Curved overhead crane track

[jabberwoki]

Looking for the track to make an overhead rail/crane system for my shop
like a curved i beam.
Does not have to be huge just enough to lift a motor.
I've found a good deal on a 3 phase 2 ton hoist so my mind is conjugating the possibilities.

 

[ydna]

Depending on the section size you use for a runway, you may be able to buy something through a steel fabricator. Most structural shops have at least some ability to roll an I beam into a curve, providing you don't need too tight a radius or too heavy a section. You'd be rolling it in the "easy" direction at least.

There may be cold formed products available too I suppose. I've never checked though.

 

[jabberwoki]

Yeah the i beam could be fairly small and the curve is a 90 degree over about 10 feet or so

 

[machine_punk]

I was on one of those old military ships, that is like a floating museum. This one had a machine shop in it and had a steel beam running through most of that deck for a trolley hoist. It doesn't help you get yours bent, but it is picture of what I think you are talking about...

 

[Outlawmws]

Why bent? two other options:

Two rails, and the trolly track across those so you have full coverage, and the other is to "hinge" one end of the rail, and let the other end run on a second rail so it can swing. you lose side to side motion near then hinge, but sometimes that does not matter.

 

[coldfusion21]

Never seen a curved one, I think that would be interesting.

Do they exist or is this a custom idea?

 

[akdiesel]

This may be a thought.
http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=literature&archive=&horizon=&doc=Trolley&zm=out&pg=3

 

[shopnut]

Don't know if this will help any, but I pulled the mono-rail system out of my dad's old dairy barn to create my full perimeter library ladder rail. The way I supported it definitely wouldn't lift an engine, but with the proper hangers it will. The original track/trolley system was probably good for around 1000 lbs when mounted in the barn, and I did move small block chevys around with it back then.

Maybe check out some farm auctions. This equipment was from the 1930's.

(Lots of details are given in my Asylum build thread if you're curious. Look for "Library Ladder" in the index on page 1)

 

[shopnut]

This may be a thought.
http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=literature&archive=&horizon=&doc=Trolley&zm=out&pg=3

I've used some Unistrut pieces for my front hoist. They are quality pieces but pricey. The P2949 wheels that I used are rated at 400#, if I recall correctly. It looks like you could easily make your own, however, with some bearings, pins, and flat stock and fit it into the Unistrut channel.

This will drop you in the correct spot in my thread: Reply #904
(Check out "Hoist, Front Loft" in my index for more details)

 

[jabberwoki]

Why bent? two other options:

Two rails, and the trolly track across those so you have full coverage, and the other is to "hinge" one end of the rail, and let the other end run on a second rail so it can swing. you lose side to side motion near then hinge, but sometimes that does not matter.

Can you explain your first idea a bit better i`m having a hard time visualizing it.

 

[Outlawmws]

This is an under hung version there are overhung, versions as well..

 

[d.swanson]

There are many industrial overhead trolley suppliers such as this: http://www.hubbell-gleason.com/HWS/Workstations/SpecApps.pdf

They are expensive new, but if you get them used...
One of my previous employers gave rails like this away to some of the welders to make trailers out of.

 

[PECVD2]

We have this Jib/bridge crane at work. Track is an 8" Ibeam.

 

[buzz4041]

You can get bent to your specs at a structural steel supplier. We use hundreds of them in every plant we build so that maintanance can get valves out of the areas for overhauls. Give them your load requirements and dimensional layout and of course be ready to open your wallet for this as structural steel is not cheap and then to have it rolled on top of it. Have you thought about a swinging gantry to achieve what you need. You can fab this setup on your own and a lot cheaper if it will work for you.
Good luck. I just fabbed up a rolling A frame for my use that is adjustable in height.

 

[jabberwoki]

We have this Jib/bridge crane at work. Track is an 8" Ibeam.

Cut that down and sent it to me! That would be perfect

 

[jabberwoki]

You can get bent to your specs at a structural steel supplier. We use hundreds of them in every plant we build so that maintanance can get valves out of the areas for overhauls. Give them your load requirements and dimensional layout and of course be ready to open your wallet for this as structural steel is not cheap and then to have it rolled on top of it. Have you thought about a swinging gantry to achieve what you need. You can fab this setup on your own and a lot cheaper if it will work for you.
Good luck. I just fabbed up a rolling A frame for my use that is adjustable in height.

In all honesty i could get away with my engine hoist but i like the idea of the overhead track if i can get away with it used.

 

[buzz4041]

In all honesty i could get away with my engine hoist but i like the idea of the overhead track if i can get away with it used.

Yea I do to but it just wasn't practical that is why I built the adjustable A frame. It is easy to move around and can go to the work place when needed. Good luck in your search. Just remember the structure you attach to is going to need to able to support it and the load.

 

[hidollartoys]

Yea I do to but it just wasn't practical that is why I built the adjustable A frame. It is easy to move around and can go to the work place when needed. Good luck in your search. Just remember the structure you attach to is going to need to able to support it and the load.

HIJACK!!!!!!

Buzz, can you show us your A-frame????

 

[Addrock]

Has anyone suggested a jib crane?

 

[kbs2244]

A somewhat similar problem.
He curved his own track.
I like the way the two interact.
http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/projects/crane/crane.html

 

[Outlawmws]

A interesting solution, but he could have used a straight I beam and two trollies (one on each I beam) and done the same thing straight.

 

[rlitman]

A interesting solution, but he could have used a straight I beam and two trollies (one on each I beam) and done the same thing straight.

Yes, and that would have given him a wider range of motion.
More importantly, when you are supported by the curve, hanging from between two suspension points, you are putting a torque on the suspension points. When you have two straight beams, the force on the suspension points is always straight down.

Having two beams though does introduce a new issue. You'll want to come up with a way to keep the moving center beam squared up.

 

[BigAl62]

Not a curved track setup, but how about this? http://www.shopcrane.com/

 

[d.swanson]

Possible future you-**** - I have a trolley for free to anyone in central North Carolina that wants to pick it up - too heavy to ship. It has pivoting axles so it will work on a curved track (but I don't think it will work on a standard I-Beam).

 

[Mr_fixit]

I like jib cranes..