Motorcycle Lift Table material ???

[ChiliDog]

IMHO, anything capable of lifting will be used to lift more than it was designed for. I would think long and hard about going with lesser steel. However, with that being said, you are making a big jump going from 1/4" material to 14 gauge. I woiuld think you ought to look at MAYBE 3/16" material or 11 gauge. When in doubt, we always use heavier steel and with the exception of items we have to lift in the air routinely (like metal platforms on the top of a 70 foot scissor lift sitting on a pad on the side of a mountain - which we do from time to time) we have been pleased we did. We have many jack stands we built in 1968 that we have used in so many ways over the years and they were great investments in time and material.

[dodgewade]

Plans

Where di you get your plans?

[Bert]

thanks HMW,
nice to get some backup on that I'll tell my friend, let him buy it, and I'll use it!!!

[HMW]

Handy lift

My father has a Lawn Equipment business and he has had a handy lift for a long time. like about 15 yrs or so. With side extensions he made he puts any riding mower on it even the big zero turn models. Excellant lift. They are no more expensive now than when he bought his. His is air lift and works fine. I'd be afraid to guess how many times that thing has went up and down all these years and he's never worked on it. Except to make the side extensions and a ramp that extends when lowered and folds when raised automatically.

[Bert]

JHCHOPPERS,
thanks a lot...'ppreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bert

[JHCHOPPERS]

JHCHOPPERS,
Where did you get yours? model, cost? Friend just got a softail, will your hold it without a problem?
thanks,
bert

Yes, the handy lift is a Rock!!! If you visit your local Harley Dealer and look inside their shop, this is the lift that they use.

Cost: I do not recall, its been about 5 years ago... I think around $800 with the bike vise including shipping.

[JHCHOPPERS]

We bought our direct from Handy Industries
http://www.handyindustries.com

But there are many other who make similar ones.
http://eagleequip.com/page/EE/PROD/LI-MC/603-038

[Bert]

JHCHOPPERS,
Where did you get yours? model, cost? Friend just got a softail, will your hold it without a problem?
thanks,
bert

[Bert]

Synergy,
nice pic of the ghetto lift, hey don't know it!!! They probably found it in Woodworkers magazine
Hey, I have a millermatic 135 and have a real hard time making a nice bead with anything over 1/8 thick! 3/16 didn't look good and I was told no way 1/4", unless I preheat the metal first. Using .030 flux cored wire. How thick metal are you welding together, wire size ?
thanks,
bert

[Kelly Aitken]

I may be alittle late on this but I bought these plans and built this table. the table is well thought out and the plans are easy to follow. It is very heavy duty and sure it is probably over kill on the material but if you are selling these plans, you know you have to cover your a$$ for liability reasons. I modified mine alittle so it will roll around on casters. Had to put some screw down feet on it to keep it from rolling away from me while I was pushing the bike up on it. Ask me how I figured that one out. I had about $200 tyied up in materials. The table "Fun" talked about will probably work fine but I was looking for a usable work table when not being used for the motorcycle. I have been using mine for a while but resently cut it up and I'm in the process of designing one more like the Kendon motorcyle lift. I need one that is lighter and easy to lift up and stand against the wall. I ended up using mine more for a work table then a motorcyle table and I think we all know that if you have an empty flat spot in your garage, stuff manages to get piled up on it. I need the space when not working on the bike. I have a bunch of alum. and recently bought a spool gun for the mig so I'm going to build the next on out of alum. and use a sissor type lift system. Saves space when in the down possition.

[fun4now]

yep add the 15% off coopon at HF and its hard to build one for less.

[Synergy]

I am not too concerned with my metal plans diet. Take a look at this ghetto lift. I know my fabrication and welding is stronger than doug fir and black pipe. These plans were sold on Ebay.

[JHCHOPPERS]

You know for $299.00 you buy cheap one at HF....
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91764

We use the HandyLift and love it. It is what is used in most bike shops (only $700 or so). Its not worth wrecking your bike or loosing a finger/hand for 300 - 700 bucks ( Just my 2 cents)

[fun4now]

be shore to show us the lift when you get it going.
if you do a serch you will.....or should find one some one built here befor. it might have beem on the motor sports board though not shore , i just remember seeing it.
best of luck to ya.

[Synergy]

Fun- Good points. I know if I was selling 50 buck plans for a motorcycle lift, that lifts bikes upwards of $20-$30K. I would over-engineer it also, for liability. I am looking to eliminate the automotive jack lifting, for a hydraulic system. Either 115v motor to a hydro pump or a hydro-pneumatic foot pedal system with a 2-3" bore cylinder and around 18" stroke. If something comes up on Ebay I will pick it up.