Second story lift/crane?

[PNWguy]

Does anybody here use a lift of some sort to get stuff up to the second story? I'm building soon, and I'll have a second floor over half of my shop.

I've been considering a lift platform that uses a small winch, so I can easily put stuff into second floor storage.

I'd like to see your solutions.

 

[6768rogues]

I have a used scissor lift. I use it to move stuff up to the loft and to service lights, etc.

 

[OKDave]

i have installed a couple of versa lifts for customers. They work well, and are relatively easy to install.
https://versaliftsystems.com/produc...JBuTmPZKyBrWSi9gaOGevD71VN3OQktsaAsKREALw_wcB
Dave

 

[MikefromNZ]

What about a small forklift mast mounted to the wall / floor with a platform and hydraulic motor?

Sent from my SM-G390Y using Tapatalk

 

[PNWguy]

You guys have great solutions, but big budgets too.

The Versa Lift looks pretty slick, and was more or less what I was thinking.
However, I was also thinking of spending a whole lot less money.

A small electric winch and a basket/platform.
HF has a 1500 pound 120v winch, which is labeled "not for vertical lifting". I assume it could lift 200# up to 10'.

 

[Kaizen]

You guys have great solutions, but big budgets too.

The Versa Lift looks pretty slick, and was more or less what I was thinking.
However, I was also thinking of spending a whole lot less money.

A small electric winch and a basket/platform.
HF has a 1500 pound 120v winch, which is labeled "not for vertical lifting". I assume it could lift 200# up to 10'.

keep digging on here. Someone did what you are describing. I believe he reframed part of the floor to have like a 3 or 4 foot square platform that used a winch. I can never find anything that i'm looking for on this site. sorry but I know its here and he did a great job writing it up

 

[James-W]

Here is what I did, cost was minimal, and it has been working great since I built the garage a little over 5 years ago. Since we did this video we have made some improvements, anchored the 2 pipes in the middle, installed a heavier duty cable, stuff like that. We also put drywall on the walls.

http://www.windemuth.org/video-files/Lift-1.avi

 

[PNWguy]

Here is what I did, cost was minimal, and it has been working great since I built the garage a little over 5 years ago. Since we did this video we have made some improvements, anchored the 2 pipes in the middle, installed a heavier duty cable, stuff like that. We also put drywall on the walls.

http://www.windemuth.org/video-files/Lift-1.avi

Nice! Much fancier that I was thinking of. Do you have more details of the build? I looked at windermuth.org, but you seem to have hidden the non-family stuff.

 

[James-W]

Nice! Much fancier that I was thinking of. Do you have more details of the build? I looked at windermuth.org, but you seem to have hidden the non-family stuff.

I don't have any other videos of it. I can tell you about building it though. I bought the winch from Harbor freight, supposed to be able to lift 1,100 pounds but I don't lift even half that much weight. I think the winch at the time cost about $130. The pipe I bought thru a guy who works maintenance at a local plant and he got the pipe for cost, which was something like $13 of $14 per pipe so the 2 pipe was less than $30. The rest of the metal I had on hand from doing other projects, some of the metal I had bought, some of the metal other people bought and they left it with me after I did their project. I don't think I have over $200 in the lift.

If you want, tomorrow I can take some close up pictures and post them. Actually, I would think the way you construct the lift platform would ideally be based more on what you want to lift up to the second floor. For the most part, we put things like plastic totes with all sorts of stuff in them and we very rarely need to go up there to get stuff from them. I have several totes up there with tools I rarely use. For example, I have a pipe threader up there that I almost never use. We rarely go up there, but when we do need to put something up there, or getting it back down again, having a lift is essential. What good is a storage area on the second floor if you can't get stuff up there? I have a table saw up there, a floor model Delta drill press, the snowblower goes up there, except for during the Winter. Tons of other stuff too that we seldom need.

 

[finn]

Sounds like a reason to not build a lift....all the stuff you never use accumulates in a relatively inaccessible storage area, making it even more likely you will never use it again.

I’m in the same boat. I sometimes feel that I wasted money specifying storage trusses in my garage. I should have used that money to increase the building footprint, even if only by a dozen or two square feet.

Ever notice that factories and warehouses are almost exclusively single story buildings now, compared to late 800s buildings when they were three, five, or seven stories?

 

[James-W]

Sounds like a reason to not build a lift....all the stuff you never use accumulates in a relatively inaccessible storage area, making it even more likely you will never use it again.

