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Al Willits
01-16-2007, 10:08 AM
With a combination of getting old, arthritis, and a back that I seem to abuse to often, I'm thinking of using some sort of hoist to get 4x8 sheets of plywood from the mobile rack I made, to the table to cut them on.

I'm thinking a cheap light duty manual hoist would work as the plywood I think maxed at about a 100#, but wondering what I can use to attach to the plywood to lift it with?
I'm thinking there must be some kind of cam actuated clamp that locks on by friction and releases fairly easy?
Also it might work to move heavier projects maybe.

tia

Al...who's having a getting old sucks kinda day....:D

Anthony Anderson
01-16-2007, 10:22 AM
Al,

Assuming that you have a pickup that you can get a 4x8 sheet of plywood to lay flat, between the wheelwells. Why don't you adapt the mobile cart to the height of the pickup bed, and make the cutting table the same height as the mobile cart, then all you have to do is slide the plywood to the cutting table and break it down into manageable pieces. Much easier than trying to rig up a hoist method, and taking a chance on dropping a nice piece of furniture grade ply. Just a thought. Regards, Bill

Al Willits
01-16-2007, 10:58 AM
The mobile cart stores the plywood vertically, so it'd be a bit difficult.
I do have a pick up and getting the sheets from that to the table is easy, its after they're stored is the problem.
I really don't have the room to store them horizontal, and it might be a problem getting the bottom sheets out of the pile anyway.
I think you mean to store them horizontally?

Haven't got to the furniture grade stuff yet, but for that stuff I can wait for help if there's a question with it dropping maybe.

Been thinking I might not need a hoist, just a couple of lines achored at the ceiling with clamps to hold the plywood vertically and I could swing the other end up and slide the table under it...maybe...:)

Thanks
Al

Ken Fitzgerald
01-16-2007, 11:06 AM
Al.....go to a local rental store and look at a sheetrock hoist. It's a rolling stand with a tilting table that locks. You put the table top in the vertical position.....load the sheet rock (or plywood) on it.....tilt to the horizontal position where it automatically locks......move it to where you want to put it on the ceiling and raise it up by cranking it up. I'm sure if you saw one, you could make something that would work for your application.

Joe Pelonio
01-16-2007, 11:10 AM
Al.

Due to space limitations. I have gotten used to loading my 4x8 material onto the table by having it stand on edge, leaning against the table, an 8' side down/up. If you have a removable "door" on your cart you could do that too. Then after it's leaning I lift tip the bottom up and slide it onto the table.

For that part perhaps a block & tackle hung from the ceiling, with flat hooks that can be placed 4-5' apart (beyond cart ends) under the bottom edge?

Bart Leetch
01-16-2007, 11:13 AM
Al

In a wood working mag. a while back they had a cart that set vertical at a slight slant like so / with a ledge for the material to set on that pivoted to the horizontal flat position & locked at the height of the table-saw. With your talent you should be able to come up with something like this. So you roll it over to the sheet good rack or truck & set a sheet on it either in the flat or vertical position & if flat pivot it upright & roll it to your saw or cutting table & pivot it flat & lock it in place & slide it off onto your table or saw. Or you could even build into it a cutting grid or lay a sheet of foam insulation on it to cut on . Mobility & a EZ-Smart or Festool cutting table all in one.

Dave Richards
01-16-2007, 11:24 AM
Al, regarding your sheet goods hoist, I agree with the others. Look at a sheet rock hoist. Also consider that a full sheet of 3/4" MDF weighs in somewhere close to that 100 pound value you mentioned. You probably want a bit more margin.

If you want a plan I could quickly draw you something that would work for you.

Neal Schlee
01-16-2007, 11:50 AM
Al, Check this out, might help. I'm in the process of build a lift similiar to this one.
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/27/17250.html?1168052365

Neal

Andy Hoyt
01-16-2007, 12:08 PM
Al - Don't spend a dime. Just read up on fulcrums and leverage.

