Tools & Hardware : Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack |
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Rating:  - * Convenient storage but not trival to install or use ... I've had two of these for several years and just got another since the price was good. The hardest part about installing them was the hot weather. But I can't blame the manufacturer for that. If you measure properly and make sure that you know where your beams are, then it's a matter of making appropriate sized pilot holes so you can get the bolts in without killing yourself, but assure that they won't come out of the ceiling either. There have been a few comments about the spacing of your joists. 16 inches has been a standard for a long time, which makes them 48 inches apart with two in between. If they were off, it would be impossible to use standard sheet rock to build your walls, pass building code inspections, and so forth. If your house is old enough that it predates the standard, your house does not have a garage. However, standard construction often includes extra joists to support other things, depending on what's behind the ceiling. So it's possible to find a joist without a corresponding one where expected. But it should also be possible to find joists that are spaced appropriately. Keep in mind that when you pick out a spot for it, you might need to move a bit to be under a joist. Each support that goes on the ceiling has a keyhole in the middle. So you can install the first bolt by itself, leaving it 1/4 inch away from tight. Then you can take the support with you up the ladder, slide the bolt through the keyhole, and not have to worry about holding things up while installing bolts. Once things are installed, you might find that the rack is not level. Each corner has nuts that can be adjusted to change the height. However, you are better off checking things with a level, climbing back up the ladder, and repositioning the part of the cable that loops over on top. Then use the nuts and bolts for fine tuning. The rack is easy to get down with a crank, but when raising it, keep in mind that you are raising everything on it too. You will need less force to move the crank than to lift things by hand, but you make up for it with the distance that your hands travel with all the cranking. The more petite members of society might find it tiring, but others might find it about as much work as they would have expected. Rating: - * Variation on installation. ... I have ordered 2 of the HeavyLift hoists. I have read most of the best reviews, and I don't have the instalation instructions. I am considering using 1 full sheet of ¾" plywood mounted to the ceiling on which I'll mount 2 hoists. It would solve the issues of the best location for the hoists not being where studs are located, and be able to do more precise work on the floor or bench instead of overhead on ladders. Procedure: Install plywood into studs on the ceiling with better lag bolts and washers where I want the hoists. Remove the plywood and install hoists' frames, w/bolts and "T" nuts thru the plywood. Therefore, individual pieces could be easily removed if necessary without taking everything down. Reinstall this assembly to the ceiling. Finish the installation of hoists' parts. If you have experience with installing these hoists, please, let me know of any problems you think there will be, or better ways to solve these problems. Rating:  - * ASSEMBLY NOT FOR THE TIMID OR FOR THOSE WITH A LOW GARAGE CEILING ... I was attracted to the idea of this device but assembly was difficult. There were numberous pieces and the instructions were not very helpful and in the end I needed to have my handyman complete the assembly and installation. The hoist works fine now except that it hangs so low to the ground that I feel that I need to lower my head walking under it. Rating: - * It works ... Overall, a very good product. The instructions leave out a very important step. You need to determine which side you want the crank to be on, before you secure anything to the ceiling. I found that the two ends aren't interchangeable, so I had the wrong side facing out from the wall. Besides that, it wasn't too hard to assemble, and it works as advertised. Rating: - * Great Product - Labor Intensive Install ... The HeavyLift is awesome! Does exactly what we need it to do. The hand crank gives you quite a workout - it takes a few minutes to raise or lower it, but it gets up and out of the way. Installation is a different matter. The arms are heavy enough that working over-head for any period of time is challenging. I recommend creating a template, predrilling the holes, and using a cordless drill to install the bolts. Having two people would have made the chore much easier. Overall great product - you'll soon forget the pain it was to get the thing installed! |
