Garage elevator??

Uthinkso

Uthinkso

Forum Member
I am finishing up the ceiling portion of my garage/shop and have this idea of having a 4'x4' section of the ceiling that can lower down and work as an elevator. I have seen commercially built items that can do the job, but fall short on weight. http://www.organize.com/prheli.html

I had the idea to use an 110v electric motor much like a jib crane or overhead gantry type crane.

Firstly, has anybody done this and secondly if you have what were your results?
 
it should work just fine, as long as everything is rated for the weight. my pops is looking to do the same thing in his new garage
 
How much weight are we talking?? :) Car-worthy? people-worthy? or just random storage worthy?
 
I have a room above my garage and lift all my junk up there with a 110V Harbor Freight winch. I originally used it to carry the flooring materials up there. It lifted 8 sheets at a time of 4x8x0.75" T&G without straining too hard. The winch will carry me no problem too, but I'm a hell of a lot lighter than all that wood. I have ridden in the cart up and down a few times and given my nephews rides, LOL. Most of the stuff I lift is under 150# though.

I made a cart out of scrap wood and added casters so I can roll it around to load and unload stuff. It is pretty crappy looking, but works good. Eventually, I plan to redo the cable routing and improve the cart.

The hole in the ceiling is 9' L x ~20" W. It has no door or covering on it right now, since the garage isn't drywalled or anything yet. No pics yet either.
 
Hmm...well I'm think the largest thing that might go up there would be a core short block. The floor will be plenty strong enough I'm not worried about that at all.

I'd say if it can lift 500lb max we're good.
 
Uthinkso said:
Hmm...well I'm think the largest thing that might go up there would be a core short block. The floor will be plenty strong enough I'm not worried about that at all.

I'd say if it can lift 500lb max we're good.
Click to expand...

is that 500lbs including you or just the stuff. because it will lift it. but it wont unload it for you lol.
 
I've developed my master plan. I will post pics when it is complete.

HINT: Its involves an 1100lb capable electric winch typically used to lower water craft into the lake.
 
What I am going to do is mount an electric winch up in the attic of the garage. It will have over 30' of cable so certainly more than is needed. Then what it will do is build a cage with a locking door. This will be for me to load my cargo onto. For example place a short block on a caster cart, load it in the cage. Get in the cage with the short block and up we go. Once in the attic open the cage and roll engine to its final resting place.

I'm jacked about this project and it will be a nice way to keep the floor clear.
 
I don't have any safety features on mine. The winch is rated at 880# double line pull. I don't pull anything single line, and none of the loads are near the limit. The cable still looks like new after 2 years of use. If it gets any fraying, I'll replace it.
 
If you need anywhere to store some shortblocks just lemme know, Ive got a couple cars I could keep them in til you want them back
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top