Help getting heavy sheets onto my table.

[knight_toolworks]

I have a tilt top cart I made for heavy sheets but the problem is it gets in the way and is hard to get into my shop plus I don't often cut the heavy sheets and I can't get the sheet on the cart by myself if they are not already on it.
I made a little 2 wheel cart that I can tip the material that's up against the wall on it roll it into the shop. I can manage to get the end up on my table but tipping it flat then lifting the other end is really a pain.
I have a concrete ceiling I can attach something too to take the load off. if I had somethign to clamp both sides I can tip the sheet flat and then push onto the table. I do so many different things and don't do the heavy 1" or 1.25" mdf often so I don't need a crane for such a job.

[myxpykalix]

have you thought about a drywall lift?
http://www.maxtool.com/us/drywall-lift-factory-outlet/drywall-main.asp?CAWELAID=878555004&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CKXm-raR2LgCFVOe4Aoda0UAWg

i just did a google search and picked one for reference, i have no specific recommendation

[genek]

Steve: how I do it in my shop I have a small rolling table about 3 ft sq. that is almost the same height of my shop bot table. I use short lengths of pvc pipe to roll my sheets into position then I remove the pipe and adjust the edges by pushing with a short board. I have moved my sliding table saw and 24 inch planner with pvc. your table to lay things on needs to be just shy of the shop bot top, as you near the shop bot tilt the material down and push toward the shop bot and after the material is on the pipe pick up and start rolling... I try to get as much of the material on the shop bot first before i pick up to roll. less force needed the closer to center you are.

you can also install what is called a barn door roller system and attach a small lift or come along and it will slid over the table... go to a tractor supply center ask about the rails and sliders for a barn door. they will support a 20 x 30 solid wood barn door. you will need to modify the hanging bracket... if you can not find what i am talking about let me know will get you the part numbers.

[knight_toolworks]

below is what I sue now Don't have a pic of the 2 wheel cart but it is just two wheels and platform that lets me roll sheets in on edge.
but the tilt cart is large and in the way most of the time.
I have thought of putting removable slides on the end of the table then I need a idea to help lay down the sheet. some way to clamp the edges and a pully from the ceiling. it's no big deal sliding the sheet on the table I just don't want to pick the end of a 1.25" mdf sheet up.





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[bob_dodd]

Steve search the forum , a while back someone made a vacuum pod which attached to the sheet and a lift overhead

[myxpykalix]

along the lines of being able to move large sheets of material, I was thinking of checking something like this out to stretch out from my driveway to my shed across the yard. It exands to 40 ft.
http://charlottesville.craigslist.org/for/3931979565.html

[tom]

Steve I have one of those, Vacum lifts it was made by Gary Campbell you can see it on his u tube site. works great

[knight_toolworks]

the vac lift would be nice but it is overkill for as little I need it. I just need to get a sheet from vertical to horizontal and table top level. How does the vac work on mdf? that's most of the heavy stuff I move. though yesterday two of us could not really lift a sheet of 1" hdpe
I need some way to hook the sheet so I can take it from on edge to level and maybe lift it up a bit.
I am thinking of making this cart
http://www.globalindustrial.com/g/material-handling/trucks-carts/panel-mover/easy-move-panel-sheet-mover-cart

I can make a simple ramp for my table so I just have to tilt the sheet down onto them and use a come along or such to pull it up on the table.

[bleeth]

Steve:
There was a botter years ago (Frank Leinbach) who made a lift rig using an old pot lid and a vac pump and all he worked with was mdf. Gary actually based his "upwardly mobile" design on his value engineered one.
Here's the thread:
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5387&highlight=vacuum+lift&page=3

I stopped using vertical storage years ago except for cut-offs.
If I pick stuff up at Big Orange why take it from a horizontal rack, turn it into a vertical cart, and then turn it again to slide into my truck? Once at the shop the same thing applies. If we get deliveries they are always (almost always anyway) flat on their trucks. Pulling a heavy sheet out of a vertical rack is a real pain, particularly as my finger grip isn't what it used to be.

