Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

I can't help with question at hand, but was your garage roof designed
to support 1500-2000 pounds of drywall?

Larry Fishel wrote:
I can't help with question at hand, but was your garage roof designed
to support 1500-2000 pounds of drywall?

The roof no, the garage ceiling, the attic ceiling and the attic floor
were supposed to handle the garage being finished with drywall and the
attic room to be finished and carry a live load... or something like
that. I'll dig out the blueprints.

I think I have the right blueprints here, I had other bids for the
trusses. Anyway the one in front of me reads:

Loading (psf)
TCLL 20.0
TCDL 10.0
BCLL 40.0 Applied only to the room (attic)
BCDL 10.0

And in the notes it lists additional loads with the same names (lot of
other loads but I'll wait to see if I have the proper blueprints before
going any further. These are 12/12 pitch, 30' wide sitting on block
walls 28' across with a 16' wide attic room.

I just looked it up and see that 5/8 drywall only weighs about 2.3
lbs/square foot, so I think I'm safe.

"Tony" wrote in message
...
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man jobs
by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would have got
help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because if
you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't think
weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Use 5/8 if you have a house attached to the garage and there isn't a 5/8
wall extending to the roof already. Use 12 foot sheets if you can handle
them alone.

Pat wrote:
"Tony" wrote in message
...
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man jobs
by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would have got
help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because if
you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't think
weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Use 5/8 if you have a house attached to the garage and there isn't a 5/8
wall extending to the roof already. Use 12 foot sheets if you can handle
them alone.

It's not attached but I'll probably go 5/8 to make the insurance company
happy. The only time I ever hung 12' by myself was on the walls of my
old garage and it wasn't easy at all!! What I'm asking is how *easy*
does using a lift make the job. My last garage it took one pro and two
dummies (I was one) to do the ceiling with 12', but again I never used a
lift and don't know how well they work.

On Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:12:13 -0500, Tony wrote:

Pat wrote:
"Tony" wrote in message
...
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man jobs
by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would have got
help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because if
you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't think
weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Use 5/8 if you have a house attached to the garage and there isn't a 5/8
wall extending to the roof already. Use 12 foot sheets if you can handle
them alone.

It's not attached but I'll probably go 5/8 to make the insurance company
happy. The only time I ever hung 12' by myself was on the walls of my
old garage and it wasn't easy at all!! What I'm asking is how *easy*
does using a lift make the job. My last garage it took one pro and two
dummies (I was one) to do the ceiling with 12', but again I never used a
lift and don't know how well they work.

One pro and one semi-pro (me) hung 14's often. With a lift I would go with
12's

Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project?

I just did my 1200 sf basement ceiling (and walls) last Summer.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

By all means. I used my wife to hold the lift from rolling away and a
neighbor to help lift the 12 footers and place them on the lift.
Then two of us shimmied the lift/boards tightly into place.
Did 1200 sf of ceiling in one long day.
The REAL drywall suppliers have better product for ceilings (and no more
$$)than Big Box stores and they deliver RIGHT INTO THE ROOM you'll be
hanging it in. See http://www.winroc.com/ I cant recommend them highly
enough

I'd never try to lift 12 footers into place (on the lift) by myself..the
8's are bad enough

Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

That high and with material that heavy, you want a second person, at
least for the initial hanging- you can maybe fill in the field screws by
yourself later, once enough are in so it won't fall down. Even if a
no-code area, if you are storing anything in the attic you care about,
or some future owner may try to make it into guest quarters or
something, go with the 5/8 fire-stop rated rock, and treat all the
joints as if it were a code area. Makes property easier to sell, and if
new owners insurance or mortgage company happens to do a site visit,
they will be happier. Pick the size of the sheets based on what you can
store and handle without killing yourself- you'll be cutting them anyway
to get staggered joints. As recent threads on here have pointed out, you
want the long dimension on the sheets to be at right angles to the joists.

As to the lift- if you foresee this project taking awhile, look on
CraigsList for a lift you can buy and resell, versus paying rental and
being in a hurry to get the panels hung. You make more mistakes when you
are tired and your back is sore. If you don't have a screw shooter, get
one. Nailing over your head is a young man's game. And for the garage
door rails- most people around here mount them on 2x4 blocking lagged to
the joists (if they aren't already), and rock around them. A layer of
drywall is not a good thing to have in the hardpoints for something that
vibrates and flexes several times a day. Drywall turns back into dust,
the whole mess starts floating, and the door jams when you least expect it.

