My Gantry Crane Build

[av8or1]

Hi y'all-

Well I haven't posted in the Everlast forum in quite a while. It's been since the summer of 2018 if I recall correctly, which was when I bought my 275p.

The primary reason I bought that particular welder was because I wanted the power of the unit (amperage) as well as the ability to stick weld if I wanted. The warranty was the reason I went with Everlast, in the end. And the reason I wanted the higher power capability was that the first project I would use the new welder on was a gantry crane. Well, I am here to report that although it required the better part of an entire year to build (due to lack of time because of work primarily, but also due to weather (as this project was built entirely outside) and a design change along the way) I finally finished up my crane in October of last year. This is how it ended up:


Mind you, although the 275p is billed as a MIG welder that can also stick weld (in other words, Everlast seemed to indicate that the stick welding feature of the 275p was available, but not the best part of the welder itself) I chose to go with stick welding for this project. And the reason I did that was because it was built outside, sometimes in the wind. Often in the wind actually. Also, I wanted the digging penetration capability of the 6010, and since the 275p has a 6010 mode, that was another reason I chose this particular welder. I found that in this mode, an inverter based machine like the 275p can do just fine.

Anyway I thought I'd share the result. In retrospect, I probably should have posted as I went along with the project. It seems like I would have found more support on a welding forum than elsewhere. I digress.

Thanks!
Jerry

[av8or1]

UPDATE

I have decided to add a new means of outdoor mobility to the gantry. It lives on asphalt and even though the casters are the heavy duty industrial type (rated fofr 6500 lbs each) it can be difficult to move around; especially after a rain. I've noticed that the wet stuff will result in small divots under the casters. So the next time that you attempt to move the crane, you must not only move the weight itself but move it out of those small divots. Once moving it's fairly easy to get around. I think that if it was on a shop floor somewhere it would be rather easy to reposition. On asphalt however, well that's a different story. When I built it originally I had this concern but need for completion for an automotive project drove me to just install casters on it for the time being and address any movement related issues that might crop up once it was done later on. Well now is that "later on."

So I plan to add wheels and tires, 4 of them (obviously - hah!), one on each corner. I plan on installing a kingpin so that the wheels can rotate for better maneuvering. This should produce the result I'm after, but TBD. Anyway, I'll post progress/build pictures and detail as I work on the lil' after-project project.

I've ordered the raw material from the steel supplier and they should have it ready sometime next week.

Thanks,
Jerry

[zoama]

Very nice work. I'd like to see more pictures if you're willing.

[av8or1]

Hi zoama-

See pictures? Are you referring to the initial build or the work to come? I rather strongly suspect the former. Assuming that is the case then I'll include some various pictures of the build of the crane with an attempt to put them into chronological order. Perhaps even a video link or two. Not much commentary to offer with these, but will answer questions if there are any. lol

Anyway on with the pictures. I'll include a maximum of three pictures per post, as more than that seems to become a little much during a read somehow. At least for me it does. By breaking them up into separate posts, it is easier to digest (again, for me anyway). These are actually links to imgur, where I uploaded them as I went. 'Point being that I won't consume a lot of disk space on y'alls server...

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

[av8or1]

And there you go ... a quick run-through of the build from a bird's eye view at 10,000 ft.

I trust that it was at least somewhat entertaining to peruse...

[performance]

Nice job. I would put and weld a piece of flat bar over the ends of the I beam to stabilize the I-beam and prevent any side to side deflection and possible collapse. The top part wouldn't matter much, but the bottom would especially if you are pushing or pulling under load.

[zoama]

What do you cut with? Have you tried spray arc on your 275p? I try to spray everything I can with the 250p. It's got power to spare and sprays very well using regular 75/25 gas. https://www.everlastgenerators.com/f...250p-Spray-Arc A tapered contact tip is key to not overheating your gun.