Replies

1. 
   oldbeachbum | Nov 24, 2007 10:09pm | #1

   I have used them in industrial applications but not in a woodworking atmosphere.  They are convenient in that you can place a substantial load on one and lift it to any needed height for alignment of parts, etc.

   One person can handle something that normally would  require two people.

   I have used them with loads ranging from 250-300 pounds.  I would suggest that your floors be clutter free and swept clean before trying to load something and move it.  Common sense should always prevail and watch that you keep any loads centered and  be careful with overhead clearance on tall items.  Heavy duty steel or neoprene wheels/casters would be best.  Foot pedal and hand control are probably easiest.

   Try and find one with a folding handle.  Easier to store under a workbench when not needed.

   ...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it.  -Mark Twain...

   Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.

   ...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!

2. 
   mapleman | Nov 25, 2007 03:02am | #2

   BSzydlo,

   I bought one from one of those roaming tool sales that pull into town every six months or so. Paid $100 for it - and it supposedly has a 600# load rating. I build kitchen cabinets and find it invaluable when fitting and mounting drawers and hardware, I can bring the cabinet up to a comfortable working level instead of stooping down.

   Lee

1. 
   bszydlo | Nov 25, 2007 04:41am | #6

   Lee, thanks for the information. I am curious about the size of your lift table? The one I am looking at from Grizzly has a top that is roughly 20 x 32 which seems small to lift a cabinet and provide a stable surface. Is your table larger? If not, have you had any stability issues when working on cabinets?
   Thanks,
   Bill

1. 
   mapleman | Nov 25, 2007 07:59am | #8

   Bill,

   I'll try to measure my table tomorrow, but it sounds like about the size of the Grizzly (20 X 32). I place the cabinet sideways with the fronts facing out(away from the handle), and even a 48" wide base cabinet will ride well. Keep in mind I'm not cruising at high speeds through the shop and not pulling/tugging on the cabinet too much so I have not had any problems with a piece crashing down onto the floor. All of Zolton's applications are good ones (like bolting tablesaw extensions to the saw). I have found the cart to be well worth the money I spent on it, and find new reasons to use it all the time.

   Lee

2. 
   DonfromUtah | Nov 25, 2007 08:51am | #9

   Another option you may wish to consider is a motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight with a table size of 86-1/2" x 26-1/2", lift from 6-1/2" to 30-1/4" and a capacity of 1,000 #.

   http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94121

   Just don't bolt on the wheel stop or tire vise so that you have a flat surface. The link is to the air-powered model - there is also a foot-pump version for less $.

3. 
   ted | Nov 25, 2007 03:20am | #3

   Being the scavanger that I am I found one rated for 700 lb. in a dumpster. I took it home to find the hydraulic lift seals had blown. Found out who sold the particular model and ordered $10.00 in parts and I was back in business.
   I've used the cart a lot in the shop and at home. Last summer I poured a concrete countertop and the lift was indispensible where I probably would have needed three sets of hands I was able to manuever the countertop onto the cart and raise it up to the desired hieght and push the top into place. Very handy.

4. 
   zolton | Nov 25, 2007 04:30am | #4

   That was an article I wrote for FWW. And the hundred bucks I was paid for the article was exactly what I paid for the hydraulic shop cart. So that worked out well..

   I use mine all the time, for a variety of things in the shop. As illustrated in the article, it's very handy for working on smaller pieces and jacking them up and down in order to work on various parts of the project - top, sides, bottom. It sure saves a lot of lifting for that purpose, and it puts the piece at a comfortable working height. It feels like a luxury to be able to move something up or down just a few inches in order to get to just the right relationship with it. Saves the back for sure...

   I also use the cart a lot for ferrying lumber and parts from one part of the shop to another. And when I built a new base for my lathe, I was able to just slide and then roll the (heavy) lathe from the old stand to the new one on top of the cart. No lifting at all. Likewise, I jacked my cast iron tablesaw extensions into place with no other help as I bolted them home.

   A shop cart is not the most stable of surfaces, however. It does move around, even with the one pair of locking wheels locked. And it does tip from side to side somewhat with a heavy load on top. You wouldn't use it to hand plane lumber on, for instance. I've clamped 2x4 "legs" to the edges of the top I made for it in order to stabilize it under heavy projects before, and that just takes a few seconds and works well.

   All in all, if you've got the room for a hydraulic shop cart, I think you'll find it one of the most useful items in your shop. Let me know if you have any questions about it.  Zolton Cohen

   * Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.

1. 
   bszydlo | Nov 25, 2007 04:38am | #5

   Zolton,
   Thanks for taking the time to respond. I noticed that in the FWW article you built a plywood top that raised the working height 8". Can you share any tips on what type of construction you used for the top (materials, size)?
   Thanks, Bill

1. 
   zolton | Nov 25, 2007 04:52am | #7

   Bill,

   The framing for the top was just some scrap 2x4's and 2x6 I had lying around, cut to fit on top of the approximately 20 x 32 steel top. I don't have the dimensions right here, and it's too cold to venture out in my shop for exact measurements at the moment.

   I screwed the framing together with 3 inch screws, and screwed a piece of 1/2 inch OSB to the top. Very rough, really, and it's built to come apart easily if I want to change things around. I did edge joint the 2x4's though, so the framing is pretty flat and smooth under the OSB.

   The framing kind of fits over the steel top of the cart, and is held in place with a couple of screws through the steel into the framing. That's all it needs. It's really not too fancy. But I did feel as though I needed to be able to both increase the size of the tabletop and also make it so it was higher when fully jacked up. The 2x framing did both of those things. I think it will extend to about 37 inches high when jacked to its full height.

   The OSB top comes off by backing out a couple of screws, and I can add a larger top if necessary. But I'd probably use 3/4 inch material if I did need anything significantly larger, so I wouldn't get drooping on the edges.

   Adding a larger top would make the cart tippier still though, so I thought the size I ended up with was a reasonable compromise. Again, I wouldn't try to balance a huge highboy on it. But for small tables and the like it works very well indeed. And, if the weight is properly distributed, it can handle a larger piece if you don't jack it up too high.

   I do have a very cheap version of the hydraulic cart though, and I'm sure there are heavier duty ones out there that might be more stable for more weight and larger items.

   Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.

1. 
   bszydlo | Nov 25, 2007 05:48pm | #10

   I have one more question if you have time. I noticed in the manual (from Grizzly) it states that the table should be lowered when not in use. Since I will be using it to hold projects that are not usually completed in a day does it present a problem if the table is left extended? I noticed one of grizzly's carts has a serious of holes to place safety pins to keep the table extended. When you use the table for projects, do you usually keep it extended?
   Thanks again,
   Bill

1. 
   zolton | Nov 26, 2007 12:43am | #11

   Bill,

   When I remember to lower the hydraulic cart's table I do so at night when I'm no longer in the shop. If I don't, in the morning the table is at its lowest point anyway. It very gradually sinks.

   I'm certainly no expert on hydraulics, but my understanding is that it's better for the pump's mechanics if it isn't under tension all the time. So I try to abide by that. It just takes 25 or so pumps to get it back up to full height again, so it's not a big deal to raise it. And those foot pumps help warm me up when I first get out there!

   Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.