I’m in the same boat. I sometimes feel that I wasted money specifying storage trusses in my garage. I should have used that money to increase the building footprint, even if only by a dozen or two square feet.

Ever notice that factories and warehouses are almost exclusively single story buildings now, compared to late 1800s buildings when they were three, five, or seven stories?

Having a larger garage would be nice, but I built it as large as I could. The city I live in has limits to the size of a garage based upon lot size and other considerations. In my case, 24X36 was the maximum I could build and that is what I built.

We needed storage space to put things we want to keep, but we don't need them all that often. Above the garage seemed to be the best place we could think of so that is what we did. We have easy access to the upstairs, we just don't need to use the stuff stored up there on a regular basis.

A few months ago we gave our youngest daughter a dresser. One of her kids out grew the dresser he had. We had a larger one that we weren't using stored up there, so we gave it to her. If we didn't have the storage space we would have gotten rid of the dresser and then she would of had to buy a dresser.

I know what you are saying though, having a lot of storage space means we keep a lot of stuff we don't need.

 

[finn]

I know what you mean.

In her later years, my mother couldn’t deal with getting rid of things she no longer needed and never used. She was by no means a hoarder, though.

In the end, my wife and I pretty much had to organize and get rid of her stuff alone, as my five siblings were disbursed around the country.

Hopefully, my kids won’t have that task when we’re gone, but it’s not likely..... I’m at the point that if I haven’t used something in a couple of years, it’s at least a candidate for donating or scrapping, and no more hidden or difficult to access storage areas is part of the discipline I need to enforce that commitment.

 

[BFBOB]

You guys have great solutions, but big budgets too.
A small electric winch and a basket/platform.
HF has a 1500 pound 120v winch, which is labeled "not for vertical lifting". I assume it could lift 200# up to 10'.

You need a hoist, not a winch. The difference is a brake which prevents the cable from being pulled back out when the hoist is stopped.

Specs can be misleading too. A 1500 lb winch may well be rated to be able to pull a vehicle weighing 1500 lbs, not exert 1500 lbs of force. The devil (read possible crushing injury/death) is in the details.

 

[Orionrising]

You need a hoist, not a winch. The difference is a brake which prevents the cable from being pulled back out when the hoist is stopped.

Specs can be misleading too. A 1500 lb winch may well be rated to be able to pull a vehicle weighing 1500 lbs, not exert 1500 lbs of force. The devil (read possible crushing injury/death) is in the details.

I built one with unistrut tracks and wheels, a harbor freight hoist and used a tractor supply carryall frame with a pallet on it for the platform.

I only put 3-400 lbs on it so it's got a 3x saftey factor and I have clear view from above.

Photos around post 90+ in my build thread.

Note: this was done on a non commercial structure in an area with permiting or inspection.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[lakeroadster]

Does anybody here use a lift of some sort to get stuff up to the second story? I'm building soon, and I'll have a second floor over half of my shop.

I've been considering a lift platform that uses a small winch, so I can easily put stuff into second floor storage.

I'd like to see your solutions.

What's the rating of the second story floor?

Easily? Look to how it's done at your home. I've found that the best solution is a stairway. It provides easy access that you will use often. Anything less convenient and you'll seldom use the space.

Remember lifting anything off the roof trusses / rafters can be a problem if the roof structure isn't designed for such a device. Not saying it can't be done, just saying be cautious.

And the space under the stairway is ideal for storage of large items that you use more frequently.

Other fella's here have also made hinged stairways..

 

[Lelandwelds]

I've found that the best solution is a stairway. It provides easy access that you will use often. Anything less convenient and you'll seldom use the space.

Then it becomes taxable at the same rate as the main floor. No thanks. No stairs. More cargo containers.

I have considered building one like an elevator: platform centered between two posts. Counterweight. Capstan hoist. Hall effect driven brake . ( directly on capstan? Car or go-kart disc brake?)

A davit crane looks easier and simpler. A twisting-cable-around-shaft boat winch is easier.

 

[PNWguy]

Lots of good suggestions.

To clarify my situation: I'm building a 40' x 52' shop.
Half of the shop (40' x 25') will have 12' walls (at the top plate) and scissor trusses. Half of that space will be an auto bay, with a lift (the reason for the tall ceiling).

