Thread: Picking up my new lathe (literally)

Gentlemen,
I'm off to pick up my new lathe and our only option to load it onto a trailer is a crane. Can you guys tell me the best way to run straps/chains for picking up?

Cliff

I would move the saddle and the tailstock as far right as possible, then place a lifting strap under the bed if it will fit to the left of the chip pan. You will find it advantageous to lag two timbers (4x4, 6x6, etc) under the machine. Then you can lift it several different ways. And, you can roll it on pipe when you get it home. Send pictures. Regards, Clark

Originally Posted by cbrcliff

Gentlemen,
I'm off to pick up my new lathe and our only option to load it onto a trailer is a crane. Can you guys tell me the best way to run straps/chains for picking up?

Cliff

Should be some photos on PM showing passing a stout lifting strap down through the web in the bed casting adjacent the headstock, securing it around a STOUT timber placed UNDER the bed, balancing lift CG by strategic postioning and locking-down of the carriage & TS. First available web itself is a bit too far toward the TS end for decent balance.

AND ALSO .. running backup safety chains (padding a good idea) AND supplemental lifting straps to restrain tilt.

Needless to say, and known to have been overlooked, is to insure all such clear operating wheels, handles. et al - even if/as/when there IS some tilting.

There are puttied-over holes in the bed casting just ahead of the HS, BUT .. those need a very strong and stiff thru-bar if they are to be utilized AND may not agree with the balance point of the fully-assembled machine anyway.

Adding: Cast-iron covers should be expected to drop off and crack if not first securely belted or removed for separate handling. Sod's Law.

Bill

Bill,
I'm not sure what this is:
"Cast-iron covers"

So it's similar to picking up an EE?

Nah, can't be picked up, better give up. I'll do you a favor and go move it out of the way for you just give me the address.


I remember that ~25 years a go a new Colchester came with a plate that bolted between the ways just forward of the headstock with a lifting eye.

Originally Posted by cbrcliff

So it's similar to picking up an EE?

Similar. Just even more arse-heavy at the HS end if such can be imagined. Hence the need for supplemental straps and careful routing of 'em.

But both have very massive beds and base, so looks alone don't make it easy to asses where center-mass is.

Never understood why single-point lifting was thought to be the only way to go just 'coz the crane had but one hook...
Grab a mil-surplus heavy tank engine spreader rig if you gets the chance and stash it as a general-purpose problem-solver.
Made to control tilt as well as lift.

Bill