Replies

1. 
   Trapper | Nov 22, 2005 06:23am | #1

   There are a number of car lift products that are less expensive than you would think. I saw a set up at a welders shop where he had a bench and storage on the platform, then he would lift it and work in that area. Worked great for him.

2. 
   dchyatt | Nov 22, 2005 07:15am | #2

   I used to work in a small furniture / millwork shop where they had made a lift from the parts of an old forklift. The forklift mechanism was attached to one wall of the shop and raised a plywood and lumber platform from the ground floor to the second floor. System was very powerfull and worked well. Just make sure that you have a fence around the platform so that things don't fall off as the platform is being raised. I have seen several useable forklifts sell for $1 - 2,000 at auction.

3. 
   BG | Nov 22, 2005 02:24pm | #3

   Jspieker,
   My wife bought me the Tauton book last year that featured various shops. She and I both loved the shops with an oversized window...nice and bright. I'm just wondering if a set of french doors on the driveway side and perhaps a block and takle above would not do the trick. Getting the tools in you could rent a forklift and slide tham in the front.
   The car lift things I've seen at surface parking lots in NYC...lift a car, park another underneath..kinda ugly and takes up a lot of space.

4. 
   mudman | Nov 22, 2005 09:25pm | #4

   Most shops I have seen like yours have a trap door that hinges open, then above that is a chain hoist. Nowdays it seems that an electric hoist is darn near the same price as a chain hoist, but I suspect the chain hoist could be easily found in a pawn shop or on the Net. If you want the ultimate set up hang the hoist on a I-beam with a truck. This way after you raise the load you can move it the leingth of the I-beam to the desired location. You definately need to design for these features up front. The beam is heavy, but you can use it to support all the ceiling joists or rafters. If you don't use the beam you still need to reinforce the framing that will hold the hoist. The hoist should only cost $150 or so the cost of a beam and truck is harder to factor because you might need a crane to hang it, and at the very least it will change the design of the roof, but it should add around $600.

   Mike

5. 
   dukeone | Nov 28, 2005 06:04am | #5

   Fww #174 page 68 show one way of doing it. KDM

   Kenneth Duke Masters
   The Bill of Rights
   December 15 1791
   NRA Endowment Member
   LEAA Life Member
   CRPA Member
1. 
   user-58937 | Nov 29, 2005 05:17am | #6

   I worked in a stone cutters shop for years where all the heavy lifting and loading was done with a chainhoist/truck arrangement.  Our loading dock was one floor down and covered by a gable ended dormer supported on posts. Hatch doors are tricky to balance wieght bearing and ease of opening. Bear in mind that the hatch will command the size of the largest assembly. For inspiration on lifting objects look into how hay was handled into the hay mow.

6. 
   Northboundtrain | Nov 30, 2005 09:21pm | #7

   If I were to have a second floor shop, I think I'd want to access it from outside rather than from underneath via the garage.  What if you are actually using the garage to fix a car or for some other project that makes your lift setup inaccessible?  How about a deck off the wood shop with stairs to the ground and a trap door for big stuff.  A chain hoist or electric hoist could be hung over the trap door from a beam that is carried by the same posts (extra long) that hold up the deck. 

7. 
   AntzyClancy | Nov 30, 2005 11:33pm | #8

   I have a second floor shop with stairs on the outside. I have never needed a lift, but it just a hobby so I don't have a lot of input and output, if you get my drift. My heaviest tool is the Jointer/Planer, which is 650 lbs. With the wings removed it probably comes in at about 450-500 lb, and I took only four guys to haul up the stairs with a cradle that I built from 2x4.

   Good luck,

   Todd

1. 
   bladeburner | Dec 09, 2005 05:56pm | #9

   Hay bale hoist comes to mind.

2. 
   wrudiger | Jan 01, 2006 10:25am | #11

   Ah, youth!  I remember when a bunch of friends was my default solution to moving heavy stuff LOL. 

1. 
   tinkerer2 | Jan 04, 2006 07:39am | #12

   Alas, but all my friends are retired couch potatoes.

1. 
   ScottInMadtown | Jan 05, 2006 08:44pm | #13

   What do couch potatoes become after they retire?

   Mashed Potatoes?  LOL
   If at first you don't succeed....kick it!

8. 
   tangomike | Dec 26, 2005 09:44am | #10

   Seems like a hoist would be a better option than a lift, and less expensive I would suspect. If you are still in the build phase you could have an I-beam installed over the trap doors, assuming you have adequate headroom, and use an electric hoist mounted to a trolly on the I-beam, which would also give you some lateral movement as well.

   I'd think this setup would be really handy well beyond simply getting machinery in/out of the shop... for example, getting large or heavy projects out of the shop when you are done with them!