Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 26
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,277

    Default Suggestions on moving a AL-330 Lathe.

    Hi Gents,
    I have a H&F AL-330 lathe that I will need to move to a need home in the coming months.

    I will probably employ a Moving company( using a tail lift ) to do all the grunt work, but I am trying to decide on the easiest way to get the lathe to the lift and off again.

    Suspect truck will not be able to get within 30m of the shed( low eaves) and it will be a gentle rising slope on pavers to get to the truck.
    I have an Engine Crane. Lathe is on the H&F lathe stand.

    My thoughts are to lift the lathe and stand together and place on 2 HD Bunnings dollys, stap down and push onto the truck lift OR
    Detatch the lathe from the Stand and move the same way, separately? Thoughts?

    How many people would it take to push a 350 kg lathe up a gentle slope?.....lol Too dangerous?
    Either way ok or is there a better way?

    I also have a HM-45 Mill to move as well. Suspect that will definately have to be separated from its stand to be moved. Too top heavy.


    Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    Definitely a good idea using the taillift.

    Although they can handle the weight, I wouldn't be keen on using the Bunnings dollys. IME they are quite narrow between the wheels, and in this situation likely tippy.
    Get hold of a pallet jack (the moving company may even have one you can use), and get the lathe on an actual pallet or similar pallet style arrangement (build a custom sized one in situ if need be).
    Orientate the lathe so its 90deg to the pallet jack, and so that the lathe headstock will be at the top going up the slope, and strap it down to the pallet.

    With the headstock up-slope it won't tend to tip over, but the width of the pallet and the fact that the pallet will only be ~20mm off the ground will give it plenty of width in the base to keep it stable anyway.

    Only guessing as I've no idea on the steepness of the slope, but I think you'd be OK with 3 people. One on the pallet jack from upslope and 2 pushers.

    Just my 2c worth.

    Edit: Also use something on the pavers to make it easier to roll the pallet jack if its likely to drop into the gaps between the pavers.

    Steve

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    257

    Default

    They are easy enough to separate from the stand if you have an engine crane (which you do). 6 bolts.

    Then you can get it down low to the ground and minimise the tipping risk. Either put it on your two dollys, or strap to a pallet and move it. Moving it on its stand makes it very top heavy.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    When my lathe was shifted, it was all about relocating weight and center of gravity.Mine is the same generic as yours, a 12 x 36.

    Any thing able to be removed from the lathe top was stored in the bottom metal lockers.

    That moved the center of gravity and lathe was less likely to turn turtle during the move
    We are talking both chucks,and tailstock.

    Not sure about the low eaves comment but assume the eaves of the house (not the shed) interfere with the height of the truck .


    As suggested, a pallet with a skid arrangement-the lathe all bolted down of course might be an an answer.

    Another way might be to take the base off and sit it straight down on the pallet and bolt it down. and put pipe rollers under the skids and use a ropes and a block and tackle to ease it down the slope if its only a slight gradient as you say.Mine came in a box and used that boxes with 2" pipe rollers.I did that by myself. Check the specs thy are not a huge weight- less than 500kgs and less again stripped of some of the upper running gear

    All the same,I would suggest a few bodies for the incline to move pipes and man the ropes.

    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,277

    Default

    thank you gentlemen, food for thought.
    Will see if I can get a pallet as long as the Lathe or mke one...

    yes, the Eaves are on the house. Too low for the removal truck to get past, and it is a rising slope to the front of the block......

    Will do all the prep work before the day to make things easy on the day.

    Steve

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Pro tip-
    Those side by side things, can ams, quad bikes etc... all come in giant wooden crates.
    Any motorbike shop that moves a few of them usually loves to give them away.
    It's the case up my way at least...
    Your milage may vary if you are metropolitan and no one is buying those types of vehicles near you though.

    Left field idea otherwise...
    Have you seen those battery powered mini tractors with tank tracks the grey nomads use to move caravans around? Attend your local caravan park. For a few glasses of fruity lexia around happy hour, Mable might be very happy to lend it out if a charming young lad were to entice her...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,277

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by Commander_Keen View Post
    Pro tip-
    Those side by side things, can ams, quad bikes etc... all come in giant wooden crates.
    Any motorbike shop that moves a few of them usually loves to give them away.
    It's the case up my way at least...
    Your milage may vary if you are metropolitan and no one is buying those types of vehicles near you though.

    Left field idea otherwise...
    Have you seen those battery powered mini tractors with tank tracks the grey nomads use to move caravans around? Attend your local caravan park. For a few glasses of fruity lexia around happy hour, Mable might be very happy to lend it out if a charming young lad were to entice her...

    LOL....I'll keep that in mind....