Al Willits
01-16-2007, 1:37 PM
Well...I was kinda thinking on simple and small, but thanks for the idea's. :)

Only need this once in a while, maybe couple/three times a month so simple is key here.

I'm thinking a couple of tie down straps hung from the ceiling would work well, I can lift the plywood vertically off the floor a few inches with the straps, both the table and the storage cart are on wheels so that helps.
Once I have it off the floor, putting the table under it would be easier.

I just need something to clamp on the plywood that the straps can hook on...er...maybe I just answered my own question, maybe some kind of clamp will work with out damaging the plywood?

Dave, the guy at the lumber yard said 3/4" birch MDF core was about a 100# a 4x8 sheet, I think he might have been short a pound or two...:D

One problem is when I'm trying to pull the sheet onto the table is, if it wants to wander off the side I can't stop it..more dented plywood.
Thanks all
Al

Randal Stevenson
01-16-2007, 2:22 PM
You situation is different then the one on another board a while back. Most of them, just want a panel mover, then they angle and lift the board onto the saw, so they shot this down.
It might be better for you though. This can be found as a pay per downloadable plan (link not allowed?), or you can find the basic plan free, in a copy of the article, that you can view here: http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/main/wb280-caddy01.html

Brian Hale
01-16-2007, 2:24 PM
Perhaps you can make a sawhorse type stand with carpet on the top. Make it the same height as the saw. Then just drag the sheetgoods up to it, lean it against it, grab the bottom edge of the sheetgoods and flip it horizontal.

Pardon the crude sketch... The blue is supposed to be carpet :rolleyes:

Brian

Al Willits
01-16-2007, 4:42 PM
Between Randal and Brian I think we may have something.
Maybe a folding version of Brians suggestion with a piece on the bottom to sit the plywood on, then the top being hinged, so all I have to do is move the table up to the higher side of the plywood, grab the bottom of the plywood and lift up, then slide it off the device onto the table???

This make sense?? :D

Al...who is back building stuff to build stuff...:D
Thanks all.

Dave Richards
01-16-2007, 8:53 PM
Al, I did this for you. It could made to be knocked down if you want.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/weekender410/sheetgoodslift.jpg

Bart Leetch
01-16-2007, 9:14 PM
Dave

Thats exactly what I had in mind for Al. Simple but effective.:)

Dave Richards
01-16-2007, 9:26 PM
Dave

Simple but effective.:)

I may be simple but I don't know how effective I am. :D

Ken Fitzgerald
01-16-2007, 9:38 PM
Well done Dave! I ain't buying you're simple either!

Jim O'Dell
01-16-2007, 10:41 PM
Hey, if you want to be effective too, then make it auto load the next sheet of material!:D :D
I like that design a lot. It could be used as an infeed table of sorts for the TS. Jim.

Al Willits
01-16-2007, 11:08 PM
By George I think we got it!!!
Looks like a plan guys, I will try to figure out measurments and start on it this weekend, looks even do able for the newbie here...:)
Only thing missing is the wheels...gotta have wheels....hehe

btw...I've met Dave and simple ain't what I'd use to describe him either...:)

Thanks to all....again.

Al

ps...nevermind...looks like it does have wheels afterall......:)

Jim O'Dell
01-16-2007, 11:18 PM
Hey, did you get in on the Herc-U-Lift fire sale? It wuld be great if it could be adapted to this. Al, be sure to take pictures of your progress this weekend, and do a write up. I'm seriously interested in this...just can't do it until more of my shop is finished. Jim.

Dave Richards
01-17-2007, 6:12 AM
Al, if you want me to do a dimensioned drawing of what I did, just let me know.

Jim, I sure ain't Rube Goldberg. :D

Al Willits
01-17-2007, 8:58 AM
Jim, pictures it will be...:)

Dave, anything will help, remember I'm the one who still needs plans to make anything..including push sticks...:)

Making it collapsible for storage will make it easier to keep out of the way.