The other half of the building (40' x 25') will have 10' walls (at the top plate) and attic trusses. The attic truss space will be my "clean" room for working on electronics, reloading, etc. The 40' wide span will give me 16' (more or less, I don't have the drawings back yet) of at least 8' ceiling clearance. I'll build shelves into the space with less than 8' walls. I'm not planning on piling **** deep into the trusses.

My goal is top put bins of things I don't use all the time (camping gear, for example) onto the shelves. I'm not storing engine blocks and car parts up there. I want some of my things to be clean and out of the way.

I'm building a house at the same time (attached to the 40 x 52 shop). It'll be small, and won't have the endless closets that most new houses do. Also, I don't want to fill the garage with all the **** that fills garages.

It'll be engineered, permitted and legit. I'm not worried about the weight.

 

[PNWguy]

I don't have any other videos of it. I can tell you about building it though. I bought the winch from Harbor freight, supposed to be able to lift 1,100 pounds but I don't lift even half that much weight. I think the winch at the time cost about $130. The pipe I bought thru a guy who works maintenance at a local plant and he got the pipe for cost, which was something like $13 of $14 per pipe so the 2 pipe was less than $30. The rest of the metal I had on hand from doing other projects, some of the metal I had bought, some of the metal other people bought and they left it with me after I did their project. I don't think I have over $200 in the lift.

If you want, tomorrow I can take some close up pictures and post them. Actually, I would think the way you construct the lift platform would ideally be based more on what you want to lift up to the second floor. For the most part, we put things like plastic totes with all sorts of stuff in them and we very rarely need to go up there to get stuff from them. I have several totes up there with tools I rarely use. For example, I have a pipe threader up there that I almost never use. We rarely go up there, but when we do need to put something up there, or getting it back down again, having a lift is essential. What good is a storage area on the second floor if you can't get stuff up there? I have a table saw up there, a floor model Delta drill press, the snowblower goes up there, except for during the Winter. Tons of other stuff too that we seldom need.

I'd love to see some detailed photos. Thanks!

 

[My Old Tools]

Here's mine. 2000# HF hoist, beam spec'd for 2000# plus safety margin. Second picture shows a small modification to keep the hoist from tilting on the beam when not loaded.

 

[ckucia]

I've given serious thought to a lift using a winch. Several good ones on the board.

What I haven't seen, and what's been keeping me from proceeding, is any sort of failsafe / brake / locking mechanism should the cable snap or the winch let go.

I don't plan on using the lift for people, but I still would rather have something that would prevent the platform from freefalling.

I've had a couple of rough ideas but it's something I've never completely sorted out in my head. A latching device when going up would probably work, but I'd really like something that would prevent the platform dropping when going down.

 

[James-W]

I'd love to see some detailed photos. Thanks!

I will take some pictures as soon as I can, it will most likely be this weekend. I was going to do it today but some things came up. Right now I am waiting for my wife to get back and then we have to leave for UW Hospital in Madison, a good friend of ours is there and we aren't sure just why.

 

[PNWguy]

I will take some pictures as soon as I can, it will most likely be this weekend. I was going to do it today but some things came up. Right now I am waiting for my wife to get back and then we have to leave for UW Hospital in Madison, a good friend of ours is there and we aren't sure just why.

No problem James; I won't be starting it any time soon. Take care of family & friends.

 

[PNWguy]

I've given serious thought to a lift using a winch. Several good ones on the board.

What I haven't seen, and what's been keeping me from proceeding, is any sort of failsafe / brake / locking mechanism should the cable snap or the winch let go.

I don't plan on using the lift for people, but I still would rather have something that would prevent the platform from freefalling.

I've had a couple of rough ideas but it's something I've never completely sorted out in my head. A latching device when going up would probably work, but I'd really like something that would prevent the platform dropping when going down.

I assume that a hoist designed for lifting would have a brake or something. HF has one for $100, rated at 450#.

 

[JamesW84]

I know stairs were mentioned, but can you do pull down attic stairs? I have them for my attic and I don't think it affects taxable value. You're not going to get large stuff up there that way.

Other ideas:

Scissor Lift
Backhoe with pallet forks
Used forklift
Pallet Stacker

 

[sberry]

I cleaned a bunch out a while back. Some of it was ok, just tired of looking at it. I have space I dedicated to stuff not to toss but didn't want in the way. We actually use a lot of it, I would rather walk and get it on occasion than to work around the clutter.

