The Lathe and the ramp

[steve_s]

So I Might have to move this

Down this ramp

At the side of the wheelie bin are some wheel dollies/ ply with wheels on. Also have an engine crane
This is possibly a job I would have to do alone Iv been trying to think of a way to regulate the lathe as it goes down the ramp ?????
Anybody got some suggestions ?

 

[Hood]

I would try and get it on something like steel pipe or solid of maybe 25mm dia. I would only put the rear end (uphill end) on them and use a pry bar on the end down hill. That would mean you have full control as it will only roll as you use the pry bar to lift the downhill end, so you can "inch" it down at a comfortable rate.

If you decide to put it all on the dollies (they look high ) then make sure you have a rope looped back through something solid so you can control the descent, a chain tackle would also work.
Personally though I would not like the lathe up on such high dollies.

 

[Ton-up]

I do this at my workshop with a Tirfor but -
Rawbolt a piece of angle iron to the concrete near the house and use a simple wire hoist clipped through a hole in the angle. You will need a good rathet strap or sling around the lathe and may need a chain, or another ratchet strap, to stop the lathe whilst you re-jig the strap halfway down if the hoist runs out of cable.
When you are done put a cople of well greased grub screws in the rawbolts and you can use them next time!

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/chp1250-heavy-duty-power-puller/

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Obviously, chose your sling lifting points carefully too - the wrong place and you risk bending/damaging part of the machine.

 

[Screwdriver]

Agree with the comment on height, that's the last thing you want. Castors that size would need to be outside the lathe base on offset arms to drop the base as low as possible. You'll want to take off any large items that are easily removed like headstock, tailstock etc and empty out the drawers.

Problem with swivel castors is they will always go downhill so if the slope if off just a bit, it may head off in the wrong direction suddenly. Swivel castors also fold and tuck under on uneven surfaces which can shift the weight dramatically.

Depends how much time you have but you might be better off inching it down the slope on a sled rather than rollers. If the lathe is firmly connected to wooden rails, it will still be very easy to move albeit literally an inch at a time. At least it won't run away, tip over or pull down your house...

 

[Morrisman]

Open the kitchen window, put a plank across the opening, inside, with a rope tied round it, loop the free end round something on the lathe a couple of times, so a smart person you trust can regulate the speed down the ramp. It won’t take much effort, rope friction takes the load.

I like to move heavy things all by myself, some sort of personal challenge/stupidity, so I’ve used a dozen different methods before now.

 

[Chillitt]

First step, ask 'Is anyone around Derby free to give me a hand with this?'

 

[julianf]

If i had to do it by myself, i would consider laying out some wooden rails, and then edging it down with a crowbar.
Its not going to get out of control sliding down wooden rails.

But, really, if it was already on dollies, a load of people, and the job would be done quicker than it took the kettle to boil.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I agree, avoid the dollies at all costs.
I've moved bits of machinery weighing up to 1.5 tons on strips of greased flat bar and a winch or pry bar.
The tricky bit will be the top and bottom of the ramp, I'd cut 2 lengths of flat the exact length of the ramp and then have another 2 lengths leading up to the ramp, move these to the bottom once the lathe is on the ramp.
The benefit of using flat bar is if the piece of machinery comes off on one side the drop is only 10mm so the machine doesn't tilt much.

 

[magnet]

Ive used a pull lift to arrest the speed on jobs like that make sure of a strong attachment at the anchored end

 

[gaz1]

2 men and scaffold bars for rolling

you have a slope of say 11" over 6ft

if you want a rope then you need a loop drilled into the concrete it would be better with a winch i could have borrowed that but ive just arranged to goto scotland

 

[Barking Mat]

Block and tackle for a controlled ramp descent. No brainer.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Drill hole in path above ramp, add an anchor bolt so rope, winch etc can be used then remove bolt and fill hole after lathe moved ?

 

[8ob]

A rope through the cat flap and out of the back door on a friction knot to the lathe when SWMBO is not on patrol

Bob

 

[scott0031]

My first option would be skids for something like this. Cheap, simple and very effective. First choice is some mild steel sheet ( bright not black) a brush of grease down the strips. The strips do not have to be long 4 pieces of say 18 inches would do fine. As the machine comes off one lot you stick them in the front and repeat use a bar at the back to inch it forward tiny bit at a time, it will be easy going. I have moved a lot of gear in my time and the hard way.

Winches work just as well apart from you need to have something to fix to. This is why skids if my preferred method. I use skids many may times for slight inclines, it's safe and relatively easy. It works just as well on the flat with lighter machines, just inch along bit by bit. They can even be shoved by a couple of hefty blokes.

 

[roofman]

Length of thin sheet steel...should slide down in a controlled fashion and more so with the lathe base being flat on the steel

 

[steve_s]

Thanks guys good food for thought appreciate it

 

[addjunkie]

Dolly on the front, rear on the ground, and a pry bar, lift itll roll. Drop it will stop.

 

[steve_s]

well after me procrastinating a lot I have done the deed and its now in the new home it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be the slope was fun but it never went out of control.

Thanks for all the advice you all posted

 

[Pete.]

Well done. Sometimes the apprehension is worse than the application.