Recent content by Tmate

Based on suggestions I received, I made some modifications to my car lift based gantry crane. The top beam now extends all the way over the top of the two side beams. The ends of the side beams are boxed with 3/8" plate, and the casters now have a capacity of 770 lbs. each. Bottom of the...

My BendPak 4 post car lift has a rail that runs down the inside of each runway. This is intended to accommodate their rolling hydraulic transmission jack. I decided to make a small gantry that rolls down the length of the lift, with an I-beam trolley that rolls sideways. Sideways trolley travel...

I recently picked up my first post vise on eBay, and cleaned it up before fabricating a stand for it. After disassembling and wire brushing it, I applied a thin coat of boiled linseed oil. I left it sit outside in the sun for most of a day to speed up drying. The rear spindle box collar was...

For size comparison purposes, here are photos of the four Reed C series vises with the same soda can sitting on them.

I just finished a stand for my Reed 4C vise. I used a Budd semi truck rim with a section out of a CO2 tank for a column. The vise weighs 185 lbs. and the stand about 160. I don't think I need to bolt it to the floor for my small home shop work, but I can always weld tabs to the base for that...

I've had this Bluebird engine hoist for many years. Used mainly by tool rental companies, these disassemble without tools for easy transport in a pickup. Unfortunately, as I have gotten older, I can no longer lift the parts to assemble it, and so bought a new folding hoist. After several...

Finished the stand for the Rock Island vise. Total weight for the vise and the stand is around 300 lbs. including a stack of 25 lb. barbell plates secured inside the wheel.

120 lbs. of Rock Island vise just came via UPS today. Came from a welding shop and shows little use. Opens & closes & swivels easily. No play or slop in jaws. Used my car lift to put it on a cart until I can fabricate a stand. I don't think I'll paint it - I prefer it to have a little character.

There are many holes to be drilled in these modifications. If you don't already have it, I recommend that you buy a Rotobroach set. It will save you hours of drilling on this and other projects. Rotobroach

I haven't used my 35 year old 4 x 6 bandsaw since I got my Jet 7 x 12. After much thought, I decided that rather than let it sit, I would convert it to vertical use only. It seems that no-one makes a hobby sized vertical metal cutting saw. Of course there are a few older Powermatic Model 143s...

Since I have the 7 x 12 Jet bandsaw, I reasoned that I would probably never again be using my little 4 x 6 for horizontal cut-off work. I decided to convert it for strictly vertical cutting. I made guide adapters to take the twist out of the blade, giving me a throat depth of just over 5...

Looking at your guide plate rollers, I was thinking of just using a 608 2RS bearing or similar. Yours aren't just a roller bearing, though. Cam followers!

Since I bought my 7" x 12" Jet horizontal bandsaw, my little 4 x 6 has been sitting idle. I decided to make a sturdy table for it so I could do some vertical sawing. I decided that the simplest approach was to use some 1/4" mild steel plate for a base and a table, and some 4" x 4" x 1/4" thick...

Here the 2nd table is installed in the press above the lowered Swag brake. Two of the height adjustment frame hole levels are still available above the brake. The 6x6 block of wood acts as a spacer, and adds stiffness if needed. The 18 lb. table can be removed and the brake raised for use in...

Correct about the plate and hardware. I hope the attached image will help.