How to lift this thing?

[Charles Spencer]

Hate to say I told you so, but...

"I was really looking at this one, but it cost twice as much:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-half-...33686.html

and at over 700 pounds I was worried about moving it and fitting it in my small home shop."

We actually used to move our generators that weighed approx. 650 pounds by hand onto a truck. Then again we had six young guys do it, one of whom could bench press 450.

I've used a chainfall and lifting straps to move a 400 lb machine by myself, but 700 lbs would make me leery. Perhaps you could borrow or rent a folding shop crane and buy a couple of lifting straps. For that weight I'd go with at least a one ton rating just to be safe. Just be careful that you position the straps so the load remains balanced when they are under stress. I'd also make sure that I had at least two people.

You might also want to first stress test your bench by piling at least 800 lbs on it. Better it should fail under buckets of sand or something than with your new mill.

Just some ideas of mine. I'm sure that somebody here has more experience and better suggestions.


Charles