How do you handle heavy plate?

admin

All of the times I have bought full sheets of 4/8 steel it was for tables at school.  We just welded a loop we made and picked it off the truck with a cherry picker and then rolled the cherry picker around.I want to buy a sheet of AR 500 to make some rifle targets.  I don't want to weld a loop on it because I am assuming I would damage the hardness of the material in that spot.  (is that a correct assumption?)Any ideas on how to handle the plate?  It will weight about 500 pounds.  It may be that I just need to weld the loop on and plan the targets around the loop so I don't use that piece of metal.Thanks
Reply:Drill a 1/2" hole near the corners on one end and use a chain to lift it. Or 2 big ratchet straps looped around the plate like a sling, then you could lift it in the flat position.Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99Drill a 1/2" hole near the corners on one end and use a chain to lift it. Or 2 big ratchet straps looped around the plate like a sling, then you could lift it in the flat position.
Reply:Good luck drilling AR500.  Yes, welding will affect the hardness in that spot.  I would just sling it.
Reply:Something from here perhaps?  Or similar.  http://www.murphyindustrialproducts....te_clamps.html  I've never used one but have seen them in use.Tim
Reply:Anything up to 2500 lbs I clamp to my loader forks. So far I haven't had any plate to work that exceeded that weight.Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:I made corner grabs for some plate I had to move once, that couldn't have loops welded on.I  welded 2 triangular pieces about 4" on a side together with edge spacers the same thickness as the plate.Then I welded on chain loops to the trangles, sandwiched the 4 corners of the plate inside them and hooked chains to a lift point. It worked fine for 1/2" that time, and should work for anything not too flimsy.If you don't need a whole sheet, check and see if your supplier has rems.I made 6" swing plates for my range out of rems that I got for $.50 per lb.Last edited by Tool Junkie; 10-01-2014 at 07:21 PM.
Reply:What about a plate clamps? http://www.vestilmfg.com/products/mh...ate_clamps.htm
Reply:Assuming you don't want to spend a pile of money on fancy lifters.....I agree with lifting it off, but rather than using straps which may need to be cushioned so the plate edge doesn't cut them, use chain.PS - If you do need to put holes for bolts or whatever in the corners, just use your torch.  No need to try to drill that stuff.
Reply:I just hook the chain hooks on the edge of the plate and lift enough to get the truck out from under while supporting with saw horses.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:3 step process..(1)Put truck in reverse...(2)put your foot to the floor....(3)slam on the brakes...No lifting involved! Lol. Although there may be a problem getting the plate positioned correctly on the saw horses!, Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:With both hands, and try to keep it level so that you don't spill the gravy on your boots or the carpet. Other wise it's back to the kiddy table for another year. LOL!
Reply:Originally Posted by gundog77With both hands, and try to keep it level so that you don't spill the gravy on your boots or the carpet. Other wise it's back to the kiddy table for another year. LOL!
Reply:We use lifting magnets at work, you could probably rent or borrow one from your local steel supplier or LWS. They come in various capacities and work like a charm. (edited) Ooohh, lookie there Mick120, you're the mastered the art of the single handed 1 ton move, good thinking, that must have been one heck of a brainstorm, well done! Finally, I have an alternate use for my automotive rotisserie, good thinking there, too!! Drop "lifting magnet" or "plate magnet" into your search engine for other examples and capacities. Attached ImagesLast edited by bearston; 10-01-2014 at 08:21 PM.When a welder tells you to "stick it", what do they really mean?"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Reply:I see too much of those plate grabs at work.... Moving 1"x8'x20' plates... but lifting off a truck I would say slings would be best and keep it flat- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman993 step process..(1)Put truck in reverse...(2)put your foot to the floor....(3)slam on the brakes...No lifting involved! Lol. Although there may be a problem getting the plate positioned correctly on the saw horses!,
Reply:Enlist the aid of several stout friends if you have any. Tell each one you will give them a shooting target for the help.
