overhead storage with pulleys

[keoki]

Aloha,

Long time lurker and first time posting.
Here in Hawaii we have very small carports most with 8' ceilings.
I need to build a hoist to store overhead my surfboards. The area I am working with is very small (5x12) and the max I can have items stored is a foot off of the ceiling (making it 7' off the ground).
I'm thinking of using 2 lengths of 6'PVC pipe(for bottom rails)for the boards to lay across one on each end. These would be held up by rope. My question is, what would be the most practical pulley system that I could work by myself. This would mean both forward and rear lifts(cross pipes) being lifted simultaneously. Also is there a type of pulley that has a "safety" should the main line come loose?

Sorry this is so long but I need to get this done.....soon.

Aloha.

 

[srmofo]

whats the weight of a surf board?

I would honestly say that a pulley system for a light payload at a reasonable height would be over kill.

I would just make 2 U shaped pieces from elbows and straight and then fasten them to the ceiling. If you used metal pipe instead of pvc, they make anchors that can be screwed to walls/ceilings, other wise you could just use metal L shaped brackets and pvc bought at any box store.

just thought about it some more and there's no reason to not use 2x4s with a little padding on them .

 

[Jack Olsen]

For 7' up, couldn't you just build a shelf and slide them onto it?

 

[keoki]

Weight isn't the problem. It's working in a VERY tight area with 3-4 boards about 30''wx12'L. These things are bulky and coupled with weight racks,weights,workbench, table saw.....you get the picture. I just want to reverse the truck, unload boards to the ground and lift away.
If I built fixed hanging shelves, the height does not allow me to get these boards in properly. If I was 6'7'' maybe...but I don't think so.

 

[mdbeck1]

I'd go with a couple of 2X4s (or maybe bamboo??) across the uprights for your car port.

If you still want to go with rope I'd look at some of the nylon ski rope. It will deteriorate in the sun but if it's under the carport it should last a long time. If you want a safety just run two different pieces. Take a look at a local hardware store and see what is available.

 

[keoki]

For 7' up, couldn't you just build a shelf and slide them onto it?

I have a rack like that to store my short boards (6-8') which are very light and easy to handle. These larger boards are a beast. Shoving a 12' long x 30'' wide piece of fiberglass/foam weighing approx. 45# into a hole only 12'' high can be quite challenging.

 

[WOPR]

Well, as suggested, i think a plain 'ol rack and one of these would be easiest:

But if you really want to make things more complex, you could get one of these bike lifts:

I just put one in my garage today. It's made by Racor (but lots of companies make them), and it has the self locking pulley system you are talking about. Additionally, on the model I used, the pair of hooks can easily be removed, and you could install some kind of strap to wrap around your boards. Heck, even a bungee would probably do the trick. Then you can hoist away. I think they are rated to 50 lbs...

I still vote step stool.

 

[keoki]

I'd go with a couple of 2X4s (or maybe bamboo??) across the uprights for your car port.

If you still want to go with rope I'd look at some of the nylon ski rope. It will deteriorate in the sun but if it's under the carport it should last a long time. If you want a safety just run two different pieces. Take a look at a local hardware store and see what is available.[/QUOTE]

Two different pieces meaning two separate pulleys? Remember I'm trying to get this done solo.

I don't want to be a Negative Nancy but I've been thinking about this for awhile. These aren't pieces of old lumber I'm storing. These are very fragile items costing upwards of $2k a piece.

Thanks for the input though. I appreciate it.

 

[JHunter]

How about something with a side profile of an E, with ropes tied to the top horizontal part of the E. You could slide them in the side and lift away. You could drill a vertical hole in the open end of the E and slide a rod/dowel through it from the top so the boards couldn't slide out. The rope could be an upside down Y with a pulley mounted on the ceiling of the carport.
Like my use of letters to describe a somewhat complex idea? I could draw it up I suppose, but not sure exactly the amount of work your looking for, and the space available.

Here ya go - my Rube Goldberg idea
<a href="http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/jaf31a/?action=view&current=surf.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/jaf31a/surf.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[keoki]

Well, as suggested, i think a plain 'ol rack and one of these would be easiest:

But if you really want to make things more complex, you could get one of these bike lifts:

I just put one in my garage today. It's made by Racor (but lots of companies make them), and it has the self locking pulley system you are talking about. Additionally, on the model I used, the pair of hooks can easily be removed, and you could install some kind of strap to wrap around your boards. Heck, even a bungee would probably do the trick. Then you can hoist away. I think they are rated to 50 lbs...

I still vote step stool.

HaHa I got those to load the ****** boards on the truck. When the tradewinds are blowing trying to control a surfboard on a stepstool is a b**ch.

You got those from a bike shop?

