Best tool in my shop

FLOLDFORD · May 27, 2016

Other than my hand tools the one tool I use the most in the shop is the overhead hoist system I put in some years ago. I built it from salvaged 8" H beam and it runs down the middle and across the front. Has one 1 ton electric hoist and a 2 ton electric and a 2 ton manual chain hoist. As I've gotten older it's not as easy to work sitting down or on my knees. This makes it a lot easier. I have four big adjustable pipe stands and two heavy duty saw horses that I can put under whatever I'm working on so I"m not under a suspended load. Had the engineer from the local materiel handling company that does a lot of work for me come by after I put it up and calculate the load capacity. He walked in and started laughing and asked me if I couldn't have found any bigger beams.He did the calculations on and told me I would exceed the capacity of the hoists by about three time before I came close to the capacity of the beams. Sure makes it nice to be able to stand up and work on something.

Geo-TH,In · May 27, 2016

FLOLDFORD ,
Glad to see others are looking outside the box and making adjustments for our old age dissabilities. I can relate. You want to stay active, you have to think a little harder.

I thought your handest tool was going to be the UTV. The boss can't live without her 4010 mule.

GordoSD · May 27, 2016

So you put in two reefers to store your pain meds? LOL

davyfireball · May 27, 2016

I have a 4x6 inch I beam in my garage. It is mounted to a train rail that runs the 1/2 width of garage I use a 5 ton on the rail and a 1 ton chain hoist on I beam. Your right very handy for taking out a car engine then taking it over to the engine stand.

old · May 27, 2016

I have an I beam that runs from one end of my shop to as close to the door as I can. Roll up door so the end is 5 or so feet from the end on the shop. I have 4 chain hoists on that beam and 2 are on trolley's that I made and one on a factory built trolley. I plan to add another pieces of I-beam to the front of the shop so I can back up close then lift and slide things in form the front to the back. Doing that will come in handy for when I am putting an engine in something like the car that is in my shop

Duane WI · May 27, 2016

I have something similar but my shop is taller so I have it higher up. Anti Gravity devices are always handy. I kept searching Craig's List for electric hoist and ended up finding two of them at very reasonable costs. The first one was $100 and then another one for $150 a couple of weeks latter. So now I have two electric hoists. Lifting from two points makes controlling the load much easier. Each hoist is rated at 1000lbs and run on 120vac. I also use the hoist to get stuff up and down from the loft above part of my shop.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · May 27, 2016

The best tool in my shop is my mind, unfortunately it is just as worn out as the rest of my stuff.

Goose · May 28, 2016

I've always said the handiest tool in a body shop was a 3 foot 2X4.

Best tool in my shop

FLOLDFORD

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Geo-TH,In

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GordoSD

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davyfireball

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old

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Duane WI

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john .?-!. cub owner

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Goose

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