DIY elevator...

[LXCam]

I didn't read all the posts so I hope someone already brought this up. But the simplest way would be to get a single person lift, rip off the base and mount it. I've had one for many years that I no longer need for work. The only reason I kept it was to do an elevator for the second story on my Dutch barn garage, but have never gotten around too it. They can be had pretty cheap too.

 

[Ries]

The scissor lifts and man lifts that I’ve see are rather small platforms and/or don’t go high enough. Not to mention the expense. I’m after having a platform that is 4’x6’.

I was thinking more on this today and perhaps I’ll implement a number of rungs and use a locking setup similar to an extension ladder. Not really overly excited about this as it is installing a completely different system to the rails, but maybe the most effective method.

 

[PugetDude]

Worm-drive gearbox and a brakemotor with a normally-closed brake would lock up tighter than...
(Insert your favorite example here)
in the event you lost power.

A gear climbing a section of gear rack is pretty bulletproof. If you use a torsion shaft and two sections of gear rack it will also be really stable side-to side.

Good luck; post pics of the build.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Did the original poster for this thread ever post anything to follow up?

 

[LXCam]

The scissor lifts and man lifts that I’ve see are rather small platforms and/or don’t go high enough. Not to mention the expense. I’m after having a platform that is 4’x6’.

I was thinking more on this today and perhaps I’ll implement a number of rungs and use a locking setup similar to an extension ladder. Not really overly excited about this as it is installing a completely different system to the rails, but maybe the most effective method.

How high do you need to go. Mine goes to 20ft and a capacity of 600lbs. A little math and both the width n depth could be expanded with diminished capacity.

Just saying

 

[Kenstone1]

for ideas, youtube is your friend:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+dumbwaiter

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+garage+attic+lift

 

[Ries]

Worm-drive gearbox and a brakemotor with a normally-closed brake would lock up tighter than...
(Insert your favorite example here)
in the event you lost power.

A gear climbing a section of gear rack is pretty bulletproof. If you use a torsion shaft and two sections of gear rack it will also be really stable side-to side.

Good luck; post pics of the build.

I like th idea. What kind of feed rates are out there? I’ve never messed with worm gear drive motors. Any links to point me in the right direction? The one nice thing with these cable hoists is the rates are in the 35-40fpm range.

Did the original poster for this thread ever post anything to follow up?

I never saw anything.

for ideas, youtube is your friend:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+dumbwaiter

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+garage+attic+lift

Yes, I saw these. However none of these solutions have safety features implemented.

 

[PugetDude]

I like th idea. What kind of feed rates are out there? I’ve never messed with worm gear drive motors. Any links to point me in the right direction? The one nice thing with these cable hoists is the rates are in the 35-40fpm range..

Feed rates are going to be dictated by motor speed/gear ratio.

Look for a worm drive gearbox with a flange-mounted brakemotor.
I know SEW Eurodrive and Nord make them.

I've seen them used to lift/turn loads up to 25 tons.
Will look for an example.

 

[Ries]

I've seen them used to lift/turn loads up to 25 tons.
Will look for an example.

Any luck?

 

[PugetDude]

Any luck?

Take a look at some of these:

https://www.google.com/search?q=rac...2tXfAhU8HTQIHbtaAGUQ_AUIDygC&biw=1366&bih=590

 

[kylefitz]

The previous owner of my shop bolted the mast off an electric forklift to the side of the loft. He put the pump under the nearby work bench with a deep cycle marine battery. Has an approximately 10’ x 6’ platform that slips over the forks. There is a toggle switch on the mast that controls the up and down. There is a hinged section of c channel that acts as a stop to keep the mast from falling.

 

[logical]

Did the original poster for this thread ever post anything to follow up?

No.

This thread has certainly had it's ups and downs.

 

[bad_idea]

Someone commented on one of the videos KenStone1 posted suggesting old seat belts be used for safety brakes. IIRC Jack Olsen used some for his trailer lift setup in the side yard. Not a terrible idea.

 

[glentre]

For my 15 ft attic lift similar to several posted before, I used a 20 ft retractable man safety belt designed for construction workers. A bit more expensive than seat belts but heavy duty and built specifically for an accidental falling application. No way I would ride a DIY lift without a safety brake.

Glen

 

[Innovate1]

Just ran across this thread... When I was a teen my dad and I built a self loading garbage truck based on a animal rendering truck he had seen. The same mechanism could be adapted to an elevator.

A quick search turned up trucks with different style mechanisms so I will just try to describe it...

It was hydraulic but could be electric. There was a standard steel channel of about 4" width up both sides of the back and bent to go forward across the top of the collection box. Roller chain went down the center of both channels. Custom "spools" were made that rolled in the channel with a smaller center section to clear the chain. The carriages held two of these rollers and had a sprocket for the chain and a shaft from side to side between the sprockets. The shaft was driven via chain from a hydraulic motor and worm drive reduction gear box. There were side plates on the carriages that held a ball bearing against the back of the channel near the top of the carriage. Dad welded up "forks" out of two side by side rock drill rods with a small welded gusset at the corner. Hydraulic cylinders were added and the forks were hinged so the box being dumped could be inverted at the top. There was a clamp system to keep the box from falling into the truck but that is a detail that wouldn't be needed. No idea what sort of weight limit it had. He regularly dumped large dumpsters at local lumber mills and their truck shops for years with it.

It would be easy to scale that for whatever size was needed.

I don't have the welding skills that dad had. I am more interested in a lifting platform that could be used for unloading from a truck - an adjustable loading dock. Perhaps a movable 4 post vehicle lift? A small fork lift would be ideal but would have to find a really good deal on one to make it justifiable. I won't always have my tractor with front loader but for now a set of clamp on forks would probably be the way to go.

Speaking of safety... We also flew homebuilt airplanes. Discussion of that would likely get a few people wound up.