Guiding a storage lift?

[87bob]

I want to build a lift in my barn. I have a storage loft and I don't want to have to run up and down stairs hauling all our stuff one way or the other. I want to mount the guide to the wall nothing from the ceiling. I have a 3,000 pound winch to hoist a platform. I actually only want to lift at most a couple hundred pounds. So I have the how to hoist solved. but my quandary is how to guide the platform. The loads may not be balanced in all directions and may want to pitch and yaw. The platform would be mounted to a "L" shape bracket. I thought that wont be a problem I'd just get a couple of trolleys and run it up and down a square tube or an "I" beam. Well, trolleys are only made to hang from an "I" beam. Yes I could build a special device fitted with rollers to ride on the out side of a square tube or I beam, but I cannot believe that someone doesn't offer something like off the shelf. I thought about using telescoping square steel tubing but I'm afraid it might bind. Also the key is that I don't want to tie up a life savings in making this. Has anyone got an idea or where I might find want I'm looking for?

 

[TAMU05]

Can you post a napkin sketch of what you had in mind?

Would a roller track like this work?
http://www.mcmaster.com/#door-track-hardware/=vzdv5d

I'm not sure how well that would work going vertical, but you may be able to get a small piece and give it a shot.

 

[afmrick]

For about $1.8k - $2.5k there's the Versa Lift attic storage elevator or the Loft-It wall hoist if you want to buy something.

Someone here built a track for their hoist out of unistrut and unistrut trolley pulleys. relatively cheap and easy FWIW.

 

[rburke65]

Might want to look in a WW Granger catalog.

 

[Ruthless53]

Looks like this guy used garage door tracks.

 

[Autorotica]

I thought I saw somewhere that someone makes a rig that mounts on an aluminum ladder for running materials up onto a roof? Anyone familiar?

Chris

 

[toplessHO]

I thought I saw somewhere that someone makes a rig that mounts on an aluminum ladder for running materials up onto a roof? Anyone familiar?

Chris

maybe roofers use them?

 

[tstaude]

What about using some unistrut with the trolleys that roll inside?
I thing you could set up a couple tracks for $200.

 

[kbs2244]

Instead of uni-struct I would use the slideing door track they make for barn doors.
It is stronger and has all kinds of trolly accessories ready made.

 

[DIC]

This one uses barn door track and I think a Harbor Freight winch

 

[Playwme]

Forklift mast. They go up and down with a load on them and no binding.

 

[wssix99]

Forklift mast. They go up and down with a load on them and no binding.

+ 1. Should be inexpensive also.