I have been considering buying an SX2P mill for some time but have been put off by the problem of lifting it up onto the bench. I am self isolatiing and being the wrong side of 80 would not attempt a manual lift of 70kg and would not ask anyone else to either . All other alternatives such as engine hoist, chain block and tackle etc were out for various reasons.

It occurred to me that if the Ancient Egyptians could raise 100 ton blocks of stone up onto the Pyramids I should be able to lift a 70kg 3ft onto a bench using what is believed to be their method., and so I went ahead on that basis.

One 12 ft section of an extending aluminium ladder was used as the inclined plane positioned so that about 2ft was over the bench. 2 hook bolts were fitted over a rung and through the bench to prevent any movement. I had tested the ladder on two timber packers just off the floor with a 90 kg ( me ) load at mid span.

As can be seen in the pics it was was fortunate that the batterns on the underside of the packing case were ideally space to act as guides against the sides of the ladder.

I had considered using a bottle jack to push the case up the plane but in the event found that although it required a bit more effort a length of wood used as a lever was quicker.

When the case was over the bench it was easy to lift the bottom of the ladder and place a step ladder for support . The ladder could now be withdrawn and the case dismantled on the bench.

See pics

The most difficult part of the job was reassembling the ladder and re roping it.