Thread: Lifting a Lathe

Gents.
I have just fitted a DRO to my Lathe (AL-335), and as a consequence, had to find another way to lift/move the lathe, as opposed to wrapping a soft sling around the bed.
I have been thinking about it and tossing ideas around for a while now, while discussing the pros and cons, via PM's with another list member......
My idea was to use the two outside M12 threaded holes that are used to pull the gap piece into place, to secure a small metal frame. I used 70mm crap screws in place of the existing 40mm ( I think) ones, which according to an online chart, each bolt should safely lift 700kg. ( Lathe is supposed to weigh 460kg)
My friend made a few points and wondered if the threads in the Chinese casting could be trusted. The thought never crossed my mind. so.......
I was wondering what the masses thought and if you think it would be a safe way to lift the lathe?

Sterob

Might be ok,want really know till you take the weight.

Can you put a sling under the Headstock and onre at the Tailstock end for a flat lift.


Can you place a suitable size piece of bar through the Headstock spindle and take a bite around one of the webs at the Tailstock end.

I certainly wouldn't be lifting 700 kg on those threaded holes. Does your lathe have gaps in the webs between the ways?

I couldn't lift my AL960B with strops due to the location of the leadscrew and drive rods. The manual showed the lathe being lifted with a fitting in the gaps in the bed. I made up a pair of lifting plates like the one in your picture that fitted down through the gaps in my bedway and bolted them to a cross plate that ran under one of the webs near the headstock - this gave me a positive, controllable lift with the bolts holding the rig all being in shear.

Hi guys,

If it is a help ,I shifted my 12 x 36 lathe by lifting through the cast web holes.

Leave the tailstock in place and move it to gain the correct balance point.

I Used a 1 ton slings with a 3x 2 hardwood.
Sling through the web hole and chock the 3 x 2 s through the loop of the slings

With care, it was possible to lift it with a 1 ton engine hoist. Moving was by use of a pallet jack.

If it is thought out properly you will be Ok.

Grahame

A bar through the headstock and a chain/sling around the bar and tailstock end. Adjust it to get the balance.

Grahame's method is a variation on mine, the only issue I had with using a sling through the ways is if the lathe is very top heavy as mine is the lathe can try and invert itself. It may not be an issue if there are a couple of you so one can hold the lathe upright but I had the devil of a job with the sling method operating on my own.

Originally Posted by Gavin Newman

I certainly wouldn't be lifting 700 kg on those threaded holes. Does your lathe have gaps in the webs between the ways?.

The lathe weighs about 450kg and the SWL of the M12 bolts is supposed to be 700kg each, so in theory, I have plenty of spare leeway.

The lathe does have gaps in the webs, but they are too far away from the headstock for a balanced lift. It would be very 'headstock' heavy. ( possibly because it has a gap bed.)

When I use a soft sling, it has to be as close to the chuck as possible to get a balance.......

Originally Posted by Avery

A bar through the headstock and a chain/sling around the bar and tailstock end. Adjust it to get the balance.

I didn't want to load the headstock bearings like that. maybe I am being too cautious, I don't know. I've heard of it being done though....