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Fellas,
I would like to build a gantry crane for my basement shop. Granted, I've been torn between doing this, and NOT doing this, because of the low headroom in my basement. Still though, a gantry crane would be very useful as I acquire more machines. I would DEFINITELY want to build w/ adjustable legs, maybe something similar to THIS: http://metalworking.com/DropBox/_200...o_Basement.jpg
One thing I am NOT so sure about, is if I can build a Gantry rated for 2 tons, with adjustable legs??? Doesn't all the weight ride on the adjustable pins, that are used to lower and raise the legs??? How much weight can you put on even the biggest pins available? I would probably build this whole thing out of 3x3 or 4x4 square tube, 1/4" wall.
I would of course have to decide on what size I Beam is needed, for an 8' 3" span (would like Gantry to be able to span across an 8' welding table, also to be built in future.
One other concern is how intelligent would it be for me to use an I beam that I was given recently? Consider for one second that the I Beam is big enough for the task, and add to the equation the fact that the I beam has been out in the front yard of a jobsite I've been working on for a while now. It had white paint on it at one time, and that kept it from really rusting badly. It's got a lot of surface rust all over it, but it would come off with wire brush easily. Is this a bad idea to just go pick this beam up and use it for my crane, not knowing what kind of stresses it's been put through? I mean, visually, I don't see any cracks, or damage/etc. IF I recall, the beam is about 10" tall, with a 6" flange width ( I THINK)
I know it is PLENTY big, as most 2 ton Gantrys I've seen, use a smaller beam than this anyhow.
Well, I'm just wondering what you guys think about this, and would appreciate any insight you might have. This is something I could use a bit of help on.
Thanks so much as always guys!
I would like to build a gantry crane for my basement shop. Granted, I've been torn between doing this, and NOT doing this, because of the low headroom in my basement. Still though, a gantry crane would be very useful as I acquire more machines. I would DEFINITELY want to build w/ adjustable legs, maybe something similar to THIS: http://metalworking.com/DropBox/_200...o_Basement.jpg
One thing I am NOT so sure about, is if I can build a Gantry rated for 2 tons, with adjustable legs??? Doesn't all the weight ride on the adjustable pins, that are used to lower and raise the legs??? How much weight can you put on even the biggest pins available? I would probably build this whole thing out of 3x3 or 4x4 square tube, 1/4" wall.
I would of course have to decide on what size I Beam is needed, for an 8' 3" span (would like Gantry to be able to span across an 8' welding table, also to be built in future.
One other concern is how intelligent would it be for me to use an I beam that I was given recently? Consider for one second that the I Beam is big enough for the task, and add to the equation the fact that the I beam has been out in the front yard of a jobsite I've been working on for a while now. It had white paint on it at one time, and that kept it from really rusting badly. It's got a lot of surface rust all over it, but it would come off with wire brush easily. Is this a bad idea to just go pick this beam up and use it for my crane, not knowing what kind of stresses it's been put through? I mean, visually, I don't see any cracks, or damage/etc. IF I recall, the beam is about 10" tall, with a 6" flange width ( I THINK)
I know it is PLENTY big, as most 2 ton Gantrys I've seen, use a smaller beam than this anyhow.
Well, I'm just wondering what you guys think about this, and would appreciate any insight you might have. This is something I could use a bit of help on.
Thanks so much as always guys!
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