Replies

1. 
   CloudHidden | Apr 05, 2002 08:09am | #1

   Miller Manufacturing. Advertise in FHB. Installed and use. Nicely designed and build.

1. 
   user-193640 | Apr 05, 2002 04:50pm | #2

   I've checked those out.  Wasn't sure about the MANUAL part of the lift.  Less parts=less likely to break i guess.  I like that.  Is it a pain to operate?

1. 
   CloudHidden | Apr 05, 2002 07:18pm | #3

   My wife and daughter LOVE it. That means they use it more and so I don't have to carry stuff and thus I love it. Seriously, the manual dumbwaiters are counterweighted and thus easy to pull. Nice thick soft rope. They also have an automatic brake--when you stop pulling, it stays in place. For us, electric wouldn't be an improvement.

2. 
   tjcarcht | Apr 05, 2002 08:04pm | #4

   snobles - The last one I used in a residence was a 'Matot' french-made elevator-style dumbwaiter - 3 stories from cellar to 2nd floor - about $14K.  Works fine, but a little hard to keep it from looking like a small elevator.T. Jeffery Clarke

   Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Apr 06, 2002 12:11am | #5

   Jeff,

   We built one out of a $200 Genie garage door opener twenty years ago. Screw drive form basement to the first floor kitchen. Hid both ends in floor to ceiling pantry type cabinets. It is still working today. DW wants one in the new house. I'll tell it could cost up to 14K and then "design" my own for under $300.

   Was the 14K unit quite? We had to add insulation to the one we made. The operator noise was amplified by being inside of a wooden cabinet box.

   Dave

1. 
   user-193640 | Apr 06, 2002 01:36am | #6

   Wow. 14K!!  What else does it do? 

   Dave, I'm with you $300 sounds more like it.  I have considered devising my own but as with anything else,  and my wife will concur with this, I start with an idea, get it to about 80%, sometimes quit, sometimes spend more than the storebought brand, cause all kind of headaches, or never totally finish it in the time I have told her I would.  I'm sure some of y'all have had this same experience.  I'm trying to be the good husband this time and stick with the storebought version that I install, of course. 

   Edited 4/5/2002 6:42:40 PM ET by SNOBLES123

2. 
   CloudHidden | Apr 06, 2002 01:56am | #7

   Silent Servant is under 2K I think, and installs easily. Has good safety features, too, with the brake, track guides, and all.

3. 
   tjcarcht | Apr 08, 2002 07:26pm | #9

   Yes, it is pretty quiet.  Should be at that cost.  A lot of which has to do with safety, door interlocks, etc.T. Jeffery Clarke

   Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

4. 
   DaveRicheson | Apr 09, 2002 01:47am | #10

   The one we built did not have anything other than the normal door closer safetys. I think the homeonwers had an electrician add some micro switches to the upper and lower doors, after they had thier first child. The whole job was a feast or fammine addition and whole house remodel. Durring the feast times we got to do some neat stuff. Durring the lean time we got creative, like the dumb waiter.

   Dave

2. 
   eddie543 | Apr 06, 2002 02:40am | #8

   have you tried "inclinator" of PA?  not sure of costs but all you have to do is frame a simple shaft and then let them install motor and pulley system with metal- cased car.  it can be finished to match cabinetry or drywall and paint.