Lifting plywood device?

[Al Willits]

Having a bad back has made getting sheets of plywood moved around a bit difficult, especially when there's no one to help, so I picked up a small electric winch and will use that to lift the plywood off my rack and onto the table to work on or from the truck to the rack..

I have been trying to find clamps that tightens as pressure is put on it but won't mar the plywood, not as easy a task as I thought...any suggestions?
tia

Al

[Matt Meiser]

How about one or two of these:

http://www.hartvilletool.com/shared/images/products//medium/40317-08.jpg

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12893

[Steven DeMars]

Contact the Gorilla Gripper people . . .or McMaster Carr

[Al Willits]

Thanks guys.
Al

[Kent A Bathurst]

was at the checkout counter at Highland a week ago, guy in front of me bought one. the Highland guy said they had brought in a dozen on a whim, and they were flying off the shelf - multiple restocking reorders.

[Steven DeMars]

was at the checkout counter at Highland a week ago, guy in front of me bought one. the Highland guy said they had brought in a dozen on a whim, and they were flying off the shelf - multiple restocking reorders.

If you are wimpy like me, get two, than the wife can help you . . .two people on a sheet of 23/32" is a lot easier . . .

Steve:)

[Scott Hildenbrand]

How about one or two of these:

http://www.hartvilletool.com/shared/images/products//medium/40317-08.jpg

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12893


What I wanna know is what's with the loft in the "See what Gorilla Gripper can do for you" video.

Guessing it's a loft built 7' off the shop floor for wood storage? But I also see many tools up there... Perplexing.

Oh... And I'm sold.. This is certainly on the buy it soon list.

BTW (edit 2) This is currently $38.53 shipped free via Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007TYCA8/

[Rob Young]

+1 for the Gorilla Gripper! Really made lugging around some 3/4" sheets much easier. Didn't see any marks in the veneer but the test will be when I finally get to the finishing stage.

[Russ Kay]

I've heard some negative comments about the Gorilla Gripper, that it doesn't work as well or as easily as advertised. I'd want to try it out before I buy.

Here's how I solved this problem. What I did was take a 3-foot length of 2x2, attach a couple of large vinyl-coated bicycle hooks that I had around to one side. I ran about 4' of cord from one hook to the other, with a piece of plastic conduit in the middle as a handle. To carry plywood, I stand it up inside the big hooks (hooks pointing down), then grab the handle and carry the whole thing under my arm. I find this is much kinder on my shoulder than the overhand grip you need with the commercial device. And the vinyl coating prevents excessive pressure on the plywood itself, so I've never had so much as a dimple.

[Dick Sylvan]

I've heard some negative comments about the Gorilla Gripper, that it doesn't work as well or as easily as advertised. I'd want to try it out before I buy.


It takes a little getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, it works great, IMO.

[Kent A Bathurst]

If you are wimpy like me, get two, than the wife can help you . . .two people on a sheet of 23/32" is a lot easier . . .

Steve:)

Steve - you are exactly correct, but that creates one BIG issue. I keep outta her gardens. She keeps outta my shop (one year for Christmas, I got her a well-equipped toobox for her to use, rather than getting MY tools outta MY shop. Mistake. BIIIIG mistake. Don't do that. But that's in the past, and it is still MY SHOP)

[Mike Reinholtz]

I really like the gorilla gripper, I bought mine on a whim at toolup in San Diego. I have used it on 4x8' sheets of 3/4" maple and oak ply and haven't seen any damage to the veneers.

My wife loves it, I rarely ask her for help moving sheet goods around any more.


Mike

[Robert Reece]

+1 on the gorilla gripper. I have one of those plastic hook things that you use to carry from underneath and it's useless compared to the Gorilla gripper. I like the overhand grip of the gorilla gripper.

[Kevin Groenke]

The Gorilla Gripper is great.

If you have 2 people J-Handles are also great, if the material is light and thin you can carry multiple sheets with these.

http://samplerewards.com/images/Company00128/Product000329_lg.jpg

[Paul B. Cresti]

I had on order some time ago a panel lifting cart made by Shop Cart USA. Unfortunately the big job I wanted it for got canceled. I also believe a knock-off was carried by Haefle. It was about 1000.00 but lifted and moved panels for you. Found the site! ...look for the panel handler

http://www.shopcartsusa.com/

Paul

[Roger Jensen]

The Gorilla lifter is great for getting sheets off the ground and moving them around, but if you need to put them on a table it is hard to lift the panel high enough. I use it in combination with a drywall carrier (I got mine from HD, less than $10):

http://media.mydoitbest.com/imagerequest.aspx?sku=300472&size=2&warehouse=C&newsize=200

After I get it off the ground with the Gorilla lift I use this to raise it to table level.

