Vise storage arm

[OldMachinist]

Ever since I put the SkyHook crane next to my mill I've been using a service cart to put the rotary table and vise on when not in use but it just became another flat surface to accumulate stuff and it was always in the way.



We had a extra roll around toolbox in the house that we stored arts and craft stuff in for the kids when they were young that was just sitting in a closet so I took it to the shop, cut some 2 x10's for the top and put the rotary table on it.



Then I made a swing arm storage shelf that mounts to the crane floor mount post for the vise. Now the vise tucks nicely back out of the way.

 

[bvd1940]

Nice job Don, is your sky hook bolted to the floor or what:thinking:
What is the weight of you Kirt & what is the size of your support arm, Me think I might change my jib boom out for a rig like yours as I am getting older than dirt and can not lift like I used to (easyer is better):allgood:

 

[OldMachinist]

I made the floor mount for the SkyHook. There are some pictures in this thread.
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/show...illing-machine-accessories?highlight=sky+hook

The Kurt vise weights 78 lbs.

The arm I made is a piece of 1" square 3/32" wall tubing with 1-1/4" rounds welded to it. They are 1-7/16" long drilled and reamed .630" for 5/8" bolts.



This piece of aluminum bolts to the end of the arm and a plate I turned from a cast iron free weight sits on it. A plug protrudes to locate the hole in the bottom of the vise. I can spin the plate as needed to line up the keys in the vise.

 

[brasssmanget]

I'll say this - you sure do utilize your space very well! Nice ideas.:thumbsup:

 

[OldMachinist]

I'm trying to but I still have way too much stuff stacked in piles on the floor.

 

[toolman]

Great idea and some fine work!

 

[OldMachinist]

It wasn't really by design but I've found the that the plate will come in handy for a few other things when its not needed for the vise.



I may end up making a tray to sit on the arm to make it even more useful since the vise is on the mill 99% of the time.