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11-14-2008, 05:35 PM
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#1
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Pro
Trade:
Carpenter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cape Ann Area, MA
Posts: 270
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Cheap Drywall Lifts
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.
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11-14-2008, 05:41 PM
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#2
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Curmudgeon
Trade:
carpentry/remodeling/"Yes M'am we do"
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Beech Grove, Indiana, Birthplace of the "King of Cool"
Posts: 10,672
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Couldn't be as cheesy as
your screen name. 
__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)
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The Following User Says Thank You to neolitic For This Useful Post:
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11-14-2008, 06:03 PM
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#3
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New Guy
Trade:
Plastering & Drywall
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 24
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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.
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11-14-2008, 06:31 PM
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#4
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DavidC
Trade:
Remodeler
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NNY
Posts: 1,528
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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
__________________
www.CookContractingLLC.com
"If the front door is locked, check all the windows and if that fails cut a hole in the roof." BenHur
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11-14-2008, 07:02 PM
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#5
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Pro
Trade:
Carpenter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cape Ann Area, MA
Posts: 270
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neolitic
Couldn't be as cheesy as
your screen name. |
What do you mean? 
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11-14-2008, 07:14 PM
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#6
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Curmudgeon
Trade:
carpentry/remodeling/"Yes M'am we do"
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Beech Grove, Indiana, Birthplace of the "King of Cool"
Posts: 10,672
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Morning Wood
What do you mean? |
You're kidding, right?
You don't know what that means?
Are you a guy? 
__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)
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11-14-2008, 08:54 PM
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#7
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finish carpenter
Trade:
finish Carpenter/ renovations
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: ns, canada
Posts: 774
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king canada tools has one for $200, but knowing king canada tools its probably better uses as a coat hanger
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11-14-2008, 09:31 PM
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#8
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Jack of All
Trade:
Remodels
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
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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
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11-14-2008, 09:51 PM
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#9
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Fentoozler
Trade:
Professional Pie and Pastry Taster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,589
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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
__________________
The UD is quite possibly man kinds finest accomplishment.
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11-14-2008, 10:21 PM
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#10
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New Guy
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 29
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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.
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11-15-2008, 12:13 AM
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#11
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I do that too!
Trade:
80% junk,jokes or stupid comments
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Globe, Arizona
Posts: 362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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 $300 |
Is that the new "Fresh Step" porta john?
Every job needs one! 
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11-15-2008, 10:22 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Trade:
Drywall
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MN
Posts: 18
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One advantage to the Telpro is the (optional) loader. With the loader attached you only have to lift the drywall a few inches off the floor rather than the 36" you would without it. I hang alone, and or me (and my back) it's worth the extra money when putting up 5/8" 4x12 sheets.
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02-07-2009, 08:41 AM
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#13
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Pro
Trade:
Carpenter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cape Ann Area, MA
Posts: 270
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Well, I bought a cheapee from platinum tools. I haven't used it yet, but from just unpacking it and setting it up I wouldn't bother with the money saved on one of these things. It is a total piece of s#$!. 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.
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02-07-2009, 10:30 AM
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#14
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Fentoozler
Trade:
Professional Pie and Pastry Taster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,589
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Morning Wood
Well, I bought a cheapee from platinum tools.
It is a total piece of s#$!.
But it is definitely junk.
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Why are you complaining ~ you got what you paid for.
A Yugo ain't a Caddy
Quote:
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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?
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I guess you found out the answer to that.
__________________
The UD is quite possibly man kinds finest accomplishment.
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02-07-2009, 11:00 AM
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#15
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Pro
Trade:
Remodeling contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 849
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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?
__________________
Remodeler in Maine & Vermont
Finish carpenter
Been doin' this stuff for a long time.................
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02-07-2009, 08:13 PM
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#16
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Member
Trade:
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: shreveport la
Posts: 51
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Bought the one from Harbor Freight and it works really well!
God Bless
John
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02-07-2009, 09:11 PM
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#17
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The Deck Guy
Trade:
Outdoor Design & Construction
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,964
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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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02-08-2009, 07:41 AM
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#18
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Pro
Trade:
Carpenter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cape Ann Area, MA
Posts: 270
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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.
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02-08-2009, 07:53 AM
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#19
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Pro
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hennessey, Oklahoma
Posts: 4,867
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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.
__________________
Ladwig Construction Hennessey, Oklahoma 405 853 1563 Ladwig Insulation & Construction Services Serving Oklahoma Statewide 405 314 5802
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02-08-2009, 09:48 PM
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#20
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Pro
Trade:
remodeling and restorations
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 435
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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 |
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?
Last edited by trptman; 02-08-2009 at 09:51 PM.
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