Drywall lift experience?

[red61cj5]

I'm gonna do the drywall on my garage ceiling (12') and I was wondering if anyone here has used the lift that HF, Northern tool, Sams club, etc sells? It looks like the same lift across several retailers, just different colors. Northern currently has best price, and sells an extension to get it to 12 feet. claims 150 lb capacity and can handle 12 ft sheets. Any first hand experiences? Thanks.

 

[ms fowler]

I got one from Amazon with a 10' or so max lift. It worked extremely well for the ceiling of my garage which is at 10'. Couldn't have done by myself w/o the lift. With the lift it was Eazy Peezy. Then sold the lift locally for more than i paid for it. win win

 

[finn]

I picked one up from an internet supplier for my 13’6” ceiling.

It has an extra pole that lifts to 15’.

Worked so well that I was able to fire my wife from the job.

She was grateful for that.

 

[BigEd]

Rented one from Home Depot.
Worked just fine.

 

[red61cj5]

Rented one from Home Depot.
Worked just fine.

I thought about just renting one, but this is gonna be a few sheets today, a few sheets next week....kinda thing. Renting could get pricey. Northern tool had it for 150, plus 40 for the extension, if anyone's interested.

 

[77Birdman]

I'm a contactor, and have owned one for years. We use it whenever necess. Def worth it. For the price I would buy the darn thing, then you could always put it on cl when youre finished with it.

 

[jam022316]

I bought the harbor freight one to lift plywood for my garage and it worked flawlessly. I was really happy with it. This was 5 or 10 years ago. I think I paid $150 for it. My uncle used it to drywall his whole basement as well. Well worth the investment.

 

[bwringer]

It's a simple device -- buy it cheap, use it, and sell it on CrackList when you're done. In the end it's a lot cheaper than renting.

I've done the same with an engine lift -- bought it, used it for a couple of weeks, then put it on CrackList and it was out of my garage in less than two hours for $40 less than I paid.

 

[rk_tek]

I bought one from HF to do my basement ceiling. Probably saved my marriage. Sold it on CL when I was done. They routinely show up on CL for $100-125 from people that, like me, used it once.

 

[old__man]

I bought one used on classifieds, used it, sold it used on the classifieds. It sold right away.

All I have to say is it worked really well and I couldn't have done it solo without this thing. Just be careful, I had my garage door rails already up and when I was lifting a panel I didn't notice them.....anyways panel came flying off the lift and I have a bit of a scare on my head now.

 

[Chaz]

I got one from HF... Its not heavy duty, but I've hoisted over 100 sheets of rock (mostly 12') and it's still working.

 

[bullnerd]

I have the HF one too. Used it for the metal ceiling. Works pretty good.

I borrowed one about 20 yrs ago to do the ceiling of an addition I built on my house. The cable came undone and dropped a 12' sheet on my head! LOL! That was fun.

You can see mine in my sig. Made a platform to hold the metal panels.

 

[Certified Drunk]

If you want to buy one, check Craigslist or buy a new one and then sell it when your finished.

 

[Makoto]

I'm buying one for 100 bucks from a guy and selling it on CL after i'm done.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I bought one years ago on Ebay. Works fine on ceilings, I don't like it for walls.
Not as durable or smooth as the "professional grade" lift I rented before but taking away the time concern is worth the trade-off.

 

[DpSyChO]

I bought one off Craigslist, dont remember the brand but it's yellow and USA made. I remember that I gave a little less for used USA made in good shape than it would have been for a hf after using a coupon. I had the wife help me out ONE sheet up while on scaffolding and she said "let's get a lift" so as mentioned above it probably saved our marriage
I had to make some risers for the casters in order to do my 12' garage ceilings.
I had plans to sell after I used it but haven't yet and have loaned it to buddy to do his garage and my dad has it now doing some remodeling. I have another use coming up after my dad finishes with it and may list it then.
If I were to give it away (which I won't), I think that I've got my money worth out of it.

 

[lakeroadster]

12 ft.. that's pretty high.

When I did the 14 ft ceiling in my previous shop I rented an electric scissor lift and made a 2 x 4 structure that I clamped to the safety rails on the man lift. The 2 x 4 structure I made was about 4 inches taller than I am.

Load a sheet of sheathing on top of the 2x4 structure, get in the man lift, raise it up, fasten the sheet, drop back down and do it all over again.

Worked pretty slick.... a helluva lot better than climbing ladders.

Food for thought.

 

[LX-Markham]

Only way to make a ceiling a 1-man job.

I got one to do my ceiling in the garage, and have used it since to install my ceiling speakers and my heater.

 

[klassenl]

I bought one from Princess Auto to do my kitchen/living/dining room. That was only an 8 foot ceiling. I had it sold to a guy I worked with even before I bought it. Last year I borrowed it back to do my 10 foot garage. Worth every penny.

 

[harleybear66]

professional commercial drywall guy here. most ceilings in commercial are suspended ceilings but a couple/few time a year I need to rock a ceiling higher than my panel lift can go. I made my own extensions a few years ago by welding one piece of black pipe inside another. and only make the extension as long as you need it because it make loading the sheets a pita and the lift becomes very unstable

 

[NUTTSGT]

The neighbor has a HF one and I used it to metal up in the house garage. If I needed one and didn't have access to another one, hands down I'd buy one.

 

[LX-Markham]

I made my own extensions a few years ago by welding one piece of black pipe inside another. and only make the extension as long as you need it because it make loading the sheets a pita and the lift becomes very unstable

neat idea for an extra foot or two.

