Lift to 2nd Floor

[iggi11]

I am in the early stages of my design. I have a limit on the ground space I can cover and I need a wood shop and enough space for 4/5 cars (2 sports cars, 1 economy, 1 full size sedan, and 1 full size king cap truck w/short bed). I am thinking a 30' by 52' x 8', 9', or 10' first floor, with the 2nd floor being built for the wood shop and using dormers so as not to have a skyscraper. Ideally I would like to build the 2nd floor with access to lift materials to the second floor. Dending upon the engineering related cost (stick, laminated beams, or steel beams) I might also consider building the 2nd floor to support the storing or working on a car with max 3500lbs weight.

My question is what type of lift mechanism might best work. I had thought about utilizing a 4 electric winch system which are mounted on the base to a steel plate that would rise through an opening in the second floor which is mounted to a steel beam system at or near the peak of the structure. Each winch would have up to 1100lbs load capacity such as
http://www.globalspec.com/SpecSearch/PartSpecs?partId={9639C5D2-2E16-43C6-B4C3-585A900F8456}&vid=160969&comp=2363&qid=20349223


Another option I considered would be a 4 post car lift system that would rise high enough to reach the 2nd floor but also have a ceiling height that would accomodate stacking of 2 smaller cars.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts to determine if I am just plain nuts or if this approach has merit and if so what products or approaches may work the best.

 

[Novicaine]

I've pondered the same question.
There are threads on this site about using barn rail and an electric hoist, good for smaller loads, like 500-1000 lbs.
If you want to lift car, you will need something custom... I don't think most 4-post lifts can go 8-9 ft up. My 2-post lift only has a travel of 6-ish foot.
I've been contemplating a forklift ... could be useful for lots of things, and can lift loads of a ton or so to 8' ... but a little pricey for my little shop. And couldn't lift a car (but for me I just want to lift snowmobiles etc).

 

[akdiesel]

I have seen a BendPak four post lift that would rise high enough to clear a motor home (approx. 12 feet). Not sure of the model #, price, or load rating but would expect to be around 9000# rated.
The lifts that are made to go through the ceilings are a good choice for limited space, but keep in mind that you would want to build the trap door strong enough to support not just your self but some of your tools that you will be moving around. Also the fact that cables may be in the way all the time on the second level.
If you do choose to make this lift I would suggest a hoist and not a winch. Winches are designed for pulls and lifts. They do have a braking system in them but for safety purposes the manufactures make the hoists designed for supported loads.
One more thing is if you use four different hoist / winches you may need to upgrade your breaker and plug to support the electrical load that all four will be needing. They also may not travel at the same speed.

 

[bazzateer]

Why not mount a swing-crane/pulley/winch thing on the outside like the old barns had. Have a hay-loft style door to load and unload materials and projects through. This won't affect your ground floor space either.

 

[iggi11]

Great ideas. I like the idea of using the barn style rail with a two door system. 1 larger Hay/loft door for larger projects and the other trap door for smaller ones. Although the high rise Bendpak may also be good option and would provide versitailty for working on and storing the other toys. Good insight on the hoist vs. winch topics. I was looking at some hoist options and there is quite range - i don't think i need a 15 ton hoist big enough to lift a building - a bit out of the price range but could you imagine the fun and trouble you could get into with that kind of power.
Any additional recommendations on other types of hoists, rail construction, suggested load limits, etc.

 

[metal1313]

i would look around for a used forklift. you can get models that will lift 5klbs 12ft or more for sometimes less than scrap prices. http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/2264794597.html there are more, infact there is one that needs some work that i may call about

 

[akdiesel]

What is your maximum weight you think you will be lifting.

 

[iggi11]

This sort of depends if I decide to build it to lift a car to the space then 2 tons. If it is work woodshop only purposes then maximum weight would be 1 1/2 tons.

 

[justanengineer]

I would put a dirt ramp on the outside of the building. Not sure if its an option for you, but many barns have this and it does add some insulation value.

 

[wormwood]

I built a lift myself to get heavy stuff up to storage.

I used garage door rails to guide it up.

Including the hoist, cost was about $600.

Video, I stupidly held the camera sideways thinking I could edit later...

.

 

[akdiesel]

wormwood,
That looks good. Tracks nicely.
I built a free standing 4 post multi level lift using Uni-Strut for snowmachines and such.

iggi11,
If you decide on a wood working shop then you may be able to build it yourself using Uni-Strut. There web site will give you all the data you need depending on your size and span of the beams. the 12 ga material in a 10' span should be able to support 1200 lbs with a 3/4" deflection, if I remember correctly. But if you build a platform you could simply double that load since you will be using at least two beams.

 

[Zeke]

Now that I've seen some of the ideas, this Genie Lift is for sale on CL for 100 bucks.

http://swmi.craigslist.org/for/2253586773.html

 

[metal1313]

i would be all over that lift if it werent clear across the country

 

[jamesemery728]

Now that I've seen some of the ideas, this Genie Lift is for sale on CL for 100 bucks.

http://swmi.craigslist.org/for/2253586773.html

Grab that Genie Lift, I have one and it is great. I built a heavy duty skid for it and I use the skid for a work table for everything like fixing a lawn mower, painting something, putting heavy stuff in my pickup truck and taking it back out. I even mounted a light on the top of it that swivels and can light up whatever you are working on. I put some clamps on the wheels so I can lock it in position.

 

[weegaz22]

http://www.totalparkingsolutions.co.uk/

Might give you some ideas, although i dare say they will be pricey

 

[steel 35]

I was going to do something similar by putting heavy things in my truck bed raise it on the lift then drop the tailgate and unload upstairs, just never got the lift. and now I don't have the room. Proof it should have been bigger.......

 

[RoarkIndustrialSolutions]

If you want to do it properly and code compliant, Pflow is the way to go. I've done several mulit-story lifts and a Harley Display tower.

http://roarkindustrialsolutions.indoff.com/media/RIS/PFlow-Vehicle-Display-System.pdf

 

[Challenger lifts]

For vertical clearance, we recommend checking the height of the area where the lift is to be installed. Ceiling height clearance should be calculated based on the full raised height of the lift and the height of the vehicle.