Best Roller Stands | Roller Stand Buying Guide
What Is A Roller Stand?
A roller stand keeps wood supported and traveling forward smoothly when cutting on the table saw. A good roller stand offers support for large sheets like plywood or drywall, and long workpieces that might be difficult to handle for one person. It also provides smooth movement, allowing for easier sawing and machining. Many of them are very portable and can fold for efficient storage.
Roller stands can offer up to four different functions. The most common type has a large horizontal roller. The flip-flop style has a similar roller on one side, and a row of large ball bearings (usually four or five) on the other. You can flip easily from one to the other. Three-in-one roller stands have both these and a stationary flat plate. The fourth kind goes back to the original horizontal roller idea, but it has two rollers side by side that can be tilted separately, forming a “V” roller that’s more suited to round materials.
What Are Some Features Of A Roller Stand?
Aside from the rollers themselves, weight capacity is often a major consideration. Low-cost roller stands can usually handle 100 pounds, and many popular workshop models run 200-500 pounds. Heavy-duty industrial roller stands can support 2,500 pounds, so there’s always something to do the job, regardless of how heavy the material you need to manage is.
Working height is another consideration. Almost all roller stands are adjustable, generally from 25-45 inches (give or take a couple inches). You also want to check the locking mechanism. Many are screw clamps, but wedges can also be used. The advantage with wedges is that more weight just makes the clamp tighter, so there’s no risk of them coming loose.
WORKPRO Folding Roller Stand Height Adjustable, 250 pound Load Capacity W137006A
For under $40 with over 900 reviews, this roller stand can adjust between 27-43 inches, and it has eccentric foot to keep the stand stabilized on uneven surfaces. It has a portable, light-weight design that folds for convenient storage.
Weight capacity: 250 pounds
Vestil STAND-H 14" Horizontal Deluxe Roller Stand
This high-end roller stand can adjust between 23-38.5 inches. The cast steel material creates a reliable base. The lightweight construction allows it to be moved from one location to another with ease. For a little over $140, this roller stand can handle up to 1,760 pounds.
ToughBuilt - Roller Stand/Support Stand
This compact and adjustable roller stand has a height lever that easily locks and unlocks to effortlessly adjust work position anywhere from 27.5 inches to 43 inches at full extension. It is made out of galvanized steel and can fold for easy storage and transportation.
HTC HSS-15 Super Duty Adjustable 22-Inch to 32-Inch Tall Pedestal Roller Stand
This heavy duty adjustable roller stand has 16 inch ball bearings with a 500 lb weight capacity. It can adjust from 22-32 inches, and it has a lifetime warranty!
ToughBuilt - 3-IN-1 Roller Stand/Support Stand
This adjustable roller stand folds flat for easy storage and has custom feet for security and stability. It is made out of durable and long-lasting steel. ToughBuilt products are designed, engineered, tested, and inspected in the USA to ensure high quality.
How Much Do Roller Stands Cost?
Low-Cost: Cheap roller stands start at about $20. They’re fine for light-duty work, but the load ratings are modest, and the durability of the threaded components isn’t always the best.
Average: Most people will find what they’re looking for between $40 and $90. Within this range, you’ll find very good single roller, three-in-one models and many tilting roller stands.
Expensive: The heavy-duty models that are capable of supporting 200-500 pounds can exceed $100, along with multiple fixed rollers and adjustable length roller stands. The adjustable ones can be as much as $300, but these are more of a package-handling device than something used for support.
Do Roller Stands Need Any Maintenance?
It’s a good idea to clean them after each work session so grit doesn’t wear at the bearings and linkages. Lubricating the moving parts periodically is also a good idea. I would make sure to be careful on lubricating areas where oil might be transferred to your workpiece if there’s a good chance to cause staining.
Can I Make My Own Roller Stands?
There are many tutorial videos on how to make your own, and they are a cheaper alternative. However, you should think about the durability you expect and the weight it can support.
Will A Roller Stand Damage A Wooden Floor?
The roller stand might damage the floor if the legs have sharp edges or if it’s carrying a lot of weight. I would recommend looking for a roller stand with protective rubber or plastic feet which can offer some protection.
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