Light duty overhead gantry from steel pipe

[shedfullatools]

So a while back I had a post about using barn door track as a light duty overhead gantry on the "my tractor forum"and it was a unanimous no. I recently acquired this piece of 1/4" wall steel pipe and thought I could make it work for this purpose. Last night I started, the ends of the pipe will be supported with some very heavy channel and flat stock, these will be bolted to the beam up through the bottom and in from the sides. The pipe will sit on the channel as you can see in the pictures and be welded on from there, The carriage is still in the works but you'll see that later. The gantry will be able to pick things up from the middle of my little shop and bring them over to the workbench, not a problem that it doesn't go to the door because I can back my little trailer right to the workbench in the shed. Anyways the pictures will show everything better then I can explain it sooo...

 

[shedfullatools]

More pictures...

 

[BD1]

Do you have unistrut available there ?
http://www.unistrutohio.com/products/p5000/

Then get these rollers,
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KN9UA0S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[shedfullatools]

Do you have unistrut available there ?
http://www.unistrutohio.com/products/p5000/

Then get these rollers,
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KN9UA0S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Probably could get my hands on some but it would take some doing, some driving and some money, unless I could get a piece locally for a good price that stuff is out too It would be perfect for the light duty use this is going to see but I don't see myself going in another direction than the pipe right now

 

[shedfullatools]

Got the brackets that fit over the beam all welded up and then welded in the pipe on both ends. I brought in the ladder and lifted this thing up over the beam, both ends fit perfectly and I am quite happy with that bit. Tomorrow I will get it put in place and start on the carriage. Im going to need help with getting it into place as it is quite heavy and I see no easy way to mark out the holes in the beam alone and get it bolted on without dropping it

 

[Jon Jacobs]

Very clever. Nice home grown solution.

 

[shedfullatools]

Very clever. Nice home grown solution.

Thanks!! Ive looked and looked but cant find another in this style made with pipe but as long as I get the carriage right it should be good for what I want...

 

[shedfullatools]

Got it all painted up and found some wheels for the carriage so tomorrow I will hang it and start building the carriage, Cant wait to have it usable...

 

[shedfullatools]

Got it bolted on today, ended up doing it alone which wasn't all that bad except for all the times it was lifted up then taken right back down just to mark holes and stuff. One end bolted up perfectly and on the other end the bolts that go in the side went in perfectly but the ones that go up through the top stripped out I had no way to drill bigger holes for bigger bolts without taking it back down again so I ended up making the bracket in the pictures, its all 1/4'' plate too. I bolted it to the beam then welded it to the end of the gantry all in place so I didn't have to take that damn pipe down again. Bit of paint and I think that bracket made the thing look much nicer, tomorrow I will start on the carriage for sure

 

[shedfullatools]

Pictures right after welding and then painted...

 

[metalhead212121]

looks good to me....

what do you think the max weight capacity is?? (what's the HEAVIEST thing YOU feel comfortable putting on there?)

 

[shedfullatools]

looks good to me....

what do you think the max weight capacity is?? (what's the HEAVIEST thing YOU feel comfortable putting on there?)

At this point Im thinking 300 pounds, should be good for what I want. I would feel reasonably comfortable with 500 on it but the beam its mounted to already has enough weight above to worry about without me adding more below. If that wood beam falls the loft full of stuff above it may come down too then my whole workshop is a write off, so I don't want to chance too much weight on my gantry, I am planning to beef up the supports for the beam soon though so maybe then I would feel better about a but more weight...

 

[sbosecker]

shedfullatools,

I am curious as to the length and the outside diameter of the pipe.

Best regards,

Scott

 

[shedfullatools]

shedfullatools,

I am curious as to the length and the outside diameter of the pipe.

Best regards,

Scott

2 1/2'' diameter on the pipe it is just over 8' long and 1/4'' wall thickness...Everything else is made from all 1/4'' material or larger, the brackets were made from c-channel that was 3/4'' thick where the end of the pipe sits on it...

 

[CNGsaves]

Did you fill the pipe with concrete for those really HEAVY loads ???

 

[shedfullatools]

Did you fill the pipe with concrete for those really HEAVY loads ???

Oh boy wish I had of thought of that Think how beefy it would be

 

[shedfullatools]

I got the carriage mostly built today, took lots of pictures so brace yourself The main part is made from two pieces of angle welded together than the plates a come along or hoist will attach to are made from 1/4'' plate. I have lots of little gussets for this I will weld on tomorrow, they will make it look much beefier

 

[shedfullatools]

After it was all welded out...

 

[Divcod]

At this point Im thinking 300 pounds, should be good for what I want. I would feel reasonably comfortable with 500 on it but the beam its mounted to already has enough weight above to worry about without me adding more below. If that wood beam falls the loft full of stuff above it may come down too then my whole workshop is a write off, so I don't want to chance too much weight on my gantry, I am planning to beef up the supports for the beam soon though so maybe then I would feel better about a but more weight...

