Moving my workshop any advice?

[granddad]

Can anyone out there recommend a workshop/garage/heavy removal firm for my next project of moving from Middlesex to Buckinghamshire?
I am a model engineer and I have a lot of heavy equipment and benches.
I'm new to this method of discussions and this seems a rather rude way of asking for help.

[Tel]

Well now, welcome to the fold Granddad. Rude? No mate - 'elping is wot we are here for, not that I can offer anything in this instance.

[alanstepney]

Funny you should mention that....
For the past two days I have helped a pal move house. All the dometsic goods were taken by a removal firm, whilst 4 of us moved his garage, workshop, shed, etc. (Yes, he had all three filled!)

In the process I was chatting to the removals guys and found that they "quite often" have to move workshops and garage equipment, and from the conversation, it seems that they are familiar with moving large lumps of metal etc.
Might be worth phoning round a few removals companies and asking.

[billj pump]

hi granddad. i would look in the yellow pages for a removal company to move those machines, here in east yorkshire there is a company who specialise in crane hire, these sort of company's usually also move machines or could maybe put you intouch with a firm that does, so thats maybe one avenue for you to consider, also theres company's who specialise in pallet removal/pickup. i had a house move not all that long ago and decided to move my own machinery, what a nightmare!, if i were to do it again i would play safe, spend a few extra bob and let the professionals do the job.

[granddad]

Thanks Gentlemen,
Your kind words and encouragement have lead me along the safe route to saving my sanity, back and fingernails.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Granddad.

[briansquibb]

I have an engine crane which moves everything round my workshop - including my Boxford CUD

[deverett]

It's probably a bit late in the day to give you advice, but I moved from Plymouth to West Cork (Ireland). I moved two lathes, two milling machines, workbenches and various other sundry bits and pieces + loads of materials.

I put as much as I could into stillages (metal baskets) and on pallets, all wrapped up with shrink wrap to stop it moving. It is more secure than rope.

To move the equipment I hired a 7.5 t lorry with a tail lift, a pallet truck and an engine hoist. I borrowed my step son and son-in-law.

The machines, pallets, stillages were all lashed to the lorry with webbing straps. Make sure the lorry is well balanced, both fore and aft and athwartships. I reckon I was well overloaded, but because the lorry was on an even keel, it did not draw unwanted attention.

It took about 10 days hard work sorting everything out and packing in the beginning, 6 hours to load the lorry, 2 days to drive from Plymouth to Swansea, ferry to Ireland and onto the wilds of West Cork and about 4 hours to unload the lorry into my garage/workshop. It has taken another 18 months to sort everything out into some sort of useable order.

I do have to go abroad to work from time to time, wo that is my excuse for it taking so long!

Dave
The Emerald Isle

[dscott]

Dear Movers,
We are moving next summer to Plymouth, ( work that is ) and for one workshop £ 35,000 was quoted. Now at home, a move to a specially strenghtened loft is in progress, with bits of machine to take appart, but it gets you thinking about a heavy service and a pruning down of the junk pile.
I have been to Southern Ireland twice now, such a lovely place when it doesnt rain, Plymouth area is also very wet.

David.

[3405jimmy]

I am sure sometime this year there has been an advertisement from a company offering workshop removals in either EIM or ME. Sorry cannot be more specific; although I do think one advert has been post June this year.

Then again it might have been Old Glory...
Jim

[steamjohn248]

Look in your local directory for anyone with a HIAB equiped lorry, borrow or hire some machinery skates, a few lengths of scaffold tube for rollers and a couple of decent crowbars and you are sorted. HIAB lorries can lift anything from a ton to 20 tons depending on the size of the rig. All you have to do is get the lumps to where the HIAB can reach them, (on skates or rollers) the lorry loads itself and unloads itself the other end then skid, skate or roll your machines to where you want them. Who was it said give me a lever and a roller and I can move the world. (My old Dad for a start and he knew a thing or two).

Steamjohn

[denis M]

I recently had to move my workshop twice, from the old into storage and from storage to the new. I have 2 lathes, milling machine etc.

Firstly I sorted out all the bits and pieces that you never throw away into boxes, my son then resorted them and made the hard decision as to what was rubbish and what was good, he worked on the 5 year rule ie if you ain't used it in the last 5 years, throw it. That cut my boxes of good stuff by half.

Next we made sure the locos were well protected.

At the time we lived 80 yards away from the road so we had to transport all the machinery down a foot path. We borrowed a palette truck and this made life easy. We also used an engine lift to dismantle (and rebuild) the mill, this was invaluable.

To transport everything we hired a van with a half ton lift on the back.

It was hard work but I conned my mates from the society to help at the cost of a meal and some beer.

The main thing to remember is, you are not as young as you were when you set the workshop up, do not lift, use a hoist and take your time, you only get one back in life.

Anyway all the best, once settled in why not call into our track in Oxford.

[Jo]

The boys at Warren Machine Tools (Warco) are very good if you ask them nicely they will quote you for moving individual items or even your workshop. I assume that some of the other machine tool vendors may offer similar service.

Jo

[modeng2000]

I have just mounted my new lathe on it's stand and had to use a hoist as it weighs around 140 kg. The event was progressing with out any hitches save for the fitting of the securing bolts. I had to go indoors to get a torch and it was then that my wife realised what I was up to.
Needless to say, she followed me back to the workshop and then tried to be helpful by making suggestions as to how to fit the bolts.

When it was all over she made me a cup of tea so I suppose I shouldn't mind the extra help.

John