Tools Floating On Air….

Tools floating on air…..

Over the years, I have seen countless articles in woodworking magazines about how to make more effective use of our workspace. Efficient tool storage options, compact workbenches and effective re-use of containers accumulated all make a difference except when addressing our stationary tools.

Commercially made mobile tool bases are expensive. While I have tried versions of homemade mobile bases they are time consuming to make and the price of decent quality wheels and casters can add up. More importantly for some tools, like my jointer, these bases often do not provide the necessary footing and friction to remain motionless while in use.

To address this need I have created a base that floats on a cushion of air when it’s time to move my equipment, yet has ample surface contact to remain stationary when the tool is in use. To get an idea of how simple this is, perform a search on YouTube.com for “do it yourself hovercraft”.

For my jointer, the base is ¾” plywood cut to 19”X21” to fit the width of the base but be a little longer to facilitate air supply and balance. In this platform a 3/8” hold is drilled in one corner, 1-1/2” inches from each side for installation of an air supply nipple for connection to a regulator.

To this platform is stapled a piece of plastic sheeting. It appears plastic from heavy-duty trash bags can work but I used a heavier plastic obtained from the local U-haul store. Their plastic bags are used to store mattresses. This plastic was cut 3 inches longer and wider than the base so that it could balloon out when filled with air.  Lay the base you’ve cut on top of the plastic, wrapping the plastic up and just over the edge of the platform providing room to staple completely around the edges.To adequately seal the plastic use 3 layers of duct tape. The first layer should only have about 20% of the width over the plastic with remainder secured cleanly to the top of your platform. The next layer of tape should cover 50% of the first layer of tape and 50% of the plastic wrapping around the edge to the underside of the platform. The last layer straddles the seam of these two.

Flip the platform over and attach 1” wide strips of ¼” plywood around the edge of the platform. I screwed these in place using 5/8” wood screws left flush with the surface. This helps to secure and further seal the plastic and also provides a “foot” for the platform to sit on when the platform is not being used as a hovercraft.

Next install two screws with washers to secure the center of the plastic to the underside of the platform. This step serves to create a “pillow” or “balloon” which lifts the platform and equipment when filled with air.

Just inside of these screws you need to punch or cut a small hole as shown. This allows air to escape under the “pillow” or “balloon” providing the lift to your hoverbase allowing your tool to move on a cushion of air.

Lastly install the air nipple and connect to your air supply with a regulator. Make sure the regulator is turned off before connecting. This hoverbase requires surprisingly little air to function and will quickly burst if over-pressurized. With a little help from you to balance the tool it can be moved with ease across any smooth surface.

Certainly I will be creating more hoverbases for my shop. This entire project took less than two hours and less than $20 in materials. 

I hope you find value in this idea. If you are motivated to make one yourself, please drop me a line to let me know how it worked out! Additionally, I already know this can be improved, I hope to see modifications and improvement upon this idea from my fellow craftsman.