Homemade spreader beam

Certainly not before you tell us how long it will be.

Nick

...

Igor - you would be much better off using cable or chain to do actual lifting and the bar just to spread:

? / \ ... ... / \ / \ |=======================| |=======================| @ @

You lose height, but the angle can be much more acute than can be drawn with ASCII graphics.

In this mode the bar is just in compression and not bending force.

Bob

Bob, you are 100% right and that is how I will do it, no doubt.

i

The nice thing with long slick bars is: They collapse suddenly under compression. I wouldn't cry losing that OT-posting-creature Iggy. So I strongly recommend that solution. No need for any math.

Nick

They don't need to be fancy either. The last rigging crew I watched lifting a large generator were using wire rope slings and for spreaders they just took some 4x4s off the truck, cut to length and notched the ends with a chain saw and were done with it. They worked just fine.

You might do well with just one of the engine levelers from HF that are intended for use with engine hoists. They get you the low headroom of a "real" spreader bar along with the convenient adjustability. Get the heavier model and you should do just fine.

Pete C.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That sketch and the way you posted it sure impresses me.

Jerry

I wouldn't do this because it is entirely reliant on the strength of the welds. It should be possible to design a lifting beam in which your welds only carry light loads, and if you're a home shop welder assembling a homebrew design it's a wise idea. It's what I'd do anyway.

A thought I just had is to attach three chain hoist beam clamps to a length of I-beam. Clamps like these (the first item on the page):

There should be a source for these in the US, and they aren't especially expensive. They're properly designed and come with a rated load, and you could no doubt get away with using a beam much smaller than the one in the picture. If you find a length of I-beam and want to know if it's strong enough, let me know. I can dig out my structural mechanics data book and check for you.

I wouldn't be inclined to use a length of angle. Because the angle is asymmetic (at least in the sense I anticipate you loading it), it will tend to twist which may significantly reduce its safe load capacity.

The idea of a spreader hanging from cables is also a sound idea, provided that it's sturdy enough.

Good luck!

Best wishes,

Chris

Makes sense.

Absolutely. I would not use angle, only I beams or square tubing.

Yes, that would be the way to go for me.

i

At first blush 14 gauge seems like it would be so thin that you would be pushing your luck.

Made my first one using chains - and a length of angle iron with a notch cut in each end of the angle so a chain link could slip into it

- and keep it in place where I needed it. Ken.

Just keep the line at less than abt 90 degress and it will not crush . But the ends must not be cantilevered . fasten by a loose method , with a point and not a Y unless you can figure how to keep the force always in the centerline of the Y . Then if you want to lift a lot more wt , simply tie the bar to the load , along it's length and make the load chains pinch the load .

14 gage box is bigger than .068 " wall here in AZ .

BTW Whats the HF 7 by 10 lathe NewsGroup ? I tried everything i knew ......

Ignoramus19471 wrote: