Handling sheet goods

[Bob Vavricka]

Does anyone use a panel handling device like the Woodtek panel pro? Or something similar to handle sheet goods. If so would you buy it again? http://woodworker.com/woodtek-panel-carrier-mssu-149-003.asp

[David L Morse]

Here's an old post (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?201437-Handling-Sheet-Goods&p=2090376&highlight=#post2090376) about how I handle sheet goods. Later in that thread are some more details.

[Kevin Jenness]

If you are regularly using sheet goods, and have the room a cart such as David's is a good investment. At my workplace we use a similar cart from Hafele to good effect. It cost about $400 10 years ago. Shopcarts makes a similar and I suspect better unit for more $, or you can make your own. Ours will take seven 3/4" panels, locks in place at horizontal and near vertical and has a hydraulic jack so you can get the platform near your saw's height. We also have a cart with vertical dividers for organizing cut parts for further processing.

I haven't used the panel pro. I can't see that it would give a lot of advantage over my usual technique for getting panels on the saw without the tip cart. I store sheets vertically close to my saw, so I slide the sheet out of the rack, stand it on end parallel to the feed direction about 7" from the saw table and pivot it down so its long edge lands on the table, then roll it down flat on the table. Half of the sheet's weight is always supported by the floor or the saw.

[John A langley]

I have the shopcarts that Kevin is talking about It's made in Topeka Kansas

[Bill Neely]

Does anyone use a panel handling device like the Woodtek panel pro? Or something similar to handle sheet goods. If so would you buy it again? http://woodworker.com/woodtek-panel-carrier-mssu-149-003.asp

Thanks for posting the link. I don't have the extra space to store a full sized cart but something that folds up like that might be really useful. If I decide to buy one I'll post a review.

[Dave Kirby]

Here's an old post (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?201437-Handling-Sheet-Goods&p=2090376&highlight=#post2090376) about how I handle sheet goods. Later in that thread are some more details.

Now THAT is slick! I need to build me one of those!! Can it transport multiple sheets at a time or just one? Great idea!

[David L Morse]

Now THAT is slick! I need to build me one of those!! Can it transport multiple sheets at a time or just one? Great idea!

Thanks Dave. It will handle multiple sheets with the capacity mostly limited by weight. More than about 300lb and it gets difficult to roll the small casters over bumps and the narrow base makes it a bit unstable in the raised position.

[ernie riley]

My shop is pretty small, there is just one of me and those 75# sheets of 3/4 ply aren't getting any lighter. I bought the panel pro a few years ago and it works great. I use it to actually carry the sheets from where I store them to the table saw by mounting them "end on" and putting the bulk of the weight on the the piece that runs along the floor. I then flip the sheet onto the saw table and move the panel pro out so it supports the end of the plywood as I cut it either crosscut or rip cuts. When I am done with it, it folds up and sits in the corner.

So, yes I would buy it again.