Anyone use an attic lift?

[Old Chuck]

Got a bunch of attac space above the garage and looking for a way to save the back to get stuff up in the attic. Have looked at Versa Lifts but not sure what else is out there and what is worth the price.

 

[christopizza]

I had a chain hoist in my old garage - then upgraded to a cable hoist.

I never rode it and never had anyone underneath it and it worked great hauling my woodworking equipment to the attic when I was working on car projects...

I plan to do something similar in my new garage coming soon!

 

[rslaback]

I have a HF 440lb electric hoist mounted on a beam between two trusses above the pull down stairs. It works well enough.

 

[Old Chuck]

Thanks for the input. Just starting to look around but know my old back will not do the balancing act on the attic stairs with a tote on my shoulders any longer...Would love to get the woodworking stuff and other items up and out of the way when not in use..

 

[nolimits76]

I have a HF 440lb electric hoist mounted on a beam between two trusses above the pull down stairs. It works well enough.

I used one of those hoists to lift the hard top of my old Jeep. It worked well and for the small price invested was a good value.

I have thought of doing something similar in my attic, but keep coming back to attachment of the item I am lifting up. Got any pictures how you attach to boxes, tubs, etc?

With my hard top, I had a seamstress stitch together a special strap system that went around the top and had a D ring to attach the hook from the hoist.

 

[hedhunter9]

I have looked at a bunch of them made and shown on U-tube.

I am trying to come up with something along the same lines as I want to put some vintage dirt bikes up on a mezzanine and a shelf 7 foot off the ground.

There are some pretty good ones online that I saw, Most dont show all the pc's on how it is built, but there are a couple that do...

I have to make mine strong enough to hold a 220lb dirt bike, plus a 180 person.
So a 500lb working lift but about 1200lbs safety overbuild..

Bob

 

[hedhunter9]

Here is a factory made one.

 

[hedhunter9]

Here is a homemade one.

 

[nolimits76]

Here is a homemade one.

Like the overall idea, but anyone trying to replicate this should be aware that additional safety features should be in-place before "riding" one of these!!! The guy never posted plans, details or follow-up comments in the video, but this could be a disaster if his winch brake fails.

 

[Hencini]

I used one of those hoists to lift the hard top of my old Jeep. It worked well and for the small price invested was a good value.

I have thought of doing something similar in my attic, but keep coming back to attachment of the item I am lifting up. Got any pictures how you attach to boxes, tubs, etc?

With my hard top, I had a seamstress stitch together a special strap system that went around the top and had a D ring to attach the hook from the hoist.

I'd like to build a hardtop lift. I also thought about an attic hoist. It would be nice to be able to store winter tires up there without having to haul them up the rickety access hatch ladder.

Problem is have 8' ceilings in a smallish 2 bay garage. It would be tough to get the top out of the way. The lift would be an even greater challenge.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

I like the homemade one better but I agree that as a manlift it's questionable.

 

[nolimits76]

I'd like to build a hardtop lift. I also thought about an attic hoist. It would be nice to be able to store winter tires up there without having to haul them up the rickety access hatch ladder.

Problem is have 8' ceilings in a smallish 2 bay garage. It would be tough to get the top out of the way. The lift would be an even greater challenge.

I think I still have plans for the hard top lift I made at my house. I will upload them for you to look at. In my case, that lift was a single function dedicated hard top lift (that house had stairs to the attic -- later became a game room with man door to reduced attic space).

The key to mine was the hard top sling. At the time they sold one that was expensive, but I bought some straps off eBay and had a local seamstress stitch up what I needed.

I would pull in backwards, loosen the screws and put on the sling. Finding the center of gravity of the top was instrumental. Once found I marked and positioned my sling so the D ring was on that mark. Finally I would lower the hoist, attach and lift up. In my case I would have the top of the hard top flush against the sheet rock ceiling.

My ceilings were 9 or 10' in that house; however, it would have worked fine in an 8' setup. Once the top is off you park normal and it isn't a problem. Below is a picture I found on the web. This is just loading straps creatively used; however, it roughly illustrates my point of how you can park once the top is lifted up.

 

[Hencini]

I think I still have plans for the hard top lift I made at my house. I will upload them for you to look at. In my case, that lift was a single function dedicated hard top lift (that house had stairs to the attic -- later became a game room with man door to reduced attic space).

The key to mine was the hard top sling. At the time they sold one that was expensive, but I bought some straps off eBay and had a local seamstress stitch up what I needed.

