A lift fixture (10) for holding and centering a workpiece (93) includes a handling ring (16) defined by a yoke (17) and a clamp slide (20) mounted on the yoke, means (48) for closing the clamp slide (20), a support apparatus (12) for positioning the handling ring (16), and a plurality of angularly spaced holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) for gripping the workpiece (93). The holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) are movably mounted to the handling ring (16) so as to move relative to the ring along a line generally tangent to the workpiece (93). The holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) are biased to a centered position, as by springs (87,88), so that when the workpiece (93) is lifted, it is urged to a centered position within the ring (16).