Did a quick calculation on the deflection of your pipe with a 300#force which was approx 2.65". There will also be a high point load based on the contact area of your carriage wheels. My suggestion would be the have a structural engineer do some quick calculation to confirm the strength of your system or provide suggestions on modifications.

 

[catalytic]

At this point Im thinking 300 pounds, should be good for what I want. I would feel reasonably comfortable with 500 on it but the beam its mounted to already has enough weight above to worry about without me adding more below. If that wood beam falls the loft full of stuff above it may come down too then my whole workshop is a write off, so I don't want to chance too much weight on my gantry, I am planning to beef up the supports for the beam soon though so maybe then I would feel better about a but more weight...

I don't know how things are up North, but down here I would first test it with the heaviest load I wanted to lift with other people way far away, then put a big sign on that gantry that said "do NOT lift more than [1/3 of tested weight]" on it, or "NOT FOR LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS" or something.

Not only would there be all sorts of liability issues from using this here, but besides that, the next guy on the property is bound to think that underneath it is a great place to stand while using it to lift up the front of his truck...

Looks quite useful, though!

 

[Divcod]

I don't know how things are up North, but down here I would first test it with the heaviest load I wanted to lift with other people way far away, then put a big sign on that gantry that said "do NOT lift more than [1/3 of tested weight]" on it, or "NOT FOR LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS" or something.

Not only would there be all sorts of liability issues from using this here, but besides that, the next guy on the property is bound to think that underneath it is a great place to stand while using it to lift up the front of his truck...

Looks quite useful, though!

Safety factor for lifting devices is generally 5x the rated capacity. Not sure of the US requirement but as you pointed out liability is a big risk and can out last ownership. Agree the lift would be useful just need to define its capability.

 

[lakeroadster]

2 1/2'' diameter on the pipe it is just over 8' long and 1/4'' wall thickness...Everything else is made from all 1/4'' material or larger, the brackets were made from c-channel that was 3/4'' thick where the end of the pipe sits on it...

• 2" pipe = 2-3/8" O.D., std wall = 0.154, xh = 0.218
  
• 2-1/2" pipe = 2-7/8" O.D., std wall = 0.203, xh = 0.276

So which of these do you have? Or is it tubing and not pipe?

How much does the trolley weight?

Pipe is pretty much horrible in regard to using it as a beam in this fashion.

 

[joe49]

Safety factor for lifting devices is generally 5x the rated capacity. Not sure of the US requirement but as you pointed out liability is a big risk and can out last ownership. Agree the lift would be useful just need to define its capability.

3x for static 5x for running.

 

[D1005]

Unanimous no on the barn door track? Mine, and others I know of, work just fine. Depending on the track and dollies chosen, rated loads are 450-600 pounds, well within your 300 pounds. Kinda late now, huh?

 

[lakeroadster]

Unanimous no on the barn door track? ...

Nope.. not a unanimous No. Great idea, why reinvent the wheel

Just make sure you use it within it's specific load rating.

 

[shedfullatools]

Did a quick calculation on the deflection of your pipe with a 300#force which was approx 2.65". There will also be a high point load based on the contact area of your carriage wheels. My suggestion would be the have a structural engineer do some quick calculation to confirm the strength of your system or provide suggestions on modifications.

I did that up when I started with an online calculator All I have to say is we will see what happens

 

[shedfullatools]

I don't know how things are up North, but down here I would first test it with the heaviest load I wanted to lift with other people way far away, then put a big sign on that gantry that said "do NOT lift more than [1/3 of tested weight]" on it, or "NOT FOR LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS" or something.

Not only would there be all sorts of liability issues from using this here, but besides that, the next guy on the property is bound to think that underneath it is a great place to stand while using it to lift up the front of his truck...

Looks quite useful, though!

I will give it a good test before I put it into use As for 1/3 of max tested weight, If I could only lift that much it would no longer serve any purpose Its in a building that only I use and I can guarantee should never change hands so liability is not a big concern of mine... If this was a business It would be done properly but for my own use, well if it falls on me its my own stupid fault

 

[shedfullatools]

Safety factor for lifting devices is generally 5x the rated capacity. Not sure of the US requirement but as you pointed out liability is a big risk and can out last ownership. Agree the lift would be useful just need to define its capability.

As I said in my reply to the post you are referring to, for something that already has such a small max capacity in mind to go 5x lower I wouldn't need a hoist at all...

 

[shedfullatools]

• 2" pipe = 2-3/8" O.D., std wall = 0.154, xh = 0.218
  
• 2-1/2" pipe = 2-7/8" O.D., std wall = 0.203, xh = 0.276

So which of these do you have? Or is it tubing and not pipe?

How much does the trolley weight?

Pipe is pretty much horrible in regard to using it as a beam in this fashion.

I really should have been more clear about that part, It is tubing and very heavy tubing at that...No weld visible on the inside either, is that good or bad in this application?? To be honest I am very new to the fabricating scene and not real up on materials and their individual qualities...