I would pull in backwards, loosen the screws and put on the sling. Finding the center of gravity of the top was instrumental. Once found I marked and positioned my sling so the D ring was on that mark. Finally I would lower the hoist, attach and lift up. In my case I would have the top of the hard top flush against the sheet rock ceiling.

My ceilings were 9 or 10' in that house; however, it would have worked fine in an 8' setup. Once the top is off you park normal and it isn't a problem. Below is a picture I found on the web. This is just loading straps creatively used; however, it roughly illustrates my point of how you can park once the top is lifted up.

Your setup is very similar to what I was considering. Back in, raise top, pull out, park normally. My only concern is that since the Jeep is lifted and the garage isn't very deep, I would essentially be working inside the hardtop any time I was doing engine work.

Also, the drop down attic stairs might interfere a bit with the raised top.

But yeah, if you've still got the plans, I'd love to see them. I'm still not settled on the best way to build the harness yet. Thanks!!

 

[nolimits76]

Your setup is very similar to what I was considering. Back in, raise top, pull out, park normally. My only concern is that since the Jeep is lifted and the garage isn't very deep, I would essentially be working inside the hardtop any time I was doing engine work.

Also, the drop down attic stairs might interfere a bit with the raised top.

But yeah, if you've still got the plans, I'd love to see them. I'm still not settled on the best way to build the harness yet. Thanks!!

I don't get off until 5pm today, so it will be a little while until I can get the plans.

FYI...my jeep was a 2004 TJ....had 4" total lift (3" suspension, 1" body) and the setup worked fine. If you have engine work to do, back in so the space over the hood is free. Probably not ideal, but it would work.

Or...assuming you have more than 1 bay and there isn't a taller vehicle in the other bay(s) then hoist your top above the lower cars. Just a thought.

 

[Hencini]

I don't get off until 5pm today, so it will be a little while until I can get the plans.

FYI...my jeep was a 2004 TJ....had 4" total lift (3" suspension, 1" body) and the setup worked fine. If you have engine work to do, back in so the space over the hood is free. Probably not ideal, but it would work.

Or...assuming you have more than 1 bay and there isn't a taller vehicle in the other bay(s) then hoist your top above the lower cars. Just a thought.

Yeah, I know there are ways around it. Ideal situation would be to have either a taller ceiling or a deeper garage so it wouldn't be an issue, but I'm sure I can make it work with what I have.

And no hurry on the plans. I'm most likely not going to build it until spring. Thanks again!!

 

[Old Chuck]

Headhunter,
Looked at the Space Life but the Versa Lift handles twice the weight at 200+ lbs and functions very much like the Space lift. Saw the Versa on a DIY show and also at a trade show. Know they are not cheap at around two grand but would do the job for me. Still trying to see if I can get something that will work as well for much cheaper. Like the finished look from the garage of the Versa when parked up in the attic. Can also get a remote so you can operate from up or down. There are some good videos if you google Versa attic Lift.

 

[cparcell]

I have a extra forklift mast and cylinder I have been contemplation making into a attic lift by lagging it against a wall via the floor and my 6x6 structural beam to lift me and my cargo up to store.

 

[hedhunter9]

I lay awake last night couldn't sleep, as my wife was admitted to the hospital yesterday with severe pneumonia and then they found a problem with her heart. They are running tests this morning so we are waiting for that.

I kept thinking about what I wanted to do with my lift (lift motorcycles up and down to put on a mezzanine above my workshop).

I think I came up with a idea on how to do it myself. Its gonna be a doozy !
16 feet by 2 feet...There is a reason for the size. It would take way too long to describe, so will have to take pictures as I go along..

Its going to be one of my winter projects. So will post late winter / spring time.

Bob

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Hope everything turns out well for your wife. I'll say a prayer for her. Keep us updated on your project and good luck with it.

 

[hedhunter9]

I kept thinking about what I wanted to do with my lift (lift motorcycles up and down to put on a mezzanine above my workshop).
I think I came up with a idea on how to do it myself. Its gonna be a doozy !
16 feet by 2 feet...There is a reason for the size. It would take way too long to describe, so will have to take pictures as I go along../QUOTE]

well, Change of plans... Decided too much work and too much room for that big a lift, so changed directions....

Made a Jib Crane instead... It works sweet ! Some quick pictures as we worked in the pole barn tonight..
Bob

 

[Milzo]

i just finished building one for my garage ill post up pics later

 

[Milzo]

1x2 1/8" steel tubing with electric hoist and unistut track

 

[doubloon]

One nice looking lift. I like the use of unistruts.

Would you mind sharing the estimated cost of materials in your investment?

 

[smokeysevin]

I would love to see how you did the rails

Sean

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