Cheap Drywall Lifts

Morning Wood

Guys, I do just about everything when it comes to building and carpentry. Every once and awhile I end up hanging drywall or blueboard. I want to buy a lift because it is about $40 a day for a rental. It would pay itself off quickly. I know the Telpro is probably the best or one of the best, but how bad are those cheap ones that I might find on amazon.com. They are only like $150. I don't use the thing often, and I can weld if stuff is really cheap, but will I really regret it if I get a cheapy one? Thanks for any input.

neolitic

Couldn't be as cheesy as
your screen name.

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LocalSoljah

If Im by myself any lift is a lifesaver even the ones at lowes for 150 if you dont have many sheets to put up. Anything more you just cant beat manpower.

DavidC

We bought one on ebay for about $200 a couple years ago. It's red (very important), not as well made as the one we used to rent but it's not getting abused by the weekenders either. For the 6-8 times a year we bring it out, no regrets.

Good Luck
Dave

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Morning Wood

What do you mean?

neolitic

You're kidding, right?
You don't know what that means?
Are you a guy?

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woodworkbykirk

king canada tools has one for $200, but knowing king canada tools its probably better uses as a coat hanger

Dougmt

I bought the Amazon one and it works fine. I got mine (a red one) shipped for $160.00. It's not as nice as the telpro but it does what it's suppose to do just fine. HOWEVER!!!! check the bolt/nut assembly that holds the handle on the crank. It comes loose, hits against the lifting wire and stops your lift... making you think the damn thing is broken LOL...
Doug

Celtic

Sorry for the crappy picture...



I borrowed this yellow one from a GC friend of mine...breaks down into 3 pieces for transport....to me [ an electrician ] it feels pretty sturdy...I think he said it was about $300

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RockRanger

I have one from harbor freight. It works as well as the other ones I have rented in the past. I do not hang drywall everyday but the few times a year I need it it comes in handy.

CrpntrFrk

Is that the new "Fresh Step" porta john?
Every job needs one!

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mrp

One advantage to the Telpro is the (optional) loader. With the loader attached you only have to lift the drywall a few inches off the floor rather than the 36" you would without it. I hang alone, and or me (and my back) it's worth the extra money when putting up 5/8" 4x12 sheets.

Morning Wood

Well, I bought a cheapee from platinum tools. I haven't used it yet, but from just unpacking it and setting it up I wouldn't bother with the money saved on one of these things. It is a total piece of s#$!. So many things don't work correctly and it hasn't even been used yet. Hopefully it will hold up for a few jobs and pay for itself. Maybe I'll change my mind after I hang with it a few times. But it is definitely junk.

Celtic

Why are you complaining ~ you got what you paid for.
A Yugo ain't a Caddy

I guess you found out the answer to that.

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tcleve4911

If you use one as rarely as you say, why on earth would you buy a piece of crap, fight with it , hate it and then have to store it somewhere until the next time you get to swear at it and fight with it? That's what rentals are for!!! What did you save?

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John1

Bought the one from Harbor Freight and it works really well!

God Bless
John

Greg Di

I had a red Chinese one and it worked OK, but it was a bonafide POS.

I sold it on CL for $100 because it was taking up too much space in storage.

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Morning Wood

Oh, I definitely got what I paid for. It should pay for itself in just a few days. I actually enjoy making stuff better. So, when this thing breaks I'll be able to fix it properly. Maybe.

joasis

I had a BilJax lift stolen long ago, and replaced it with an imported model....except the brake, I cannot really tell you the cheap one is that bad. The BJ was heavier, the import is "looser" up high....but it is workable, and it follows my model of not renting if there is a chance you will use it more then once.

BTW, the brake pad was a simple fix....and it locks solid.

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trptman

Near as I can tell from your picture, I have that exact same lift.
Rented it once for a job that had enough ceiling work to prompt me to try it. After using it, I promptly asked the rental place, "how much if I just keep it?" I'm trying to remember what they charged me. (was a number or years ago) I think it was 3 or 4 hundred and I've never regretted it. I don't think the OP will regret getting one either. It's worth it. I'd say go ahead and get a little nicer one that "the cheapest you can find". You don't do that with your other tools do you?