Lifting an SX2P Mill

I have been considering buying an SX2P mill for some time but have been put off by the problem of lifting it up onto the bench. I am self isolatiing and being the wrong side of 80 would not attempt a manual lift of 70kg and would not ask anyone else to either . All other alternatives such as engine hoist, chain block and tackle etc were out for various reasons.

It occurred to me that if the Ancient Egyptians could raise 100 ton blocks of stone up onto the Pyramids I should be able to lift a 70kg 3ft onto a bench using what is believed to be their method., and so I went ahead on that basis.

One 12 ft section of an extending aluminium ladder was used as the inclined plane positioned so that about 2ft was over the bench. 2 hook bolts were fitted over a rung and through the bench to prevent any movement. I had tested the ladder on two timber packers just off the floor with a 90 kg ( me ) load at mid span.

As can be seen in the pics it was was fortunate that the batterns on the underside of the packing case were ideally space to act as guides against the sides of the ladder.

I had considered using a bottle jack to push the case up the plane but in the event found that although it required a bit more effort a length of wood used as a lever was quicker.

When the case was over the bench it was easy to lift the bottom of the ladder and place a step ladder for support . The ladder could now be withdrawn and the case dismantled on the bench.

See pics

The most difficult part of the job was reassembling the ladder and re roping it.

Hi Cliff,

It just goes to show that the Egyptians weren't that clever after all. Glad it worked out OK for you.

Well done you

A job made easy with a modicum of thought and planning. Well done and safely executed.

A workshop in which a 12' ladder can be moved? How is that possible?

you might be a little older than me but we still have our marbles.

enjoy the SX2P, best thing I have bought, apart from the lathe of course.

My brother has a similar task tomorrow/Monday. He is replacing his current Rayburn with a newer model, has to negotiate a difference in height (less than the Cliff’s gradient) and bridge a gap. He has made a frame to accommodate the Rayburns and it will run on two pieces of very heavy angle welded apart with spacers. Old will be pulled out with a winch and the new one lowered down the slope by some other means.

The heavier one weighs 400kg. Inclined planes are very useful.

Cliff,

Good thinking.

I wish I'd seen this before 'lifting' my SX2P up on to my bench.

Leaving it attached to it's crate also probably made it more stable on the ladder.

I got mine up by taking the mill out of the crate - I should have then taken off the mill table to reduce weight, but didn't.

I then started sliding/stacking 3"x3" offcuts of fencing posts under each side of the base. I did this 3x times then slid the mill over on to an aluminium workbench. I then re-introduced the fencing posts. This took the mill to about 6" under the bench level.

I reckoned I could then manually lift it the last few inches. I could, but the table (...should have removed it!) got caught under the bench and, with the motor pointing my chin upwards, I couldn't see the problem. So for 2-3 seconds I took the full weight, then figured out the issue and got the mill onto the bench.

That was quite a few weeks ago...my back is only now recovering

Ches.