Mofifying the Harbor Freight Lift Table

stangbat

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I've had a few questions about modifying the handle to the Harbor Freight lift table so that you can get it out of the way when raising pins. So I've taken some pictures of how I did it. This wasn't my idea, I got it from another forum. I'll look up who gave me the idea to give credit where credit is due.
Edit: NoVArcade at the Pinside forums gave me the idea.

This is the lift table I have:
http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-hydraulic-lift-table-94822.html

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I had some hinges on hand, I'd call them gate hinges and they are about 12" in length. The holes line up so that the handle ends up high enough that you can lay it almost flat against the cart.

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In order to have enough slack in the cable to allow the handle to swivel over perpendicular, I had to flip the handle over so that the release lever is now on the left. This meant removing the cable end from the hydraulic jack, removing it from the metal loop on the cart on the right side, and zip tying it out of the way. You may or may not need to do this depending on how much slack your cable has and your hinge geometry.

Use the bolts that secure the handle to mount the hinge to the cart, get two bolts and nuts so you can use the existing holes and mount the handle to the hinge.

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Folded flat:
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I keep saying that I'm going to get out the angle grinder and trim the excess from the hinge top and bottom, but I haven't done it yet. :)
 
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Thanks for sharing that. I'll have to think about getting one of those now that I've gone from 1 pin to 4. Moving them by myself is a pain...literally!

Tom
 
How much did that table set you back? I could look it up but I wanted to ask another question anyway.....is it really sturdy enough to move pins around? Like do you think it would last a few years if a guy only had a few pins and didn't move them all that often?
 
How much did that table set you back? I could look it up but I wanted to ask another question anyway.....is it really sturdy enough to move pins around? Like do you think it would last a few years if a guy only had a few pins and didn't move them all that often?

I can't remember if it was $140 or $150. Somewhere around there. It was on sale, but I'm not sure if they are ever at the "regular" price of $179 in the store.

Yes, it is plenty sturdy for moving pins. I haven't had a widebody on it yet but I've had a Gottlieb System 3 on it and they have to weigh as much as most widebodies.
 
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How much did that table set you back? I could look it up but I wanted to ask another question anyway.....is it really sturdy enough to move pins around? Like do you think it would last a few years if a guy only had a few pins and didn't move them all that often?

His is the heavier duty one and it will hold any pin easy enough (I think that one is 500lb capacity). I have the older orange one from Harbor freight (I think I have had it for 7 years), that runs about 99.00. I am not sure if the older one is still avilable, but it is rated for a lighter load (around 330lbs), and I have had the heaviest of heavy pins on there with no problem.

Pins will slightly shift when you lift them (lean to left or right), simply cut a couple of 2x4s to about 30" or so and lay them width wise at the front and back of the cart tray, and then lift the pin. This will keep the load balanced upon lift, so if space is tight, they wont rub heads as you lift them.

These carts work great...I have saved my back many times over the years with one...
 
I haven't noticed any shifting when I lift a pin. The 500 lb lift table's base is close to the width of the underside of a pin, so it balances the load pretty well. You do have to pay attention to the front/back location when you lift as you can get it tippy in that direction. I'll lay a pin down on it and then stand on the handle and rock it forward or back to get it balanced.

It has been one of the best purchases I've made when it comes to pins. I bought it early in my entry to the hobby and I was questioning if I should spend the money because I didn't know how much use I'd get from it and how much it would help. But it has definitely been a worthwhile investment.
 
I had a real pinball dolly. An ex-friend stole it. So I went the cheap route and got the HF lift table. It broke after a while. Then I bought a Pinball Lifter. The handle broke about about a year. Now I have again a real pinball dolly. It's been good for 2 years now. The cheap route screwed me twice.
 
I went the cheap route and got the HF lift table. It broke after a while.

How did it break, assuming hydraulic jack went out on it ?

I have had one of the HF lifts now going on almost 3 years and have yet to have any issues with it, I even use it once in awhile to lift up my coin operated bar sized Valley pool table to move it short distances and it does fine with that also. (Knock on wood)
 
This is a great idea, you sold me.... Wish I knew about this dam thing when I picked of a bunch of slots, would have helped out big time.... I have been using those little three wheel dolly things you put under each pin leg, they BLOW! They bend, slip out, etc... Total Junk!
 
The release lever broke first and then a few months later the hydraulics went out. I have bad luck with most Harbor Freight tools. A lot of the stuff they sell is junk.

I will have to agree with you on that since almost 100% of everything they sell is from China, but once nice thing about HF is that they do offer extended Warranties on the cheap with full replacement, I know its a hassle to return to the store if you do not have one in your area though.
 
Yes, Harbor Freight's stuff is a crap shoot when it comes to quality. I believe in buying quality tools, but sometimes I take the gamble. You have to weigh the cost vs. the potential for failure and problems.
 
Like Tim N, I have the older orange one. Had it for about 6 years and use it from time to time to move my pins around. I just use some 2 x 4's and it works great. I do have 1 wide body pin and have used it on this one without any problems.
 
Like Tim N, I have the older orange one. Had it for about 6 years and use it from time to time to move my pins around. I just use some 2 x 4's and it works great. I do have 1 wide body pin and have used it on this one without any problems.

I've seen other people do this too. I'd like to modify mine the same way and am looking for advice on the best way to do it.

My biggest problem with these units are the two wheels that don't rotate, making it very hard to move the machine laterally. Has anyone replaced the fixed wheels?
 
After seeing this thread by stangbat I thought I'd get one for myself. Not being as ambitious with the heavy duty hinges, I choose the 10 minute approach. So I'm lazy.

Insert handle into slot, drill hole sideways through both the slot and the handle on both, remove handle and insert bolt as shown. Cake!

Here's the drilled and bolted new 'hinge' And yes, I know the handle doesn't fold down like Stangbat's. This was a quick and dirty fix. I'm pondering cutting off 4-6 inches from the handle so it fits completely under a pin. This was just a quick and dirty fix. :001_sdrool:



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