Way to lift 4x8 sheets?????

[cbassjr]

I was wondering how some of you may be lifting and moving sheets of steel around. I'm limited to no more than 50 lbs and so right now I have my ranch hands around to move them but there are times when I would like to be able to move full sheet onto the table or take a gauge off and swap out for another gauge and be able to cut when they may not be around. Also we are meeting next week with a railroad locomotive repair shop that needs custom heavy special parts cut out or duplicated sometimes on an immediate turnaround. These parts are usually min 1/2" plate and up to 1". Luckily I bought a plasma cutter capable of cutting 1 1/2 plate a I have a lot of large tractors and equipment around our ranch that I make parts for. So if anyone has any ideas please reply with what you have or made with pics. I do a lot better if I have pics. Thanks in advance.

[GoingCustom]

I generally use an engine hoist on larger/heavier sheets. If you have the structure for it, I'd highly suggest an overhead gantry crane type setup. When I finally get my shop, that'll be one of the first things I put in.

[simonstang]

We use A 110V electric magnet on A gantry, or you could use an engine hoist or whatever you have.. They are on EBAY for $50--$250 the bigger ones lift a couple ton easy...

[cbassjr]

What about the magnetism generated around the table computer and other electronics. Have you had any probs? I had never thought about using a electro-magnet pretty cool idea would be interested in hearing if others are using this.

[_Ogre]

We use A 110V electric magnet on A gantry, or you could use an engine hoist or whatever you have.. They are on EBAY for $50--$250 the bigger ones lift a couple ton easy...

i like this idea, did a search and found $5000 ones on ebay
post a picture of yours, make and model if possible.

[Chopper John]

Rare earth magnet. Use 2 with a spreader bar to lift thin gauge sheets. This is a 1700 pound 1 inch plate being lifted with one magnet. You wouldn't need one this powerful, it's just to give you an idea.

[Copp3r]

http://www.plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=10165

While only made out of 2" by 4'' s... you may be able to make something similar out of tube steel that would work. Perhaps a couple of bearings in the pivot point would help.

For day to day use, I love mine !

Cheers and best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Copp3r

[tturanger]

Students, Lots and Lots of Students...

[shopdawg]

If you are loading a sheet with a magnet, be careful it doesn't pull your slats up and out of place when you get close to the bed.

[CNCCAJUN]

If you are loading a sheet with a magnet, be careful it doesn't pull your slats up and out of place when you get close to the bed.

Also with a magnet, you can have a piece of steel slide. A magnet has excellent strength when picking up, but I learned in the field that it will slide if allowed to tilt too far.

Steve

[abmetal]

I have one like Chopper John's and it works good but if I had it to do over again I'd go with two smaller ones with a spreader bar like he said. Most of what I lift is 14ga. to 1/2".

Allen

[weldor2005]

I use a roll around gantry crane, it works for me for now, but some day looking for the possibility of an over head in shop crane. Using a 4 chain set up that can be adjusted and can use 3 legs only if I want to. Was a pain in the back getting it put together, but does wonders since.

[CNCCAJUN]

I use a roll around gantry crane, it works for me for now, but some day looking for the possibility of an over head in shop crane. Using a 4 chain set up that can be adjusted and can use 3 legs only if I want to. Was a pain in the back getting it put together, but does wonders since.

Any chance you are maybe one of the others that have rolling gantry cranes could post some pictures of the crane set up.

Steve

[weldor2005]

I use a roll around gantry crane, it works for me for now, but some day looking for the possibility of an over head in shop crane. Using a 4 chain set up that can be adjusted and can use 3 legs only if I want to. Was a pain in the back getting it put together, but does wonders since.

Any chance you are maybe one of the others that have rolling gantry cranes could post some pictures of the crane set up.

Steve

I will apologize for a cross thread or whatever it is, but here is a link to another forum I frequent.

The only caveat is that you need a clean enough surface to move it around...less junk than normal...

http://shopfloortalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39579

and here is the picture on the last page of that thread.

[abmagrum]

harbor freight gantry frame 599.99 - 25% coupon
trolly just guessing $80.00 - coupon
electric hoist 1300 lb . not a winch 199.99 with coupon $139.99
hoist is made for lifting winch is made for pulling

[weldor2005]

harbor freight gantry frame 599.99 - 25% coupon
trolly just guessing $80.00 - coupon
electric hoist 1300 lb . not a winch 199.99 with coupon $139.99
hoist is made for lifting winch is made for pulling

Pretty Close, I seem to have lots of HF items, never been let down yet. It is a 1500 lb winch, which yes I know is made for pulling, not lifting. But I also know never to be under a suspended load, so if it were to fail, I would maintain myself. You might also note that I am using 3/8" grab hooks for hanging onto the material.. .. oh well, cant be right all the time.

[abmagrum]

hey,welder
im not nocking youre set up . thought it was a good ideal.
I was just posting the cheapest you can get it for.
does the winch hold ? I was told it wouldnt .
is there any use for the trolley? I was thinking there was not much use for it.
if the trolly doesn't do much I can build mine.
I can get 4x4 tube free. but not the I beam.
if the trolly is usefull. I was thinking of buying hf gantry it has I beam.
if the winch works they are a lot cheaper also.
as far as the hooks . I thought that was a good ideal. I already bought them
do they work on 14 gauge ?
thanks
al

[weldor2005]

hey,welder
im not nocking youre set up . thought it was a good ideal.
I was just posting the cheapest you can get it for.
does the winch hold ? I was told it wouldnt .
is there any use for the trolley? I was thinking there was not much use for it.
if the trolly doesn't do much I can build mine.
I can get 4x4 tube free. but not the I beam.
if the trolly is usefull. I was thinking of buying hf gantry it has I beam.
if the winch works they are a lot cheaper also.
as far as the hooks . I thought that was a good ideal. I already bought them
do they work on 14 gauge ?
thanks
al

Ok, Sent you a PM, but to answer for the General Public....

I have had a combined weight of about 550 lbs on the winch with (2) 3/16" 4x8 sheets and rigging. With this load, the trolley slides back and forth very smooth, almost too smooth (have to stop it). I have also used it for a single sheet of 4x10 16 gauge. Just need to get crafty with your rigging to prevent the sheet from folding and sliding during the lift. Of the many rules of lifting/rigging, do a test lift, of only a few inches to see if it will lift and the brake will hold, and also to make sure your rigging isn't going to slip on you.

For the investment of ~$700 dollars here total, it was well worth it.

[plain ol Bill]

Don't know if you have seen it but there is a really good post by "oldsarge" about a rolling fork lift type lifter that he made to handle sheet goods and other things.

[weldor2005]

Don't know if you have seen it but there is a really good post by "oldsarge" about a rolling fork lift type lifter that he made to handle sheet goods and other things.

Bill, I did follow that thread, and gave it some serious thought when deciding on my material handling solution.