Now, having said all that, and being crappy at hanging rock, and seeing
how easy a crew of young guys that do it every day makes it look, I'd
hire it done. They will be in and out in a day. Crunch the numbers for
you doing it, and get one of the free walk-through estimates from a
freelance or moonlighting guy, and make your own decision. Tell them you
will have the rock and the screws waiting, all you want is their expert
labor and tools.

--
aem sends, needing to have the half-ass job previous owner did in my
garage, at least partially redone....

aemeijers wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do
my garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6"
high. Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so
far is measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the
garage ceiling/attic floor.

That high and with material that heavy, you want a second person, at
least for the initial hanging- you can maybe fill in the field screws by
yourself later, once enough are in so it won't fall down. Even if a
no-code area, if you are storing anything in the attic you care about,
or some future owner may try to make it into guest quarters or
something, go with the 5/8 fire-stop rated rock, and treat all the
joints as if it were a code area. Makes property easier to sell, and if
new owners insurance or mortgage company happens to do a site visit,
they will be happier. Pick the size of the sheets based on what you can
store and handle without killing yourself- you'll be cutting them anyway
to get staggered joints. As recent threads on here have pointed out, you
want the long dimension on the sheets to be at right angles to the joists.

As to the lift- if you foresee this project taking awhile, look on
CraigsList for a lift you can buy and resell, versus paying rental and
being in a hurry to get the panels hung. You make more mistakes when you
are tired and your back is sore. If you don't have a screw shooter, get
one. Nailing over your head is a young man's game. And for the garage
door rails- most people around here mount them on 2x4 blocking lagged to
the joists (if they aren't already), and rock around them. A layer of
drywall is not a good thing to have in the hardpoints for something that
vibrates and flexes several times a day. Drywall turns back into dust,
the whole mess starts floating, and the door jams when you least expect it.

Now, having said all that, and being crappy at hanging rock, and seeing
how easy a crew of young guys that do it every day makes it look, I'd
hire it done. They will be in and out in a day. Crunch the numbers for
you doing it, and get one of the free walk-through estimates from a
freelance or moonlighting guy, and make your own decision. Tell them you
will have the rock and the screws waiting, all you want is their expert
labor and tools.

--
aem sends, needing to have the half-ass job previous owner did in my
garage, at least partially redone....

OK, does the drywall lift, lift it all the way to the ceiling joists?

2nd, I was also thinking of buying a used lift and reselling it. I
really didn't like the idea of a rental, like you said it makes you(me)
rush the job.

A screw shooter... I used one doing the attic of my old house and I
never really got the hang of it since I was used to cordless
drills/screwdrivers and the screw gun was so damn fast. Although the
one I used was very well broken in so maybe a new one will work better?
Now that I think of it, the thing I didn't like was speed control. At
low speeds it had hardly any torque. I'm used to the torque of a
cordless. Oh, and it seemed I had to constantly play with the depth
adjustment, probably because it too was worn out. So maybe a new one is
a LOT better than what I used?

I can get some good labor who is in construction and often needs extra
work. He was here telling me what to do when I had the crane here to
set the trusses (340lbs each) Actually I had 2 carpenters setting the
trusses while I was the rope boy and coffee boy.

I'm thinking I can do just fine with a lift and one helper to hang it,
stick to 8' sheets, and then have a pro spackle it. I've done spackling
before and used about 3 times more spackle then a pro would have used
and it still looked like crap. I put it on and kept sanding too much
off. Then my finger tips got really really sore! I had been running my
fingers along the spackle to feel if it was smooth, not knowing how
abrasive it was. Damn! I had no fingerprints! Seriously!

Tony wrote:

-snip-

A screw shooter... I used one doing the attic of my old house and I
never really got the hang of it since I was used to cordless
drills/screwdrivers and the screw gun was so damn fast. Although the
one I used was very well broken in so maybe a new one will work better?

