Attic Stairs - Counterbalance

[ddurrett896]

Looking at stair options for my garage that retract up, off the floor. Opening is 36" and I doubled up the trusses on both sides of the opening. Watched a ton of videos and I can either manually do it with a winch/boat winch or counterbalance. Prefer the counterbalance in the event I lost power and it's just plain neat.

I'm getting a little hung up on how to attach the top tread to the trusses. I think the easiest way to do it is nail a 2x12 across the opening (like a tread) then use a gate hinge similar to the link below with beefier screw to attach the stairs.

Everbilt 3-1/2 in. Black Heavy-Duty Tee Hinge 15065

www.homedepot.com

Another thought was to build the stairs with another step into the attic (so like 9" above the top chord of the truss) then use a hole saw and cut through that top step and sleeve it with a chain link fence post that would pivot on the top chord in the attic. Any thoughts?

 

[dfiler2]

You could use a couple of heavy duty door hinges with bearings and mortise them into the top step. I used a piano hinge and for the counter weight I used a piece of 4 " pipe and filled with sand until I got the weight right.

 

[ddurrett896]

You could use a couple of heavy duty door hinges with bearings and mortise them into the top step. I used a piano hinge and for the counter weight I used a piece of 4 " pipe and filled with sand until I got the weight right.

Got a link you could send as an example on the door hinge with bearing and the piano hinge you used? Thanks!

 

[billconner]

I don't know what your trusses are but my plan is to use a 1" pipe "axle" - drilling 1" holes in stringers and joists - and then counter balance with pulleys, wire rope to and a counterweight (undesigned but maybe a thin steel "box" against wall.) If necessary I can add a speed rail flange to joists and/or stringers.

 

[kbs2244]

I like the pipe axle idea
ropes down to the bottom step and up and over pulleys on the trusses

 

[wrenchguy]

Use cable and pulleys, I been using my self built stairs 35 years when I built out. For counterweight I stacked engine flywheels for ease of lifting to stop & latch. Try to make outa aluminum and steep as a ladder for minimum counterweight.

 

[dfiler2]

Here are a couple of examples.

Post-Plated Continuous Hinges-Charcoal Gray

Continuous (piano) hinges, available in 36" to 72" lengths, countersunk screw holes every 2" with slotted holes at both ends, post-production charcoal gray finish.

www.rockler.com

Heavy Weight 4 Ball Bearing Stainless Steel Hinges Full Mortise - Commercial - Multiple Sizes - Sold In Sets Of 3

Buying products with these specifications: Heavy Weight 4 Ball Bearing Stainless Steel Hinges Full Mortise - Commercial - Multiple Sizes - Sold In Sets Of 3?

www.hingeoutlet.com

 

[Renegade1LI]

Might want to contact these guys

Conforce Constant Force Springs | Vulcan Spring

Conforce Springs offer high force output, provide long linear reach and store power indefinitely when extended. Order our Conforce Constant Force Spring.

www.vulcanspring.com