Air Reels on Lift Posts?

[MartyO]

What have y'all done to mount them up?

I wanted to bolt mine to the uprights but the bolts look like they will interfere with the lift. I can mount them near the tops of the lifts and let the hose dangle down but I want to see what others have done before I do that.

Welding is an option, but that makes for servicability problems if the reel needs to come down.

Feel free to post up pictures.

Thanks!

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Weld a bracket to the column and then bolt the reels to the bracket.

 

[Hawk Thor]

How about carriage bolts? If clearance is an issue then those low-profile, smooth heads might just be the ticket.

 

[MartyO]

How about carriage bolts? If clearance is an issue then those low-profile, smooth heads might just be the ticket.

Agreed and i thought of that, but where do you get square drills bits to make those square holes for the carriage bolts.

 

[CARS]

Agreed and i thought of that, but where do you get square drills bits to make those square holes for the carriage bolts.

File the corners after you drill the hole

 

[allinon72]

If you can find appropriately sized ones, use ubolts to secure a plate to the post. Then secure the reel to the plate. Completely adjustable and reversible.

 

[machine_punk]

or find a Greenlee square chassis punch for the carriage bolts you use most often. But, for a one-off situation, I'd file the corners too.

 

[66HertzClone]

I think I would be tempted to file corners in the drilled holes, then no worries as I tighten them up.

 

[nehog]

I used carriage bolts, when I mounted my reel on the Rotary lift. Worked well, just drilled holes slightly smaller than the 'square' and they locked in nicely.

 

[Garys Garage]

I drilled and tapped the lift up right. Use short bolts.

 

[MartyO]

I used carriage bolts, when I mounted my reel on the Rotary lift. Worked well, just drilled holes slightly smaller than the 'square' and they locked in nicely.

I drilled and tapped the lift up right. Use short bolts.

Can you post pictures of where on the lift you drilled and mounted the bolts?

 

[Skyking1992]

I mounted mine near the top of the upright. Drilled and tapped. Use short bolts - it won't matter where you mount it as long as the bolts don't extend through the upright.

 

[Motofixxer]

Yep drill and tap is what I would do. Otherwise just a regular thru bolt should work fine. At the top of the post there isn't really anything moving to interfere with on most lifts. Of course look at your lift fully raised and see what kinda clearance you have.

 

[nehog]

Also, don't forget you can get (from Grainger, or probably Fastenal) low profile head hex bolts.

Nothing wrong with tapping the holes either, just make sure the end of the bolt doesn't stick too far through the hole. I did tap holes for some other things I've added to my lift (hooks to hold my stainless bowls that I drop lug nuts into...)

 

[Hawk Thor]

I some times drill a hole that is smaller than the square on the carriage bolt and then tighten until the bolt has been driven into the hole. They get a very good grip and they come out easily with a hammer.

 

[Steves32]

I have my hose reel mounted to wall at head of lift. Works for me.

 

[MartyO]

I have my hose reel mounted to wall at head of lift. Works for me.

The front wall is to far ahead of the lifts.

I have four lifts staggered across the shop so I want to put in two reels (well I really want to put in 4 but I am trying to save a few bucks).

My plan is to mount (either olted or welded) the reels on the right side of the left most lift and the right side of the left most lift so that the reels can be shared between the pairs of the lifts.

I will also keep in place the air chucks which are mounted around the perimeter of the shop for use with coiled hoses as well.

I have all of my parts and fittings in hand but now it is going to rain on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday so I do not know if I will get a chance to do the install yet. I guess that will give me more time to consider the weld on vs. bolt on choice.

 

[nehog]

Personally I would not directly weld it (so you can more easily replace the reel at some point in the future.)

It only took me a very short time to get mine mounted, made a template (why didn't it come with one?) taped it to the upright, and drilled the holes. I spent more time looking for four carriage bolts then anything else!

 

[NitroPress]

Mount the reels on the ceiling with drop hoses that come down to reachable height.

I'd be leery of drilling or welding anything on a lift if it can at all be avoided.

 

[JustBob]

Agreed and i thought of that, but where do you get square drills bits to make those square holes for the carriage bolts.

You can buy drill bits to drill square, triangle, hexagon, and other shaped holes.... although you need a floating chuck as well.

 

[MartyO]

Tackled this project today.

I ended up bolting the reels to the top sections of the uprights in two lifts.

I am very pleased with the results. Thanks for all of the input.