    There are a couple of bike shops locally, so i will give them a visit and see what they say. Thanks.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    I've moved mine a few time, I lifted just the lathe itself without tray or cabinets onto a my Ute with a engine crane.
    You could hire a Ute and then you could put both the mill and lathe on in the same trip.
    Using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    On the Bellarine
    Posts
    167

    Default

    Steve.......

    Have a similar spec lathe which I have moved several times so offer some suggestions that may assist...I made up a cradle/frame to sit the lathe on - easy welding fab job...rectangular frame was made from RHS 100x75x3mm but whatever is handy should work provided it can carry the weight....need to weld a cross bar/brace across the width to sit under the head stock mounting holes and drill the mounting holes through that....the tail stock holes drilled right through one end of the cradle/frame

    Get hold of some lockable casters - make sure they are rated to carry the weight and attach them on the bottom of the frame. The bigger the better as they allow easier movement over rougher surfaces such as expansion cracks in concrete flooring, cats tail, door sills etc...

    Lift your lathe onto it - I have an engine crane - cheap enough and always useful so worth getting one for the man cave....and then bolt your lathe to the cradle using the lathe mount holes after you lower the lathe in position on it - that way it is secure then you can easily push your lathe wherever you want....to get it on a trailer or whatever, then I sit it on blocks (I don't trust lockable casters), tie it down - it won't move.....I've transported mine over hundreds of kms in a trailer that way without it moving

    Come time to install the lathe in new position leave it on the cradle if you like on top of the cabinets or stands whatever (measure the height required) - then use longer bolts to tie it down....or just lift it off the cradle and place where you want....those steel cabinets are a PITA, made for vertically challenged people so I made my own frame and sit the cradle on top, then the lathe is bolted to them both - it allows the lathe to sit up 4" through clearance which is great to remove chips etc, can make a drip tray to suit or drawer etc....it is quite rigid, no movement at all....

    There's no manual lifting or weight shifting this way - other than pushing it into position....bigger the casters - easier to move

    If you can't weld, then I would recommend getting someone who can to knock you up a frame, even if you have to pay for it.....certainly be worth it.....hope that helps....Lee

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Salisbury SA
    Age
    66
    Posts
    17

    Default Skate Sugesstion

    You could buy these 4 skates then bolt the lathe & mill to them, then after the move use them for storing tote boxes on in the workshop.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-Set-Ti...53.m2749.l2649


    They are made of steel & cast wheels, not like the Bunnings skates, don't ask me how I know ;-)

    Peter

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    Hire a suitable crane to move your machine/s after you have them clear of your shed.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    Just to give you a idea of how much force is required to roll a particular weight, I was moving the engine for my project landrover around tonight.
    430kg on 4x 90mm casters. Good concrete surface and it was just a firm push with one hand.



    Pulled out the trusty Salter spring balance and that's 20-25kg to get it moving, then about 18kg to keep it going.

    FWIW, my preference for things with 4 wheels is only have casters on 2 wheels and fix the other 2.
    Sooooo much more controllable - particularly on a side slope.

    Steve

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Posts
    292

    Default

    I have basically the same lathe and mill so when I moved I made simple pallet out of 3x4/4x4 stuff I had from other pallets but posts would do if you need to buy some. I lag bolted the machines to them and I'll add that I took them off their stands. I made them big enough so that when pushed against a wall of the container the machine couldn't touch it. I used pipes to roll them to the container and then the engine hoist to lift them in. A 2x4 was pressed into service to push them around inside the container. I did it by myself without any problems but help would make it easier and faster. They were secure and never budged on the 1,500km trip to here.

    Pete

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Bundoora, Victoria
    Posts
    20

    Default

    We moved my uncle's lathe with an engine hoist and 4 people up more than a slight slope and onto a tandem trailer. The lathe was over 500kg with a cast iron base.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,277

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by QC Inspector View Post
    I have basically the same lathe and mill so when I moved I made simple pallet out of 3x4/4x4 stuff I had from other pallets but posts would do if you need to buy some. I lag bolted the machines to them and I'll add that I took them off their stands. I made them big enough so that when pushed against a wall of the container the machine couldn't touch it. I used pipes to roll them to the container and then the engine hoist to lift them in. A 2x4 was pressed into service to push them around inside the container. I did it by myself without any problems but help would make it easier and faster. They were secure and never budged on the 1,500km trip to here.

    Pete

    Thanks pete.
    I will have some sort of help...but will give it some thought.
    The lathe and Mill are in a different town atm, so I will have to inspect and form a plan.
    Steve

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. First lathe suggestions
    By gastraea in forum GUNSMITHING
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 29th May 2017, 12:05 PM
  2. Lathe Moving Advice
    By marty989 in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 4th Aug 2015, 08:46 PM
  3. CNC lathe spindle suggestions sought.
    By pippin88 in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 26th Nov 2014, 03:32 PM
  4. cheap lathe suggestions ?
    By welder in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 28th Nov 2012, 07:51 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •