Automatic Retracting Stairs

[MatthewM]

I don't have any need for retractable stairs but thought others hear would appreciate the design, fabrication, and possible application of these stairs. They are a really neat way of keeping your attic stairs out of the way.

 

[thdewey]

That's really cool. I wonder if that guy is going to sell his design. I assume that he made them. I would have bought those if they were available instead of building outside stairs. I didn't want to loose garage square footage to stairs, this would have worked.

 

[CraigFL]

I think it's a great idea but wait until the lawyers get a hold of it.....

 

[JMURiz]

VERY cool, that'd be perfect for me...oh well, I'll just use what I have instead.

 

[mikeyr]

you guys asking about the design are joking right ? that is sarcasm you are saying and I am missing it right ?

4 pieces of 1/2"x1 1/2" rectangle tubing, some angle iron for the stair brackets welded to the tubing. 1x8 lumber for the stairs each piece about 24" long bolted to the angle stair brackets. A continuous hinge at the top and a HF winch and its done in a few hours. You guys saw the video and could not figure that out ? or did I miss the sarcasm/joke somewhere ?

 

[milner351]

surely innovative - but couldn't you do the same thing with a rope hoist and any set of home built stairs? I'm not sure the motorized system to raise and lower is worth the time effort and cost. I have been called frugal pretty often, but not patient - I would find the time to raise and lower frustrating.

 

[MatthewM]

@mikeyr

I believe it's a little more complicated than angle iron welded to the square tubing, as if you pay close attention, when the steps are raised and lowered their angle changes to allow the two pieces of tubing to come together. He uses a channel system with pins fixed at one end of the step, and free floating at the other. Additionally its not simply a winch, as you can see in the video, the design uses a cantilever setup with no wires hanging over the steps.

It's not the most simple design, but it's also not so complicated that it can't be re-produced by many of the members here, which is why I posted it. Sometimes, its the most simple useful designs that garner the most interest here on the Garage Journal. For example, nothing in Jack Olsen's garage is a highly engineered masterpiece (save for the Porsche) however, the simplicity and function of the space are clearly top notch, which is why people are interested.

 

[dirttracker18]

Mikey
It's funny that you called out guys for asking about the design when you clearly don't get it either.
Irony? Is that right?
Best you watch that video again before simplifying a well thought out design.

Very well thought out and built. I could use that in my shop with 15' up to the attic.

 

[jdub63]

Here's my less-engineered stairs... copied from another GJ post/gallery, can't remember who

Disassembled rolling stairs, HF winch, and a pivot point.

I still need to build a landing, for now, I have to climb over the side railing at the top.

 

[JMartel]

For that space it seems a bit comical. If he can already reach up high enough to hit and hold the button, he can just grab it and pull it down real quick. Would save much more time without the motor. If it was a 15' ceiling like what dirttracker said, then it would make more sense.

 

[MatthewM]

@Jdub63

Cool setup, seems like it suits your needs well. It also let's you make good uses of the precious free space.

 

[LWW]

Ummm... HF winch.

I do like the way the stairs "contract" together as it rolls up, but I'm too impatient for that slow and complicated a mechanism.

Interesting engineering exercise, but doesn't meet the KISS principles that my feeble brain demands... Too many things to go wrong or break and need fixed at just the worst time as Murphy requires.

 

[LWW]

I have to climb over the side railing at the top.

Plasma cutter or a cut off wheel and some Rustoleum spray paint will solve that problem.

You could then re-use the railing and weld it to the "open" end at the top so you don't topple off the edge while trying to bring something up or down.

You may not need it, but I'm too clumsy to not think of it. You guys would laugh if you saw how I sometimes pinball my way down the halls in my house with no apparent obstacle causing the erratic movement...

My kids always complain when I tell them to ALWAYS use the hand rail when going up or down the stairs. They may have my gene's so it's highly probable they'll trip and cartwheel down the stairs if they're not too careful...

 

[drmoonshine]

Maybe it's just me but I prefer the manual method.