I used to use a 3/8 corded drill so maybe these are just overkill- but
they sure helped me seat drywall screws just right-
http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-351064-D...795214&sr=1-14

[I don't think they were $4 at Lowes or Home Depot- more like $1.50]

Now that I think of it, the thing I didn't like was speed control. At
low speeds it had hardly any torque. I'm used to the torque of a
cordless. Oh, and it seemed I had to constantly play with the depth
adjustment, probably because it too was worn out. So maybe a new one is
a LOT better than what I used?

I use a lighter cordless now- and manage pretty well by feel- but if I
was doing a big job I'd pull those drywall bits out again.

Jim

I bought my drwall lift from www.MaxTool.com P/N:RLP9000. It has been
several years now, but I seem to recall it was about $250 including
shipping. I have been very happy with it and wish I had bought it years
ago. Larry

Tony wrote:
(snip)
OK, does the drywall lift, lift it all the way to the ceiling joists?
Yep. The standard telpro lift will reach 11' ceilings. (Different lifts
have different maximum heights -- check before you buy/rent.)

A screw shooter... I used one doing the attic of my old house and I
never really got the hang of it since I was used to cordless
drills/screwdrivers and the screw gun was so damn fast. Although the
one I used was very well broken in so maybe a new one will work better?
Now that I think of it, the thing I didn't like was speed control. At
low speeds it had hardly any torque.

You don't use them at slow speeds. Fully depress the trigger, depress
the 'lock-on' button, and away you go. There's no reason to release the
trigger between screws. (That's why they have a clutch and depth control.)

I'm used to the torque of a
cordless. Oh, and it seemed I had to constantly play with the depth
adjustment, probably because it too was worn out. So maybe a new one is
a LOT better than what I used?

Could be. It's also important that you drive the screws perpendicular to
the drywall. Any tilt and you're going to leave the screw proud. It does
take some practice to become proficient, and I'm not sure a 9.5' ceiling
is a good place to learn. You'll probably have better luck with a
cordless driver. Try a drywall bit if you have trouble getting the
screws driven to the right depth freehand.
http://www.amazon.com/Vermont-Americ.../dp/B000ETUEX0

(snip)

I'm thinking I can do just fine with a lift and one helper to hang it,
stick to 8' sheets, and then have a pro spackle it.

You can expect to pay the taper significantly more if you hang it
yourself and use 8' sheets. (compared to having a pro hang it with 12'
sheets) And it's not just the many additional butt joints you're going
to have -- every mistake you make hanging will take time for the taper
to fix.

Get bids with hang and tape in addition to tape only. I think you'll
find that the hanging doesn't add that much to the job. If money is a
concern, consider hiring the hanging and then do the taping yourself. I
know you're not good at it, but then again, it's your garage ceiling.

On Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:00:51 -0600, Mike Paulsen wrote:

Tony wrote:
(snip)
OK, does the drywall lift, lift it all the way to the ceiling joists?
Yep. The standard telpro lift will reach 11' ceilings. (Different lifts
have different maximum heights -- check before you buy/rent.)

A screw shooter... I used one doing the attic of my old house and I
never really got the hang of it since I was used to cordless
drills/screwdrivers and the screw gun was so damn fast. Although the
one I used was very well broken in so maybe a new one will work better?
Now that I think of it, the thing I didn't like was speed control. At
low speeds it had hardly any torque.

You don't use them at slow speeds. Fully depress the trigger, depress
the 'lock-on' button, and away you go. There's no reason to release the
trigger between screws. (That's why they have a clutch and depth control.)

I'm used to the torque of a
cordless. Oh, and it seemed I had to constantly play with the depth
adjustment, probably because it too was worn out. So maybe a new one is
a LOT better than what I used?

Could be. It's also important that you drive the screws perpendicular to
the drywall. Any tilt and you're going to leave the screw proud. It does
take some practice to become proficient, and I'm not sure a 9.5' ceiling
is a good place to learn. You'll probably have better luck with a
cordless driver. Try a drywall bit if you have trouble getting the
screws driven to the right depth freehand.
http://www.amazon.com/Vermont-Americ.../dp/B000ETUEX0

And you need tips that properly fit the screws and visa versa. it took me a
few tries to find a bit that fit well. That makes a big difference.