 

[lakeroadster]

I've found that the best solution is a stairway. It provides easy access that you will use often. Anything less convenient and you'll seldom use the space.

Then it becomes taxable at the same rate as the main floor. No thanks. No stairs. More cargo containers.

Leland... how does more cargo containers help the OP?

 

[J66442]

I found a warehouse staircase with a mini elevator built into the front on a surplus auction. It has a warn winch, an onboard battery charger and a battery box that takes a 12V deep cycle. I considered cutting off the elevator part and mounting it against the wall. I think it is rated for 400 lbs.

 

[ckucia]

I assume that a hoist designed for lifting would have a brake or something. HF has one for $100, rated at 450#.

That won't help if the cable or it's attachment to the platform fails.

 

[James-W]

That won't help if the cable or it's attachment to the platform fails.

That is certainly true, but the thing is, nothing is 100 percent safe. People fall down stairs all the time and some get seriously hurt, even killed. Personally, I think trying to negotiate a staircase carrying heavy and/or bulky items is more likely to cause an accident than having a lift. But, to each their own I guess. All I know is, I wouldn't trade my lift for the fanciest stairs in the world. Without the lift I wouldn't even consider putting my snowblower up there.

 

[Throbbin Rods]

I have a "yardarm sticking out the front of the garage. I hang a block and tackle off it when I need to lift stuff up to the second story. There is a 6' x 6' door up there so most stuff will swing right in. I put a rope on whatever I am lifting and when I get the item to the right height I tie off the pull rope and scoot up the stairs to grab the extra rope and pull the item right in through the door

 

[driftpin]

Seems like a shallow-web I-beam and a trolley on the yardarm would allow you to bring that load in easier, and allow you to deposit onto a dolly for maneuvering.

I have a "yardarm sticking out the front of the garage. I hang a block and tackle off it when I need to lift stuff up to the second story. There is a 6' x 6' door up there so most stuff will swing right in. I put a rope on whatever I am lifting and when I get the item to the right height I tie off the pull rope and scoot up the stairs to grab the extra rope and pull the item right in through the door

 

[PNWguy]

I know stairs were mentioned, but can you do pull down attic stairs? I have them for my attic and I don't think it affects taxable value. You're not going to get large stuff up there that way.

Other ideas:

Scissor Lift
Backhoe with pallet forks
Used forklift
Pallet Stacker

There is a (25 x 16) room on the second floor that I'm using for electronics, reloading & storage. It's going to have easy access (for me), and I think stairs is probably the best method.

A scissor lift, backhoe or forklift are all in the 10's of thousands of dollars.

Why do so many guys here want to swat flies with grenades?

 

[PNWguy]

That won't help if the cable or it's attachment to the platform fails.

True. But I won't be standing under it.
Probably the heaviest thing to go up will be my desk, and that'll be just once.

It's mostly going to be used for camping gear and long term storage things. I don't plan on keeping my collection of engine blocks up there.

 

[BukitCase]

If you're gravitating toward stairs, here's mine (just in case you haven't seen it yet)

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386657

There's a LOT more pics and explanations; if you're interested, just ask... Steve

 

[JamesW84]

There is a (25 x 16) room on the second floor that I'm using for electronics, reloading & storage. It's going to have easy access (for me), and I think stairs is probably the best method.

A scissor lift, backhoe or forklift are all in the 10's of thousands of dollars.

Why do so many guys here want to swat flies with grenades?

For someone who doesn't know where to look or how to repair anything, sure. You can spend $20-50k on a new car or you can fix an older car if you know how.

I have a 1500 lb capacity 4x10 scissor lift that I paid $600 for. All in, I've got about $2000 and could resell for that or more.

I have a 1976 Case 580c Backhoe that I've got 7k in, could resell it for that or more.

Several guys on here have used forklifts that they get for $500-2000.

The thing is that these aren't single use items. You can use these for other things if you have the need. This is another "excuse/reason" to have one.

Put the light stuff upstairs. Get some pallet racking to put the heavy stuff on down low where you can get to it. Install attic pull down stairs. Problem solved and most likely the way I will handle it.

 

[PNWguy]

For someone who doesn't know where to look or how to repair anything, sure. You can spend $20-50k on a new car or you can fix an older car if you know how.

I have a 1500 lb capacity 4x10 scissor lift that I paid $600 for. All in, I've got about $2000 and could resell for that or more.

I have a 1976 Case 580c Backhoe that I've got 7k in, could resell it for that or more.

