How do I reassemble a tall mill (VN #12) in a basement with very tight headroom?

[Nelson]

In this photo, the column (middle- about 350 pounds), goes on the base casting (top-about 450 pounds),
the ram (bottom-about 225 pounds) goes on the column, and a heavy spindle motor (not shown-about 80 pounds) goes at the top.

An engine crane will not lift the ram and motor high enough to place it on the column, and space for the crane is very limited.
I cannot do something across the joists, there are water, gas, and steam pipes across the joists in this area (see pics below).
Here is the basement ceiling in the shop.



How do I get these lifted? I do NOT weld.
I would need a fixture made of metal BOLTED together or made of wood, attached with bolts (maybe a wood gantry of 4x4's?)
The HF gantry is too large and also expensive.

Thanks,


:tiphat:Nelson

PS I have 3- 10' 2x10 planks left over from the ramp I made to slide this heavy iron down the basement steps.

 

[Highpower]

Is it possible to assemble the mill in an area that does not have any plumbing overhead, and move it into it's final spot afterward? (Pipe rollers, etc.) Perhaps you could use a come-along (cable hoist) between joists that way?

I ended up strapping the motor of my mill to the side of the boom on my engine hoist to get it high enough to set it in place, and prevent the end of the boom from hitting the overhead floor joists. :bitingnails:

If nothing else, extra sets of hands may be needed to manhandle the parts up there.



Beaten to the punch....... again. :whistle:

 

[HSS]

Drill your floor joists above where you want the mill and run a pipe thru the holes, then use block and tackle to raise the parts. If you are worried about weakening the joists, then scab extra lumber to the side of the joists after inserting the pipe. If you don't have the blocks for the block and tackle, make them on the lathe. Good practice turning.

Pat

 

[Nelson]

Hi,

Just how much clearance do you have when assembled? It may boil down to a couple of strong backs and weak minds to get it back together. Can it be assembled else where in the basement and then moved to it's final position? Heck, you might not be able to get it back together at all in the basement.

dalee

I am 6'2", and the mill as I received it is just over my head, about 6'5" (77"), and the joists are about 7' (84"), so there is only a little clearance.
The doorway to the shop is 80", so it would be tough to do elsewhere and move in, though not impossible. I do plan to put casters on the base (Zambus),
but it isn't so easy to move on an uneven basement floor.

I'd prefer to make some sort of mini-gantry from 4x4's right over the mill area, if you guys think it is feasible.

Nelson

 

[Nelson]

Drill your floor joists above where you want the mill and run a pipe thru the holes, then use block and tackle to raise the parts. If you are worried about weakening the joists, then scab extra lumber to the side of the joists after inserting the pipe. If you don't have the blocks for the block and tackle, make them on the lathe. Good practice turning.

Pat

The first pic in my OP is right about where the mill will be. There is a water line and gas line going across the joists, blocking me from doing that.

I have a chain hoist I got from HF with a hook on it that I can hang from a pipe, the question is where to do it and how to keep the hole small enough not to split the joist.
I also considered using the 2x10's I have (same size as the house joists) to span from the header on the foundation to an I-beam we have in the basement (a 10 foot length that I have will do it).
That way, if I split these new joists, who cares, they aren't supporting the house, but the darn pipes are in the way and a big PITA to my doing this.

Best way I can figger is some sort of mini-gantry. This also will help me move the knee and mill table onto the mill and the vice I have onto the mill table.
Is there any way to make one out of 4x4s bolted together just wide enough to span the mill and strong enough to allow a chain hoist to left this stuff?

:tiphat:Nelson

 

[8ntsane]

Hey Nelson

I have moved alot of stuff with those hyraulic sissors carts. They are rated at 660lbs. You would need to build out riggers for it, and possibly add a plate to extend the table, but if you can get the sub assemblys on the lift cart, you should be able to raise it up hi enough, and slide the assembly in place. I think the one I had would go up about 4 ft, if thats not enough, find a way to pack it up. I see them on sale local all the time for about 300 bucks. Itts a double sissor lift cart, in the states Harbour Freight has them too. I used to put heavy items up on hi shelfs, and have even used it in the shop to drop trannys out, with the car on a hoist..

It would double as a roll around, heigh ajustable work bench when the job is over. The single sissor, will only lift waist hi, while the double will lift shoulder hi.
Might work for you, thought Id mention it though.

Paul

 

[ftl]

First, to think outsidew of the box a bit - what is above the mill? Would you end up divorced if you put a small hole in the floor? A cable could be run through the hole to connect to a jack of some sort sitting on large boards across the joists to spread the load. That way you get to lift right to the ceiling.

Second idea, drill a hole in two joists that could take a 1" rod or so. Put a pulley on it in the middle. Then use a block and tackle connected to the base of the mill to lift up the next part. The base is the heavyest so it should be able to hold the next part. Place a couple of 2x4's between the floor and each joist to add strength. Again, you woudl be able to lift to pretty close to the ceiling.

 

[brucer]

Drill your floor joists above where you want the mill and run a pipe thru the holes, then use block and tackle to raise the parts. If you are worried about weakening the joists, then scab extra lumber to the side of the joists after inserting the pipe. If you don't have the blocks for the block and tackle, make them on the lathe. Good practice turning.

Pat

i was going to suggest the same thing, except bolting plates with a hole through the center on the sides of the trusses..

 

[brucer]

Do you have any other place you could put the mill, not sure I would want a mill sitting under a couple of water lines in my home..
It would suck if a water pipe got a leak or busted for some reason..

 

[HSS]

ok, outside the box. put it together lying down on its back then stand it up without the motor installed. Put the motor on after standing it up. You will prolly have to build that 4X4 gantry to hoist it up.

Pat