The screwgun I have is the dewalt model 255, the lightest one on the
market. That makes a big difference when screwing off whole houses at a
time. My son has a cheapy and it would be a nightmare to do a whole house
with that one.

(snip)

I'm thinking I can do just fine with a lift and one helper to hang it,
stick to 8' sheets, and then have a pro spackle it.

You can expect to pay the taper significantly more if you hang it
yourself and use 8' sheets. (compared to having a pro hang it with 12'
sheets) And it's not just the many additional butt joints you're going
to have -- every mistake you make hanging will take time for the taper
to fix.

Get bids with hang and tape in addition to tape only. I think you'll
find that the hanging doesn't add that much to the job. If money is a
concern, consider hiring the hanging and then do the taping yourself. I
know you're not good at it, but then again, it's your garage ceiling.

On Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:58:17 -0500, Tony wrote:

aemeijers wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do
my garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6"
high. Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so
far is measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the
garage ceiling/attic floor.

That high and with material that heavy, you want a second person, at
least for the initial hanging- you can maybe fill in the field screws by
yourself later, once enough are in so it won't fall down. Even if a
no-code area, if you are storing anything in the attic you care about,
or some future owner may try to make it into guest quarters or
something, go with the 5/8 fire-stop rated rock, and treat all the
joints as if it were a code area. Makes property easier to sell, and if
new owners insurance or mortgage company happens to do a site visit,
they will be happier. Pick the size of the sheets based on what you can
store and handle without killing yourself- you'll be cutting them anyway
to get staggered joints. As recent threads on here have pointed out, you
want the long dimension on the sheets to be at right angles to the joists.

As to the lift- if you foresee this project taking awhile, look on
CraigsList for a lift you can buy and resell, versus paying rental and
being in a hurry to get the panels hung. You make more mistakes when you
are tired and your back is sore. If you don't have a screw shooter, get
one. Nailing over your head is a young man's game. And for the garage
door rails- most people around here mount them on 2x4 blocking lagged to
the joists (if they aren't already), and rock around them. A layer of
drywall is not a good thing to have in the hardpoints for something that
vibrates and flexes several times a day. Drywall turns back into dust,
the whole mess starts floating, and the door jams when you least expect it.

Now, having said all that, and being crappy at hanging rock, and seeing
how easy a crew of young guys that do it every day makes it look, I'd
hire it done. They will be in and out in a day. Crunch the numbers for
you doing it, and get one of the free walk-through estimates from a
freelance or moonlighting guy, and make your own decision. Tell them you
will have the rock and the screws waiting, all you want is their expert
labor and tools.

--
aem sends, needing to have the half-ass job previous owner did in my
garage, at least partially redone....

OK, does the drywall lift, lift it all the way to the ceiling joists?

2nd, I was also thinking of buying a used lift and reselling it. I
really didn't like the idea of a rental, like you said it makes you(me)
rush the job.

A screw shooter... I used one doing the attic of my old house and I
never really got the hang of it since I was used to cordless
drills/screwdrivers and the screw gun was so damn fast. Although the
one I used was very well broken in so maybe a new one will work better?
Now that I think of it, the thing I didn't like was speed control. At
low speeds it had hardly any torque. I'm used to the torque of a
cordless. Oh, and it seemed I had to constantly play with the depth
adjustment, probably because it too was worn out. So maybe a new one is
a LOT better than what I used?

When I worked with the pro we nailed the perimeter and later screwed the
field (center area) If it was going to hang overnight we made sure that the
field was screwed at least every 4' to prevent sag.

I can get some good labor who is in construction and often needs extra
work. He was here telling me what to do when I had the crane here to
set the trusses (340lbs each) Actually I had 2 carpenters setting the
trusses while I was the rope boy and coffee boy.

I'm thinking I can do just fine with a lift and one helper to hang it,
stick to 8' sheets, and then have a pro spackle it. I've done spackling
before and used about 3 times more spackle then a pro would have used
and it still looked like crap. I put it on and kept sanding too much
off. Then my finger tips got really really sore! I had been running my
fingers along the spackle to feel if it was smooth, not knowing how
abrasive it was. Damn! I had no fingerprints! Seriously!