Several guys on here have used forklifts that they get for $500-2000.

The thing is that these aren't single use items. You can use these for other things if you have the need. This is another "excuse/reason" to have one.

Put the light stuff upstairs. Get some pallet racking to put the heavy stuff on down low where you can get to it. Install attic pull down stairs. Problem solved and most likely the way I will handle it.

I love hundreds of miles from manufacturing centers. We just don't have stuff for sale like that around here at those prices. I've had this same discussion with the "just buy an old Bridgeport on Craigslist for $500" guys. Those. Do. Not. Exist. Here.

A forklift would be mostly useless, and take up valuable space - they do rather poorly in the dirt, and I have no plans to pave 5 acres.
I have access to an excavator, tractor and other farm stuff - family owned, 100' from my house. I use them all the time, and understand the value of them. However, for my needs (loading boxes into a second story room) it's absurdly overkill.

I understand that this works for you, but you seem to think that your solution is the only solution. For everybody.

I've said three times that there's going to be a room upstairs. Why would I use pull down attic stairs for a room I'm going to be using on a regular basis?


1. The storage is upstairs, in a room that I'll be using frequently. There will be stairs.
2. The goal is to keep bulky items out of the shop.
3. I am looking for a simple, reasonably inexpensive solution.
3A. I have no desire to find, fix and store a forklift that won't be able to move more than 50' in any direction.

 

[PNWguy]

If you're gravitating toward stairs, here's mine (just in case you haven't seen it yet)

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386657

There's a LOT more pics and explanations; if you're interested, just ask... Steve

Love that staircase! Mine will be more permanent and not hinged.
It'll be in the woodshop portion of the building, and I'll be using the space under it for storage. I'm looking forward to having a spot for sheetgoods, and all the other **** that blocks the walls.

 

[JamesW84]

If you're set on a lift/crane, the following will be useless to you:

Sorry, just trying to offer "outside of the box" solutions that may or may not help you. I
scrolled back and only found one time where you said you would be up there "reloading, etc,"

My way is not the only way - clearly there are several different ways that people in this thread are doing this same task.

People move heavy things up stairs all the time, so the easier way may be to have a couple capable people move your desk up your stairs (you said you're going to use stairs) and just carry your other not-heavy, rarely-used items up the stairs. Or take the desk apart and carry it up in pieces. I've seen videos of people who built a mezzanine or loft elevator on youtube. Perhaps some searching could find those videos.

Again, only trying to offer suggestions. I'll bow out of this thread as to not get into an argument.

 

[matt_i]

I think I'd build the lookout door into the end-wall of the attic trusses.

Use 3" I-beam or 12ga unistrut with a trolley (will roll smoother with I-beam). Span all the way out to all the way inside the room area. Need to integrate some kind of feature to pull the hoist back inside the room (other than the pendant). Have to have a pendant long enough to be able to push the hoist out to lifting position and still operate it from the room. Have to integrate some kind of horizontal bar or have enough sense not to take that last fatal step once the lookout doors are opened....

You have to be careful about lift capacity, I'd go about 400# max. The roof can take quite a number of bundles of shingles ganged up in one specific area during the roofing stage and not collapse. Have to think carefully about the dead snow load on the roof at times of using the hoist.

Also have to be careful about level of the track, and attachments to the wooden structure that don't compromise the truss members.

 

[PNWguy]

If you're set on a lift/crane, the following will be useless to you:

Sorry, just trying to offer "outside of the box" solutions that may or may not help you. I
scrolled back and only found one time where you said you would be up there "reloading, etc,"

My way is not the only way - clearly there are several different ways that people in this thread are doing this same task.

People move heavy things up stairs all the time, so the easier way may be to have a couple capable people move your desk up your stairs (you said you're going to use stairs) and just carry your other not-heavy, rarely-used items up the stairs. Or take the desk apart and carry it up in pieces. I've seen videos of people who built a mezzanine or loft elevator on youtube. Perhaps some searching could find those videos.

Again, only trying to offer suggestions. I'll bow out of this thread as to not get into an argument.

I get it, and I appreciate your input. I get frustrated here because people suggest ideas that are completely unworkable, without knowing any of the details, and assume that what works for them works for everybody. In this case, I'm looking for something fairly simple and inexpensive.

Perhaps I didn't say what the upstairs was like three times (oops) but you quoted it in your reply to me.