Reply:I use a cherry picker, chain, and a couple big hooks I cut on the plasma table.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Go rent a jancy mag drill. As part of there sales pitch there was a pic of one at my lws with 3 atvs hanging from it.1700 lbs mag force just chain that sucker up. What could go wrong But for the sake of making targets it wouldn't bother me to weld a loop to it.
Reply:I made a plate clamp years ago and it has worked very well all these years.
Reply:If you are picking it up with your pickup , I would set some 2" pipe rollers on the bed. Lay a 4"x4" in bed so the plate will rest on a roller and the wood. The wood will keep it from loading. To unload raise end of plate to remove 4"x4" and set on rollers . Roll on to rated saw horses. Or, slide out and start cutting pieces.
Reply:Like BD1 said, Egyptians used to do it thousands years ago
Reply:The hooks I cut to handle plate.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1If you are picking it up with your pickup , I would set some 2" pipe rollers on the bed. Lay a 4"x4" in bed so the plate will rest on a roller and the wood. The wood will keep it from loading. To unload raise end of plate to remove 4"x4" and set on rollers . Roll on to rated saw horses. Or, slide out and start cutting pieces.
Reply:You can purchase a plate dog for lifting. It will handle plate from 0 to 1" thick material. Buy on eBay.Originally Posted by Mick120All my Bisalloy (same as AR) comes with welded loops because you should NEVER use plate clamps with AR steel.Reason being, they don't grip.....only slide.
Reply:Hey Mick what is the thinnest material you can safely rig with your magnets? I have some magnets and I find that 1/4" (6mm) tends to peal off. They work great for heavier plate, like 1" (25mm). My magnets are not cam action like yours. I've been thinking of buying some cam style.
Reply:Originally Posted by snowbirdLike BD1 said, Egyptians used to do it thousands years ago
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcWhy did he mention Egyptians, next it will be pyramids & sphinx ,before we know it there will be gooses, wooden car, and wiener whistles  .
Reply:Originally Posted by Firemanmike69I think your going to have a tough time drill ar500 I'd just weld a loop on it and pick it out
Reply:3 step process..(1)Put truck in reverse...(2)put your foot to the floor....(3)slam on the brakes...No lifting involved! Lol. Although there may be a problem getting the plate positioned correctly on the saw horses!, Step one is the key to that approach!Last edited by Crabo; 10-04-2014 at 01:01 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Crabo3 step process..(1)Put truck in reverse...(2)put your foot to the floor....(3)slam on the brakes...No lifting involved! Lol. Although there may be a problem getting the plate positioned correctly on the saw horses!, Step one is the key to that approach!
Reply:Originally Posted by Crabo3 step process..(1)Put truck in reverse...(2)put your foot to the floor....(3)slam on the brakes...No lifting involved! Lol. Although there may be a problem getting the plate positioned correctly on the saw horses!, Step one is the key to that approach!
Reply:Maybe wherever you are buying it from will loan you a magnet or two?  Worth asking anyway.
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboAll of the times I have bought full sheets of 4/8 steel it was for tables at school.  We just welded a loop we made and picked it off the truck with a cherry picker and then rolled the cherry picker around.I want to buy a sheet of AR 500 to make some rifle targets.  I don't want to weld a loop on it because I am assuming I would damage the hardness of the material in that spot.  (is that a correct assumption?)Any ideas on how to handle the plate?  It will weight about 500 pounds.  It may be that I just need to weld the loop on and plan the targets around the loop so I don't use that piece of metal.Thanks
Reply:The other option is to just get 8 people to lift and move it.  Heck, I've moved baby grand pianos that are that heavy with 3 other people.Victor Oxy weld/cut Setup Meco Midget Torch outfitEverlast 2016 250EX & Power Cool W300Lincoln Power mig 210MP  w/amptrol and Spool GunEverlast Powerarc 200 Hypertherm Powermax 45Bandsaw, Lathe, grinders, press, Bridgeport, etc.
Reply:If you have a four foot angle iron laying around pop a hole in one leg in the center of the angle iron. And "C" Clamp it to the plate. Then just hook it with an engine hoist or whatever you have.                    Sincerely,                           William McCormick