$850 Gantry Crane - Made by J&D

[@stevenlaswell6901]

Great build, awesome shop

[@madebyjnd]

Thanks! It took three tries to get a shed like this, I think I arrived at a good compromise between need, desire and budget.

[@breezybmetal8646]

GREAT job! I was going to build one but I ended up buying a really heavy duty one for $350 from my dad Super handy- you don’t use them all the time but when you need it you need it!

[@madebyjnd]

I wish I'd had the same option. This one cost about 25% of a new one and I didn't have to compromise on size, it could be built to suit the building. I have used it for so much already, everything that is a bit heavy or awkward to pick up. I even used it to hold the 5 gallon buckets of hydraulic oil as it needed to be trickled in to the transmission of my tractor.

[@Alextnt88]

хорошая работа)

[@madebyjnd]

Спасибо

[@brianscheele8587]

I am building one right now. I was lucky and got 4x4 inch square tubing that is very thick. I have cut almost all of it up but being in a wheelchair it is hard to move around. I am making it right under 10ft tall so I can roll it out of my shop if need be and about 9/6 wide so I can use it to go on the outside of my trailer if i need to lift something off. Should you have put gussets on the bottom as well for strength? I putting them everywhere there is a corner to strengthen the gusset.

[@madebyjnd]

I originally intended to put gussets on the bottom and I still might, they wouldn’t be more than 12 inches though, I’m not sure what stresses they’re dealing with.. I was more worried about the small size of the gussets at the top but when I tested the crane by lifting my 1600 lb trailer off the ground it only spread 1/8 inch measured 12 feet down at the bottom of the legs so I’m not so worried anymore. Most of the credit for that is due to the size of the beam though. Good job doing this from a chair, Respect! Thanks for your comments.

[@gunterhausfrau]

I'm getting ready to make mine, so am looking about. It looks like you are using flux core welding wire? When it comes to welding, I'm good with a grinder. Is there a reason for flux instead of gas, or is this both? Thanks.

[@madebyjnd]

Flux core gives my welder a hotter arc which means better for the 1/4 inch thick steel I was using. Gas reduces splatter and can give a better appearing weld but cools the arc, plus it’s more expensive. If I was building this again I’d be ordering phenolic casters rather than the polyurethane tyred ones; polyurethane doesn’t move very well with a load on and have a lesser load capacity. Solid cast iron casters would be best but would destroy the epoxy coating on the floor.

[@gunterhausfrau]

@@madebyjnd That is great information! I had no idea. I haven't got casters yet, but again, really good information. I appreciate it. Thanks.

[@joselrodriguez5999]

Great job. I would have installed the hoist before the flipping, but you had that big ladder!

[@madebyjnd]

That ladder was the first thing I bought for this shed, to help me build the big door. I considered one of those cheap scaffolds but access and egress would have been a problem as well as working at many various heights. It has gone on to help me run wiring, hang lights, frame and insulate the walls. It’s one of my best tools!

[@sts.556]

good job

[@madebyjnd]

Thanks

[@williamcunha9136]

Very nice, Congratulations. I have to admit I screamed a little at minute 23:22. 😬

[@madebyjnd]

If I had to do it again I would come up with something to keep the beam from sliding off of the pallet and to keep the pallet from sliding off of the forks.

[@funone8716]

Sketchy but it worked out. I would have loosely put a couple straps around it and to the forklift to keep it corralled.

[@madebyjnd]

Yes, you’re absolutely right. It started to twist just as it was transitioning from fork to free standing and threatened to fall off the forks. Happily I made the right decision to rapidly raise the forks in an effort to get it free standing before it fell.

[@funone8716]

@@madebyjnd Saw it all......great save!

[@mtacoustic1]

Your slickest build video yet! You could use a total loss soda blaster to clean up your steel. How about adding a closed loop wire cable system to move the carriage left and right in a controlled fashion?

[@madebyjnd]

That might happen in future but too many things need to done first. Soda blaster? Perhaps if I did this for a living but that sort of equipment would never pay for itself for me.

[@TheJleerocker]

Can you custom make these for customers ?

[@madebyjnd]

That is an interesting comment! Alas, this is not an engineered crane, I am afraid of the liability should there be some unforeseen calamity. Thanks for asking!