overhead gantry

[backuproller]

looking at building a gantry like this

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200276074_200276074

what size i beam would be sufficient, cant tell from the pic. or would c-channel laid back to back suffice. i have some 3 in channel 3/16 thick. gonna use 4in squared pipe 1/4 thick for the sides. but i sure would hate to drop that motor and tranny i'm trying to get out.

thanks for the help

[bigdogrider99]

I used 3 in pipe on the one I built a couple of years ago. Don't have access for pics. Mine is a standard a-frame. The top of mine is adjustable for width by sliding the sides in along the pipe I used as the cross bar. At the top of the A I just welded in a 3 1/4 id pipe 2 ft long and the cross bar sleeves into it. It even breaks down for quick storage.

[zapster]

looking at building a gantry like this

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200276074_200276074

what size i beam would be sufficient, cant tell from the pic. or would c-channel laid back to back suffice. i have some 3 in channel 3/16 thick. gonna use 4in squared pipe 1/4 thick for the sides. but i sure would hate to drop that motor and tranny i'm trying to get out.

thanks for the help


from what you describe the material should be just fine...

i remember when i was in high school we used to pull 428 fords out with the tranny attached with a chain and a come-along wrapped around the tubing on a swing set out in the yard..

talk about dangerous:D

you'll be just fine:drinkup:

...zap!

[BigEd36]

I changed small block Chevy's with Powerglide tranny attatched, using a chain over a limb on my Dad's walnut tree, with a come-a-long attatched to the chain. Talk about "shade tree mechanics"! We did it literally!

Ed

[backuproller]

thanks for the help, guess i'll be welding the channel together. i would use a tree limb, but all i got is pines and boy there way up there.