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Machinery Skates and Toe Jack to move a 5000lb lathe: Basic Rigging
So you just located a fantastic deal on a piece of used CNC equipment. Just one little problem–the cost and complexity of rigging the machine into your shop are giving you heartburn.
“Rigging” is the technical term for moving heavy stuff into position. It covers everything from unloading a heavy machine (or other load) from a truck or trailer to moving it even slightly around a shop.
Dominic Amae recently sent some links to several great videos on rigging. I’ll start with this one where he shows how to use shopmade machinery skates and a toe jack to move his large 5000lb Mori Seiki CNC lathe:
As Dominic mentions in the video, do as he says and not as he does and keep your hands well clear from under the machine.
Thanks for sharing this video, Dominic!
This was very informative, thanks! I’m going to build a few of these so I can move my mill a few feet backwards to where I really want it and not have to deal with the nightmare of a engine hoist again!
Mike I hear you. I’d feel so much better, depending on the machine, with this approach. Engine hoists always seem precarious to me. Would like to have an A-Frame/Gantry crane too.
I noted the TV add that shows the gent moving a car with plastic pucks. I figure there is no reason it could not be scaled up. I milled cavities and inserted UHMW pucks into 1.25 inch thick plate. Placed 3 under a large (30,000 lbs ?) mill. Sure enough it was enough to get the machine moved. Rollers are great but you gotta aim them carefully or they will fight you.
ilikec–what a cool idea. Thanks for sharing!
the intromafion you gave out. just want to say very clear and lots of intromafion you have out. Thank you so much for your time of making it easy for someone that doesn’t have a clue what CNC is. Thanks Cho
I like your post Bob.
You guys can find the dollies, and jacks (similar to what riggers use) at major equipment rental companies. If you don’t have one near you there are rigging suppliers that will rent them to you. The costs are typically reasonable. I would recommend you use a set of “steerable dollies” to move the type of machine referenced above. They work great in tight places. Hope this info helps!
Don, thanks for chiming in with some good advice!
BW