Moving a Powermatic Lathe, the easy way.

[Josh Bowman]

As some have noted from my stealth gloat in a previous post, I bought a PM 3520b lathe. My jet is covered up awaiting to be sold. Here is a photo essay of how I've moved several lathes, and mostly by myself. Hope it helps someone. The engine lift came from Northern and is the cheaper one at about $150 on sell. It folds nicely against the wall and as I got trapped between the lathes leg and power outlet, it allowed me to pull that leg off of the lift and free the lift.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Well now... that sure beats taking the lathe apart and then carrying it piece by piece to your basement shop, down the stairs and up hill both ways!!

[Dan Forman]

Congrat's on the new lathe. I'm with Steve about the trials of getting tools into the basement. I don't know how I'd get that engine lift down there, let alone navigate around the stationary tools. :). I resorted to using a lever and fulcrum to swing the end of my PM out so that I could turn with the headstock at the tail end of the lathe for bowls.

Dan

[Richard Kennedy UK]

Great way to move a PM I used my sister it was very effective:D Enjoy your lathe its a beauty!

[Baxter Smith]

That was easy! I took mine completely apart to put in my van and still used one. Guess I'm getting old....:)

[Allan Ferguson]

Better paint that lathe red to go with the rest of your stuff.

[Brian Ashton]

I bought a cherry picker for that purpose. I had bought it before my oneway had even showed up. It's the only thing that I move with it.

[John Keeton]

Josh, when I upgraded all my flat work tools a few years ago, I bought a shop crane to unload and move all of them into the shop. Like you, I can back a truck/trailer into my shop - sure makes the job easier! Not having a basement shop is another big plus - sure would be a pain to move tools up/down a stairway.

I didn't post in your other thread, so a belated CONGRATS on the upgrade!

[Bill Wyko]

Ok, now roll that baby right into the bed of my truck. I'll take over then.

[Russell Eaton]

I like BOTH ways myself. Congrats on a very nice lathe.

[Thomas Canfield]

That is too easy. I just loaded mine in a POD Saturday in pieces, and had to go up 7 steps from my shop to POD. I added some 2x6 about 2' long across the ends of the ways, and remounted the drive on the ways for shipping. It was a good 2 man job. Your way is much better, but mine will be in storage until after move and a new shop built.

[robert baccus]

I used 8-10 very crotchy, creaky, complaining retired wood turners but we all smiled when done!----------old forester

[Mike Peace]

Better paint that lathe red to go with the rest of your stuff.

Now that is just WRONG! Mustard forever.

[Ryan Mooney]

I got essentially the same crane about 6 months ago at HF for around $160 with the 20% coupon that's commonly available (for any other westcoasters). I can attest to it making a whole lot of things like this easier. It also folds up reasonably small (considering).

I took the headstock and tailstock off before moving my lathe because I was afraid it would be unbalanced, was pretty easy to hoist the headstock back into position with the crane though.

It was also amazingly simple/easy to lift the BS onto a mobile base with the crane.

I think its saved me $160 in chiropractor bills already :p