Lifting things

[ntjones]

I have cook chamber on saw horses and fire box on the ground. I don’t have a fork lift or anything like that. Does anybody out there have tips and tricks on moving and lifting things around the shop?


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[MattJ]

I use an engine hoist. You may want to look into a cheap or DIY gantry crane if you are going to be building often.

[ntjones]

Thanks. Those are good ideas. I’m still learning a lot but I would like to start building more and bigger smokers.


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[Big T]

I have also used an engine hoist and they're pretty reasonably priced. I used a floor jack on my last build to lift the FB/WC in place and it worked well.

[ajfoxy]

I’m still learning a lot but I would like to start building more and bigger smokers.

Then you are definitely going to need some lifting gear. I use an overhead gantry and a manual pallet stacker (manual fork lift), but anything that gets it off the deck without busting a gut is a good thing.

[ntjones]

I do have a chain hoist and it is handy but I think I could really use the manual fork lift. I might look into one of those.


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[Dirtytires]

It’s more work but a floor jack and a bunch of 2x4 cribbing works pretty well to lift and align fireboxes. I was able to move my box around on the jack as well. I do have a roof mounted hoist tho...

[ntjones]

It’s more work but a floor jack and a bunch of 2x4 cribbing works pretty well to lift and align fireboxes. I was able to move my box around on the jack as well. I do have a roof mounted hoist tho...[/quotes there anyway you could post a picture of the 2x4 cribbing if you get a chance. That sounds like something I may be able to do on the cheap.


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[Dirtytires]

Take a few standard wood 2x4’s from local hardware store and cut them into 16 inch sections (or whatever length you desire). You can then stack them however you need them to get the lift you need....making sure to do it safely so as not to have a firebox crash onto your foot.

You need to lift your firebox with the floor jack and then set it on the cribbing. If you need to go higher than your jack allows, you can raise your jack off the floor with more blocks and then take another lift of the firebox. Depending on your needs, you might need a lot of blocks and of various lengths. On the bright side, a 2x4 is typically about only a dollar.

[ntjones]

Take a few standard wood 2x4’s from local hardware store and cut them into 16 inch sections (or whatever length you desire). You can then stack them however you need them to get the lift you need....making sure to do it safely so as not to have a firebox crash onto your foot.

You need to lift your firebox with the floor jack and then set it on the cribbing. If you need to go higher than your jack allows, you can raise your jack off the floor with more blocks and then take another lift of the firebox. Depending on your needs, you might need a lot of blocks and of various lengths. On the bright side, a 2x4 is typically about only a dollar.

Thanks. I have some 2x4 laying around. I’ll try that.


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