 

[rburke65]

I rented an extra height lift to install my metal ceiling liner on a 13' 4" ceiling and I was able to do myself. Worth it's weight in gold!

 

[ALinCarolina]

We got the Northern one and it worked fine for drywall and bead board ceilings. Also used it to install two heavy Jet air cleaners from the ceiling. That was a little precarious but we made sure it was balanced and went slow.

 

[2Big2Ride]

Similar story to the many that have already been stated. Bought a HF lift and used it for 5/8"-12' sheets on a 10' ceiling and plenty of 1/2"-12' sheets on the walls. Used it to hoist and hold air filters so I could hang from the ceiling. Have used it to lift things up to attic area that I couldn't/wouldn't haul up the ladder. Couldn't have done the drywall without the lift.

 

[rnj]

I have been using the one from Northern tool with the extension all day today. I have 13 ft ceilings. Awesome tool, I have been using it solo and have had no issues. When you use the extension the lowest level all the way down is about 5ft. I have been putting up OSD 8 ft sheets. I would recommend.

 

[foolio]

I bought this one recently to do my 14’ ceilings in my pole barn. Did the job great for 12’ steel panels. $150 shipped:

http://r.ebay.com/qbt7Fr

 

[493 scamp]

When you use these hanging drywall on walls do you start at the top? I am doing the front wall of my polebarn in plywood and want a 1/2" below the bottom of the lower sheets to keep from getting wet. I thought of using a couple 8' 2X4s and a 1/2 spacer as a guide to place the upper sheets high enough. (I have 12' side walls). Should I also allow for some gap between sheets?

 

[foolio]

I have always been told to start with the ceiling. The side pieces then contact them at the edges at the top of the walls. I also always leave a gap at the bottom using shims (if needed) that I take out later. Gap will then be covered by trim.

 

[acer66]

I used one cheapo of ebay while a bit scary at first it is a real time and back saver, loading was a bit tricky alone because I used a lot of 12' sheets and because I had to get the one for the higher ceilings it made loading even trickier because it was higher.

Was under $150 shipped and it was worth every little penny to me.

One thing very good thing for me, I am not so good in feathering out, was to forgo to land the **** joints on the ceiling joints and just joined them in between joists using self made **** boards, made mudding and screwing so much easier.

Also very happy that I spend the money on a cordless drywall gun with auto feed.

 

[Tundra]

professional commercial drywall guy here. most ceilings in commercial are suspended ceilings but a couple/few time a year I need to rock a ceiling higher than my panel lift can go. I made my own extensions a few years ago by welding one piece of black pipe inside another. and only make the extension as long as you need it because it make loading the sheets a pita and the lift becomes very unstable

You wouldn't happen to have a pic of the extension you made??

 

[BADSIX]

I'm using one right now from Horrible Freight, its a good tool and works great considering it came from Horrible Freight.
Jay D.

 

[Tundra]

I've got a 13'6" garage ceiling so just need that extra 2'-6" plus with an 11' lift.

 

[harleybear66]

I can try to find my most recent extension next time I go to my storage building but I don't remember seeing it recently. my lift is an original panellift brand which going memory has a male/female connection so I made the extension opposite(female/male)-I believe I slid 1/2 black pipe inside 3/4 pipe and then welded around the joint. I'm only average as far as my welding goes so knowing that I made the smaller pipe go in 12 inches and drilled two 1/4 holes and dribbled weld into them.

 

[Tundra]

I can try to find my most recent extension next time I go to my storage building but I don't remember seeing it recently. my lift is an original panellift brand which going memory has a male/female connection so I made the extension opposite(female/male)-I believe I slid 1/2 black pipe inside 3/4 pipe and then welded around the joint. I'm only average as far as my welding goes so knowing that I made the smaller pipe go in 12 inches and drilled two 1/4 holes and dribbled weld into them.

Thanks for looking!!!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

They're probably all made in the same factory, definitely worth the money. I got mine on Amazon for $130. I've done 4 ceilings myself, hung several 2x4 light fixtures in the garage, raised bundles of shingles up to the roof edge for different projects, and I plan on using it this summer to hang a gas heater in my garage. Every handyman/homeowner/DIYer should own one.

I've also had several different friends borrow it for their houses, it's currently out on loan right now. I can't take money from friends and family, but if you could you could make your money back with it.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

If someone else is using it you do not have to store it.

 

[gemniii]

<snip>
One thing very good thing for me, I am not so good in feathering out, was to forgo to land the **** joints on the ceiling joints and just joined them in between joists using self made **** boards, made mudding and screwing so much easier.

Also very happy that I spend the money on a cordless drywall gun with auto feed.

Could you explain the " self made **** boards,"?
I'v one room that is 15' wide and IF I can get 16' drywall sheets it will be easy, no butts, few cuts. If I can't then I'm going to a lot of **** joints.

I know Menards sells it but they ar 250+ miles away.

 

[lazyriverrat]

I bought a "Troy" brand lift from Amazon. It came with an extension that I used to hang my metal ceiling in my pole barn. Worked fine to hang 20 ft sheets on a 14 ft ceiling. Not sure yet if I'll hang on to it after I'm done or keep it around? Probably keep it for future unknow projects.

 

[cgrutt]

I recently bought one it only goes to 11' but extension is available to go higher. I bought a USA model but I'm sure the Harbor Freights etc are the same thing. It is awesome esp if you're working alone. Good luck!