Hi,

Let me first congratulate you on your "new to you" mill...it will be
well worth the struggle that you are undergoing currently.

There are a number of ways to approach this very common problem.

First, let me point out that safety is paramount. Remember that your
health is irreplaceable and if you cannot transfer the mill with a
satisfactory safety margin in place, then get assistance in what form
is needed. Even if you are doing this effort by yourself, have someone
standing by to call for help if problems arise. When a serious problem
occurs, it happens very quickly. Hard earned experience speaking here.

I know you mention that you would rather not build a gantry crane but
I can assure you that you will find a portable gantry crane to be one
of the most useful tools that you will ever have. It is one tool that
you will likely never get rid of so the initial cost will be spread
over a number of years to come.

You also might want to consider buying a gantry crane from Harbor
Freight where the shipping is free.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41188

What is the current cost of steel to build a comparable gantry crane
to the one shown at Harbor Freight?

I also note that a gantry crane with a limited span for such a mill
(~900lbs.) could be built out of wood.

I would strongly recommend NOT using any structural member within your
building as a lifting member. I have seen too many failures from such
attempts that have resulted in substantial damage to the building. The
cost of repairs were significant compared to what the cost of a
homemade gantry crane would have been.

I also would not recommend using a tree limb as a lifting point. In
the past, I have seen many trees that look sound but upon opening them
up they are riddled with insect damage, dry rot or internal defects
that would have made them an accident waiting to happen.

Another way that you can approach this problem is to modify your cart
so it can be taken apart, moved into place under the mill and then
reassembled. Without seeing your cart, it is impossible to say exactly
how to do the modification. I have done this a number of times with
carts of my own with minimal cost. Unfortunately it does mean you may
have to do some more painting. )

I would be interested in seeing pictures of your mill cart and hearing
the design details concerning the selection of the components and
materials. Could you post them in the dropbox for the benefit of the
group?

Good luck Rick and let us know how you finally do it.

TMT


Rick Chamberlain wrote in message ...
Gents,

I'm in a bit of a bind and I'm too blind to see a solution. I'm hoping
someone here can set me straight.

I built a cart for my Hardinge TM and need to get the TM on it. The cart
is made of heavy angle and box channel, and I used 6" wide pieces of 6x8
angle for the caster mounts. The mounts ride outboard of the cart, and
the top of the mounts rides higher than the bed of the cart - by design
- so that the mill will only be 5" off the ground when transferred.

I'm trying to figure out a way to get the mill on the cart without:

1. Building a gantry
2. Modifying an engine hoist so I can get the legs around the outside of
the mill
3. Hiring a wrecker
4. Breaking any bones

Since I gave the cart a nice paint job, I'd also prefer a method that
will limit damage to the paint on the cart.

I have the mill resting on a couple of 4x4s, and can easily get her a
bit higher. Tha challenge here is how do I transfer the mill from the
wooden platform to the cart without killing myself.

I was going to build a small gantry until the price of steel went
through the roof here.

I'm sure there is a solution, but I've been staring at this so long I've
developed a brain cramp. Any thoughts are appreciated.