My $11.00 Gantry Crane

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I built this gantry crane a couple of weekends ago. All of the material was left overs from other things. I used 3 1/2" sch 40 pipe, 3/8" plate and random drops of 6" channel from 31"-40" in length. The first part of this was to cut two 12"x12" plates out of the 3/8" material. I laid out four holes in each to accept 1/2" concrete anchors($11.00). I also laid out where the pipe would go in the middle of the plate. Hammer drill time then bolted in place.  I put the channel back to back and staggered the joints. I got the first two tacked then kept adding channel, clamping and tacking and moving the saw horses further apart until I had a beam approx 10' long. After checking to see that everything was tacked and all the joints were tight together I welded it all the way around. I used a 1968 Lincoln SA 200 and Lincoln Excaliber 3/32" 7018s.  The pipe was too short so I used a wrap a round, soap stone and 6" Metabo to cut good square ends. I then beveled the four ends and put a 3/32" landing on them. Squared and leveled them in the Sumner pipe stands and using Lincoln 1/8" 6010 5P+ put a downhill root and then 7018 fill/cap. I promise the are straight and plumb but the pictures don't appear that way! Set the pipe on the plate and with the help of my trusty 17 year old, plumed it and tacked it. Welded it out with Lincoln 7018.  Now the fun part. Beam on top of poles by myself. I'm getting too old for this!  As luck would have it there was a laminated beam in the attic. I hole sawed 2 2" holes on each side of the beam in the ceiling drywall and dropped a short chain and small block and tackle down. I pulled the beam up and ran out of head room. Now what!?!  Four more 2" holes and 2 2" ratchet straps hooked back to themselves got me the last 2 1/2" inches I needed. Tacked it off then welded it out. Last edited by Root Pass; 11-26-2013 at 09:55 PM.
Reply:Excellent project
Reply:I dig it - nicely done Nice job on chains and straps for lifting by yourself - I have the same problem around here.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Thanks ya'll it was fun. I'm surprised how I ever lived without it.I look forward to that call!
Reply:Nice for sure. You will not believe how much you'll use it. Next you'll be looking for a electric fall. I like that expensive KLEIN bag chain holder. I have ametal bucket I got at flea market for a buck.
Reply:You cant build a gantry like that! It hasn't been engineered, or ceritified, or inspected, or approved, or blessed, or baptized! The world will end if you ever use it! Seriously though, nice job. Gives me ideas for mine (when I get around to it), how much do you reckon you could lift with it?Regards, Match> Cigweld WeldSkill 170 inverter
Reply:Do you need to be concerned about it toppling over if a load shifts and becomes dynamic?  I know the foot is bolted down, but I would think that a wide foot would be needed to keep it from tipping over in an emergency event.  You've probably thought it out, and I'm just missing something...Miller Dynasty 200 DXMiller CP-300 with 30A feederHypertherm Powermax 900Oxy-fuel w/Harris torchesScotchman Glide-in bandsawMonarch 10EE latheEmi-Mec Autoturn latheDeckel FP2NC milling machinePro-Tools 105 Bender
Reply:BD1 my mother told me women have started using those bags for purses. Match so far I have lifted two SA 200s a few times. That's as far as I'm willing to push it!
Reply:How much do they weigh? Half a ton each?Regards, Match> Cigweld WeldSkill 170 inverter
Reply:I think the owners manual says around 1100-1200 lbs.I did think about it toppling over and I think I'll make some legs that bolt on and off or hitch pins maybe. I had to get the machine out of my rig truck so it was baptism by fire. Lol. "Kids stay in the house!" LolLast edited by Root Pass; 11-27-2013 at 12:07 AM.
Reply:That's not a bad amount of lift for 11 bucks!Regards, Match> Cigweld WeldSkill 170 inverter
Reply:Looks good. Proof is in the function and the price is hard to beat.
Reply:Originally Posted by Root PassI did think about it toppling over and I think I'll make some legs that bolt on and off or hitch pins maybe...
Reply:I like the crane but you need to take shelf mounting classes.   A beer would slide right off that thing.Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.