Squeezing a VM-1 under a garage door?

[rustyolddo]

Looking at the feasability of putting a VM-1 in my garage. The Ceiling hgt. is 8' 8" so there is operating clearance without having to create an opening inthe ceiling. Getting it under the garage door opening is the problem. I only have 83" and according to the shipping dimensions, it's 95.5" high on the pallet. I'd gain some by removing the pallet, possibly the blocks if they come off the leveling bolts. Anyone else have experience in getting one in a garage?

[SKICARB]

Only know of one, the shipping brace for the head had to be removed, the head manually moved down all the way by turning the screw by hand.
Trim from around the garage door header had to be removed and it was rolled in on 1 1/4 pieces of rod. Straight shot on a level drive.
I will try to measure mine at work tomorrow and give you an idea how low you can get with the head all the way down.

[rustyolddo]

Originally Posted by SKICARB Only know of one, the shipping brace for the head had to be removed, the head manually moved down all the way by turning the screw by hand. Trim from around the garage door header had to be removed and it was rolled in on 1 1/4 pieces of rod. Straight shot on a level drive. I will try to measure mine at work tomorrow and give you an idea how low you can get with the head all the way down.

Thanks, I'd be most appreciative. I've got 83" with the trim strip removed. I've got a level drive. I assume head all the way down means the spindle nose almost touching the table. Looked like the top of the tool changer oil reservoir cabinet was the high point.

[SKICARB]

Well isn't that a pain in the kazoo!! The lowest height I could figure was to the top of the tool changer solenoid and air cylinder housing. The figure was a conservative 85" and this leaves no room underneath for the rollers or any other method to get it in.
Looks like removing the header and some siding etc. has to happen. Also you may need to remove a ceiling joist for the head to sit between depending on where you put it. Dont get discouraged, remember you will only have to put it in once!! Bruce.

[rustyolddo]

Was that with the 4" blocks removed from the bottom of the leveling screws? I think I'm fine with the ceiling hgt with the Z all the way up., if not I can cut a tray in above the Z axis. I was thinking of using a rated pallet jack instead of rollers to move it into the garage, I'd only need .25" of clearance above the floor. to roll it.

[SKICARB]

I measured it as if there were no riser blocks under it. Mine is 4.5" off the floor and I took that measurement out when I posted the measurement. It is gonna be one heck of a pallet jack. The rollers will provide a larger weight distribution area, using 4 or 5 of them and it is less likely to tip. It can be done it's just the logistics of getting the best plan then executing it. Keep us all posted, there are many who are gonna ask "How the heck did he do that?" Bruce

[Geof]

Instead of rollers use a sheet of 1/4" UHMW polyethylene underneath as a skid plate. It will slide very well on this using a Come-Along to an anchor bolt drilled into the floor at the back of the garage.

[MattTheNoob]

How about a good running start?

I just moved a too-tall machine into my garage. Amost the same dimensions you are talking about. Now, I'm not familiar with the VM1, but here is what I did with my machine.

First, I rented a Bobcat V638, which is a 4wd, articulating boom forklift (or any other bobcat implement) that can tip the forks FOREWARD to 60 degrees.

Then I slid the forks under my machine and spent the next hour chaining, strapping, strapping and chaining the machine to the forks and backrest, as when you tip it forward, the forks no longer hold any of the weight and it is all hanging (tightly) from your rigging.

Then, tipped the machine 60 degrees foreward until the top cleared my 83" door, drove a few feet forward and started raising and curling in tiny steps to stand it back up.

I had a neighbor video tape it and I'll put it on Youtube some day. I figured that whether it was a success or failure, it would be a sight to behold.

[Kiwi]

If your floor is smooth, it should be able to be dragged.
Sheet metal (16-18g) will help if your got clearance for it.

[DJPLAST]

MattTheNoob
What an inovative and absolutly breath taking move! That must have put a knot in your stomach at least once during the move! You got to have some huge cajones "to get er done" in such a fashion!
Kudos!!!