David Jenkins
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 03:53 PM |
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Chain hoist?
Slightly off-topic, but may be relevant to car builders... 
Following on from a previous topic, I needed a system for moving and storing a heavy model steam locomotive. I thought about a lifting table, but was
worried about stability (plus the loco would be sitting on a valuable bit of kit for most of the time, so would have been the loss of an expensive
asset).
What I've ended up with is a wooden box with castors, which is exactly the same height as my trailer. The loco will now live on this most of the
time, but I can roll it out of the garage ready to shift the loco with no great effort. This cost me ~£20 plus a few coats of varnish from an old
tin, which is a good result as far as I'm concerned.
I now have one remaining requirement, which is to lift the loco off the storage trolley and onto a workmate, for servicing. I have a good strong beam
over the location, so I was thinking of getting a small chain hoist - 250kg with a lift of ~1 metre would be fine. This leaves a few questions:
1. Does anyone know a good place to buy such a hoist? I've seen the 500kg chain hoists in Machine Mart for around £50, but I was wondering if
there's anywhere significantly cheaper?
2. I know that the type of hoist with an endless chain loop is easy to control and I will be able to lower the loco slowly and safely onto its
trolley. The other type of hoist has a ratchet handle - lifting is not an issue, but can you lower stuff slowly and in a controlled manner with that
type?
Cheers,
David
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mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 04:30 PM |
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the one with the handle is controllable and is done by moving the handle back and forth.
If this is so heavy I worry that a work mate may be its downfall
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fatfranky
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 04:51 PM |
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If You can wait for the next time it comes on special offer you could get one of these from netto
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=58759
You could also keep an eye on aldi and lidl as they seem to have similar offers on different weeks
Hope this helps
Frank
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 05:27 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mangogrooveworkshop
If this is so heavy I worry that a work mate may be its downfall
It's not so bad - it's around 100lb/50kg - well with the capability of a workmate. The trouble is that it's impossible for me to
lift it on my own, and not easy for 2 people due to its shape and the sharp edges. Also there are bits that are vulnerable when it's lifted by
inexperienced people.
Previously I used an engine hoist, but that's very inconvenient (although a safe way to lift).
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 05:30 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by fatfranky
If You can wait for the next time it comes on special offer you could get one of these from netto
Frank,
That's a bit OTT for my needs!
However, here's a question for 'wicket' - how did you get on with the chain hoist you bought?
(LINKY)
[Edited on 3/6/07 by David Jenkins]
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907
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 05:48 PM |
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Hi David,
I used a ratshit pull lift when fitting my engine/gearbox.
I was sooooo impressed that when I saw one for sale at a show I bought one. 
Never used it. Still in it's box. 
You could borrow it on sort of "permanent loan" if you like.
The only proviso that I would make is that if my Lotus engine blows up  I could have it back.
Now, how likely is that???? 
They do have a disadvantage. A minimum length of 700mm.
Atb
Paul G
 
Rescued attachment Puller-002-s.jpg
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 07:01 PM |
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Paul,
That sounds like an ideal arrangement - I'll trundle over some time and 'long-term borrow' it, if that's OK.
Mind you, 700mm minimum might be an issue...
I'll U2U you soon, to book the visit!
cheers,
David
[Edited on 3/6/07 by David Jenkins]
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wicket
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 07:24 PM |
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David
The Valley chain hoist is good value for money, it operates well although a bit slow, recommended
Eric
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 07:54 PM |
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Not much bothered about operating speed - I wouldn't be using it too often, so I could put up with 5 minutes of chain pulling (sounds like a
curry I once had! )
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indykid
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 08:47 PM |
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i've always found the wire rope hoists to be really awkward to work with.
i suppose it's fine if it's on a long term borrow, but if not, what about
this
cheap enough and sounds to be near enough exactly what you want.
tom
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 09:15 PM |
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That does look very suitable...
Decisions... decisions...
[Edited on 3/6/07 by David Jenkins]
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907
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| posted on 3/6/07 at 10:13 PM |
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Up To you David. You won't offend me.