Go 12's and whatever will fill the rest. How long for the run of drywall?
20' would likely need 12's and 10's unless the rafters are exactly on the
end of a full sheet (not likely). Then stagger the butt joints (cut ends).

Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

This is almost certainly one of those occasions. In fact it's one of
those things where, even with help, you'll probably still wish you had
hired it out.


Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

One of these:
http://www.contractors-solutions.net...-195-P195.aspx
....but you're not likely to find it in a rental place. With the loader
attachment you only need to lift the sheet a few inches rather than all
the way up to the cradle (~36")


Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

12' sheets if you can handle them.

Mike Paulsen wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do
my garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6"
high. Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so
far is measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

This is almost certainly one of those occasions. In fact it's one of
those things where, even with help, you'll probably still wish you had
hired it out.

Yes, I know it sucks but I have done some before, a few times and I just
don't have the $ to pay some pro's.


Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

One of these:
http://www.contractors-solutions.net...-195-P195.aspx

...but you're not likely to find it in a rental place. With the loader
attachment you only need to lift the sheet a few inches rather than all
the way up to the cradle (~36")

I'll start looking on Craigs List. And if I can, buy it, use it, and
sell it.

Tony wrote:
Mike Paulsen wrote:

This is almost certainly one of those occasions. In fact it's one of
those things where, even with help, you'll probably still wish you
had hired it out.

Yes, I know it sucks but I have done some before, a few times and I
just don't have the $ to pay some pro's.

I've always done my own drywall. It's not at all a difficult job, but it is
one that can be frustrating to beginners until you get the hang of it.
Unlike a lot of other jobs, there is a definite art to it, especially as if
you do a bad job it looks like it, and it's right smack dab in the middle of
the wall for all to see.

One of the tricks is to use a lightweight topping compound for your second
and third feathering; that stuff is a dream to apply.

Jon

On Dec 13, 12:02*pm, Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. *I need to do my
garage ceiling. *The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high..
* Will the lift make this a 1 man project? *Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? *I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" *(I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) *I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

I built my own lift - clumsy but very labor saving. That was back in
the early 80s sometime and it has been borrowed outmany times since.

Yes, they will handle 12' sheets.
Yes, you can do it alone but 12' are a problem getting them on
thelift.

If you haven't taped before, you will kill to save 2' of joint to tape
so by all means go with 12'

If youdon't have one, get a panel carrying handle. They are cheap and
make a clumsy job of carrying sheets into and easy on. Wouldn't be
without mine.

Harry K

On Dec 13, 2:02 pm, Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Andy comments:

I have often done ceilings with a homemade lift and 4 x 8s . One
need to go slow,
but you could build a pyramid given time to think it through....
The extra 25 pounds that a 12' sheet weighs would be a lot more
trouble
than the small advantage it may give in taping,
If you are going to make a bedroom, you may be required to usse
5/8 for the local
fire code. However, again, it is more trouble, and would serve no
purpose in
a garage. By all means call your fire insurance company, and they may
tell
you that your entire house needs to be 5/8, and may cancel your
insurance
until you do...... Unless it is specifically spelled out in your
policy, I wouldn't
worry about it, tho. It's usually a SAFETY issue (from a building
code standpoint)
and not a LIABILITY issue (from an insurance standpoint). And I
don't
personally think that the SAFETY code is that important for a garage,
if there
is no second story sleeping room overhead.....

I built my lift with an old car bumper jack, the bottom stand of
an office
chair (with rollers), some pipe, and a couple 2X4s. Worked well
enough
and I still have the pieces to use for my next invention..... Think it
thru,
and you will see how it is done.

Good luck. Just remember to go slow, and you will do fine.

Andy in Eureka, Texas

Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Thanks for all the replies. I think however there is some
miscommunication. I've hung drywall before, but not professionally.
I've done walls by myself a few times. 8 foot wasn't too bad, 12 foot
was difficult by myself. I did a garage ceiling with 3 people.

However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a
helper?

"Tony" wrote in message
...
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because if
you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't think
weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Thanks for all the replies. I think however there is some
miscommunication. I've hung drywall before, but not professionally. I've
done walls by myself a few times. 8 foot wasn't too bad, 12 foot was
difficult by myself. I did a garage ceiling with 3 people.

However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most concerned
about. How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or will I be a
helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a helper?

