So if any of you are familiar, I made a mistake in identifying the lathe I bought. The pics weren't great and never showed the actual marking on the ways, so I tried to use google images to identify it. After more "googling" Im sure its a 12x30, and not a 16x30 I had thought it was. Im ok with that. Its a little lighter, smaller footprint, and to be frank I dont need the 18 1/2" swing the 16" offered. I thought I was getting a steal for a 16", but its now just an ok deal for a 12". Im not mad at it.
But now I need to move it. I called around and found a hydraulic drop deck trailer, but they insist I need a 3/4 ton truck to even rent it. So Im calling around to friends, and friends of friends, that I think may own a 3/4 ton truck. I have a 1/2 ton and with no amount of explaining that the gross trailer weight would still be less than half of my towing capacity, they politely said No.
So Ive found some material on the net, mainly from Vintage Machinery web site, and got the dimensions I needed. Im thinking of building 2 wooden skates by making it out of 2x4 and 500lb casters. Thinking about 4 casters per skate, and then screwing the front and back ones together after its up on wheels with a 2x4 in the middle in between them to ease any stress on the legs. Thinking with a come along and ratchet straps I can get it up on the trailer without too much problem. I dont have an engine lift, and a forklift is "available" but i dont want to rely on that. So Im trying to think of a way to elevate each side high enough to slip the skates underneath.
And I know a lot of you are thinking that this sounds like an amateur idea. You're right. I've never moved something like this before. I can say that I have a healthy respect for all my digits and limbs, and have done my homework by reading many posts on here and other forums about the tips, dangers, and hairy tales of other machinery moves.
Im sure you've heard that before.
I still need to get a date set to go get it, so for now Im collecting things like pry bars, wood, casters, straps and what not.
Anyone see why my method wouldn't work to get it on the trailer?
Once on the trailer I plan to use 6 straps. 2 around the headstock and to each corner of the trailer, 2 around the bottom of the way frame close to where it attaches to the base the same way as the head stock. Then 2 going across the lathe but still pulling forward and rear of the trailer. I think this should limit all movement and make it 150 miles to home.
And if anyone has any ideas or thinking Im crazy and have a better way of doing it, please let me know. I never have a problem with getting direction and instruction from people more knowledgeable than myself.
Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.
But now I need to move it. I called around and found a hydraulic drop deck trailer, but they insist I need a 3/4 ton truck to even rent it. So Im calling around to friends, and friends of friends, that I think may own a 3/4 ton truck. I have a 1/2 ton and with no amount of explaining that the gross trailer weight would still be less than half of my towing capacity, they politely said No.
So Ive found some material on the net, mainly from Vintage Machinery web site, and got the dimensions I needed. Im thinking of building 2 wooden skates by making it out of 2x4 and 500lb casters. Thinking about 4 casters per skate, and then screwing the front and back ones together after its up on wheels with a 2x4 in the middle in between them to ease any stress on the legs. Thinking with a come along and ratchet straps I can get it up on the trailer without too much problem. I dont have an engine lift, and a forklift is "available" but i dont want to rely on that. So Im trying to think of a way to elevate each side high enough to slip the skates underneath.
And I know a lot of you are thinking that this sounds like an amateur idea. You're right. I've never moved something like this before. I can say that I have a healthy respect for all my digits and limbs, and have done my homework by reading many posts on here and other forums about the tips, dangers, and hairy tales of other machinery moves.
Im sure you've heard that before.
I still need to get a date set to go get it, so for now Im collecting things like pry bars, wood, casters, straps and what not.
Anyone see why my method wouldn't work to get it on the trailer?
Once on the trailer I plan to use 6 straps. 2 around the headstock and to each corner of the trailer, 2 around the bottom of the way frame close to where it attaches to the base the same way as the head stock. Then 2 going across the lathe but still pulling forward and rear of the trailer. I think this should limit all movement and make it 150 miles to home.
And if anyone has any ideas or thinking Im crazy and have a better way of doing it, please let me know. I never have a problem with getting direction and instruction from people more knowledgeable than myself.
Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.