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13th Dec 2018, 07:09 PM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2017
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- Brisbane
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- 245
Lowering a bridgeport from a stand
Hey people I have a small issue - my Bridgeport clone (https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M5...=Search&s=bm22) is on 2 sleepers about 100mm high each and I need to lower it onto smaller pieces of wood, or just entirely onto the floor. Ceiling height is so low that putting it on the ground will mean the difference between being able to put its head upright and use it, or just have it permanently nodded so it doesnt hit the roof.
Is there anything you can stick the bridgeport on that will allow it to be lowered gradually, some sort of adjustable feet or a screwing jack?
I need it lower, obviously I cant use a crane as the ceiling is so low.
Previously I used a big big lever to just raise and lower one side of the bridgeport at a time but I don't like doing it, I feel like its not great for the base (or my back).
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13th Dec 2018, 07:18 PM #2Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2016
- Location
- Melbourne
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- 35
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- 1,522
Don't stress about the base. Big crowbar and four big wooden wedges, just go around gradually and lower one at a time. I have done it twice today and I'm not a big Gent. Key is lots of leverage
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13th Dec 2018, 09:37 PM #3Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
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- Melbourne
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- 4,779
Yea, what cask said. If you don't want to commit to the entire height in one go then make a series of blocks of varying heights. Lower the base bit by bit working in a circle, replacing with ever smaller blocks.
In a training exercise, we lifted and lowered a 1 tonne slab of concrete about 500mm using this technique, although we had 4 people with 4 crow bars, you can do the same in a very controlled and safe way.
SimonGirl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
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13th Dec 2018, 09:38 PM #4
If you don't want leverage, thread rod, a couple of nuts and a peice of sheet metal to protect the concrete will do it. I doubt you would hurt the base from leverage though.
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13th Dec 2018, 10:41 PM #5Member: Blue and white apron brigade
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 7,189
Reminds me of how I once got a stump out of a large hole in the ground in our very limited access back yard.
Levered up one side of the stump and shovelled some dirt underneath, levered up other side, more dirt etc. Eventually I had a filled hole with the stump sitting on top.
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13th Dec 2018, 11:54 PM #6Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2013
- Location
- Toowoomba Qld
- Posts
- 401
I used to always use a big old crowbar, a while ago I bought one of these
https://www.bunnings.com.au/hart-900...-bars_p0057180
Found them really good for moving machinery, was much better than the straight crowbar. Shorter so didn't have as much issues with clearance and seems to get pretty good leverage. I use some steel blocks or could easily use some wood blocks and a piece of steel plate under the heel of the bar so you can raise it up for higher lifts.
Looking at your link yours is about 1,100kg, my Bridgeport clone is probably 900kgs so a little lighter but the wrecking bar would make quick work of a job like that.
Other option is something like remove the lower chip tray, get a length of threaded rod, cut into 4, drop a length through each mounting hold in the base, put a nut on the end between the bottom of the base and the floor. Wind them all up to lift the machine off the current sleepers then go around and lower each a bit at a time until it's lowered onto the smaller bits of timber, should be able to get as low as a nut's thickness.
I'd seriously be going the pry bar tho, machine is not too heavy that it's not easily do able and by the time you cut a length of threaded rod in 4 the job would already be done with a pry bar.
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14th Dec 2018, 12:57 PM #7Most Valued Member
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- Jul 2006
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- Athelstone, SA 5076
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14th Dec 2018, 02:43 PM #8Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2007
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- sydney ( st marys )
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- 64
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Could always try the suck it and see method.
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