyone else to think and act this self reliantly... Posted: 1:15 am on April 30th
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