Drywall is one of the most popular materials for covering ceilings and walls. But at the same time, it is also one of the most inconvenient in single installation. Every master knows that it is extremely difficult to attach hanging sheets on your own, without the help of 1-2 helpers, due to the significant weight of the material, which when using solid panels ranges from 18 to 35 kg (depending on the type of gypsum board) and its extensive surface.

Therefore, in such situations, it is best to use a drywall lift.

What is this article about?

Why do you need a lift?

This device is designed for comfortable transportation of gypsum board panels to a specific installation point, lifting them and fixing them to the frame or directly to the plane of the ceiling and/or wall. The installer can only fasten the sheet with self-tapping screws, without putting significant effort into this, that is, without holding the sheet and without inviting assistants.

In general, a drywall lift helps:

• In covering frames with sheets of large dimensions;
• When equipped with a level, it is possible to install panels without additional control;
• In supplying and supporting other building materials to hard-to-reach places, in particular frame elements.

Types of lifts

Its practical application depends on the type of design.

This is how they distinguish:

• Wall lift with vertical table for installing sheets on walls or partitions;
• Ceiling with a vertical stand, for working on ceiling cladding;
• Universal - with a rotary table to adapt to installation on different planes.

Where is it used?

The standard device can be used in different rooms:

• In an ordinary room;
• On the balconies;
• In narrow corridors;
• At large commercial, public or industrial facilities.

Where to get a lift

Getting a drywall lift is easy. It can be:

• Buy - which is beneficial for professional finishers who regularly carry out similar work on sites;
• Rent - for those who do a one-time ceiling on a small area;
• Do it yourself - again, this is suitable for master finishers or those owners who decided to twist the gypsum board themselves on a surface with a significant area.

How to choose a mechanism

When choosing a device for carrying and installing material in a store, you should take into account some features and capabilities of the units.

• Lifting weight - which for regular installation should be at least 30-50 kg;
• The lifting height is at least 4-5 meters, which, as a rule, is sufficient for installation in ordinary houses and apartments, where the ceiling height rarely reaches even these parameters;
• Material of manufacture - it is advisable to ignore models with unreliable plastic elements;
• The shape of the lifting base platform - it is preferable that it be N-shaped, since such bases are considered the most stable;
• Dual-functional lifting on both horizontal and vertical planes - if the master considers this factor necessary. You can only buy a car with a top lift;
• Possibility of convenient transportation of the model. Most units are equipped with rollers for easy movement, as well as a collapsible design;
• Control - can be carried out by jacking manually or by electric drive. Here, the choice again depends on the working area and the regularity of installation.

On the construction market finishing materials and tools, a lift for installing drywall is not uncommon. It can be purchased at almost any specialty store. Making a choice in favor of a particular brand is very simple. After all, all branded models are exclusive and focused on the specific needs of installers.

The most popular devices from:

1. Knauf Corporation. Among those selling out is a lift for plasterboard panels - “Plattenheber”. The device allows you to secure sheets in both horizontal and vertical positions;
2. Premos Company. If you choose a professional drywall lift, you should pay attention to this trademark. The company’s models deliver material to a height of up to 4.5 meters, and also cope well with loads of up to 100 kg, allowing you to work not only with gypsum boards, but also with heavier panels;
3. "Edma" are multifunctional models with all their mobility. So the gypsum board lift from this French brand is comfortable to use even in cramped conditions.

DIY lift

If the purchase is impractical for some reason, you can make a lift yourself. There are all the necessary drawings for this on the Internet.

You also need to know the basic elements that make up this device:

• A tripod is the base on which the entire structure rests. Often equipped with caster wheels with locking components;
• Telescopic type tripod - made from segments profile pipe, inserted into each other. Recommended sections - 8, 6, 4 cm;
• Rotary table stand. Mounted on an H-shaped base;
• The winch is an external beam, purchased separately, since assembling it yourself is problematic;
• As additional components a mounting platform and an electric drive can be installed on the mechanism.

When making a device yourself, you need to carefully consider its design and diagram it on a sheet of paper.

A simple assembly step consists of several installation steps:

1. To manufacture a tripod element, it is necessary to create a base from a 6x6 cm profile pipe. The tripod consists of 3 elements, one of them must be welded, and the other two must have a rotating mechanism; they are mounted to the central rack element. All 3 legs of the tripod are equipped with strong roller wheels;
2. Then, you need to weld the legs with braces sawn off with a grinder to the base. If desired, they can be made folding or even removable;
3. The tripod is ready, you can start creating a retractable tripod;
4. To do this, you need to cut profile pipes - 8x8 cm, 6x6 cm, 4x4 cm. They are inserted into each other, padded in the form of plug elements. Such an element can be square or round. The telescopic pipe is installed on the central post;
5. A mount for a stand is mounted at the end of the upper tube. It can also be of a removable type;
6. Next, the table itself is made. For it, you initially need to create an N-shaped platform. Its middle lintel should be of a through type, for retractable supports necessary for volumetric, rigid support of sheets;
7. The supports are welded into the shape of the letter “T” and secured using quick-clamping mechanisms;
8. At the final stage, it is necessary to secure the winch tightly. As a rule, the mount is an outrigger beam with braces.

Mini lift

You don’t always want or have the time to tinker with making a capital lift, so you can also make a mini-fixture.

It is made from flat timber with dimensions of 40×20 cm, the height varies according to needs. The width must be at least 90 cm.

• You need 2 such beams. They are connected to each other using self-tapping screws in the shape of the letter “T”;
• From the same timber, bridge elements-kerchiefs are made, connecting the vertical and horizontal parts of the “T” in the likeness of a mop, at an angle of 90 degrees;
• Several such elements are made and they are fixed to the base.

