pitterpatter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2010
- Messages
- 22
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2008
- Country
- US
- State
- OR
- City
- Warrenton
I've been seeing pictures of lift systems with tracks that look familiar to me. As an electrician, every industrial job I ever went on had miles of strut installed. I'm familiar with offerings from Powerstrut, Unistrut, and Thomas & Betts. Any electrical wholesaler should have ready access to at least one of those lines. They won't have some of the fittings, but should be able to order them.
I've also seen strut used on sliding barn doors. Maybe a farm supply place would carry it.
My 10 foot stick of galvanized 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 Powerstrut, along with vinegar, paint, mounting hardware and trolleys, cost me about $180.00. The track I've been seeing pictures of looks like it's 1 5/8 x 3, so it's going to be spendier, but probably not more than double. Two electrician friends installed mine in about 2 hours, not counting pickling and painting time. Size doesn't matter:razz:, at least not for installation time.
For my other hoist I used stainless strut. That kit cost about $300.00, but labor was very similar.
I used hoists from Harbor Freight. They sell for about $150.00 and come festooned with warnings about not using them to hoist people or loads above people. I think a man-rated hoist runs about $5 grand. I made a decision. Yours might differ.
Right now I'm using the hoists very briefly, just for transfers. Rather than using a spreader for my slings, I'm just running all the straps to the hook that came with the hoist. Breathing while being lifted is challenging, but for the 30 seconds or so that I'm up, I can hold my breath.
The most difficult part of the installation is cutting the strut so that its ends are square. Of course, this is a purely aesthetic concern; it'll support you just fine with ends that look as though they were gnawed in two by rabid wolverines.
The most finicky part of the installation is getting the supports in a straight line.
The most important part of the installation is making sure it'll support you.
Most electricians and many carpenters should be able to install this stuff. The only trouble is bidding the job, since it isn't a familiar project.
I've also seen strut used on sliding barn doors. Maybe a farm supply place would carry it.
My 10 foot stick of galvanized 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 Powerstrut, along with vinegar, paint, mounting hardware and trolleys, cost me about $180.00. The track I've been seeing pictures of looks like it's 1 5/8 x 3, so it's going to be spendier, but probably not more than double. Two electrician friends installed mine in about 2 hours, not counting pickling and painting time. Size doesn't matter:razz:, at least not for installation time.
For my other hoist I used stainless strut. That kit cost about $300.00, but labor was very similar.
I used hoists from Harbor Freight. They sell for about $150.00 and come festooned with warnings about not using them to hoist people or loads above people. I think a man-rated hoist runs about $5 grand. I made a decision. Yours might differ.
Right now I'm using the hoists very briefly, just for transfers. Rather than using a spreader for my slings, I'm just running all the straps to the hook that came with the hoist. Breathing while being lifted is challenging, but for the 30 seconds or so that I'm up, I can hold my breath.
The most difficult part of the installation is cutting the strut so that its ends are square. Of course, this is a purely aesthetic concern; it'll support you just fine with ends that look as though they were gnawed in two by rabid wolverines.
The most finicky part of the installation is getting the supports in a straight line.
The most important part of the installation is making sure it'll support you.
Most electricians and many carpenters should be able to install this stuff. The only trouble is bidding the job, since it isn't a familiar project.