Low-Cost Shop Elevator Makes Storage Easy

Low-Cost Shop Elevator Makes Storage Easy FARM SHOP Miscellaneous Bill Boyce of Texarkana Ark built an inexpensive elevator to access an overhead storage area in his shop “I made the elevator frame from 2-in by 2-in tubing that was leftover from another project ” he says “The power is supplied by a repurposed 2 500-lb winch from a side-by-side ” Boyce attached the “car” to common sliding barn door roller channels with the matching rollers “These were purchased new and they keep the car very stable ” he says “I attached the channels to the wall’s framework and the winch is mounted to a truss beam above the car The winch is controlled by a corded remote that travels with the car ” The project took him about 2 days Boyce’s main expense was purchasing the barn door tracks and rollers which cost about $275 He estimates that other costs came to $50 “The winch to raise and lower the car the battery to power the winch and the metal to build the car were all repurposed items I had on hand So my total cost was about $325 ” Boyce’s winch is rated at 2 500 lbs “I use the elevator to move heavier items to the overhead storage area in my shop items that would be awkward to carry up the stairs ” Overall the project has worked exactly as planned “My only advice to someone would be to build a sturdy car and have a secure mounting for the winch ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bill Boyce 13194 Hwy 296 Texarkana Ark 71854 ph 870-645-2254; bboyce@swat coop

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