[TheForge] Shop Cranes vs Floor Hoists

Sun Apr 13 20:00:00 2003

        Ian,  I built my own ceiling crane (pictures on web site - 18th
picture on shop tour slide show).  The ceiling crane and jib booms seem to
work best.........I find the gantries always in the way.  I built my ceiling
crane for $1,000.

        The engine booms are handy, but limited in height, and the legs
always seem to get in the way around machinery.  They work well approaching
a bench or table......if it's clear on the floor under them.

Ralph
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian" <[email protected]>
To: "TheForge" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 4:25 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....
>
>
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