Customer Reviews

HTC HPJ-6 Mobile Base for 6-Inch and 8-Inch Jointer Current Model Powermatic Machines

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

HTC's custom Mobile Base for the Powermatic 54A Jointer (HTC #HSB 2855) does the job of moving this heavy unit around. The front of the HTC mobile base exactly conforms to the curved front of the jointer's base cabinet. However, it leaves one wanting for a better executed product when you consider that HTC custom designed the base for this jointer, only. The base is larger by an inch or so in each dimension allowing the jointer to slide around within the confines of the base's rim. I've slipped strips of wood in to hold the unit tightly within the base. Also, a fault of all HTC mobile bases (I also have my cabinet saw on one) is their wheel locking design on the two fixed axle wheels. You can never tighten these enough to keep them from rolling. My solution to this will be to remove the piece of spring steel that's between the end of the threaded lock-down screw and the wheel (this is what slips) so they'll make diect contact.

I am not much for writing these reviews...After having this base for 4 days waiting for the jointer to come in, I finally picked up the jointer from the freight company!!! I am really ticked off at amazon and one other reviewer for saying this base fits the 60B...I can promise you it is too small....I dont know the base size of the 6 inch Powermatic but I measured the 8 inch base on my jointer and it's right under 24 inches X 18 inches...I rounded it up to the next inch, it's only a quarter inch smaller each way...The base is built nice and I am really disappointed that it doesn't fit!!! Amazon, wake up and stock the powermatic mobile bases on your site!!!!!! I'm sure that this base would probably fit the 6 inch powermatic, but don't order it for the 8 inch or you will be in the same boat I'm in...I now have a 400lb machine and no way to move it untill I get the right mobile base!!! I hope this helps someone out!!!

HTC HPJ-6 Mobile Base

The HTC base shown in the Amazon photo with a Delta DJ-15 planer, is actually model HRJ-15, specifically designed for that planer or any tool with a 17" x 27" base. (I own HRJ-15 and HPJ-6 bases.) HRJ-15's are available from Rockler dot com and other vendors. Click on customer photos for images of an HPJ-6 base.

I've owned an HTC HPJ-6 Mobile Base since the early 1990's. This base can support a variety of shop tools - it doesn't have to be a planer.

Internal measurements (inside the squared part of the frame) of the HPJ-6 are 16.5" x 22.5", although it could be used for a somewhat larger tool if you raise the tool on plywood above the box frame of the base. In addition, the angled area at the single wheel end provides additional space, especially if the tool to be supported has a rounded base.

Pros:

- Clean, smooth lines due to one-piece frame construction, give the base a custom look. Appears to be well made. More attractive than any bolt-together base that I've seen. A matter of taste, but I prefer this clean look versus the erector set look of an adjustable-sized tool base such as the HTC2000.

- Have used it for well over a decade with no problems and zero maintenance.

-Three-wheel fixed-size bases cost less than 4-wheel fixed-sized bases of the same quality.

- Three-wheel bases won't wobble, even if the floor isn't flat. I.e., a four-wheel base would wobble if only three of its wheels touched the floor. If there is a wobble with this base, it's the tool wobbling on the base itself (use shims), not the HTC base wobbling on the floor.

- I use three-wheel HTC bases for a band saw, sander, and jointer, and they are all excellent. Those tools are not top heavy, so I have no concern about tip-over. I own six HTC bases altogether and they are all high quality.

Cons:

- Three wheel bases supporting a very top-heavy tool such as a drill press are more unstable than a four wheel base of the same size would be.

- Have to lean over to tighten the plastic-handled wheel lock screws; and to loosen them to roll the tool again. Other bases have a wheel lock operated with your foot, which is more convenient. The oldest of my HTC bases had the screw simply poke into the rubber wheel to lock it, while newer HTC bases put a piece of flat spring steel between the wheel and screw, to protect the wheel. Both kinds of wheel locks work fine.

One thing to add is be careful trying to tighten the carriage bolts that hold the front swivel in place. They are cheap, soft metal and I broke two of them trying to tighten them into the round holes they go in. Carriage bolts in round holes is a poor design. Front wheel/brake is kinda Mickey Mouse also, but is does work.

I bought this HTC base for my Powermatic 8" jointer. It was easy to assemble, the wheels work well, and it is easy to lock the wheels in place. The only thing holding it back from five stars is that there is that there is a space of about one inch on the two ends of the jointer base and the HTC mobile base that tends to collect woodshavings, but this really is not a problem. All in all I feel I got my money's worth and would buy another HTC product based on my experience with this mobile base.

Amazon had the best price for this item by far. HTC makes a very good product. You can't go wrong here.

Before I purchased the HTC base I went to the tool store where I bought the jointer and the price was in the $150.00 bracket which I thought was a little high.

I read the reviews on Amazon and there were some concerns about having to shim the sides to adapt the Powermatic to the base. With the price being acceptable I bought assuming I would have some tweeking to do.

It turned out that the only issue was that I had to drill a bolt hole on the front and rear mounting tab of the jointer (they both aligned perfectly with the base cross members) and installed a couple of beefy bolts that hold the jointer exactly centered on the base.

It was a snap and I hightly recommend the HTC base for my new extended bed Powermatic jointer. Its a great value for the money./

Fabrication of frame and finish is excellent. Easy to assemble. Could have been a tad smaller for custom fit of 54A Jointer stand. What really disappoints me is the pivoting castor. It has one of those swivel locks on the axel of the wheel (can you say CHEAP)which is UNDER the frame. My big feet can't fit under the frame to lock the swivel and its a bit difficult by hand. Would have been EXCELLENT if equipted with the kickdown style castor on the Delta mobile bases. I love the one I have for my band saw. If anyone knows how to retro fit HTC HPJ-6, let me know.