Roger

[Jason White]

I have one of those. It's OK, but I've hurt my shoulder more than once using it.

Jason




How about one or two of these:

http://www.hartvilletool.com/shared/images/products//medium/40317-08.jpg

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12893

[Randal Stevenson]

FYI, I contacted the Gorilla Gripper people after I tried to use it for some aluminum treadplate. Evidently, there is either an adapter, or another model, as the treadplate was too thin to get a good grip. It works pretty well for 3/4" stuff (never tried 1/2" yet).

[Al Willits]

I checked McMaster and they have what I used to used for sheet metal it looks like, great for metal, not so good for plywood.

The Gorilla gripper looks like what I'll pick up, 2 ought to work just fine, all I need to do is lift the plywood off the rack (rack is on wheels) and then I can grab the bottom of the plywood and bring horizontal so my assembly table fits underneath it.

Then I can cut to managable sizes.

Al

[Cary Falk]

maybe a little off subject since you already purchased a wench. WoodTek panel carrier from Woodworker Supply
http://woodworker.com/images/j210/149-003.jpg

[Al Willits]

maybe a little off subject since you already purchased a wench. WoodTek panel carrier from Woodworker Supply
http://woodworker.com/images/j210/149-003.jpg


I think I'd still have the problem of getting the plywood onto the carrier?

the other thing is, when not in use the winch just hangs from the rafters out of the way..I have to much stuff on the floor already..:D
But thanks anyway.

Al

[Cary Falk]

I think I'd still have the problem of getting the plywood onto the carrier?

the other thing is, when not in use the winch just hangs from the rafters out of the way..I have to much stuff on the floor already..:D
But thanks anyway.

Al

Put the carrier on the winch. :D

[Rick Alexander]

Peachtree woodworker's supply carries a pretty good one. I like it better than the little plastic gorilla (which I also have) because you don't have to bend over so far to pick up the board.

http://www.ptreeusa.com/shop_accessories.htm#1219

# 1219 large panel toter is the description

[David G Baker]

I have a pair of the Gorilla Grippers and found them to work well if used correctly but if not, they can be dangerous to life and limb. If you accidentally tap the sheet you are carrying on the bottom the Gripper will open and release the sheet. I have damaged more than a few sheets of drywall this way.
I actually like the plastic "L" shaped device better than the Gripper and it is a whole lot cheaper.
It is and will probably always be easier and safer if two people are used to manage sheet material especially if it weighs more than a few pounds.

[Rob Young]

FYI, I contacted the Gorilla Gripper people after I tried to use it for some aluminum treadplate. Evidently, there is either an adapter, or another model, as the treadplate was too thin to get a good grip. It works pretty well for 3/4" stuff (never tried 1/2" yet).

I believe 3/8" is the recommended minimum thickness. Just for giggles I tried 1/4" and that is definitely too thin for the G.G. to work correctly.

[Glen Gunderson]

Sometimes I just use a hammer to help me carry plywood. If you stand in the center of the sheet you can use the claw of the hammer to support the bottom of the sheet and your other hand to grab it on top. It basically works the same as the drywall lifter that Roger Jensen posted.

[Wayne Cannon]

Personally, I find the hand and arm position more comfortable for this type of carrier. It's just a simple, wide, hook with a very comfortable handle. It also works very well for lightweight items, like hollow-core doors, etc. It's available at just about any lumber yard or hardware store.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/211X7Y9PBVL._SL160_AA160_.jpg

[Dale Lesak]

I made a lifting jig that uses the shop vac for suction. It'll lift a 3/4 sheet of MDO/ Plywood with out any problem. it dose have trouble with 1/4 ply because it bows too much 1/2 on up no problem. If you want more info E-mail me at lesak@sainet.net. been using this for about 5 years now and haven't lost a sheet yet. Dale

[Dan Forman]

I've got both the Gorilla and a panel tote like the one from Peachtree. Each has it's place, but for heavy stuff, I find the panel tote easier to use due to hand position - it's more comfortable and easier to pull up than push up.

Dan