I Need A Grabbing Device

Ben, I have a siimilar tool , Gopher ll. Main differences I notice between the two are mine has a folding shaft minimizing storage space and the trigger on my handle can be locked with a switch thereby eleminating the need to keep gripping pressure on the trigger while lifting objects. It works fine on lighter weight and simple objects such as boxcars but I would caution using it to grab items with intricate detailing as the pressure needed to grab the objects could harm delicate, detailed pieces. Also, yours doesn't mention a holding weight but most including mine are rated for no more than  five pounds and I wouldn't trust it on object heavier than that for fear of it sliding from it's initial standing grip when you lift an engine.

Also it can be clumsy to use when attenpting to grab smaller items, especially those smaller than its attached suction cup "fingers". Also impossible to grab small objects surrounded by other objects closer then four inches without those other objects getting in the way.

As for using two as gunrunnerjohn suggests, that can prove be awkward positioning and maneveuring them in tandem for the best grip and lifting position. Also they're actually meant for lifting items below or above your reach and not for obects simply out of reach and horizontal to the height you're holding it. Also, adding padding will compromise and lessen its gripping strength considerably.   

I think I'd consider two of these for locomotives.  If you grab it with one, it will almost surely be unbalanced and try to slip out.  Grabbing with two would probably be much more secure.  I'd probably also put some decent padding on the jaws.

Kenn,

The description on Amazon for the less expensive grabbing tool by the same company states that it can handle 8 pounds. The difference between this one and the one on Amazon is that the Amazon device has an aluminum shaft and this one has a steel shaft. I'd expect that this one could equal, if not exceed, the 8 pound service load.

I agree that grabbing small objects could be more difficult, however, the primary purpose would be to grab an engine that's derailed in a hard-to-reach part of the layout.

John,

The best that I can work with would be one grabber so I'll just have to be a bit more careful to grab from as close to the middle as possible.

Maybe a mod that has two sets of jaws that give you some leverage to keep it from slipping?  I just see a 10 pound engine being really hard to handle with a single set of jaws.

Barrty, I got this one at Amazon, and I'm very happy with it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a Standard Gauge layout, and okay, I'm not picking up standard gauge locomotives with it, but cars yes - the grip is a soft rubber that grabs very well without having to crush down on it.  Lightweight, strong, easy one-hander.   Three feet plus your arm reach pretty much gets everywhere.   I was setting some tiny delicate scenic items with it the other day; a test for my coordination and steadiness, but the gripper worked beautifully.

As in the  case of most things, beware of the less expensive products. I participated in a litter clean-up recently, in which the park I work at was a partner organization. One of the other organizations obtained a supply of "grabbers" from Harbor Freight. They were worthy of being broken over your knee and thrown in the bags along with the litter. A glass bottle that had a small amount of liquid in it or was partially buried in the soil could not be picked up. A few of the devices broke before the day was over. The few provided by our park performed just fine, coming from a professional equipment catalog.  

I have one like the one pictured at the top of the page.  You have to be careful about the center of gravity and balance when picking up an engine.  This one works well because it is so strong and has padded grippers.  I've had it about 10 years and it has been a good tool.  If you get a good one you'll only have to buy it once.  I am not keen on the ones that fold in the middle.

Kenn,

another, albeit  more expensive solution, might be buying one of those reach ladders that extend over a platform's surface but only you could decide whether that is feasible to use in your situation.

I would buy a Topside Creeper in a heartbeat except that my train room is too confining to use it and store it when not in use.

hojack,

I got this one at Amazon, and I'm very happy with it.

That one is also a possibility. How much weight can it handle?

Strogey,

I have one of the steel extended reach models at work that was purchased from McMaster Carr.

Can you please provide the model number or a web page?

Thanks!

POTRZBE,

I have one like the one pictured at the top of the page.  You have to be careful about the center of gravity and balance when picking up an engine.  This one works well because it is so strong and has padded grippers.

Is yours the one with the aluminum shaft or the steel shaft?

Thanks!

here's from one of the reviews on amazon:

"This one is the solidest I have come across. It uses a steel cable instead of a fabric cable, so it can lift heavier items (up to 5 pounds per the directions). The head can be rotated 90 degrees, which is a nice feature. It will pick up a piece of lint, a sheet of paper and even an iPhone (despite another review to the contrary) with ease. I have books and DVDs stored on high shelves that this also works fine for fetching. It seems really solid and well built. I suspect that some of the negative reviewers have unrealistic expectations. There may be heavier-duty units out there, but so far, this is the best I have used."

I have one that I got at HD. It can pick up plastic freight cars but the typical engine is too heavy. Some steamers can weigh upwards of twenty pounds so even the one on Amazon will not pick up a steam engine let alone a scale diesel. I don't usually have derailments but I have had engines stall out on a switch and I was able to use the grabber to push the engine through until power was restored.

What you really need is a "Skyhook".

I use these, they come in different lengths.

http://arcmate.com/

hojack,

"This one is the solidest I have come across. It uses a steel cable instead of a fabric cable, so it can lift heavier items (up to 5 pounds per the directions). The head can be rotated 90 degrees, which is a nice feature. It will pick up a piece of lint, a sheet of paper and even an iPhone (despite another review to the contrary) with ease. I have books and DVDs stored on high shelves that this also works fine for fetching. It seems really solid and well built. I suspect that some of the negative reviewers have unrealistic expectations. There may be heavier-duty units out there, but so far, this is the best I have used."

Thanks!

Trainman9,

What you really need is a "Skyhook"

Ain 't that the truth!  

BigDodgeRam,

I looked at the web site and the most robust of the bunch appears to be "The Grappler".

It claims "17 pounds pick-up force". Would you have any idea if that means the gripping force or the weight that it can  handle?

Thanks!