Aluminum Composite Material—popular brands like Dibond®, e-panel™, MaxMetal, and Polymetal—has earned its place in the fabrication world for one big reason: it can be routed, folded, and shaped into clean, dimensional structures. From lighted sign cabinets to kiosks, architectural features, and retail displays, ACM is a remarkably adaptable material.
The official Dibond ACM fabrication manual confirms that ACM panels are specifically designed to be routed on the back skin to allow accurate folding. The method is known as Rout-and-Return and uses a 90° to 105° V-groove to create a controlled bend without damaging the exterior aluminum skin.
According to 3A Composites:
The V-groove must be cut to a consistent depth, leaving the outer aluminum skin intact, typically with ~1/64″ of core material remaining to prevent “spring back” and ensure a clean 90° fold.
Accurate depth control is essential to avoid scoring the exterior aluminum, which weakens the bend.
Panels can be routed with handheld routers, table saw blades, or automated routing systems.
This is exactly what the SawTrax Floating Router system is designed to do — but with a simpler workflow and better control.
How the SawTrax Floating Router Makes ACM V-Grooving Easy
Every SawTrax Panel Saw features a universal, interchangeable carriage system. This allows you to swap the standard circular saw for specialty cutting tools in seconds—no time-consuming setup.
When equipped with our Floating Router attachment and an ACM V-groove bit:
✔ The router plate “floats” over the ACM, maintaining constant pressure
This ensures depth consistency — one of the key requirements highlighted in the Dibond fabrication guidelines.
✔ Perfect V-grooves for Rout-and-Return bending
Clean folds, no cracking, and no guessing at router depth.
✔ Repeatable accuracy across long bends
Ideal for long sign bands, cabinets, or architectural panels.
✔ Space-saving alternative to a CNC router
Perform routing operations vertically, right on your panel saw—especially valuable for smaller shops.
✔ Fast attachment changeover
Release two pins → drop in the router carriage → start grooving. On most CNC tables you’d still be zeroing the bit.
Applications Made Possible with V-Grooved ACM
SawTrax users commonly fold ACM for:
Lighted sign cabinets
Trade show structures
Architectural wraps and column covers
Point-of-purchase displays
Router-ready dimensional signage
These categories match the applications listed by 3A Composites for ACM use, including POP displays, sign bands, routed sign faces, kiosks, and architectural signage.
Which SawTrax Models Work Best for ACM V-Grooving?
Because the Floating Router fits any SawTrax panel saw with a universal carriage, several series are ideal for ACM fabrication:
1000 Series — Medium Industrial (Most Popular for Sign Shops)
Moving a large staircase with a dolly effortlessly with one person
Moving big, awkward loads like prefabricated staircases, fully framed doors, window units, or crated machinery has traditionally meant one thing: calling in the forklift and a team of people. But what if one person could safely move those same loads—faster, with less fatigue, and without tying up a forklift?
That’s exactly what the Saw Trax Scoop Dolly was designed to do.
From a Two-Person Forklift Job to a One-Person Dolly Solution
The Scoop Dolly was originally created to solve a very specific (and dangerous) problem: moving 10 ft. long, 94 in. tall, 500 lb. crated panel saws onto freight trucks. Traditionally, this required:
One person operating the forklift inside the truck
One person at the far end, trying to steady the load
A very real risk that a slip, miscommunication, or sudden shift could injure the “point” person
By rethinking the process, Saw Trax engineered the Scoop Dolly so that a single operator can scoop, tilt, and transport heavy, tall loads—without needing a forklift or a second person to “catch” the load.
The result: a safer, leaner, more efficient way to move big objects around your shop, distribution center, or jobsite.
Watch the Scoop Dolly in Action
Sometimes you have to see it to believe it. In the video below, you’ll see how one operator can move staircases and other bulky loads with ease using the Scoop Dolly.
Key Advantages of the Scoop Dolly vs. a Forklift
One-Person Operation vs. Multi-Person Coordination
A forklift is rarely a one-person solution. You often need a second person to guide, steady, or spot the load—especially with staircases or extra-tall items that block the operator’s line of sight.
The Scoop Dolly is engineered from the ground up for single-operator efficiency:
Scoop-lip loading: Slide the lip under the load while the dolly stays flat on the floor.