Look on youtube. I found a few examples of people using them alone. Looked
to me like that was the point.

Jim

Master Betty wrote:

Look on youtube. I found a few examples of people using them alone. Looked
to me like that was the point.


OK, that was fast! Thanks again everyone! I found one on Craigslist
and am trying to get the make and model. I see some of them you only
have to lift the drywall about 8 inches. That would make a 1 man
operation very doable but still a 2nd man would probably make things go
*more* that twice as fast as a 1 man operation.

On Dec 14, 12:17*pm, Tony wrote:
Master Betty wrote:

Look on youtube. I found a few examples of people using them alone. Looked
to me like that was the point.

OK, that was fast! *Thanks again everyone! *I found one on Craigslist
and am trying to get the make and model. *I see some of them you only
have to lift the drywall about 8 inches. *That would make a 1 man
operation very doable but still a 2nd man would probably make things go
*more* that twice as fast as a 1 man operation.

Amazon has them for under $200 including shipping so don't pay too
much on craigs list. I rented one for a prior small job where I
wanted to use 12' wallboard. But I bought one for our garage/
additional job. The other poster is right, once you use a lift you'll
never consider doing it any other way. Especially on ceilings.

Tony wrote:
....
However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a
helper?

Work just fine if you have open space and the floor is solid. It will
hold the sheet up near the ceiling but it will not get it snug against
the ceiling uniformly to "simply add screws" if that's what you're
hoping for.

I'd say it's possible to manage alone w/ 8-ft'ers; outside-possible w/
10's and not worth the effort to even think of 12's.

All in all, buy a case of beer or two and crank up the barbie and get a
couple of guys over and you could hang a relatively sizable plain garage
ceiling in a very short day comfortably while you'd be fighting a
weekend alone at best...

--

dpb wrote:
Tony wrote:
...
However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need
a helper?

Work just fine if you have open space and the floor is solid. It will
hold the sheet up near the ceiling but it will not get it snug against
the ceiling uniformly to "simply add screws" if that's what you're
hoping for.

My telpro does. I'd expect any of the decent models (and most seem to be
knock-offs of the telpro) would as well. What brand/model are you using
that doesn't?

On Dec 14, 8:10*am, Tony wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. *I need to do my
garage ceiling. *The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
*Will the lift make this a 1 man project? *Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? *I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" *(I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) *I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Thanks for all the replies. *I think however there is some
miscommunication. *I've hung drywall before, but not professionally.
I've done walls by myself a few times. *8 foot wasn't too bad, 12 foot
was difficult by myself. *I did a garage ceiling with 3 people.

However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. *How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a
helper?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

How well? Use one one time and you will refuse to do it anyother way
after that.

Put panel on jack.
Jack it up within a fraction of an inch.
Adjust it
Jack it tight

sit down and Have a coffee, read the paper or make love to your wife
and the panel will still be there. Grab your step stool and procede
to nail or screw at your liesure.

The commercial ones sit vertical. Set panel on it and rotate it
horizontal and crank away. Should be no problem for one person with
12 footers.

They also work well for laying sheets horizontallyon teh walls - Same
easy adjusting of the panel and no rush to "get a nail in over there
fast before we lose it!"

Harry K

Harry K wrote:
On Dec 14, 8:10 am, Tony wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.
Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.
Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?
Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?
1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.
Thanks for all the replies. I think however there is some
miscommunication. I've hung drywall before, but not professionally.
I've done walls by myself a few times. 8 foot wasn't too bad, 12 foot
was difficult by myself. I did a garage ceiling with 3 people.

However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a
helper?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

How well? Use one one time and you will refuse to do it anyother way
after that.

Put panel on jack.
Jack it up within a fraction of an inch.
Adjust it
Jack it tight

sit down and Have a coffee, read the paper or make love to your wife
and the panel will still be there.

"Grab your step stool and procede to nail or screw at your liesure."

Wouldn't the nailing and screwing have been accomplished in the previous
step with the wife?