[knight_toolworks]

no choice on vertical storage I don't have room for anything else. But I don't store a lot because I mostly just cut other peoples stuff. So they drop off a sheet or a few I stand them up or put them on the cart. Most of the time it is 3/4" or so and not hard to handle.
I think I have worked out a way to make a hook to lift the sheet on edge roll it over the table then lower it and lay it down.
I remembered the vac lid but after having to buy a bigger pump and lift it may cost too much and make make things wild trying to change from on edge to flat.

[Regnar]

You can also do mechanical lift. I couldn't find the video showing it lift sheet goods but you get the ideal. All you would need is compressed air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q-d_931hXI&list=PLDDD1EBE59F6FC8B0

[chiloquinruss]

I have my erection table serve two purposes, one for building stuff and the other for transporting sheet goods. It is just a shade taller than the bed of my trailer (store to shop mover) and the same height as my bot and table saw. It has heavy duty casters with full swivel and has really good locking brakes. Its shown below in the middle of da' pix. Russ

http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_29156463.jpg

[bleeth]

Russ-There just ain't enough sawdust around that joint!!

[Ajcoholic]

Russ-There just ain't enough sawdust around that joint!!

That's MY kind of shop... spick and span! :)

I am still young enough to haul sheets around, but I do try and make things easier on myself if I can.

I bought a neat roller thing (through Richelieu Hardware) that you can wheel sheets around, or store them temporarily, on edge. Once a sheet has at least one end on the floor, I find it pretty easy to raise up to table height.

http://www.richelieu.com/en/roller-handling-trolley-ROLLER?fr=rec

[BTP]

I have a 4x8 flat cart with casters that I get my wood delivered on. Right off the truck onto the cart.

I place the cart right in front of the bot.

Then, I take a cardboard sheet and place it underneath the far side of the sheet. (to not scratch the sheet underneath.)
Then pick up the front side, slide it just onto the bot.
Then go to the back of the sheet, pickup and push.

[myxpykalix]

Russ,
I agree with Dave and another thing in the picture greatly disturbs me....
The lack of tools and "stuff" laying on your horizontal surfaces.
"Boy..we're going to have to get your mind right":D

[knight_toolworks]

got the cart done. it is a bit top heavy I should have made it shorter then 48" or lighten the parts. so without anything on it it may fall over with a good bump. that's easy to deal with but it is stable with a sheet on it and stands up. the slot in the bottom will be so I can lift it right off the cart. i will make a t shaped hook the tee will be upside down with a lip on it and a sliding bracket on top to hook on the top of the sheet. lift it up on edge lower it onto the table and let it lay down.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/null_zpsf075e261.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/null_zpsf075e261.jpg.html)
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[genek]

Steve that is a nice Design, I would recommend four wheels rather than three. Three is unstable. and easy to tilt over. just like a tricycle it will turn over very easy with one wheel turned wrong. and it wobbles.
also would put at slight angle to hold the wood.

[genek]

I have my erection table serve two purposes, one for building stuff and the other for transporting sheet goods. It is just a shade taller than the bed of my trailer (store to shop mover) and the same height as my bot and table saw. It has heavy duty casters with full swivel and has really good locking brakes. Its shown below in the middle of da' pix. Russ

http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_29156463.jpg


Russ very nice shop... what do you do with the wood in your scrap bin... also your dust system must be doing a very good job, how many man do you have working for you. or did you clean your shop up to take the picture.
Again very nice lay out and room to move around.

[knight_toolworks]

it's only a two wheel cart. the third is just so it is more stable when resting. with only two wheelis is easy to maneuver and light weight. but the back side wheel could go out a bit more so it does not tip over sideways as easy. the wood does tip back so it can sit on it's own.

[donek]

I've been using a gorilla gripper for a long time.
http://www.gorillagripper.com/
It's very easy to move full sheets with. I almost never put a full sheet on my CNC table though. I have a panel saw that is used to cut down sheets.