Al

Dave Richards
01-17-2007, 9:21 AM
Al, I'll do it up for you ASAP. I've got a student this morning so it might not be until later this afternoon.

Do you know what you will use for casters? Dimensions? Or should I pick some for you? And how high is the surface you'll need to slide the plywood on? I'll make sure that between the casters and the lift, the plywood will be at the proper height for you.

Al Willits
01-17-2007, 10:54 AM
Beasty won't let me start another project till this weekend...says her storage cabinets come first...so..
I'll check on the table height tonight when I get home, and get back to ya.
Figure I can start cutting pieces anytime, but they'll have to look like a storage cabinet...:D :D

Probably pick up some casters at menards, 3" ought to be plenty for what they'll have to carry.
Also thinking of a cheap roller on top to help slide the piece off and it'd probable be easier on the plywood.

Al...who's trying not to get to complicated here...:)

Dave Richards
01-17-2007, 1:30 PM
Al, if you can get the casters before I start dimensioning, I can make allowance for their height. You could give me the total height of the caster and I'll work from there.

Rollers would be good but I'm thinking carpet held on with carpet tape would be better and the rack would be easier and less expensive to build.

Say hi to "Beasty" for me.

M Toupin
01-17-2007, 2:21 PM
Al,

I saw a neat lift a while back, don't recall where though. I need to make one too, the next project will have a lot of sheet goods in it. A sheet good is loaded on the front and it's rotated backward to lift the sheet flat. A small wheel at the transition point allows it to be rolled around on the balance point. It had two ends held together by a center piece with the ends attached with hinges to make it fold flat when not needed. I would think that it could be built out of 1/2 ply and cutting out a good bit of the center should keep the weight down. I don't recall the exact sizes, but I plan on making mine 37" from top to bottom so when it's tilted up the sheet is even with the TS. I figure if I make the flats about 24" and come up with some sort of leg, it ought to work for a infeed table too. Excuse my crappy attempt at using paint as a design program. The dimensions and proportions are way out of whack, but I think you'll get the idea.

Mike

55363

Al Willits
01-17-2007, 9:27 PM
Looks good enough that I get the picture Mike, thanks.
Dave's design is close to what will work for me, with 4 casters I can roll it around to where ever needed.
Right now I'm safer using the EZ system so I don't need to get them on the table saw, but I do most of my cutting on the torsion table....leastwise's till the pieces get smaller and I can use the table saw, by then I can carry them...:)

We'll see what happens with Dave's design, I think he says there's a money back guarantee on his design....:D

Al

Dave Richards
01-18-2007, 10:57 AM
Al, I did a little rework of the lift. Let me know if this works for you. I designed it so the feet come off after pulling a couple of pins No tools required to set it up or knock it down. It folds fairly flat this way.

Actually, I've had another idea for knocking it down but it would require more hardware.

If this works for you, let me know and I'll bang out the dimensions.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/weekender410/sheetgoodslift2.jpg

Al Willits
01-18-2007, 1:35 PM
Looks good Dave, how wide to plan on making this thing?
Wondering if about 4-4.5' wouldn't be wide enough?

Pretty impressive...thanks.
Al

Brian Hale
01-18-2007, 4:22 PM
Looking good Dave!!

While you're at it, I've got this china cabinet I'm designing and.......... :rolleyes:

Brian :)

Dave Richards
01-18-2007, 4:24 PM
Brian, I think I've finished Al's project so on to yours.

Ya know, I oughta start charging for my services. ;) :D

Brian Hale
01-18-2007, 4:34 PM
Yes Dave, you should charge! Well worth the money i'm sure.

I was just messing with you about mine ;)

But.....

Here's what i'm fumbling along with. Overall design isn't finalized yet but you can get an idea where it's headed.

Dave Richards
01-18-2007, 4:41 PM
Looks good Brian. Show us more of it as you get it worked out.