You have reached your limit of 5 free stories. A story preview is shown instead.
To view more stories
(If your subscription is current,
click here to Login or Register.)
He Built His Own Drywall Jack
Putting up drywall is now an easier job for Frank Dyck, who built his own drywall jack.
"It's a real time saver," says Dyck, of La Crete, Alberta. "I came up with the idea because I was finishing a basement and had to put up the 8-ft. high ceiling by myself."
The jack rides on four small caster wheels and
..........
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the page.
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the flip-book
He Built His Own Drywall Jack FARM SHOP Maintenance 32-6-39 Putting up drywall is now an easier job for Frank Dyck, who built his own drywall jack.
"It's a real time saver," says Dyck, of La Crete, Alberta. "I came up with the idea because I was finishing a basement and had to put up the 8-ft. high ceiling by myself."
The jack rides on four small caster wheels and consists of an adjustable length of thin wall, 1 1/4-in. sq. tubing that fits over a 48-in. length of 1 1/2-in. sq. tubing. The outside tube has a roller chain welded along its length to match the teeth on a sprocket that's operated by a hand crank. The crank and sprocket are mounted on another 48-in. length of 1 1/2-in. sq. tubing welded to the base about 3 in. beside the other one.
"It's especially useful on 12-ft. long sheets which are almost impossible for one man to put up," says Dyck. "My total cost was less than $100. Comparable commercial jacks sell for $500 or more."
The angle iron frame on top measures 42 by 42 in. so I can lift a half sheet.
A sprocket is welded onto a 3/4-in. dia. shaft, which drives a bigger double chain sprocket. The shaft at the top of the double chain sprocket supports another sprocket that engages a length of roller chain that's welded onto the sq. tubing. He welded a saw blade to one end of the shaft. The blade's teeth engage in a pawl to hold the load in position and serve as a brake.
"The top H-frame is attached to the sliding post with a heavy hinge so when I approach the lift with a sheet, it's already tilted toward me," says Dyck. "I made a stopper on it so it can only tilt about 45 degrees. I step on the nearest base end so it stays, lay the sheet on it, and tilt it level. Then I wheel the load into position, crank it up, and lock the pawl in place. It has a maximum lift of 98 to 99 inches."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Frank M. Dyck, P.O. Box 388, La Crete, Alberta, Canada T0H 2H0 (ph 780 928-3944).
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
