Have Money. Will Buy Panel Jack. Suggestions?

steve-in-kville

I want to invest in my own panel jack. I want something that is compact and doesn't take up a lot of space when not in use. Will be used for residential stuff, no super-high ceilings.

Not interested in the low-end jacks found on ebay. I want a smooth operating jack that will last for years.

I'm open for suggestions. Thanks!!

steve

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Frankawitz

Steve
I purchased a drywall lift about 10 years back and it has paid for itself a hundred times , I got the Bil jack I think the name is, I use it all the time when I have to do a ceiling replacement, the reason I bought the thing was for two reasons one I got sick of holding 5/8's board with my head and two cause my helper didn't show up on time when we had 25 sheets to hang one day, I can do a whole ceiling by myself in a matter of minuntes , I paid around $625.00 for it and believe me if I would have known years ago how much time it saved me I would have got one along time ago . People always ask me why I buy so many tools and it's to make my job alot easier, cause I sure aint getting any younger . Good Luck I know it will save you money in the long run.

Peladu

Steve from reading some of your past posts, you work out of a Toyota Camry or maybe it was a Tercel? The only panel lifter that will fit in your car, that I can think of is called Juan Vasquez, or models like that ... there's the Juan model, the Jesus (not the lord) model, and the Jose model. They are all compact, usually under five feet tall, are able to fit into your Toyota Tercel, or was it Camry? You can even set these model panel lifter in the front seat, but I do not recommend it. Years ago you used to be able to buy models like them, but the Northern States didn't like the idea, and got into a fight with the Southern States ... and after what seemed like years, you could not purchase them anymore. But don't let that hold you back, you still are able to rent them, for anywhere from 3 to 4 dollars an hour. You can find them at the local big-box home improvement store, usually they keep them out in front of the store ... even in the parking lots at times .... just bring back when done, and you are good to go. Just keep in mind, pay cash, always ...
You asked for a suggestion and I gave you mine .... I was going to say hire a valid contractor, but what good would have that been?

dumplin1078

Seriously though tele-pro makes a great lift. You can sometimes find them on e-bay but I know you can get them at Allwall.com

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steve-in-kville

No, sorry. No car. Just a van. Thanks anyway.

BTW- the Juan, Jesus and Josa models are not as common in our area as they used to be. Their were some defects and the gov't pulled them off the market. I'm sure I could find a good (he, he) used one somewhere, but they are just not around anymore.

steve

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sage

I bought one about a year ago. It looks like it might be a tele-pro. It truly is worth every penny IMHO. Breaks down into 3 main components. Sets up in seconds and make rock'n a ceiling by yourself a breeze. Even easier to use than the models mentioned by Peladu . The tele-pro will never look at you like this when you need it to hold a sheet for you. I think I paid about 700 at my drywall supplier. Another plus is that you don't have to return it to the home depot parking lot .

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joasis

A friend has one of the lifts off of E-Bay...the $99 ones...and I can tell you there is not a lot wrong with it...it is a Chinese clone of a Bil Jax lift, works smoothly, the brake sets ok....I mean, you can tell it isn't first class, but since the BJ lift is $800 now (mine is a BJ), and these are $150 or so after freight, it might be hard to pick. Of course, I think we need to support Bil Jax...

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steve-in-kville

... but then I couldn't "play" with my new FisherPrice construction set that I just got!!

I got this great deal at K-mart!!! Came complete with a little plastic hardhat, tool belt and everything!! I had to replace the dinky putty knife with one the high quality plastic disposable one's from Lowe's, though. Didn't look like it would hold up to the rigors of a REAL construction site (as if I was ever at a REAL construction site before )

BTW- While I was at Lowe's I saw them nifty reflective 2" mailbox letters... so I bought a few and lettered my work van ('85 Dodge Caravan... holds up well). Now I can look out my window (while wearing my FisherPrice tool belt with the heavy duty 4" plastic disposable drywall knife)... and get a warm fuzzy feeling that I at least look like a real, live, breathing contractor... with a pulse and all!!

That's all for now... paper boy just dropped off the daily news. Gotta gleen through the classifieds and see how much business I can manage to steal from the REAL contractors in my area.

Have a great day folks!!

steve

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