Body-leveraged tilt: Use your body to tilt the load back into position—no heavy lifting or wrestling required.
Hands-free stability: Once tilted back, you can step away without needing to “catch” or steady the load.
This doesn’t just free up extra labor; it also reduces the coordination and communication errors that often lead to accidents.
Designed Around the Center of Gravity
When you move a staircase or tall crate with a forklift, the center of gravity can be high and off-center. That means more risk of tipping—especially over dock plates, thresholds, or uneven surfaces.
The Scoop Dolly tackles this with:
Adjustable tilt legs that allow you to set the angle of the load to keep the center of gravity over the dolly.
Omnidirectional casters that keep the dolly stable while you maneuver tight corners and cluttered walkways.
Low profile deck (about pallet height) that keeps loads closer to the ground for better stability.
Instead of fighting gravity, you’re using it to your advantage.
Maneuverability Forklifts Just Can’t Match
Forklifts are powerful—but they’re not nimble. Inside a crowded manufacturing space or tight staging area, turning a forklift with a long staircase on the forks can be slow, stressful, and risky.
The Scoop Dolly’s 360° omnidirectional casters let one operator:
Slide into tight spaces
Navigate around machinery, racks, and workbenches
Make small, precise movements without repositioning a large machine
For staircases, doors, windows, and other long or tall objects, this agility is a game changer.
Safety: Reducing Crush and Tip-Over Risks
Forklift accidents can be serious and costly—both in human and financial terms. Because the Scoop Dolly is powered by human leverage instead of a heavy machine, you reduce risks like:
Crush injuries from falling or shifting loads
Tip-overs caused by uneven floors or sudden stops
Incidents from forklift misoperation in tight spaces
The Scoop Dolly’s ergonomic design means operators aren’t wrestling with the load or working under suspended weight. The load is always supported by the dolly, at a controlled angle, close to the floor.
Lower Operating Costs and Higher Uptime
Forklifts are expensive assets with ongoing costs—fuel or charging infrastructure, maintenance, certification, and operator training. They’re also frequently a bottleneck: when the forklift is busy, other jobs wait.
By offloading many of your “big but manageable” moves to the Scoop Dolly, you:
Free up forklifts for tasks that truly require them
Reduce wear and tear on your machines
Lower long-term maintenance and operating costs
Increase throughput with more simultaneous material handling tasks
In short: you’re doing more with fewer machines and fewer people.
The Scoop Dolly combines the scoop-lip loading technique of a hand truck with full 360° dolly mobility. Here’s how the process of moving something like a staircase typically looks:
Position and “Scoop” the Load
Tilt the staircase (or other object) slightly and slide the Scoop Dolly’s lip under the center of the load while the dolly stays flat on the floor.
Tilt Back Using Body Leverage
Use the vertical handles and the dolly’s pivoting design to tilt the load back. The casters remain flat on the floor, so you’re not fighting the wheels.
Adjust Angle and Secure
Adjust the tilt legs so the center of gravity remains over the dolly. Use strap points on the posts if additional security is needed for tall or awkward loads.
Roll to Staging or Truck
Use the omnidirectional casters to navigate around corners, through narrow aisles, and over dock transitions (with optional Dock Transition Wheels).
This entire process can be done by one person—no forklift, no four-person “staircase team,” and no struggle.
Accessories that Make the Scoop Dolly Even More Versatile
For many customers, the base Scoop Dolly solves 90% of their needs. But if your loads are especially wide, tall, or hard to access, there’s a range of accessories to tailor it to your operation:
Dock Transition Wheels – Smooth movement on and off freight trucks and dock plates.
Foot Leverage Bar – Extra leverage for tilting heavy loads with less strain.
Horizontal Support Extensions – Support extra-wide objects like large cabinet runs or wide stair assemblies.
Vertical Extension Posts – For taller items that need additional upper support.
1000 lb. Weight Upgrade – For especially heavy loads that push the limits of your current process.
All of this is built on an American-made, welded 12-gauge steel frame that Saw Trax calls “bulletproof” for a reason.
Real-World Example: Staircase Manufacturers
When the Scoop Dolly was introduced to staircase manufacturers, the impact was immediate. Many shops reported the same story:
What used to take four people to move a staircase now takes one person.
