My DIY Attic Lift Video

[Trey T]

For a standard 2-3 car garage, an attic lift is a must or else you'll be parking your cars outside.

I have a Racor lift that I modified for my 2-car garage. I don't think I can live without it.

 

[Milzo]

I haven't been on the site for months and when i checked in today I had 6 unread messages. For some reason I don't get an email notifying that i have a message. Sorry for being a deadbeat member. I am adding some additional pictures and details that hopefully help everyone out

Lift frame
1"x2"x.125" wall rectangular tubing about 30ft total
2 pcs of 20' Unistrut P100HS http://www.unistrutohio.com/products/p1000.html
4 unistrut trolleys http://www.mcmaster.com/#strut-channel-systems/=qcqae0
1 -5/16" u-bolt
4 - 5/16" eye bolts
2 - 30" chain lengths
2 - turnbuckles

880lb Harbor Freight hoist
1 -3ft leftover piece of unistrut
4 - L Strut Brackets
4 - Pcs of 1/2" Threaded rods
12 - 1/2" nuts
8 - 1/2" washers


-When i built new garage I had double trusses installed on both sides of where the lift was going. Then we install floor joists doubled up and headered off where the opening is.

-Then i went to a local supply house and bought two pieces of 1-5/8" x 20' unistrut. The type with holes on the back side for mounting.

-Installed unistrut at same width as frame of the lift platform with lag screws into horizontal bracing installed between studs in the wall. I ran the unistrut up from the garage floor through the opening and into the attic about 3ft. This must be done so when the platform is all the way up in the attic the trolleys are still inside the unistrut / track.



-Then i bought some .125"x1"x2" rectangular steel tubing. Cut all pieces to length then welded frame together.



-Installed 4 trolleys (mcmaster carr part #3626T14) on the back side of the vertical portion of the lift platform. These ride inside the unistrut.





-Hung a leftover piece of unistrut from attic trusses with 12" sections of all thread and heavy duty angle brackets.

 

[ricrey99]

A lift in the middle of garage that closes off the opening when retracted is the route I'm planning. The base of the lift will act as the "door" to close off the access when the lift is raised. Lots of info on Youtube about this. Looks great!

 

[wallacej]

Yes those are unistrut tracks, yes i built it all. Its a harbor freight 880lb hoist. On the backside of the frame are 4 two wheel trolleys that ride inside the unistrut. I used 4 superstrut brackets with 1/2" all thread to support the unistrut track the hoist rests on. The L brackets are lag screwed with 1/2 lag screws 2 per bracket. I plan to gusset the L brackets. I have about $350 in it total. I can get more detailed info if you want it just ask.

JASON; Good Work, Man. Please send any available Plans, Parts Sources and PICS of the 4-Wheeler on the way to the upstairs.

wallaceJ [email protected] 806-674-3064 Amarillo, TX

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

As someone who also lives in North Royalton Ohio, I approve.... I am on Edgerton Rd.

 

[crf_kdx]

Well done, sir.

 

[Spidey9000]

Milzo, Can you ballpark what the project cost you?

 

[Milzo]

As someone who also lives in North Royalton Ohio, I approve.... I am on Edgerton Rd.

When i did the write up i lived in Pine Stream at the corner of State and Edgerton but we just moved to Hinckley in August.

Milzo, Can you ballpark what the project cost you?

I think it was about $300 for everything.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Man, I forgot about this thread and that's really a shame. I ended up putting mine against the wall like you. I used white unistrut and trolleys from mcmaster and then built the basket out of 80/20. When I get home from Nigeria I will post up some pictures.

Milzo, I do not want to thread jack, but would you mind if I put some of the information/pictures of my setup here or would you prefer I make my own thread?

 

[Milzo]

Man, I forgot about this thread and that's really a shame. I ended up putting mine against the wall like you. I used white unistrut and trolleys from mcmaster and then built the basket out of 80/20. When I get home from Nigeria I will post up some pictures.

Milzo, I do not want to thread jack, but would you mind if I put some of the information/pictures of my setup here or would you prefer I make my own thread?

Don't mind at all go for it

 

[tros]

Very nice i am going to do this in my new grage next year.

 

[Overhaulin63]

Looks great... thanks for sharing!

 

[RonRock]

Your Photobucket is not sharing the photos. I would love to see them.

 

[dgithens1]

Great job! thanks for the video....

 

[bad_idea]

*&%$ing Photobucket!

 

[kasf4]

Please send any plans,ideas and parts list, This is a great idea.1 question are the trolleys strong enough at 50 lbs? i see there are ones for 100 lbs for extra money. Any thoughts?

 

[kbs2244]

kasf4
Please read the whole thread.
He has posted both drawings and parts lists.

And 50 lbs would be no problem.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

For reference, I've had 300 lbs up my lift built very similar to this with no problems.

 

[ottawadavid]

What did you use to secure the unistrut to the wall so it does not interfere with the trolley wheels.

 

[Patrix]

I'm looking to use this lift concept for my Harley motorcycle. It weighs approx. 800 lbs. Has anyone tried this and do you have any specs on trolley size, channel etc?

 

[regguy1]

Nice

 

[joey1320]

Great idea!!!
Hello from North Olmsted

 

[hevnbnd]

What did you use for your base of your lift? IE the piece that the materials going up sit on?

 

[ahenobarb]

... frame of the lift platform ...

Where did you get the frame? Did you buy it or make it?