Re: Bridgeport Questions **JOHN.... PLEASE READ**

Hi John:
I felt that I had to make a comment about using a liftgate to move a mill.
I have the greatest respect for Jon Elson, but in this case I wanted to add
to his suggestion. In a word, be *very* careful! These are considerations
you should review:

1. Make absolutely certain that the liftgate is capable of handling the
weight you are talking about

2. Don't even think of using a small liftgate.... you need room to maneuver

3. AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!! Remember to *NEVER* stand where the
machine can fall (and don't try to catch it should it come unglued). The
result could very well be fatal. Nobody likes to lose a machine, but just
ask your parents about which is cheaper.... medical bills (or funeral as
the case may be) or a machine. I'm sure they will agree

4. HAVE ENOUGH help! But..... too much is just as bad as not enough!

Here are some other things to think about. I've moved things with a
liftgate before and I don't think I'd ever do it again. Most liftgates are
small and have an uncomfortable tilt BACKWARDS. In addition, as you move
stuff onto them they tend to drop a little. It can be very un-nerving!
Perhaps the biggest concern, however, is that you can rarely adjust the
drop rate of a liftgate. Usually they are controlled by a simple switch...
UP or DOWN. Now, that may seem OK on the face of it, but when you have
2000 to 4000 pounds on the gate, they tend to come down VERY quickly. The
net result is you try to stop the descent which causes the gate to suddenly
bounce. Now think about this for a minute.....

SMALL liftgate
heavy machine
TOP heavy machine (BPorts certainly are.... make certain you take off the
head.... but BE CAREFUL!!! They aren't light either)
backward tilting gate
bouncing....

Hmmm.... now if you are thinking that the machine is about to drop off the
back of the gate, you are just about on target! This would be the time
that you RUN, *not* try and play superman and listen to your pumping
adrenalin!

If you could crack the valve on a hydraulic liftgate and slowly lower it
then much of this problem would be alleviated. I don't know if such a gate
exists, but I'd highly recommend that you at least look for one.
Alternatively I'd rent a forklift. They are GREAT and are *much* safer.
Generally you are way out of harms way and you have EXCELLENT control over
the RAISE and LOWER speed.

I can't stress how much you need to be careful. I almost lost a Deckel FP1
mill this way. It scared the s*&t out of me... so much so that I actually
went out and purchased an older (but very serviceable) used order picker
(small forklift). I am no longer worried when moving stuff. In most areas
of the country you can very reasonably rent (including delivery and pickup)
a forklift. Think long and hard about moving the machine that way.

Welcome to the hobby.... At 16 I'm glad to see new blood that will be
around. Please make certain that the blood stays in the veins, not on the
ground. With care you will come to love your machine (I hope) and let your
imagination go free. Electronics, mechanical, inventing.... it is all
wrapped up in this stuff.

Good Luck,
--Alan