 

[WOPR]

HaHa I got those to load the ****** boards on the truck. When the tradewinds are blowing trying to control a surfboard on a stepstool is a b**ch.

scaffolding then?

lol

You got those from a bike shop?

nope, amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006JBL3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[keoki]

C'mon guys. I'm looking to the experts!

 

[keoki]

WOPR , where did you get that bike rig from?

Lowes? HDepot? Some bike shop?

 

[Stuey]

That bike rig is available everywhere - Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006JBL3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[keoki]

looks good JHunter. Only thing is I have max ht. below the ceiling of 12''. I can only store1 board highx 3 across.
I think I'll use the bike hardware and spread them 6' apart and try to figure a single rope pull to activate the 4 pulleys.

 

[keoki]

Thanks Stuey. Will head out to Home Depot tomorrow.

 

[Jack Olsen]

With pulleys, you're going to see them drop to the floor sooner or later. A bike can fall and it's not a big deal. It sounds like you'd be doing some damage when these land on the concrete.

I still think a wall rack or a ceiling rack are the way to go. Pad it with pipe insulation to make it even gentler on the boards.

 

[WOPR]

WOPR , where did you get that bike rig from?

Lowes? HDepot? Some bike shop?

i posted a link to amazon in my above post. but everyone is right, you can get these things almost anywhere...i think i even saw some at harbor freight.

 

[keoki]

With pulleys, you're going to see them drop to the floor sooner or later. A bike can fall and it's not a big deal. It sounds like you'd be doing some damage when these land on the concrete.

I still think a wall rack or a ceiling rack are the way to go. Pad it with pipe insulation to make it even gentler on the boards.

I agree.

Another guy showed me a picture of a free-hanging rack(chains, rope,strap). I'll try that route first. Because it's free hanging, the board can be slid in nose first or hang the back then hang nose...much more flexible than a solid rack. I can span it pretty wide and hold it tight to the ceiling using 1/2'' conduit wrapped with insulation. Worth a try for about $20 versus the 2 pairs of pulleys for $$$.

I appreciate all the input.

 

[JHunter]

I just typed in "kayak storage" and "surfboard storage" in Google images and came up with several good ideas - wall mounted systems that stored them vertically and horizontally, ceiling mounted hoists - all sorts of images. I'm sure have, but if not, try those searches on Google images - lots of ideas.

 

[JamieK]

Take a look at this thread...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52899&highlight=LADDER+RACK

Post number 3 on this thread sounds like the easiest...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46904&highlight=LADDER+RACK

 

[28HopUp]

I keep my long wooden extension ladder stored at my ceiling using brackets and threaded rod I purchased at True Value. I slip the ladder in one bracket, then use a step ladder to slide it through and then back into the bracket at the other end.

You could make a similar rack and cover the rods with foam pipe insulation to keep the boards from getting messed up. Justa thought...

 

[platinum_overcast]

I have a Harken setup, these are really slick. It's an offshoot of their sailing hardware, and it shows in the quality.

http://www.hoister.com/default.php

 

[srmofo]

You could make a similar rack and cover the rods with foam pipe insulation to keep the boards from getting messed up. Justa thought...

Thats what I was trying to explain in my first post. Or you could just stretch a piece of cable from wall to wall and secure with eye bolts. Then cover with pipe insulation and duct tape.

 

[keoki]

I see what you're saying. Like a closthesline.
In my case ,I would be dodging too many obsticles(attic access,weight racks,light fixtures,garage door and opener...). This is a very small garage to begin with. The 8' ceiling makes things very challenging.

 

[Photo]

keoki,

Post up some pics of your garage and the surfboards so we can get a better idea of what we have to work with.

Lane

 

[Auzivision]

I tried using a pair of the bike pulley's to pull the topper shell off my truck. It worked, but is was a little shaky so I added an electric hoist:

The pulley's are still used to help stabilize and it's a double redundant system. Both systems are capable of holding/hoisting the load.

I see those pulleys on sale all the time for less than $10, usually at Harbor Freight. The hoist was fifty something on sale and takes that cap off to the ceiling in less than 30 seconds… too cool!

http://www.harborfreight.com/bicycle-lift-95803.html

This was on sale for $69.99 plus a 20% coupon:

http://www.harborfreight.com/110-volt-440-lb-capacity-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-40765.html

Once/if you go electric… you’ll level look back at hand drawn pulleys. You could build a rack and hook up a hoist… mission accomplished.

 

[jshel101]

keoki,
Would something like the Double Motorized Bike Lift work for you? It is for bikes, but you might be able to attach your boards to this instead. It looks like it brings it up quite close to the ceiling.
http://www.thegarageorganizationcompany.com/products/bike-storage-company.html

 

[Ocho]

Cool find there, jshel!