I have a problem. I’m installing 12′ sheets of drywall on the ceiling as part of my renovation. I have a drywall lift, but I’ll be working alone for a few days and I just can’t manage those 12′ sheets by myself. I can deal with it once it’s up on the hoist, but I have arthritis and I can’t lift the sheets up on to the hoist even with it tilted.
Any ideas?
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Replies
Get something to hold up one end a couple feet off the floor (kinda depends on the load height of the lift though)
Get one end of the sheet up on whatever you found to set it on.
Now lift the other end and slide the lift under it with your foot.
Easier done than told, but try it & you'll figure it out.
Joe H
I agree with Joe, I would cobble together some quick stands that can hold the boards vertically a few feet off the floor. Go to one end of the board, lift it up, and kick the stand under it. Go to the other end and do the same thing. Now roll the lift in so you can pick the sheet up and then crank it down flat.
If you can establish a pick point on the ceiling I can imagine ways to use a come-along or winch of pick up the sheets as well.
All of this asumes that the sheets are now standing up in a stack against the wall.
I just finished a 2500 sq ft workshop. Did the ceiling drywall alone--5/8, 4x12 foot, ceiling 12 high. You are right, the hardest part is getting the sheet on the lift. I did it by picking up the drywall with my trailer, working off the top of the stack, bringing the lift close alongside. In my case, I had trailer access. Matbe you can knock together a simple platform.
One of these helps a lot:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65582
or, try one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/TelPro-195-LOADING-ATTACHMENT-PANELLIFT/dp/B000KL0XPG/ref=pd_sim_hi_2
I can't remember exactly how high the hooks on the lift are, but yes, it would be a lot easier if they were lower!
If you can pick it up at all, and at least carry it, try making a platform that you can step up onto next to the lift -- stepping up with a load is easier than lifting the load up with your arms.
Make it as big as you can, so you don't fall off the edge while struggling with the GWB -- maybe a 3'x6'piece of 3/4" ply on 6 milk crates.
Also, one thing I did when wrestling solo in the shop with sheets of 1 1/4"birch ply was to make a corner guard consisting of a 1x2 ell ripped down to 1 5/16" and sandwiched between two triangular pieces of ply.
Pick up one corner of the sheet, slip on the guard, and spring-clamp it in place. Now you can pick up the other end and set it on a crate without damaging corner #1.
Those plastic sheet-handling hooks with a nice, graspable handle improve your grip, but make the sheet hang even lower to the ground. If you need to use one of these, you might have to make your step-platform two rises high.
Good luck!
AitchKay
Why don't you ask a kid or lonely housewife to help lift?
Ask a couple boyscouts and give them a few bucks for fundraising?
I have the Telepro lift and there's several attachments.
I think this is the one you might be in need of?
http://www.contractors-solutions.net/Telpro-Loader-Attachment-Model-195-P195.aspx
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Lots of great ideas here. Thanks guys.
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I like Shoemakers idea
Why don't you ask a lonely housewife to help lift?
Check next door, ya never know til you ask.
Joe H
my lift is a different design than most around now,mines 20 years old.
but what works on mine is to pick a corner of the room and load the room with the rock stacked on sawhorse's flat with 2 2x4's for support. good side face up.
then i just put the jack by the stack,hook the bottom edge on the lift,then roll it upright. then roll it to where i need it and i'm ready to go.
if i can get it in the room,i can rock by myself.
this weekend 25,12's hung in a shop. instead of horses,came right off the trailer.
i
the older i get ,
the more people tick me off