Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 13, 2000 06:06am | #1

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   Tim,

   What exactly are you asking? A little more info is needed. Are you asking how to "walk" the beam inside the building? If so, where is this beam to be placed (basement or main floor), and what was your planned point of entry (doorway, window, temporary wall opening)? How high is this beam to be lifted from floor level to final resting place (7ft, 9 ft, etc.)?

   Lets say you get the beam inside, one way to move it across the room is to place short lengths of pipe on the floor and roll the beam across them. One way to lift the beam in place is to rig "come-a-long" hand winches and hoist the beam in place; if you have something that the winches can be tied off to above. If not, you can build a wooden jack stand (2x or 4x material with holes drilled every 12" whereby you lift one end of the beam and then slip a length of pipe through the connecting holes to hold the beam up in the air. Get ready, set, lift again, this time higher, and then reset the pipe; until....you get the picture. You can build one of these stands at both ends and continue to alternate until up in place.

   If you got the guys....700lbs divided by 10 = 70 lbs each, so....one, two, three.....LIFT. Get the picture?

   Davo

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 13, 2000 07:07am | #2

   *We've used the ladder jack method before. 2x6's with holes drilled 12" oc at either end of the beam and then walked up into place. If possible we rent duct lifts or Genie lifts as they are called. Great tools. Some go as high as 24'. Call you local rental yard or HVAC company to find some near you.Ed. Williams

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 13, 2000 10:49am | #3

   *Did one Friday - 550lbs. No back breaking here! I used the ladder method described by Davo and a 2 ton floor jack along with various lenghts of 4X4. I was working alone so I needed the jack, but the method is simple and safe and a lot faster if you have help. For safety, I suggest four lengths of pipe, two on each side (I used #5 rebar) and leap-frog them as you go up, so that if anything goes wrong at any point, the beam cannot fall further than it's last resting place. IOW, there will never be a time when there is nothing under it.Good Luck,Jerry

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 13, 2000 09:13pm | #4

   *I've always said that you can do anything yourself if you put your mind to it. I've put many beams up well over 1000# but I'm not sure if thats what your asking ( lifting or getting intop location ) . At any rate the lifting part is really easy. I build a ladder on each side of the beam. have a floor jack, 2x4's at different lengths, and a framing gun. Work the beam up an little at a time and nail a 2x4 at each level. Be sure to give pleanty of room for the beam to move side to side. Work one side at a time. But remember safty first always ( expect the beam to fall at all times ) don't underestimate your structure!! Mark

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 13, 2000 09:38pm | #6

   *If there's room you might use "pump jacks", you know, those scaffolding jacks that ride up and down a 4x4.

2. 
   Tim_Stephenson | Feb 13, 2000 09:38pm | #5

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   Come April I have a 30' glue-lam to install into an existing building. I have ideas about how to get this monster in place but wouldn't mind the advice from those out there that have wrestled a 700lb. beam and won!