On Dec 14, 8:52*am, Tony wrote:
Harry K wrote:
On Dec 14, 8:10 am, Tony wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. *I need to do my
garage ceiling. *The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
*Will the lift make this a 1 man project? *Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.
Should I get help? *I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.
Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?
Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?
1/2" or 5/8" *(I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) *I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.
Thanks for all the replies. *I think however there is some
miscommunication. *I've hung drywall before, but not professionally.
I've done walls by myself a few times. *8 foot wasn't too bad, 12 foot
was difficult by myself. *I did a garage ceiling with 3 people.

However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. *How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a
helper?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

How well? Use one one time and you will refuse to do it anyother way
after that.

Put panel on jack.
Jack it up within a fraction of an inch.
Adjust it
Jack it tight

sit down and Have a coffee, read the paper or make love to your wife
and the panel will still be there.

* "Grab your step stool and procede to nail or screw at your liesure."

Wouldn't the nailing and screwing have been accomplished in the previous
step with the wife?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

YOu don't know _my_ wife

Harry K

Tony wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do
my garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6"
high. Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so
far is measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the
garage ceiling/attic floor.

Thanks for all the replies. I think however there is some
miscommunication. I've hung drywall before, but not professionally.
I've done walls by myself a few times. 8 foot wasn't too bad, 12 foot
was difficult by myself. I did a garage ceiling with 3 people.

However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a
helper?

You absolutely want to use a lift. No question about that.
If you can get the sheets onto the cradle (~36 inches high) you won't
_need_ any help hanging, but it's not worth abusing your back if you can
get help.

Be sure you pull out the outriggers to support the ends of the
sheetrock. You can see them extended in the top picture he
http://web.mac.com/mphcj5/Panellift/Standard.html

Make sure you're in control the winch handle before you release the
brake or it'll come around and break your arm (or worse).

On Dec 14, 8:10*am, Tony wrote:
Tony wrote:
Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. *I need to do my
garage ceiling. *The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
*Will the lift make this a 1 man project? *Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? *I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" *(I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) *I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

Thanks for all the replies. *I think however there is some
miscommunication. *I've hung drywall before, but not professionally.
I've done walls by myself a few times. *8 foot wasn't too bad, 12 foot
was difficult by myself. *I did a garage ceiling with 3 people.

However I've never used a drywall lift and that is what I'm most
concerned about. *How well they work and if I can do it by myself, or
will I be a helper to a friend who is a carpenter, or will I just need a
helper?

Tony-

To answer your original question....a drywall lift will make hanging
ceiling drywall a LOT easier.

We used a "beater" of a lift and it still made a HUGE difference.

The lift gets the sheet up to ceiling but drywall is so flexible that
it doesnt go snug everywhere. We used a few "helping hands" jackable
struts to set & hold the sheet snug to the joists until we installed a
minimal number of screws.

The had those crappy "auto creeper" style wheels that didnt swivel or
change postions well and were potentially damaging to the floor.

I still worked with another guy; he used his Senco drywall screw gun
and I either nailed or used a drill/ driver.

All in all it made a bear of job fairly easy. The only heavy lifting
was only getting the sheet on the lift. Positioning the sheet on the
ceiling was a snap. The tedious / tiring part was putting in all the
screws (6" o/c ...that's what the inspector wanted)

cheers
Bob

On Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:02:22 -0500, Tony
wrote:

Looking for those with experience using a drywall lift. I need to do my
garage ceiling. The garage is 28x32 and the ceiling is about 9'6" high.
Will the lift make this a 1 man project? Worst thing I see so far is
measuring then dropping the garage door rails and opener.

Should I get help? I'm the type that can manage to do a lot of 2 man
jobs by myself, but I often end up busting my ass and wishing I would
have got help.

Anything I should look for in a good rental lift?

Should I go with 8' or 12' sheets?

1/2" or 5/8" (I should probably ask my fire insurance company because
if you remember, there are NO building codes where I live.) I don't
think weight isn't an issue, the attic trusses are 2x12's for the garage
ceiling/attic floor.

You can rent a lift. Doing this alone would be a challenge, but it
can be done with 9' 6.5" T poles. If you have a lift (or two
helpers), get the larger sheets. Drywall is very heavy. I used 5/8"
on the ceiling. Do some reading about drywall. I was surprised to
learn that drywall has a "grain" and it is stronger lengthwise than
crosswise--important when installing a ceiling.

You might also consider a drop ceiling. They install much faster with
fewer steps/tools.