some welding ???

[Dan]

does anyone have a site that lists metal dimensions (i.e. wieghts, i.d., o.d., different shapes availabe, wall thickness', etc.)??
Also I would like to build a trolley to attach my chain hoist to so that it will slide along an I-beam. Any ideas?? Especially what to use for wheels??
Also, here is another idea I came up with. I want to put an I beam in my shop to hoist engines and heavy parts etc. I wa thinking that I could put one end next to an exposed wall stud and support it with a tube, pipe, etc. The other end will hang from the rafters (only temporarilly), when I want to lift I could put one of those jacks people use to lift/support sagging floors so the jack is taking the weight and not the rafters. That way I could remove the jack when not in use so it is not in the middle floor and leave the beam hung from the rafter for storage. Does this make any sense?? Thanks-

[Circus Bear]

I would hang the I from the rafters with the ends supported by the 4x4 or 6x6 beams that support the walls if you have them and depending on how long the expansion is maybe on or two in the middle. like you said you'll be lift heavy parts. Fully support the HEAVY I beam first.

[Paul]

yes it makes sense. maybe a removable A frame to help stablize the hung end..

as for the trolley I would buy one, they are not cheap but you want the real deal, greasable ball bearing wheels etc.

there is a salvage yard here for example, that has them for about $75.00 for one that would fit 4 to 6 inch wide beams.

Paul