Someone wrote; << Use three cloth type moving straps with lock type buckles. It normally takes two or three lift attempts to adjust the length of the straps to get an even lift, so that the plate goes straight up. >> Another suggestion; Buy a set of motorcycle tie down straps, with cam actuated "locks". These allow for pulling the nylon strap through in one direction, and restrains it from pulling back the other way. They adjust in a second, have a breaking strength of 800 pounds each, come with a hook on both ends, and a set will cost under $20.00 ( I bought 6 for $16.00 at Home Depot.) They have a tiny bit of stretch, which is very helpful in determining which strap needs to be adjusted. If the hook on the plate end isn't what you need, hook it into a loop of flat nylon strapping which is tied around the proper location on the plate. <<I can purchase a 3 ton chain hoist (overdone perhaps, )>> Certainly overdone. I have one, and the biggest liability is how deep (how far the hoist itself hangs down from the beam) it is. To use one you better have a beam ten foot off the ground. My three ton uses almost three feet of that before the hook starts. A three ton can lift 6000 pounds, the heaviest plate would be less than a tenth of that. I would suggest a one ton, giving a good safety margin, less deep, and less expensive. ( I bought a $99.00 three ton hoist from Harbor Freight, Chinese made, - not as good as an American hoist of the same capacity, but about $300.00 cheaper. The one ton sells for under $50.00, I think.) That said, I prefer to use a small boat winch mounted on a wall with the cable going through pulleys. You can winch with one hand and keep a hand on the plate with the other. Handy in a one man shop. It also prevents damage from the hanging chain, and oil droplets and oily dirt from the hoist from falling on the soundboard. Bill Simon Phoenix
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