Skyhook

[deere2210]

I got the 4th axis for my mill in December and have practically killed my back lifting it on/off and carrying over to the table. It weighs 160lb and with the chuck adding another 15-20lbs it is a back problem waiting to happen.. I ended up getting a skyhook jib and welding a cart up from some scrap steel. It's not pretty, (still need to throw some paint on it) but wow it sure is a back saver, and a lot safer taking 4th axis on/off and vises.. Only thing left is to find some ballast for the other end.

 

[elevator joe]

Nice lookin set up,never seen that style of hoist. How well does it work with the chain?

 

[Deltarat]

I always wondered what one of those looked like. When we could never find how to hang something, my Dad said " Hang it on a sky hook." Glad to finally see one.

 

[deere2210]

Chain works really well.. smooth lifting and has the brake on it to let it down slowly.

Nice lookin set up,never seen that style of hoist. How well does it work with the chain?

lol.. my wife keeps calling it "Skyfall".. too many 007 movies..

I always wondered what one of those looked like. When we could never find how to hang something, my Dad said " Hang it on a sky hook." Glad to finally see one.

 

[bad_idea]

I always understood the term "Sky Hook" to refer to hanging a chain fall or other lifting device from thin air because there wasn't a good spot for a beam clamp available. That is funny!

 

[Sureshot]

Nice job. Something I may need.

I collected the used lead weights from tire shops once for ballast. Melted them down and poured them in my container.

 

[Kaasdief]

The mythical "sky hook"!!!!

 

[skulldrinker]

ballast? put some more steel on it

or put a seat on the other side so you can sit down while you turn the crank.

 

[demographic]

Do you have a heavy welder?
Fairly useful item to have in a workshop and its handy if they are on wheels. Seems like it might go into that cart and kill two birds with one stone.

Or possibly a heavy tool chest that holds all your cutters, measuring equipment and tools.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Skyhook!? Dang, I'm still trying to find my 'Air Guitar'! lol

The cheapest ballast I can think of is a heavy duty plastic storage bin filled with water and silicone seal the lid on. One (or two) of the right size could live on the lower shelf. One gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds.

 

[toms73novass]

Nice! I have a medial lift I picked up for $50 to lift misc things around the shop including my rotary table for the mill.

I like your cart idea, might have to borrow that and have the top part of my setup on one.