Woodshop hoist?

[tkarlmann]

Anyone know of a way to hoist & move shop machinery about?

HF has a deer hoist good for 440lb for $12.99 -- this would work fine for the lifting part only. I need to remove my jointer tables and they need to slide down and out. No "buddy" available either.

I am looking for some sort of track that would attach to the ceiling, then a simple block & tackle would do fine.

Thoughts?

[twistsol]

You could solve the problem in a different way. with a pallet jack, which you can get used for a couple hundred dollars tops, you can easily move up to two tons. The problem is that you need to build a platform for each piece of equipment and it will raise it 4 inches from the floor.

[vaking]

Industrial hoists are typically attached to I-beams with a carriage that allows the hoist to slide along the beam. I must mention one thing however. HF hoist is rated for 440 pounds, in reality it means it can handle at least twice that. Plus the hoist, plus I-beam and plust the carriage. Are you sure the ceiling to which you plan to attach the I-beam is good for that kind of load?

[tkarlmann]

Industrial hoists are typically attached to I-beams with a carriage that allows the hoist to slide along the beam. I must mention one thing however. HF hoist is rated for 440 pounds, in reality it means it can handle at least twice that. Plus the hoist, plus I-beam and plust the carriage. Are you sure the ceiling to which you plan to attach the I-beam is good for that kind of load?

If I put several 6" lag bolts into the rafters sensed with my stud sensor, I think I'll be ok.

Issue is, where can I get some kind of track inexpensively?

[cabinetman]

Anyone know of a way to hoist & move shop machinery about?

HF has a deer hoist good for 440lb for $12.99 -- this would work fine for the lifting part only. I need to remove my jointer tables and they need to slide down and out. No "buddy" available either.

I am looking for some sort of track that would attach to the ceiling, then a simple block & tackle would do fine.

Thoughts?

Is this for a one time use, or will it be somewhat permanent?
.

[Pappy]

Why not set up an A frame on large casters? Build it so it can be broken down for storage.

[turkeywire]

How about a foldable shop crane? On sale at harbor frieght for $149.00 good for 1 ton.

[Whaler]

You could also rent an engine hoist for a day.

[woodturner]

If I put several 6" lag bolts into the rafters sensed with my stud sensor, I think I'll be ok.

What is the load capacity of the rafters? Of the lag bolts? How much does installing the lag bolts weaken the rafters?

Just a hint, typical rafters are rated at 0 lbs (for many trusses) to 20 psf. To support 500 lbs, assuming 20 psf load capacity, you will need to spread the load over 25 square feet. Probably best to do 4 rafters wide. Assuming 12" OC, you would need to span your support over 6' on each rafter.

The good news is that only 15 lag bolts are required to suppor that weight. So you can probably get away with bolting 4x4 cross members to the rafters and connecting the hoist to that.

In other words, attaching to the rafters is not a practical option. The A-frame is definitely the better way to go - and you won't destroy your building if it fails. Or the HF engine hoist works well, too - that's what I use.

[pecker]

Is this a 6" jointer? They only weigh about 200 pounds. The tables are probably only about 60 to 70 pounds each.
Shouldn't need a hoist for that...just slide it onto a cart.

[tkarlmann]

Permanent?

Is this for a one time use, or will it be somewhat permanent?
.

I think once I have a system, I can use it for other things -- just put the track where I need it. Expense must be low, however.

[tkarlmann]

A Frame

Why not set up an A frame on large casters? Build it so it can be broken down for storage.

I like this idea!!

[cabinetman]

I think once I have a system, I can use it for other things -- just put the track where I need it. Expense must be low, however.

It would be imperative to know what you have to attach to, in order to come up with data supporting an installation to carry weight. It seems that installing a channel or "I" beam track for a trolley system would limit the use for a straight line application.

Other facts like what the area has for obstacles if any, surface, and distance that needs to be accessed would help. I've moved a lot of heavy stationary floor machines. Some can be just "walked", or can be tipped and rocked up on a dolly. For a one man procedure it just takes a little planning, and thinking it out.
.

[woodturner]

I think once I have a system, I can use it for other things -- just put the track where I need it. Expense must be low, however.

Another consideration is how are you going to attach to the object you want to lift? You mentioned jointer tables, which often have sloped bottoms and tend to slip out of web straps. If you will be lifting only ferrous (iron or steel) objects, magnets are available that can hold 100 lbs or more - just make sure they have a release so you can get them off!!

Another option for jointer tables may be "cribbing". Stack pieces of 4x4's lincoln - log style to reach the bottom of the table, in two stacks. Lift one table end an inch or so, shim the stack. Lift the other end an inch, shim the stack. Lift the first end, shim the stack, and keep "cribbing" up the table. If the table is too heavy to lift one end, build a shorter crib stack in the middle and use a hydraulic jack to lift it, then shim the cribbing.

You might also want to review the FHB book on working alone - it's a collection of tips for working alone. I've found it helpful when I'm stumped on how to do something (I usually work alone and have had to move some huge machinery alone).