Moving from manufacturing to staging to the truck became a non-lifting, one-man job.
Workers were noticeably less fatigued and more productive throughout the day.
The question practically asks itself: Can you afford to have four people doing what one person can do safely?
Empowering Your Team: “EMPOWER” in Action
Saw Trax designs their carts and dollies to EMPOWER your workforce:
Efficiently leverage personnel
Maximize individual potential
Productivity increases (do more with fewer people)
One person does the job of many
Winning safety record
Efficiently carry more per trip
Reliable US-made steel construction
The Scoop Dolly embodies this philosophy: safer workers, fewer bottlenecks, and more output from the same team.
Ready to Move Staircases and Bulky Loads the Smart Way?
If you’re currently relying on forklifts and multiple people to move staircases, doors, windows, or other large items, it’s time to rethink your process.
The Scoop Dolly is designed to help you:
Cut labor requirements on high-touch moves
Improve operator safety and reduce fatigue
Increase throughput and reduce bottlenecks
Free up forklifts for the jobs that truly require them
Put this technology to work in your shop. Explore the Scoop Dolly, watch the video, and imagine what it would mean for your team if one person could safely do what used to take many.
Every staircase, every oversized door, every crated machine is an opportunity to move smarter—not just heavier.
When you need to pull, reach, or retrieve items from high, deep, or awkward spaces, the tool you choose can make all the difference. Many people instinctively grab a garden hoe because it’s already in the garage, but as Michael Della Polla demonstrates in his functional test video, the hoe simply wasn’t designed for this job. The SawTrax Heavy Duty Reacher Pull Pole End (HD), on the other hand, was built precisely for these tasks.
Below, we break down the differences in performance, safety, efficiency, and real-world applications—so you can see why the Heavy Duty Reacher Pole End is the better choice for homes, warehouses, and retail environments.
The Length Test: Why Reach Matters
A typical garden hoe is meant for digging and scraping, which means it has a short, fixed handle. When trying to reach behind boxes, totes, or luggage in a truck bed, it often falls short. In the video, Michael shows that the hoe simply can’t reach far enough to retrieve items from deep spaces. The Reacher Pole, especially the telescoping Pocket Reacher, extends easily and collapses for compact storage. This gives you greater reach and control without climbing into awkward positions or crawling into truck beds or shelving areas.
Damage Test: How the Wrong Tool Can Ruin Your Items
Garden hoes have metal teeth and rigid heads meant to break up soil. They’re not designed to pull delicate or packed items. Using a hoe for reaching tasks can tear cardboard, scratch luggage, rip packaging, damage plants, or snag wires. The Heavy Duty Reacher Pull Pole End is made from fiberglass-reinforced ABS plastic. It’s smooth, strong, and durable enough to pull more than 200 pounds without breaking, all while protecting the items you’re pulling.
Strength Test: Built for Real Work
The HD Reacher Pull Pole End is a purpose-built tool. Its fiberglass-reinforced construction provides strength without unnecessary weight. It fits most threaded poles, including standard paint poles, and offers a secure screw-on design. The wide pulling surface gives stability and control without the risk of ripping products or damaging surfaces. You can use your own pole or purchase a complete SawTrax Reacher Pole package. For maximum portability, the Pocket Reacher telescopes for easy storage.
Where the Reacher Pole Outperforms a Hoe
Home Use
Pulling items from truck beds or car trunks, hanging plants or decorative lights, and retrieving objects from high shelves are all tasks where the Reacher Pole End shines.
Retail Use
Stores rely on it for pulling products forward for merchandising, resetting planograms, lining up products, back-stocking inventory, and reaching items on high pegs without ladders.
Warehouse Use
Workers use it to break conveyor jams, reach items on deep pallets, and pull heavy bags such as soil, cement, and dog food without tearing them. It eliminates the need to climb under racks or stretch into unsafe areas.
The Bottom Line: Use the Right Tool
Michael’s video makes it clear that a garden hoe is the wrong tool for reaching and pulling tasks. The SawTrax Heavy Duty Reacher Pull Pole End delivers better reach, safer operation, greater strength, and improved efficiency. Whether you’re a homeowner, retailer, or warehouse operator, upgrading from makeshift tools to the right one will save time, reduce strain, and protect your products.
