Welding Skid Question

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I am going to build a skid for one of my SA 200s and bottles to stay on the jobsite/container yard. Every "skid" I see is custom built to slide into the truck bed or trailer. To me thats not a skid. I am going to use some channel, angle and pipe. What my question is...When lifting it, do you think I will be able to lift from the welder eye? It will have oxy, acet and 75/25 (BIG) bottles and approx 300 Lbs of steel plus leads. Or after its built should I "cage" it in with some sort of lifting points/eyes. Thanks for any suggestions.
Reply:PS: I dont really want to lift off the welder point. Ideas/Pictures?
Reply:I know I'm not "qualified" but I would suggest going with your cage idea.  IMHO most if not all lifting eyes on machines would not be adequate enough to lift all that extra weight.MikeConstans Fides et IntegritasLincoln Weldanpower 150 ACAirco Aircomatic MIGet CAV II w/ spoolgunMillermatic 30a wirefeeder
Reply:i haven't built one of those but have caged many other pieces of machinery, my recommendation is cage it.  the lift eye on the lincoln is engineered for it and a little extra be mighty embarrassing to drop all that on site in front of others.Just some stuff in my shop.
Reply:one other thing if you go with a center lift don't forget to even things out so it dangles evenly or the results could be an expensive mess, my first one was not balanced.Just some stuff in my shop.
Reply:I was leaning toward cage. Cage it is!  Any body have any pictures of the lifting eyes on the cages they have built. I know how/what to build, but I want a sleek look.
Reply:I saw a skid the other day on a job that had lifting eyes on the conrners to lift it the guy said it was alot easier then having a cage to work on the machine and stuff. No camera phones allowed on the job so sorry no pic.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Originally Posted by jreynoldsweldingI am going to build a skid for one of my SA 200s and bottles to stay on the jobsite/container yard. Every "skid" I see is custom built to slide into the truck bed or trailer. To me thats not a skid. . . .
Reply:Hey jreynoldswelding, this sounds like a fun project. I have been collecting pics of skids from this place but most of them got lost on my jump stick. I am still waiting for my bro to try to recover them. Anyways, I do have a few if you want me to post them, but I thought there was a post on just them???Some points I have in mind if I ever build one.- 2" or 3" sq. tubing, 3/16" or 1/4" wall- Definately a cage. I would build it bigger by a couple of inches for maintenance purposes on equipment. I don't worry too much about size because I have small trailers to skid steer trailers to semi flat bed or lowboy. Make sure you will be able to move it and lift it.- Put four pieces of 3/8" flat stock, with lifting holes in them, in the corners for lifting. Then you will need one, four or two, two leg chain or cable slings.- 6" channel under on both sides for fork pockets. Make it so it can be picked from any side.- 3" or 4" round tubing for the cable hangers. I don't like them kinked.- Hangers for main cables, spare cables, torch hoses and extension cords.- Maybe a small tool box for strikers, tips ect. And if you want, make it so you can put the torch and regs in it and lock it but the hoses fit out of notches. Then you won't have to disconnect the torch and regs.Just a few thoughts, hope it helps. These are my favorite "fun" projects!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepTo you, is this a skid?
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manHey jreynoldswelding, this sounds like a fun project. I have been collecting pics of skids from this place but most of them got lost on my jump stick. I am still waiting for my bro to try to recover them. Anyways, I do have a few if you want me to post them, but I thought there was a post on just them???Some points I have in mind if I ever build one.- 2" or 3" sq. tubing, 3/16" or 1/4" wall- Definately a cage. I would build it bigger by a couple of inches for maintenance purposes on equipment. I don't worry too much about size because I have small trailers to skid steer trailers to semi flat bed or lowboy. Make sure you will be able to move it and lift it.- Put four pieces of 3/8" flat stock, with lifting holes in them, in the corners for lifting. Then you will need one, four or two, two leg chain or cable slings.- 6" channel under on both sides for fork pockets. Make it so it can be picked from any side.- 3" or 4" round tubing for the cable hangers. I don't like them kinked.- Hangers for main cables, spare cables, torch hoses and extension cords.- Maybe a small tool box for strikers, tips ect. And if you want, make it so you can put the torch and regs in it and lock it but the hoses fit out of notches. Then you won't have to disconnect the torch and regs.Just a few thoughts, hope it helps. These are my favorite "fun" projects!
