Help! Moving a big lathe...

[BillTodd]

This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen :(

Lathes are very top-heavy and often the weight is biased to the front of the machine so be very careful if using rollers; if one twists under it can topple the machine.

Remove as much of the weigh from the machine as possible (e.g. tail-stock top-slide , chuck cross-slide [these usually come off quite easily] carriage handle etc. etc.)

If you're going to use a trolley, take Phil's advice make it as wide as possible (be aware that castors can swivel inwards making the actual footprint narrower and less stable) and as low as possible then strap the lathe to the trolley. Make sure no one is ever pulling on the lathe or standing on the wrong side when someone is pushing.

Last time I helped to move a heavy lathe (Churchill Cub) over a lawn , we dismantled it first into parts , the heaviest bit, the bed still weighed in at ~100kg, but we were able to move it with a sack barrow.

Above all - think before you try to move it - do things one step at a time.

[edit] Only just spotted this!

Hopefully the hoist, if I can find/borrow one, will be able to lift it high enough to place on top of the steps - about 2' high.

There is no way an engine hoist will safely lift a lathe 2 feet in the air:surprised:

What make of lathe is it? because dismantling it sounds like your best option .

[Jonathan]

Remove as much of the weigh from the machine as possible (e.g. tail-stock top-slide , chuck cross-slide [these usually come off quite easily] carriage handle etc. etc.)

I was intending to take all that off, and the apron. The headstock looks like it will come of, I've had a look at the manual. I think the bed is fixed on to the stand with 6 bolts.

Obviously I would prefer not to remove the bed from the stand, but if that's the easiest way to shift it I will do as long as it's just a matter of time to get the lathe back together and running true.

[edit] Only just spotted this!
There is no way an engine hoist will safely lift a lathe 2 feet in the air:surprised:

What make of lathe is it? because dismantling it sounds like your best option .

I've just measured the step, it's only 400mm, patio at the top and bottom.

The lathe is a Colchester student, Mk "1.5" induction hardened bed...

[M250cnc]

I was intending to take all that off, and the apron. The headstock looks like it will come of, I've had a look at the manual. I think the bed is fixed on to the stand with 6 bolts.

Obviously I would prefer not to remove the bed from the stand, but if that's the easiest way to shift it I will do as long as it's just a matter of time to get the lathe back together and running true.

The lathes are shimmed to the bed/tray that is the last thing i would want to take off.

An alternative is to carefully turn the lathe upside down and support it on wood blocks this will have the stand in the air keeping the weight way down low.

Phil

[Jonathan]

The lathes are shimmed to the bed/tray that is the last thing i would want to take off.

Yes, I read about that a while ago hence why I'm reluctant to do that.

If I noted where each shim went, then carefully put them back in the same place would that work or might taking the bed off twist it a little differently? I can measure it by turning a long length of bar, checking the diameter is constant and using the DTI to check it is parallel. Or is there more to it than that?

[M250cnc]

Yes, I read about that a while ago hence why I'm reluctant to do that.

If I noted where each shim went, then carefully put them back in the same place would that work or might taking the bed off twist it a little differently? I can measure it by turning a long length of bar, checking the diameter is constant and using the DTI to check it is parallel. Or is there more to it than that?

They never go back the same no matter how careful you are. I would try to do it anyway but that way.

Phil

[Jonathan]

They never go back the same no matter how careful you are. I would try to do it anyway but that way.

Just out of interest have you done it before?
How much difference do you think it will make to the machine, given that I've never needed to turn anything longer than 250mm and that was a one off? Can't you compensate for twist to an extent by putting metal spacers under the corners of the stand?

This is what we've got to negotiate:

[M250cnc]

Jonathan your scenario is a lot harder than mine mine was a straight path, my path is more substantial than yours looks.

Taking the stand off will reduce the weight but i guess if you stripped every thing off you will only shave off 25% of the weight.

The lathes are shimmed & mounted to take out twist in the bed this is done by measuring not cutting that is why it is not to be attempted without the right equipment.

No i haven't done it on a lathe but i did on my small Taiwan mill and they are not in the same class "Junk" is how i would describe them, so no great loss.

Phil

[keith wainwright]

OK just done that with a Harrison m300 over a sloping lawn . First thing it WILL fall over if you are not very careful . I got mine round the back of house and bolted some very strong bits of wood through the bed held in place with strong rope. If it goes it can only go so far . Pull it on sheet metal as wood will dig in. Get people (strong not a girl) on rope either side of the lathe and use anchor points to steady it . Then pull nice and steady a bit at a time. My first go at this was about 5 years with a Colchester student and it fell over. it took a long time and a lot of effort to get it back up .Don't lift it on the lawn with an engine hoist or similar as it will sink in and the whole lot may go over Good luck .

[Clive S]

Keith You do realise that this post is about 4 years old