Hi Phil, It's hard to tell exactly how your steel beams support the floor, but if they do support the floor above it - certainly you can have four big guys standing around a keg without worrying that the floor will collapse - I think you are correct that if you get a big thick hunk of steel square section or I-beam and bolt it (span) to three or four of your ceiling steel pieces, you are going to be way strong enough. How much does a 9-foot piano plate weigh? At most maybe 500 or 600 lbs. (probably less). That's like you, me and Dave standing in one spot - it's just not that much weight. My chainfall hangs from two six-foot-long four-by-four wooden posts. The posts are centered in the 2x4 roof frame structure support pieces. The posts simply lay in the crotches of four of the pre-made roof frames (you know the things that look like a bunch of 2x4 WWWWs) - the posts span four of those frame assemblies. I then have a thick steel plate that spans the two 4x4s - the hook that my chainfall is attached to is through-bolted through the steel plate. (Does this description make any sense?) I think if you get a big thick 15 or 20-foot long hunk of steel (channel, square or I) and bolt it to your ceiling steel things and span three or four of them, you will be WAY BEYOND strong enough. 'Course I ain't no engineer. I have no doubt an assembly that rolls might be nice. However, mine is stationary and I have never felt restricted in any way taking plates in and out. I always have my piano cases on rolling carts, so I simply move the piano into position under the chainfall - hasn't been any problem at all. Terry Farrell ----- Original Message ----- > Might I recommend a rolling gantry? Picture 2 "A" frames with a > length of "I" beam between them. Each of the "A" frames would have wheels. > I hope this description makes sense. When I can get some free time I will > be welding up a set for myself. > > Greg Newell > > > > At 07:50 AM 4/26/2007, you wrote: >>Hi all. >> >>Before I spend any money on this, I want to get your thoughts on this >>subject.. >> >>In my old shop, I had/have a rope hoist: >> >>http://secure.data-comm.com/DC/Detail.bok?no=84925 >> >>I had it fabricated in the old shop because I had no real overhead >>structure to hang it from. It worked perfectly. >> >>In my new shop, I am getting conflicting answers about hanging that hoist. >>The structure is supported by the Hambro System. A picture can be seen at: >> >>http://www.hambro.ws/ >> >>What you're seeing from that picture is what I see when I look up at the >>ceiling in my shop. Those steel beams are approx. 5' apart and run the >>length of the house. >> >>The person who use to own this house is a salesperson for Hambro. He was >>unsure about hanging the rope hoist and using it for my purpose. He >>suggested I talk to one of their structural engineers, which I did. He was >>unsure if the hoist would cause any compromise to the Hambro System. >> >>Here's my thought on the subject: >> >>I want to run a piece of steel across 3 of the beams so the Rope Hoist >>will roll. That way it will have added stability from using 3 beams for >>support as opposed to one. The only time weight would be on that hoist is >>when it was actually in use. Other than that, it would be hanging. >> >>Before I go out and purchase a cherry picker, I would like to hear the >>thoughts from those who have some experience with this >>subject..suggestions for an alternative plate removal system, etc. >> >>Terry, your chain hoist is supported how? >> >>Thanks for your thoughts. >> >>-Phil Bondi(Fl)
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