Hand Crane Build Guide

Note that both the Hand Crane and Edwardian Hand Crane follow the same construction methodology, with the moving parts being interchangeable between the cranes.

SM32 Hand Crane Jib Build

Step 1 Crane Jib

Join the two sides together with indexed stays and add the cross brackets. Two holed spacers are added to one end to make the bottom end.

SM32 Garden Railway Hand Crane Making the Hand Crane Drums

Step 2 Making The Winding Drums

Two drums are required, one for the lifting rope and the other to move the jib. Take the parts as shown, glue them together using a shaft as a guide, don’t glue them to the shaft yet.

SM32 Hand Crane Body Build.

Step 3 Body, Base and Counterweight

The body is made up as a simple indexed open box, just wide enough for the previously made drums. The simple circular base has four u shaped rubbing points that need to be glued in. The counterweight box, is similarly indexed with a lose lid. It will be later fixed on the back of the body, but for now it is best left off for easy access. The parts laid out around the body are ready for the next step.

Step 4 Arranging the Mechanisms

The parts laid out in the previous step have now been inserted into the body. The drums, locks and spacers are currently lose on their shafts. One handle is on each side, with the spare shaft on that side ready for the handle arms. The locks are meshed with the gears. When everything is lined up glue can be dropped in the drum holes and the spaces glued onto the locking shaft.

SM32 Crane Mechanism In Place

Step 5 Handles, Counterweight and Wagon

The body has now been placed on its base with a 3 mm bolt and the counterweight has been glued onto the body in line with the rivets. The handles have been made up, pushed onto the ends of the shafts and glued in place. To work the mechanisms the handles must be lifted, just like the real thing.

Step 6 Jib and Rope

The jib can now be added to the body using a 42 mm shaft, and the pulley added to the top end using a 25 mm shaft. The string can now be attached to the drums and wound on. The back drum end being attached to the cross stay at the top of the end to allow the jib to be raised and lowered. The front drum can be used to wind the load. This requires a hook to be fashion out of the wire provided and the rope to be run over the top pulley.

Step 7 Testing & Counterweights

The crane should now be capable of being operated. A little weight in the counterweight box is desirable if the load is to be swung out sideways. A stack of pennies fits nicely in the box with a tissue to stop them rattling. Too much weight however may make it fall over backwards. A little weight under the wagon also helps.

Garden Railway Hand Crane in Operation

In operation carrying out useful railway work

Note full printed instructions are included in every kit. Example instructions can be found on the How to / Resources page.