With three or four of the site-built wall jacks shown in the drawing, a two-man crew can lift 30-ft. to 40-ft. long stud walls. Each jack is made of a 2×4 about 7 ft. long, with three nailed-on scabs, 2 ft. apart. The scabs form ledges to support the wall as it is lifted.
With the stud wall lying flat on the subfloor and toenailed to it, toenail each jack to the floor so that its base is tight to the wall’s top plate. Now begin at one end of the wall and lift it to the first notch. Move back and forth along the wall, lifting one notch at each station until you’ve reached the third level. From there it’s an easy push to get the wall upright.
Ed Wilson, Seattle, WA
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #29
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