homemade bike lift

[chicagogsx]

Is there certain things (jobs) that should only be done with a TIG and certain things that should only be done with a MIG? or is it whatever gets the job done?

[katoranger]

I learned to weld on an Lincoln stick welder, but I currently use a Hobart Handler 140. It is a nice unit and the largest I could find that would run on 115v. I am using fluxcore wire, but it also had a shielding gas setup, but I don't have a bottle for the gas. Welds up exhaust pipes nicely.

They sell them at TSC and many other stores. Look to spend $300 plus to get a decent unit. This will weld just about anything I need to due, but I would like an old arc welder too for the heavy stuff.

Allen

[mtalneck78]

Is there certain things (jobs) that should only be done with a TIG and certain things that should only be done with a MIG? or is it whatever gets the job done?

TIG is better for aluminum & other exotic metals. After learning how to TIG, I don't use my mig as much anymore. The weld quality of TIG ,in my opinion, is much better than MIG, but it is much slower with a TIG. I would suggest starting out with a MIG welder. I too had one of those old stick welders, but got rid of it after getting the MIG. You can safely weld up to about 1/4" &
3/8" steel with practice & proper procedures, with one of the portable type MIG welders(3/8 would need flux core wire). I have never come across anything thicker than that, while doing motorcycle work. A spool gun would be suggested for welding alum. with MIG, but a TIG does a much better job in aluminum.

Again...this is just my opinion. I am not a professional welder, but have been welding now for about 15yrs.

[mtalneck78]

Don't forget about the buzz box. Stick welding is another good option, as long as you're talking steel, not aluminum. I prefer it to mig overall, you have to knock off the slag, but tends to be more accurate then mig. You can get into one cheap too, I picked up an AC only Lincoln for under $300. Someday I'll get a Tig setup for doing the nice stuff. Welding takes a lot of practice to get good at, but isn't hard to start, and is addicting once you do.

Great lift, if you don't mind me asking, what size/type of screw is that?

Leadscrew is 3/4" dia. ACME thread pitch..3ft long. I learned the hard way that hardware grade UNC thread pitch is going to strip out on you. Do not weld the nut to the lift, it needs to float around in a welded up fixture.

[katoranger]

Leadscrew is 3/4" dia. ACME thread pitch..3ft long. I learned the hard way that hardware grade UNC thread pitch is going to strip out on you. Do not weld the nut to the lift, it needs to float around in a welded up fixture.

Thanks for that tip. I was looking at some 3/4 threaded rod at Ace yesterday.

Allen

[chicagogsx]

TIG is better for aluminum & other exotic metals. After learning how to TIG, I don't use my mig as much anymore. The weld quality of TIG ,in my opinion, is much better than MIG, but it is much slower with a TIG. I would suggest starting out with a MIG welder. I too had one of those old stick welders, but got rid of it after getting the MIG. You can safely weld up to about 1/4" &
3/8" steel with practice & proper procedures, with one of the portable type MIG welders(3/8 would need flux core wire). I have never come across anything thicker than that, while doing motorcycle work. A spool gun would be suggested for welding alum. with MIG, but a TIG does a much better job in aluminum.

Again...this is just my opinion. I am not a professional welder, but have been welding now for about 15yrs.

Is there any limits to MIG welding, as far as what metals you can use it on?
You had mentioned "TIG is better for aluminum & other exotic metals", but since you recommended starting with MIG, I was curious as to what it's limitations to metal applications were, if any.

Right now my goal is to learn how to weld good enough to be able to fabricate my own fender, fender mounts, sissy bar, custom seat stuff, etc...
nothing too crazy in my opinion.

[Dink]

MIG is only limited by the power available to and from the unit, I have welded 2" plate together with a MIG.
To MIG aluminium you need to get tthe CORRECT wire and GAS. TIG is overrated IMNSHO it is however an artform, when done well. Do not underestimate the ability of a basic arc or stick welder, once again you are only limited by the availability of rods.
Dink

[Clone]

For the treaded rod, I know where to score a bunch, next to free, large diameter, strong, heavy thread, :?
Farm equipment wrecker, all Massey combines had a large diameter threaded rod to adjust the return spring load for the table. It has to be four feet long, that is where I am getting my rod for this project, thanks for the great idea
Never would have come up with it myself, I'm just not that creative.8-[

[katoranger]

For the treaded rod, I know where to score a bunch, next to free, large diameter, strong, heavy thread, :?
Farm equipment wrecker, all Massey combines had a large diameter threaded rod to adjust the return spring load for the table. It has to be four feet long, that is where I am getting my rod for this project, thanks for the great idea
Never would have come up with it myself, I'm just not that creative.8-[

I have my dad go to the combine salvage then. Welcome to the midwest right? The don't have that type of equipment in the Atlanta metro.

Thanks for that tip.

Allen

[Paul]

Sorry to disappoint you guys, but have a look at this:

http://www.bike-lift.com/eazyrizer.htm

I've got one of these and its great to work with

[Planecrazy]

Very impressive, Paul! Just goes to show that great minds think alike! It's entertaining how much the homebuilt lift resembles the commercial unit in basic design!

Regards,

[mtalneck78]

Holy crap!....that looks almost just like mine. I wonder when this lift was marketed? I built mine around 2002. At least now you know where to get one. I would like to get a closeup look at this one to see the similarities, & to see if I can improve mine. Was this designed & built in England? I built mine by copying the basic idea of the forklift we have at work.

[Planecrazy]

Holy crap!....that looks almost just like mine. I wonder when this lift was marketed? I built mine around 2002. At least now you know where to get one. I would like to get a closeup look at this one to see the similarities, & to see if I can improve mine. Was this designed & built in England? I built mine by copying the basic idea of the forklift we have at work.

What can we say, Dan ... you're a genius!! \\/ This lift has apparently been on the market for a long time, but it never hurts to have your instincts backed up and confirmed by having your idea turn out amazingly close to the design of a successful commercial product!!

Attaboy, Dan!! :-D

[Paul]

Dan, when I saw your post I thought thats looks so similar idea to the one in my garage. I think they have been around for about 10 years or so. The really good thing about these ones is that you clamp the side-stand to the lift before you raise it, & then the bike cannot fall off.
I have a rigid bench, about 2 ft high and I can lift the bike then slide the bench underneath and lower the bike onto it, so I can get to remove exhausts etc.
I know it took the builders of this lift system a long, long time to get it to work, so you must give yourself a well deserved pat on the back to get yours to work first time.

[mtalneck78]

Thanks Paul. That is an interesting idea about clamping the side stand to the lift. I have made impovements to my lift over the years such as using a tapered timken(automotive) front wheel bearing (found in the junk pile) under the leadscrew jam bolts. Also used roller bearings (just like the GS swingarm bearings) on the load bearing side rollers. I built the main parts of the lift out of thick wall 2X4 structural tubing that was left in the scap bin at my work. The other parts were made out of scrap 1/4" steel plate & leftover angle iron from previous projects. I'm still working on a better mounting arrangement. My digital camera isn't the best, so when I get a scanner, I will take some 35mm pics with dimensions & people wanting to make a lift like mine will have some info.