Advice needed on moving a 1440 lathe with a crane.

[Dabbler]

PLEASE do NOT rig as in post # 16. this contains a trap, and I've seen several lathes seriously damaged by doing this!! it will bend your lead screw and make threading nearly impossible....

I have done 3 crane lifts with 1440 lathes, each of which the crane operator had no idea of lathes and rigging them.... sigh.

I far prefer to rig the crane using a soft strap, right at the headstock in the reinforced part of the ways. To balance the lathe so it will remain horizontal I either rig a lifting strap (which is very hard to get adjusted right), or I use a ratchet strap - yes criticize me - to lift the tailstock end to the horizontal position. this is only a couple of hundred of pounds. I usually use a 3000 lb ratchet strap.

 

[m1kemex]

We had this joke around the shop:

"How do you do x?"
"You pay someone to do x. That's how it's done."

Never fails.

 

[Sticks]

PLEASE do NOT rig as in post # 16. this contains a trap, and I've seen several lathes seriously damaged by doing this!! it will bend your lead screw and make threading nearly impossible....

I have done 3 crane lifts with 1440 lathes, each of which the crane operator had no idea of lathes and rigging them.... sigh.

I far prefer to rig the crane using a soft strap, right at the headstock in the reinforced part of the ways. To balance the lathe so it will remain horizontal I either rig a lifting strap (which is very hard to get adjusted right), or I use a ratchet strap - yes criticize me - to lift the tailstock end to the horizontal position. this is only a couple of hundred of pounds. I usually use a 3000 lb ratchet strap.

I kind of do the same thing, except I use a chain winch to adjust the center of gravity if linking shackles wont get me there - presuming the winch is rated for the weight of the leg its on. Heavier loads I am usually using chains that have take up hooks on them to adjust 1 link at a time.

Is the headstock seriously heavier than the cast base in this application?



That looks like a lot of cast iron in that one piece base, along with a 5hp motor.

If so, then I will apply some anti rotate motivation to the headstock that won't allow more than 5* of rotation if the bad should happen.

Any questionalble load I pick never gets more than 1" of daylight above the ground unless it is stable and level.

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Any questionable load I pick never gets more than 1" of daylight above the ground unless it is stable and level.

Absolutely the way to be....

 

[matthewsx]

Whatever you do we need pictures.

John

 

[Sticks]

Only if nothing bad happens

 

[coolidge]

PLEASE do NOT rig as in post # 16. this contains a trap, and I've seen several lathes seriously damaged by doing this!! it will bend your lead screw and make threading nearly impossible....

That's why they use blocks of wood to extend the strap out beyond the lead screw.

 

[GeneT45]

That's why they use blocks of wood to extend the strap out beyond the lead screw.

I would be leery of that solution, at least until the blocks are absolutely secured against movement. I don't know why the PM lathes don't have the two holes in the base - makes everything a great deal easier.

GsT

 

[coolidge]

I would be leery of that solution, at least until the blocks are absolutely secured against movement. I don't know why the PM lathes don't have the two holes in the base - makes everything a great deal easier.

GsT

Agreed, I just lifted my new 1440 which has holes in the top of the cabinets for 1" steel bars.

 

[Dabbler]

That's why they use blocks of wood to extend the strap out beyond the lead screw.

The problem is less that the wood shifts, but that the lathe can slide on the wood onto the lead screws - the apron is on the vulnerable side, and it always shifts that way,

I've also seen the wood bend/crack allowing the lifting straps to compromise the lead screw. Ask @PeterT how difficult it is to get your lead screw fixed...

Is the headstock seriously heavier than the cast base in this application?

In most every case, even with a cast base, the answer is yes. Most 1440s that are popular have pressed metal bases, which is just fine; I can speak to mine - 1760 lbs. the tailstock end with the apron towards the chuck and the tailstock off is 140 lbs. The tailstock ads about 30 lbs.

A two point system for a lift is always preferred. Yes, I have a Riggers Handbook, and my Dad was a professional rigger, and learned a lot of stuff from him that isn't in the book.

I also to get to move a lot of lathes and mills for our local machinists group, as I have a lot of equipment and experience. (and I do it for free)