Hidden Retractable Caster Mobile Base Design – Beaver 3800 Jointer Restoration
I restored a Beaver 3800 Jointer and built a retractable caster mobile tool stand for it. I got the retractable caster idea from Carl Holmgren (see video). He is the retractable caster mobile tool stand master! I didn’t have any plans when I built it.
Build log image gallery and video below.
The jointer was given to me by a friend. I was super excited to get it. It’s a 3800 series, built in 1950 I believe.
What an awful stand someone had made for it. I hate when things are hacked together like this. The original motor was a 1/2 HP General Electric, which I assume came with the jointer in 1950. I decided to put a new motor in.
Making the stand. I just pulled some numbers out of a hat to determine the width and length dimensions. Turns out I should have made it a little wider because the new motor barely fit.
So I didn’t wear gloves for a lot of the welding and I suffered the consequences the next day at the office… UV burns on both of my hands…
Test mounting the casters. Here the wheels are in the “down” position, lifting the base off the ground. You can also see precisely how bad I am at welding. Nothing a grinder and paint can’t hide!
Here the casters are in the “up” position and the base is resting on the adjustable feet.
Here is the lever arm assembly which creates some pretty serious mechanical advantage, 400 pounds feels like 30 pounds.
Lever arm up, casters retracted.
Lever arms down, casters engaged.
Freud power switch, hacked apart to mount to cabinet
3/4 HP Motor
Making the shavings chute
The shaving collection body – goes inside the jointer
Body and chute mated
Jointer disassembled
Jointer disassembled
Paint
I used a hammered black spray paint.
Sanded off paint to expose aluminum.
Final assembly!
All Done!
She works!
Here is a video showing how the lever mechanism works:
Here is a video of me rambling, trying to explain what I made:
One thought on “Hidden Retractable Caster Mobile Base Design – Beaver 3800 Jointer Restoration”
Thanks for this. I am considering picking up a Beaver jointer that has been quite used, but your detailed photos offer the promise that I could potentially take it apart and put it back together myself. Great job!
Thanks for this. I am considering picking up a Beaver jointer that has been quite used, but your detailed photos offer the promise that I could potentially take it apart and put it back together myself. Great job!