[TheForge] Shop Cranes vs Floor Hoists

[lama]

Ian, I would have had to have a post there anyway. My shop is 36" long
and the beam that holds up the whole thing is in two pieces. The post has
never been a problem and in fact I use it to attach the come-along to for
pulling things and it makes a good strong brace to tack things to as well.
As for bang for the buck, the only money that I spent was for the chain
hoist.
That was about $50 +/- from Harbor Freight. Everything else is scrounged
up material. I almost had to buy a trolley but ended up trading something
for
a used one. I would not lift more than 500 pounds with my crane. But then
what would I be lifting that weighs more than that anyway? A roll around
engine hoist would not do in my shop because the floor is too crowded.
Chuck Robinson has a wonderful roll around engine hoist that he put
pneumatic tires on so it would work in the dirt.
dave mudge  http://magichammer.freeservers.com/shop_crane.htm

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian" <ilerner2@shaw.ca>
To: "TheForge" <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 3:25 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Shop Cranes vs Floor Hoists


> Somewhere in the not so distant future I plan on building a large shop of
> approximate 30ft x 40ft dimentions and the thought of having a crane in
the
> shop has really twigged a nerve in the old brain. With all the heavy
> material/equipment that blacksmithing can sometimes involve, a way of
> lifting and moving that heavy stuff that could be an integral part of the
> shop deserves some special consideration.
>
> The most bang for the buck is what I would like to get. Wouldn't we all?
>
> I am thinking that with a shop crane that it would always be something
that
> in some way or other would always have to be worked around and often times
> be in the way - at least with a swing arm type that is setup in the middle
> of the shop like the one that David Mudge has displayed on his web site.
But
> an installation like that also appeals to me because it is always there
when
> you need to lift something - no assembly required. That is what leads me
to
> think that perhaps a fold up hydraulic shop crane (sometimes called
"engine
> hoists") of say a 2 ton capacity might be a better way to go. It could be
> folded up and rolled into a corner or up against a wall when not in use
and
> would never be in your way. A couple things that might not be so good with
a
> unit like this is that it would not be worth a hoot on a dirt floor, it
> would need a concrete floor to roll easily. Secondly, it would have some
> height reach and lift limitations.
>
> To those of you out there who are using ANY type of crane in your shop,
what
> has your experience been with functionality and YOUR "Best Bang for the
> Buck"?
>
> Ian....
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.471 / Virus Database: 269 - Release Date: 4/10/2003
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith@hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>