Back saver rotary table hoist

[OccupantRJ]

I bought a Bridgeport 12” rotary table for $100 about 4 years ago, and as I had time I refurbished it a bit at a time. I knew it would be too heavy to manually wrestle onto the mill table, so I came up with a way to handle it when needed.

There was already a cabinet in the corner by the mill so I mounted a barn door track to the roof structure at a 45 degree angle to the room. This allowed the rotary to be stored on the cabinet, then lifted a slight amount to glide over to the mill table.

To keep it simple I used a large 1/2” turnbuckle that I had on hand. A couple turns raises the rotab enough to travel. The mill table is simply adjusted to match elevation. It sure saves the back muscles and pinched fingers.

 

[Beerhippie]

Brilliant!

And: Ooh! Dazor magnifier lamp!

 

[WildBill]

Brilliant!

And: Ooh! Dazor magnifier lamp!

I recently bought some new ones for work, I had no idea they been around that long.

 

[alfadan]

That sucker's gotta weigh over 200lbs!

 

[MushCreek]

Nice set-up! I've seen one that was an articulated arm mounted to the back of the ram. I've been meaning to build one for years. I'm getting to the age where even lifting the Kurt vise is a bad idea.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Nice set-up! I've seen one that was an articulated arm mounted to the back of the ram. I've been meaning to build one for years. I'm getting to the age where even lifting the Kurt vise is a bad idea.

Understandable. I am in the same boat. Next step is to try it out on the vise to remove it from the table. Usually I can get by with sliding the vise to one end, but it would be nice to lift it off if needed without help around. This tested the theory, but now to take it a step further.

 

[RoninB4]

Also allows you to clean the bottom surface and stone it if needed. Nice rotab.

 

[OccupantRJ]

As a side note the grease gun on the wall is a $10 HF gun modified to pump way oil to the Bridgeport zerks as needed. I welded a cap over the end of the reservoir and use it upside down to pump the oil. I also ran remote lines from the oil passages of the lead screw nuts to a central location on the knee to make things easier to lube.

 

[MushCreek]

To lift the vise, just drill and tap a bar of steel for an eye bolt, and clamp it in the jaws to lift it. I need to build a tall table to put against the wall so I can move the rotary table and vise in case I need the bare mill table for bigger pieces. I very rarely use my rotary table because right now it's down on the floor, and I don't feel like picking it up. I do have a couple projects coming up that call for it, though.

 

[Beerhippie]

To lift the vise, just drill and tap a bar of steel for an eye bolt, and clamp it in the jaws to lift it. I need to build a tall table to put against the wall so I can move the rotary table and vise in case I need the bare mill table for bigger pieces. I very rarely use my rotary table because right now it's down on the floor, and I don't feel like picking it up. I do have a couple projects coming up that call for it, though.

I'd use a T-section rather than a flat bar. Size it so the T rests below the jaws when they close. Just a little added security when lifting a 100+ lb vise. I know I might not clamp it down tight enough once--and that's all it takes.

 

[BigMike782]

I used electrical strut fastened to the ceiling for the rail, built a trolley and used a small HF chain hoist. I pick it off the mill and set it in one of the drawers of a Simplicity pattern cabinet. Neat, tidy and out of sight.

 

[MushCreek]

Yeah, I could make a T-bar for lifting the vise. My vise jaws have clearance under them for a dovetail parallel system, so I could make it fit under there.

 

[no704]

I use a HF lift table to move my rt and vices onto a shelf. Lots of other things it gets used for too!

 

[Ultradog MN]

I made a small milling accessory table that is on casters. When I need to transfer a vise or the rotab to or from the mill I wheel it over, adjust the height of the knee and slide it on.

 

[MushCreek]

My problem is having enough shop space for yet another rolling table or cart. Ideally I would want something mounted to the mill itself, or maybe a wall-mounted shelf.

 

[OccupantRJ]

My problem is having enough shop space for yet another rolling table or cart. Ideally I would want something mounted to the mill itself, or maybe a wall-mounted shelf.

A factory near me closed, and my son got the freebies that they were dumping. He got 3 hydraulic lift tables in the deal and offered one to me, but it would have just gotten in the way in my shop and I have plenty of lifting and handling equipment. His uncle had given him a couple of older jet skis so he gave two of the lift tables to him for his large shop. That thrilled his 70 yr old uncle! Gotta look out for the people in your life who look out for you.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Here is my freshly refurbished lift table. Electric over hydraulic controlled with a retractable ceiling pendant.