I am new to the forum, so maybe this has been covered and I just have not found it. I have a small shop, but some of my equipment is large. The chucks and vices are pretty heavy to move around by hand. I will be either putting in some kind of overhead trolley or making some kind of cart with a lifting device. I am sure I am not the first to have a bad back and look for a solution to help with these lifting chores. I would really appreciate any ideas, photos or design info. some of you may have used in your shops. I will be building something next month after collecting some ideas and deciding on what to go with. I will post some pics when I do. Thanks for your replies, Jamie.
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Ideas for moving heavy work pieces and chucks ??
- Thread starter muleman
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2010
- Messages
- 867
Best thing I've seen for the milling vise is an arm fastened to the column (or the wall, or a dedicated post) so it can swing around to the vise.
The vise jaws are clamped to the end/extension of the arm.
Then the vise is unbolted from the table.
The knee is lowered, leaving the vise suspended in the air by the arm.
Arm (with vise attached) is swung to the side, behind the table.
Just looking at the swing mount for my 52" TV, it could be adapted to this purpose. It supports 200 lbs and cost $60
But making one from scrap is pretty easy.
For lathe chucks, I've seen nothing better than a skyhook/crane.
A variation on the system above for the mill vise might be do-able, perhaps with a custom wood tray for each chuck
The vise jaws are clamped to the end/extension of the arm.
Then the vise is unbolted from the table.
The knee is lowered, leaving the vise suspended in the air by the arm.
Arm (with vise attached) is swung to the side, behind the table.
Just looking at the swing mount for my 52" TV, it could be adapted to this purpose. It supports 200 lbs and cost $60
But making one from scrap is pretty easy.
For lathe chucks, I've seen nothing better than a skyhook/crane.
A variation on the system above for the mill vise might be do-able, perhaps with a custom wood tray for each chuck
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2010
- Messages
- 1,172
Jamie
The Sky-Hook isnt cheap, but it does put an end to lifting items in the shop.
Rated at 500 lbs, and only weighs 23 lbs, I use it on the lathe, and mill, and allso on the hydraulic lift cart. The uses are endless.
With the sky-hook, the only thing I lift is the crane its self. Chucks, vises, work pieces, can pick up items off the floor, and swing into position , with no effort. Sometimes I mount it on the lift cart, and roll up to the back of my car, and pick up heavy items.
When you dont need this crane, scoop it up in one hand, and hang it on the wall. Takes up very little space, and your back will thank you for it. Again, (not cheap) but hey, whats your back worth?
The Sky-Hook isnt cheap, but it does put an end to lifting items in the shop.
Rated at 500 lbs, and only weighs 23 lbs, I use it on the lathe, and mill, and allso on the hydraulic lift cart. The uses are endless.
With the sky-hook, the only thing I lift is the crane its self. Chucks, vises, work pieces, can pick up items off the floor, and swing into position , with no effort. Sometimes I mount it on the lift cart, and roll up to the back of my car, and pick up heavy items.
When you dont need this crane, scoop it up in one hand, and hang it on the wall. Takes up very little space, and your back will thank you for it. Again, (not cheap) but hey, whats your back worth?