 

[LXCam]

Did a quick calculation on the deflection of your pipe with a 300#force which was approx 2.65". There will also be a high point load based on the contact area of your carriage wheels. My suggestion would be the have a structural engineer do some quick calculation to confirm the strength of your system or provide suggestions on modifications.

There's no way its that much. Maybe .265".

I've spent 30 years bending rigid conduit and have installed tens of thousands of feet of the stuff all the way up to 5". Hell years ago I made a 10ft boom for my skidsteer from a stick of 3" rigid and have loaded iron long blocks without even a hint of flex.

I'll agree limiting the amount of load to 300lbs is prudent, but not because of the tubing used.

 

[shedfullatools]

Unanimous no on the barn door track? Mine, and others I know of, work just fine. Depending on the track and dollies chosen, rated loads are 450-600 pounds, well within your 300 pounds. Kinda late now, huh?

That was my thinking as well, if it is rated at 600 pounds why not right?? When I posted about it on the other forum other than a couple people who said they had thought about it themselves the bulk of the replies said no it would not be near what I wanted. When I got this piece of tubing I decided it should work though. In the end doing it this way cost me a grand total of $15 and the barn door system would have been quite expensive for me so I am fine with this in the end

 

[shedfullatools]

There's no way its that much. Maybe .265".

I've spent 30 years bending rigid conduit and have installed tens of thousands of feet of the stuff all the way up to 5". Hell years ago I made a 10ft boom for my skidsteer from a stick of 3" rigid and have loaded iron long blocks without even a hint of flex.

I'll agree limiting the amount of load to 300lbs is prudent, but not because of the tubing used.

I couldn't believe it when the online calculator spat out 2.65'' of deflection at me, so I tested it me and my buddy at a combined weight of about 360 pounds jumped up and grabbed it Not a hint of movement

 

[CNGsaves]

Turning out nice OP . . . . great work !!

Now, when you want to go HEAVY . . . .
. . . . you know what's needed . . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . take it down, cut off end, fill pipe with concrete, re-weld & re-install
. . . .
THEN, build removable steel uprights that hold up each end when you want to hang a heavy load.

 

[shedfullatools]

Turning out nice OP . . . . great work !!

Now, when you want to go HEAVY . . . .
. . . . you know what's needed . . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . take it down, cut off end, fill pipe with concrete, re-weld & re-install
. . . .
THEN, build removable steel uprights that hold up each end when you want to hang a heavy load.

You're really tempting me, just think of the weight it would hold More than the shed floor or my little trailer could probably handle I do have steel jack posts I can slip under for those reallllly heavy loads

 

[shedfullatools]

Tonight I just about finished the carriage Just need to cut a piece of bar stock for the cross member that goes in the little cups that Ill hook the come along to. Got four coats of paint on it too so tomorrow should be final assembly and a test...As for weight concerns we put it to the test tonight...sorta. A buddy was over talking and asked how much I thought it could hold so I told him I hoped for about 300 pounds, he jumped up and grabbed it and I didn't even see a bit of movement, so I jumped on and still absolutely nothing, not a creak, crack or groan and definitely no deflection Combined I would say we weigh about 360 pounds, I was only sorta worried Man those are blurry, sorry...Next ones are better

 

[shedfullatools]

Pictures of the carriage on the beam itself, rides along it beautifully I grabbed the carriage and shimmied my way out to the end, worked great. Nice and smooth

 

[studebakerterry]

What are the wheels you used? From the pics they look like what we used on roller-skates years ago! Hey, if it does what you need it to do and saves you from a lousy back like mine, go for it! That trolley won't go anywhere if a wheel fails being closed at top. Really a nice design for someone not really experienced in that sort of thing. Nice job! Above all have fun but be safe!
Terry

 

[shedfullatools]

What are the wheels you used? From the pics they look like what we used on roller-skates years ago! Hey, if it does what you need it to do and saves you from a lousy back like mine, go for it! That trolley won't go anywhere if a wheel fails being closed at top. Really a nice design for someone not really experienced in that sort of thing. Nice job! Above all have fun but be safe!
Terry

I used skateboard wheels with sealed ball bearings, they work quite nicely for this

 

[shedfullatools]

Just went out and put it together, It looks decent with a coat of paint, soooo.... more pictures I also put a picture of how close to the end you can lift (pretty close)...

 

[lakeroadster]

Sooooo.. with the trolley at mid-span:

• take a picture of a tape measure showing the distance from the trolley to the beam @ zero weight
  
  Then hang the weight YOU feel comfortable with on the trolley..
  
  
• then take another picture of the distance from the trolley to the beam

Then tell us how much weight you added and post the photos.

We're curious... but be careful

Also, if you were to use threaded rod all the way across through the wheels, instead of bolts on either side, and if you had a wheel failure, the trolley would be less likely to fall off the pipe.