I must admit, that description's iffy. Capacity 1/2 ton. Tested to .25 ton. 
Paul G
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 4/6/07 at 09:32 AM |
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Sorry Paul, wasn't trying to be rude!
Unfortunately I worked out this morning that the minimum length of 700mm is too long for my setup - just been out with a tape measure and, by the time
I've put a strop over the beam and 2 strops on the loco, I'll have about 600mm to fit in the hoist. Shame.
Many thanks for the kind offer though.
I've also worked out that the dubious mini chain hoist won't do either, as I may need more than 1 metre lift height.
Looks like it'll have to be some form of traditional chain hoist... trouble is, as I have said previously, Ipswich is an engineering desert - I
went out shopping this morning, and got either "they're dealt with by our lifting gear department, who issue safety certificates with the
kit" (expensive, as you can imagine) or "ur - what's a hoist, mate?".
Looks like it's time for a scout round the interwebby thing... that £20 2-tonne hoist is starting to look attractive.
cheers,
David
[Edited on 4/6/07 by David Jenkins]
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owelly
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| posted on 4/6/07 at 09:39 AM |
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You'll be struggling to get much that will fit in 600mm without going for a 'pull-lift' (ratchetty thing).
The alternative is to use a snatch block (pulley) on your beam and anchor the winch/pull lift else where. Hows about a cheap trailer type winch bolted
to the wall?
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 4/6/07 at 09:54 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by wicket
David
The Valley chain hoist is good value for money, it operates well although a bit slow, recommended
Eric
Eric,
Just to be sure - what are the min & max lengths on that Valley hoist?
owelly,
I have seen some chain hoists that are 300mm min. - but far too expensive! I like the idea of a pulley, but then things start to get complicated
(like where to fix the pulley, away from the beam). The trouble with a ratchet winch is letting the thing down gently - possible, but tricky
maybe.
UPDATE: I've just found out - they're 300mm min to 2.5 metres max.
[Edited on 4/6/07 by David Jenkins]
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iank
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| posted on 4/6/07 at 10:00 AM |
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I bought a chain hoist from transtools on ebay. Arrived quickly and seems good quality, IIRC it was UK manufacturer.
It lifted an a-series with gearbox and most ancilliaries without breaking a sweat.
Remember to hook up a bucket for the chains to live in else you'll scratch the paintwork.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 4/6/07 at 10:53 AM |
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Order placed, for a 1-ton chain hoist.
Thanks for all the help and advice!
David
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 5/6/07 at 11:30 AM |
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Order received!
Amazing service from that ebay trader called 'transtools'. Ordered at 11:50 yesterday, received at 10:30 this morning. Loco hoisted off
the bench at 11:00!
It's so much easier when you have the appropriate tools...
[Edited on 5/6/07 by David Jenkins]
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owelly
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| posted on 5/6/07 at 12:38 PM |
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Lets have some piccies of the Loco then.......
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 5/6/07 at 02:29 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by owelly
Lets have some piccies of the Loco then.......
Here's one of a mate of mine driving it round the club track...
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DarrenW
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| posted on 5/6/07 at 02:37 PM |
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Ref Workmates of the Black and Decker variety - i was Manufacturing Engineer and Production supervisor on the line that made them. They were
destruction tested at far higher loads than printed on the vice boards.
The only issue loading them above safe rating is if the load shifts - they could then buckle. Line testing was done vertically and with the unit
static. The first bit to fail was the legs.
iirc the bigger ones took over 250Kg to collapse but dont quote me on that. Of course these were brand new units and not old abused ones.
A mate of mine got one to fail with a jensen engine on the top of a really old Wormate when he tried to pull it. Not surprising though i guess!
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 5/6/07 at 02:51 PM |
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My crossflow and gearbox sat on my workmate for a time, while I was preparing it for insertion into the chassis. The only 'backup' was my
engine hoist, which was hooked up but with the chains slackened a bit (i.e. not taking any load).
I have a lot of confidence in them - as long as I don't try to drag it anywhere, as the fold-out leg-extensions immediately fold under!
[Edited on 5/6/07 by David Jenkins]
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