[knight_toolworks]

I tried it but only for light sheets. lets see you lift a 1.25" sheet of mdf with it (G)

[donek]

I tried it but only for light sheets. lets see you lift a 1.25" sheet of mdf with it (G)

I can imagine that might be a struggle.

[waynelocke]

It's not the cheapest solution, $1200, but look at http://www.shopcartsusa.com. The flip carts have hydraulic cylinders allowing you to pump them to the level you need. They seem to do just what you are asking and are made in USA and come assembled and ready to perform straight from the crate. They work terrifically. I have used them for probably 15 years.

[knight_toolworks]

I made one of the tilt cars but for most of the time it is not needed and in the way and hard to get around my shop. I do a ton of different things so I may cut some dibond then some 3/4" mdf a sheet of plywood and whatever in a day. once in awhile something heavy. So most of the time the cart has stuff on it and just gets in the way. So I mad the single sheet cart and I am working on putting on the ceiling a track that can take 300# and a winch. I will lift the sheets up on edge roll it over the table and lay it down. the slot in the 2 wheel cart I made will let the hook hook on the bottom of the sheet. hope to have it done by next week.

[knight_toolworks]

modified the cart to make it more stable when not loaded. got track and rollers at a place one block away. easy to fasten to concrete too. just need to get to harbor freight for the winch.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/null_zpsc3867122.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/null_zpsc3867122.jpg.html)
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[genek]

Mr. Knight that is just like the barn door sliders that I was talking about, except the barn door one's will hold 1500 lbs.. if you want I can draw you a simple sling to lift with.

[knight_toolworks]

not sure the max weight on this but 300# is more then enough for what i need. I only hit one rebar that's luck when it is every 3" or so in this old building.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/null_zpsf5ef9a82.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/null_zpsf5ef9a82.jpg.html)

[knight_toolworks]

handy to have the supply store one block away I just walk over.
I just need an easy way to hook the winch onto the rollers. it is made for a piece of pipe
http://www.harborfreight.com/440-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-60346-9096.html

[Bob Eustace]

Steve, your track idea inverted, could be a clever solution to keeping a Buddy table flat on the rollers.

[jerry_stanek]

We use a clevis like this for that sort of stuff

[genek]

Mr. Knight you can get pipe hangers to attacth pipe to the rail system. be sure to use screws through the pipe clamp and the pipe that holds the hoist. movement overtime will allow the pipe to work out. also be sure to put stops on each end of your rail. this will prevent anyone form running it out and off.

easy way to do that is drill a hole through both sides of the rail and insert a blot and nut.

system looking very good.

[knight_toolworks]

cool. the track is cheap rollers expensive. was 65.00 for bb rollers.

[knight_toolworks]

We use a clevis like this for that sort of stuff
I knew there was something simple. I have a great hardware store i would have shown them and they would have gotten me what I needed.
Of course I was planning on drilling the track before I put it up and forgot.

[knight_toolworks]

got the wench up. I will make the lift tomorrow if I have time. got to keep the power cord out of the way. I think a hook to hold the cord and some bungee cord to suck up the slack.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/null_zpse12d7692.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/null_zpse12d7692.jpg.html)

[knight_toolworks]

well got the lift done. I was going to get something welded but my buddy was not in and I worked out how to do it with the tools I have. I use a piece of 2"x18" steel all the way to the bottom and a 3/8" bolt through the bottom to another piece of steel for the lip l brackets on the edges.
But I goofed on the cart a bit I made the slot big enough to drop the hook through but no room for material. well i was thinking of a redesign so back to the drawing board.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/null_zpsb7f2845f.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/null_zpsb7f2845f.jpg.html)
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[mars]

Hi, with your hoist, I would use the Gorilla Grip, won't take up space in your shop and can surely do the job, it's not expensive somewhere around 50 bucks.
I have one for sometime and never lost a sheet of MDF or melamine even 1 inch thick.
My grain of salt

[knight_toolworks]

the gripper is a good idea. I hated using it for hauling wood but for this. I would have to work out a way to hook the cable to it. Plus I would have to be careful to grab the center of the material. this is what I made and it works well but it could be easier.


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