7 Ideas to Make Your Tools Mobile & Maximize Workshop Space

Why has it taken me so long to write this post?! I mean the whole reason I named this site “Saws on Skates” was because my saws are on skates. Well, not literally, but they are all on wheels to maximize space in my small workshop. Today we’ll look at some workshop tips to make your tools mobile and maximize workshop space. By the way the working title for this post was “Put your Saws on Skates by Saws on Skates”!

Make your tools mobile to maximize space in your small workshop

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Making your tools mobile in a small workshop is not just a good idea, but it’s a necessity to maximize your workshop space. For some projects I pull out all of my tools… pull out the table saw and push it back, move the router table to the left, shift the workbench to the right, etc. Sometimes I feel like I’m playing a life-size game of Tetris in my shop! Today I’ll share seven ideas to make your tools mobile and two ideas to lock them in place.

Casters

The first and easiest way you can make your tools and shop furniture mobile is with casters. There are many caster options. Casters specifically designed for workbenches are great for wood workbenches where you have a place to easily attach the caster using screws.

Generic casters are also work great, but be sure the casters have locks, otherwise you’ll be chasing your tools around your shop. Casters also have weight limits, so be sure to choose a caster that is compatible with the weight of your tools. I just bought these casters for a new project because they received lots of positive reviews and I think the reviews are right. So far I’m really pleased with them.

DIY Mobile Bases

The second way to make your tools portable is by DIYing your own mobile base. I haven’t made my own bases yet, but these three look like great options.

Two-wheel Mobile Base – woodworkerz.com

two wheel mobile base

Shop-Built Mobile Tool Base – woodworkingtips.com

shop built mobile tool base 2

Easy Lift Mobile Base – woodsmithtips.com

plywood mobile base

Store-Bought Mobile Bases

The third way to make you tools mobile is with a store-bought base. These HTC bases get great reviews and they are available for several tool weights. The HTC-2000 Adjustable Mobile Base works for tools weighing up to 500 pounds and the HTC-3000 Heavy Duty Adjustable Mobile Base works for tools weighing up to 700 pounds.

The Shop Fox Adjustable Mobile Base is nearly identical to one of the bases I use in my small workshop. It works well and has a 700 pound weight capacity.

I also have the Central Machinery base from Harbor Freight and in retrospect I think I should have made my own base or purchased a different one. The wood needed to complete the base isn’t a standard size and needs to be ripped to width, which is an extra step. It does roll back and forth well, but changing direction is a challenge. So yes, it does the job of making your tools mobile, but I think there are better options available.

Put on the Brakes

Once you make your tools mobile, you may find you need more than the lock on the caster to keep your tools in position. This Wooden Caster Chock idea from Wood Magazine will keep you from chasing your tools around your shop.

More Mobile Inspiration

Want some more space-saving ideas for your small workshop? Skate over to my round up of 7 Space-Saving Miter Saw Stand Plans for a Small Workshop, the free plans for my multitasking Flip-Top Workbench Cart, the free plans for my folding workbench, and 9 Clever Ideas to Make Your Small Workshop Feel Bigger.

Final Thoughts

Making your tools mobile in a small workshop is not just a good idea, but it’s a necessity to maximize your workshop space. Mobile options range from casters, DIY mobile bases and store-bought bases.

Thank you for stopping by. If you found this information helpful, would you please pin it to Pinterest? Other DIYers would appreciate it and I would too! Thank you – Scott

4 Comments

  1. Some really great information I also struggle with the moving my tools around my small shop. These bases will help with this problem. Thank you another great post

  2. Thanks Scott For All Your Help And Great Ideas, I Feel That I’m Always Running Out Of Room. I Have A Half A Car Of Garage, To Do My Woodworking And Welding. The Other Side Of The Garage, Is Shared With My Automotive Tools. Due To I Tried To Service All My Vehicles, Also I Shop At Harbor Freight, For The Most Part To Keep Cost Down… Thanks Again.

    1. Hi Keoki – Thank you for stopping by. I know what you mean. I always feel like I’m running out of room too!

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