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Another Garage Elevator

JPinSTL

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
98
Location
Stanton, MO
This is my take on the dumbwaiter, reciprocating conveyor, elevator, etc.

In my recent PoleBarn refurb I know have a 16x24 storage loft. I don't plan to be up there much and I didn't want to lose the floor space to a staircase so I planned to just use a ladder as needed. I'm 41, my son is only 6, therefore I could probably be fine without one as once I'm too old to balance a rubbermaid tub in one hand and climb the ladder, he would be old enough. But I decided there would be a better way.

So I started digging through "inventory" to see what I had. I already had the V-Caster Wheels, the 1" angle, the 3" angle, and scrap tubing for the carriage. Work was having an internal yard sale to cleanup so I snagged this Dayton 1000lb hoist with some other trinkets for $200. Whatever project it had been used on they rewired it with about a 25' pendant. I can load the platform and hold the button to raise while I climb the ladder. Works pretty slick.

The post on the right was already there. I did have to build up and anchor the post on the left. I went with the captured carriage and V-roller design because it matched what I already had on hand. Ideally I should have bought some 2" square tubing and built a ladder frame. I could have put the top roller behind, and the bottom in front. As it is there is high side load on those V-Rollers. I hung off the front and was able to get the carriage to pop out. I went through and shimmed/aligned the tracks no problems now.
 

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JPinSTL

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
98
Location
Stanton, MO
The hoist is rated for 1000lbs. Initially I was going to use the 880lb version from Harbor Freight but this one came up at work. The HF one had an auto shutoff but running it manually hasn't been a problem.

The plan is for bulky not heavy items. Seasonal stuff like the push mower, pressure washer, bikes, etc can live in the loft over the winter. I don't plan on starting to collect anvils or anything yet. Right now I have too much floor space lost to infrequently used items, shelves of fasteners, camping gear, extra saw horses.

The carriage is almost 24"x24" and the plywood platform is about 3'x3'. I'm 225lbs and I rode it up while hanging on the edge which would have been more than double that in leverage trying to pop the carriage out of the track.
 

BFBOB

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Joined
Sep 20, 2011
Messages
5,073
You asked for it ,,, well, maybe not in so many words, but posting anything like this on GJ is always taken as an invitation for commentary.

Here goes: I was going to suggest a folding platform to avoid a trip hazard when it's not in use, but on second thought, you could just leave it up at the top. Duh!
I'm not sure I'd trust my welding to keep the platform attached to the carriage with much weight on it. I think I'd add a gusset, or maybe a diagonal chain on each side- very strong, and easily removed if it gets in the way.
The inward-facing rails are a really bad idea structurally because of the spreading forces on the rails- but I gather you knew that. You could have done the superior front-back arrangement without using any more material by turning down the back rollers to have a v-point profile rather than the v-groove. That would minimize their tendency to spread the inside angle of the angle iron. Of course it would be better yet to weld a pair of angles into a square and leave the rollers with grooves.

As long as you don't overload it -- and you'll only know that by watching carefully how things move as it operates -- it should be very useful

Of course, you realize that criticism is the surest indicator of jealousy!
 
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JPinSTL

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Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
98
Location
Stanton, MO
I was going to suggest a folding platform to avoid a trip hazard when it's not in use, but on second thought, you could just leave it up at the top.

Yes the plan is to leave it up out of the way. It is tucked into a corner of the floor plan and the loft is 9ft up so I won't be bumping into it.

I'm not sure I'd trust my welding to keep the platform attached to the carriage with much weight on it. I think I'd add a gusset, or maybe a diagonal chain on each side- very strong, and easily removed if it gets in the way.

You only live once. Most of the carriage is 1/8" thick so it shouldn't tear. I'm no pro welder but I weld quite a bit and trust my skills for this. Besides the hoist is just through bolted to the 2x10 header. The whole contraption has limitations and the target load is less than 250lbs.

The inward-facing rails are a really bad idea structurally because of the spreading forces on the rails- but I gather you knew that. You could have done the superior front-back arrangement without using any more material by turning down the back rollers to have a v-point profile rather than the v-groove. That would minimize their tendency to spread the inside angle of the angle iron. Of course it would be better yet to weld a pair of angles into a square and leave the rollers with grooves.

As long as you don't overload it -- and you'll only know that by watching carefully how things move as it operates -- it should be very useful

Of course, you realize that criticism is the surest indicator of jealousy!

No lathe (yet) to mod the rollers. I wouldn't trust that 1" angle alone.

Well the angle rails are mounted inside of a 6x6 post. They are strapped down pretty tight and shimmed/aligned. I have seen the angle flex a bit but never the posts. It was a design compromise based on what I had already. If I would have used tubing to make a ladder frame the span would have been 12' and it would have flexed to. If for some reason it fails I have a plasma and a welder so I will make it better/stronger.

No one stands underneath it during use.
 
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JPinSTL

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Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
98
Location
Stanton, MO
You are giving me ideas that I shouldn't have, for lifting shingles up onto my roof.

Get on youtube and look for a ladder lift. There are several homebrew options and even a few commercial made. Make a carriage out of 2x4 that fits inside your ladder rails. Then lag bolt some skateboard bearings onto the outside. Some rope, a few pulleys, and you are done.
 

kbs2244

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
14,065
You should be able to rent a ladder lift for your shingles.
It will clamp to the sides of your ladder.
If you are worried about the condition of your ladders you may be able to rent a matching ladder as well.
 
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JPinSTL

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
98
Location
Stanton, MO
Why no diagonals (triangulation) for support on the carriage?

So I could load longer items. Where the lift comes up only has about 3' of overhead clearance. This will also limit how big/heavy of an item I can haul on it. This will not see more than 250lbs on it EVER. I won't be stacking bags of portland cement in my loft or anything. Bulky boxes, X-Mas decorations, and the like. Things to awkward to carry up some steps.

I ran the welder hot and fast running flux core with a HH 211. 70,000psi wire and I know I have more than 1 sq in of weld at each joint.
 
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