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manHey jreynoldswelding, this sounds like a fun project. I have been collecting pics of skids from this place but most of them got lost on my jump stick. I am still waiting for my bro to try to recover them. Anyways, I do have a few if you want me to post them, but I thought there was a post on just them???Some points I have in mind if I ever build one.- 2" or 3" sq. tubing, 3/16" or 1/4" wall- Definately a cage. I would build it bigger by a couple of inches for maintenance purposes on equipment. I don't worry too much about size because I have small trailers to skid steer trailers to semi flat bed or lowboy. Make sure you will be able to move it and lift it.- Put four pieces of 3/8" flat stock, with lifting holes in them, in the corners for lifting. Then you will need one, four or two, two leg chain or cable slings.- 6" channel under on both sides for fork pockets. Make it so it can be picked from any side.- 3" or 4" round tubing for the cable hangers. I don't like them kinked.- Hangers for main cables, spare cables, torch hoses and extension cords.- Maybe a small tool box for strikers, tips ect. And if you want, make it so you can put the torch and regs in it and lock it but the hoses fit out of notches. Then you won't have to disconnect the torch and regs.Just a few thoughts, hope it helps. These are my favorite "fun" projects!
Reply:I wouldn't use a single lifting point on or off of the welder.Every change that takes place will move its balancing point, grinders, clamps, stands, even the difference between full or empty bottles would make it want to tip. I would put a minimum of three lifting points therefore you can add and remove tools as necessary for individual jobs and still have a steady rig for lifting in and out of the truck.Ken
Reply:Originally Posted by jreynoldsweldingThats it buddy! something just like that. basically to lift it all at once, and if some idiot backs into it on the jobsite it wont kill my equipment!You build that denrep?
Reply:Great ideas. I will keep ya posted. I like the container fork pocket idea. But I also want to be able to put it on the pickup/ trailers.
Reply:Something like this, but with 3 bottle racks. Attached Images
Reply:That looks nice. Personally, I would consider:1) building a couple of drawers (for consumables, etc) into the skid2) adding a "junk box" at one end (basically enclose an area with mesh, maybe add an access door) for the smaller items that you don't want falling off during transport, and quickly clean up the job site.3) add reels (welding lead, ext. cords, OA hose, etc)4) maybe an electric service panelJasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Originally Posted by BCRDThat looks nice. Personally, I would consider:1) building a couple of drawers (for consumables, etc) into the skid2) adding a "junk box" at one end (basically enclose an area with mesh, maybe add an access door) for the smaller items that you don't want falling off during transport, and quickly clean up the job site.3) add reels (welding lead, ext. cords, OA hose, etc)4) maybe an electric service panelJason
Reply:Definitely a cage.   Fork pockets accessible from all 4 sides.I would put lifting eyes at all four corners and just keep a 4 leg bridal of the appropriate length to handle it with an overhead crane.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:+1 on lifting eyes/brackets at all four corners and then have the 4-leg bridal on hand (locked up in one of the cage's storage boxes/drawers, perhaps?    ).Be aware of the effect of the angled bridal on the 'strength' rating of the lifting points.  Lifting eyes are rated based on the vertical load, an angled lift reduces the allowable loading.Also keep in mind the required safety factor (pretty high by-the-way) for overhead lifting if there are personnel underneath.A single point list off a single attachment point means that the lifted object has to be balanced with the CG right underneath that lifting point.  If not, then it all tips sideways.Oh, and obviously if you are putting tools and equipment into a cage or other structure to be lifted, then make SURE that everything is attached and tied down to the structure.  Cause once it's all up in the air, gravity is still ON but the consequences of something shifting around and/or falling out/off are much greater than when it is all just sitting there at ground (or truck) level.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Thanks for all the suggestions. Follow the build here:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=46664
Reply:here is one I built for a trailblazer before I put a flat bed on the truck It had to fit across the bed so I could still use the gooseneck. on the top rail there is a hole in the top tube that was the center line with a k bottle and large excedaleen SP. It had a crossbar that fitted underneath the tubing and bolted there so I could remove it to take out the welder. I know its not suited for your application but maybe it will help someone out. the pipe acrossed the top is for something else only pics I have of it. Attached ImagesDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseAlso keep in mind the required safety factor (pretty high by-the-way) for overhead lifting if there are personnel underneath.