Can anyone please recommend, from personal experience, an A frame type engine lifting hoist, suitable for the home DIYer and collapsible for storage?
Can be hand crank or 12 volt, for lifting Fiesta/Metro size lump and box.
Any input much appreciated.
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Have a look at www.machinemart.co.uk - Clarke Professional Cranes.
DVD
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Thanks Dwight but I've already been there. Only trolley types, no A frames.
Still open to suggestions. Thanks.
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Scaffold tubes and clamps make an excellent set-up, usual disclaimers apply.
David
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David
My set up comprises flooring joists that were scrap on an adjacent building site (honest) and half inch studding, built into a portal frame, with additional bracing at the sides to keep it upright. Pulled out a Stag V8 and autobox a number of years back. Surely truly in the fenland tradition!
As you say, usual disclaimers.
Regards
John
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Ah very similar to mine then, all wood here!
Workshop door frame uprights are 2of 4"x4" close together, braced to each other and concreted 3' into the ground. Cross beam is 2of 8"x2" bolted together to give an extra-strong effective 8"x4".
When lifting from the beam I swing out 4"x2" braces that come down from the beam about 1' either side of the c/l and fix to the uprights some 4' from the ground. Forms a rough 30/60 trianglular brace.
Old 10cwt chain block and tackle found in the boot of a Citroen CX just prior to scrapping completes the set-up.
Managed the old Land Rover diesel engine without even 1/4" deviation at the beam centre, according the the "strain gauge".
Cheapskates rule!
David
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Horribly similar, even down to a dubious source for the chain block! Only difference is my system gets less use, so it's stored in the garage roof!
Regards
john
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David and John,
This term cheapskate sort of jars with me, even though we do indeed rule, if I may be so bold. SWMBO prefers scrimper, I'm much more comfortable with careful.
Hope you agree.
S
PS I assume you do cut Brillo pads in two? ;-)
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>I assume you do cut Brillo pads in two? ;-)
Brillo pads??.....more like bulk purchase wire wool with a squirt of Co-Op own brand cream cleaner, I'll mail you the projected yearly cost savings.
David
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Stuart
I'd agree - don't see this as cheapskate at all. Simply the cost-effective and practical answer to solving a problem that occurs very rarely. As a neighbour (ex REME officer) watching me lift the engine out of the Stag said - 'I can tell you're an engineer'. I took it as a compliment!
Regards
John
PS What's a Brillo pad?
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I know you have already seen the machine mart ones, but you do realise that they sell some ones that fold up for storage, and with them being 'trolley types' you have the option of being able to roll the engine away from the car to put it onto the ground with a lot more ease than an A frame type.
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Thanks Simon. Yes, I am aware of the advatages of the trolley type and wish I had a nice flat floored workshop on which to use one. I also wish that if I did get one of these, I would not have to mount a 24 hr "shotgun guard" to stop it being stolen.
So, back to the A frame please folks.
Happy Easter to all Backroomers and especially to you, Honest John.
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I've got an A-frame that I've had for years. I'm pretty sure the make was Hilka. I use it with a ratchet style hoist. I don't know if you can still buy A-frames these days. Try getting Hilkas phone number from your local auto store or Halfords.
The biggest problem I had with A-frames was the legs spreading under load. Admitedly the last time I used it I was lifting an SD1 V8 with gearbox!! With an A-series it should be OK. Just in case though, tie a rope from one leg to another to stop them spreading.
A fair alternative might be to use a childs swing frame. Keep the weight down by stripping the ancillaries off and the head too if that's coming off anyway.
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Thanks Cyd. Will check out Hilka.
Best regards.
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Yeah, I'll second the engine crane disappearing saga
My home made contraption (some years ago) complete with bottle-jack went missing one night from outside my garage :-(
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"Outside your garage" Round here you would have to chain it to the wall in your living room !
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On the same lines, some years ago, I vaugely remember that one could rent out a garage bay and lift. Does anyone know if this is still possible and who does so in the southern UK?
I could do with pulling the gearbox back on our A80, as the crankshaft seal was replaced along with the clutch two years ago, but oil still gets spun off the flywheel and dribbles out the bell housing...
Martin.
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