At Saw Trax, we design tools that make hard work easier, safer, and smarter. But every once in a while, a project reminds us why we do what we do. That was the case when Facilitator Technologies of New York, led by Bruce, reached out about a monumental challenge: transporting a 7-foot-diameter, 700-pound Fireman Hat — the “911 Shield” — now proudly displayed at the FDNY Fire Museum in New York City.
(Derek and the team at Saw Trax) The task? Move this priceless, one-of-a-kind piece of art safely and smoothly — and possibly prepare it for travel across the country for future exhibitions.
The solution? The Saw Trax Scoop Dolly.
After working closely with Bruce, Derek and his team confirmed — and proved — that the Scoop Dolly could handle the task. Upon receiving and testing it, Bruce couldn’t have been happier with the results.
Built for Heavy Lifting — Literally
Originally engineered to handle our own 10-foot, 500-pound crated panel saws, the Scoop Dolly combines the scoop-lip loading technique of a hand truck with 360° omnidirectional dolly movement. Its ergonomic design allows one person to move loads up to 800 lbs (and up to 1,000 lbs with the heavy-duty upgrade) without the need for forklifts or multiple handlers.
Made from 12-gauge American steel, the Scoop Dolly’s flat-loading scoop and adjustable tilt legs make it easy to load large, tall, or awkwardly shaped objects while maintaining balance and safety. From oversized doors and windows to prefabricated walls, the Scoop Dolly turns what used to be a four-person lift into a one-person, no-sweat operation.
A New York Challenge: Moving the 911 Shield
When Bruce at Facilitator Technologies first contacted us, his question was simple — “Will it hold?” The Fireman Hat, or “911 Shield,” was massive, beautifully crafted, and delicate. It had to fit onto the dolly, clear the truck roof by just an inch, and stay secure through setup, movement, and display.
After working closely with Bruce, our team confirmed — and proved — that the Scoop Dolly could handle the task. Upon receiving and testing it, Bruce couldn’t have been happier with the results.
Customer Testimonial: Confidence in Every Move
Here’s what Bruce had to say about his experience:
How was working with Derek? “Amazingly professional.”
Are the dollies safe and efficient? “Totally safe and efficient.”
Did they save your team time? “Would be impossible without.”
Did it perform as promised? “Performed as advertised!”
Would you recommend to others? “Yes.”
Additional comments: “Thanks to a wonderfully dedicated team!”
Today, that same Scoop Dolly still supports the 911 Shield — not just as a transport tool, but as the foundation for its museum display. Few products can say they help carry history.
Empowering Work, Elevating Purpose
From stair manufacturers to window fabricators, from warehouses to museums, the Scoop Dolly continues to prove its worth in any setting that demands precision, power, and safety. It’s more than a tool — it’s a testament to what one person can achieve with the right equipment.
At Saw Trax, we’re proud to help teams like Facilitator Technologies and institutions like the FDNY Fire Museum work smarter, safer, and stronger. Because when innovation empowers people, even history can move with ease.
Ready to Empower Your Workflow?
Explore the Scoop Dolly and accessories that fit your unique operations. Visit SawTrax.com/ScoopDolly\
Naval Aviator, CEO of SawTrax, Michael Della Polla and MLB All Star Dale Murphy
Savannah, GA — Thanks to everyone who came by to talk shop about safer, smarter material processing at the Georgia Safety Conference, held September 3–5, 2025 at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront. Our team brought a hands-on lineup built around one simple idea: reduce injuries while increasing throughput—from vertical panel saws to ergonomic dollies to reach tools that keep feet on the floor and shoulders out of harm’s way.
Why safety leaders care about vertical panel saws, carts, and reach tools
When the goal is fewer recordables without sacrificing output, three levers make an outsized difference:
Engineering controls at the cut Vertical panel saws index the material, not the operator’s body. With the work upright, you avoid awkward stoops, long reaches, and unstable table feeds that drive strains and rework.
Material handling that eliminates team lifts If one person can stage, move, and position bulky items smoothly, you’ve removed the riskiest part of the job—without adding headcount.
Micro-interventions that prevent “just this once” climbs Simple reach tools stop ladder grabs, chair stands, and shoulder-high stretches—the small behaviors that become big injuries.
Below are the highlights we featured in Savannah and why safety managers, operations leaders, and shop supervisors are standardizing on them.
Spotlight #1: Varsity Series Vertical Panel Saw
What it is: A compact, portable, pro-grade vertical panel saw designed for tight shops and job sites. The Varsity Series offers full-sized cutting accuracy in a smaller footprint, thanks to a folding stand and frame wheels that make it easy to roll, deploy, and store. Ideal for breaking down sheet goods precisely—without dedicating half your shop to a horizontal table.
Why it’s safety-forward
Ergonomic posture: Work upright. The machine—guided by the carriage—does the travel, not the operator’s back.
Repeatable accuracy = fewer re-cuts: Less rework means fewer extra handling cycles (and less dust exposure).
Fast setup in the safe zone: Deploy it near storage to shorten carry distance and reduce collision risk.
What safety leaders notice first
New hires get productive quickly: vertical cutting is intuitive.
Clean lines and predictable feed reduce cognitive load and “winging it” on the table saw.
What it is: A pivoting hand-truck-like dolly that slides flat under the load, then tilts the object back using a scoop handle. Because the casters stay flat on the floor as you tilt, they don’t bind or stress bearings, which keeps moves smooth and controllable. Optional wheel configurations expand the footprint for ramps, docks, and uneven transitions.
Why it’s safety-forward
One-person moves for top-heavy or bulky items: Doors, windows, cabinets, machines—without the risky “two-person shuffle.”
Controlled center of gravity: Adjustable support lets you set the right angle for the payload, maintaining balance and line-of-travel control.
Fewer push/pull strains: Smooth caster tracking reduces sudden resistance, the #1 culprit in back and shoulder tweaks during transport.
What safety leaders notice first
Near-misses from “help me grab this” drop dramatically.
Job sequencing improves because a single operator can stage independently.
Operators self-select the safer method because it’s faster and easier than muscling the load.
Spotlight #3: Pocket Reacher
Traditional reach poles are inherently dangerous as it requires awkward squatting, bending, or ironically reaching with your own body while standing precariously on top of a ladder.
What it is: A compact, telescoping reach tool that lets operators hook, pull, and position items on shelves, pallet racks, and pegboards without climbing or over-reaching. It’s light, collapses for pocket/holster carry, and swaps between narrow and wider heads for different tasks.
Why it’s safety-forward
Eliminates “quick ladder” culture: Fewer unauthorized climbs and chair stands.
Protects shoulders and necks: Turns awkward overhead reaches into neutral, elbow-close motions.
Speeds light picking and facing: Safer and faster—so adoption sticks.
What safety leaders notice first
Small tool, big impact on first-aid and near-miss counts.
Frontline teams love it; compliance becomes self-reinforcing because it saves time.
The engineering edge behind SawTrax accuracy: Accu-Square
SawTrax vertical panel saws use Accu-Square, a patented indexed alignment system that “sets and forgets” the relationship between guide tubes and frame. It stays square—even after moves—so you’re not chasing adjustments or accepting rework risk. Fewer out-of-square cuts means fewer repeats, less handling, and less exposure time on the tool.
Safety + productivity: the compounding effect
Fewer lifts and carries → fewer strain/sprain injuries and fewer bottlenecks between storage and cutting.
Cleaner, straighter cuts → less rework, less dust, shorter exposure windows.
No-climb reach → fewer line stoppages due to ladders, fewer near-miss reports, faster light-duty work.
When you combine a vertical saw for primary breakdown, a ScoopDolly for movement, and a Pocket Reacher for small tasks, the system delivers more than the sum of its parts: measurably safer workflows that are also faster.
Missed us in Savannah?
If we didn’t connect in person, we’d still love to walk you through the lineup you saw attendees using on the floor:
Varsity Series Vertical Panel Saw — compact, portable, pro-grade cutting with a folding stand and wheels.
ScoopDolly — pivoting, flat-under-load dolly that makes one-person moves realistic and safe.
Pocket Reacher — telescoping reach tool that keeps operators grounded and productive.
Want a tailored spec for your space, materials, and throughput targets? Tell us your most common sheet sizes, the tightest aisle you navigate, and your top three “near-miss” scenarios. We’ll map a safety-first, speed-second package that fits your shop—and your injury-reduction goals.