The mini-fixer is ready. It is much less convenient to use than a conventional lift; it rather serves a supporting function, but it is easier to work with than climbing with sheets onto sawhorses every time a new panel is needed.

Finishing surfaces located at considerable heights, such as ceilings, with plasterboard is quite difficult. Plasterboard sheets are quite large in size; holding them even together for a long time is extremely inconvenient and tiring. Professionals have long found a solution to this problem using commercial lifting mechanisms. But what if you don’t want to spend money on them? With some skills, it is quite possible to make a drywall lift with your own hands.

Lift functions

The main purpose of a gypsum board lift is to deliver and hold a sheet of drywall at the required height during the installation process. This not only makes the work much easier, but also makes it possible to install drywall alone.

It is natural that craftsmen The lift was quickly adapted to perform other related tasks:

• By attaching a laser level to a drywall lift, you can make markings more efficiently and avoid mistakes. The level is fixed using clamps and then raised to the required height. This device provides ideal markings of the ceiling and corners of the room.
• It is indispensable in hard to reach places. The device allows you to fix profiles while they are being attached.
• The lift will greatly facilitate the installation of not only drywall, but also any massive suspended equipment: air conditioners, chandeliers or air ducts.

Varieties

According to the area of ​​use, gypsum plasterboard lifts can be:

• wall;

• ceiling;

• universal.

They differ in the location of the table plane on which the drywall is mounted.

The most practical is the universal lift, work surface which can change the level of inclination.

The industry offers many types of these devices, but they are not cheap. They are usually purchased construction crews who specialize in installation plasterboard structures. But they often prefer to make lifts themselves.

Ready-made manual lifts for plasterboard sheets

If there is no opportunity or desire to make the device yourself, then you can buy it. In terms of price-quality ratio, craftsmen prefer the Premos brand lift for installing drywall.

In terms of design, it is not very different from a conventional rack and pinion car jack, but it is this simplicity that ensures the reliable operation of its mechanisms. Coupled with a fairly affordable price, this allowed it to occupy a fairly solid niche in the lift market.

The Premos device allows you to lift and fix various building elements weighing up to 100 kg. Telescopic rod provides a lifting height of up to 3.3 m, and a retractable rod allows you to increase it to 4.5 m.

When working at a height of more than 3 m, the lifting operation is carried out as follows:

1. By rotating the handle, the telescopic rod is slightly extended.
2. Then the rail rests against the sliding support, extending it to the required height. For convenience, near the holes intended for fixing the retractable support, the final height of the table is indicated.
3. Fixation is carried out with any hardware inserted into the hole, but many prefer to use a steel pin on a chain.

Making your own lift

There are four components that must be present in the design:

• Chassis or tripod that creates the base. It is better on wheels equipped with a locking mechanism. This will make it easier to install the device in the required location.
• Telescopic stand. It can be made from pipes or squares of various sections, nested inside each other according to the matryoshka principle. In this case, extension is carried out due to a system of rollers and a special cable.
• A spacer table on which drywall or other elements to be lifted will be secured.

It is better if the table has a rotating function: this will not only make loading drywall easier, but will also make the device universal.

• Winch, due to which the extension will be carried out telescopic stand devices. May have a manual or electric drive.

Important nuances

Some points to consider:

• Regardless of the material, it is metal or wood, racks and other parts that experience serious loads must be equipped with “kerchiefs” or other elements that impart rigidity and strength.
• The folding design of the lift is preferable: this makes it easier to transport, and it will take up much less storage space.
• In addition to the locking device available on the winch or rack and pinion, it is imperative to provide an additional device that reliably fixes the work table in the raised position. Otherwise, there is a risk of the device collapsing under load, which could result in serious injury. What you definitely shouldn’t skimp on is your own safety.

Making a drywall lift with your own hands is much more profitable than buying or renting one. The purchase will cost approximately 5–10 times more than the cost of the parts. If you rent it, then during the next repair you will need to spend money on a lifting mechanism again.

Making it yourself may take up to 5 days, but it will save money and also reduce physical stress. The weight of one sheet of drywall reaches approximately 30 kilograms and requires constant assistance from 1 or 2 people. With such a heaviness, the sheet needs to be secured evenly and firmly, which takes a lot of time and effort. The lift can withstand up to 50 kilograms of weight on average and reliably fixes the sheet for the required time at the desired angle, which has a good effect on the quality of work.

Types of lifts and methods of use

Lifts differ in purpose, materials, design and additional parts. There are the following types:

There are many types of drywall lifts, but you can also make one yourself, it will take about five days.

1. For walls – fastening is carried out on vertical surfaces.
2. For ceilings – mounting is only possible on horizontal surfaces.
3. Universal – supports a sheet of drywall at any given angle.
4. With a mechanical drive - lifting is possible using a winch screwed onto the drum.
5. WITH electric drive– the lift is controlled using a remote control. The presence of this device makes the work of the master as comfortable as possible.
6. From metal elements We produce a multi-purpose reliable lift.
7. Wooden is mainly used as a retainer; its functions are limited.
8. Equipped with an additional platform for the master, which replaces the sawhorse.

A drywall spacer is useful in the following cases:

1. For installation of plasterboard sheets: carrying, lifting and fixing is carried out. The design is convenient for working with materials of various sizes.
2. For marking ceilings and corners using laser level, which must be securely mounted on the turntable. This method allows you to do correct markings right the first time.
3. For installation of lighting, air conditioning and ventilation systems, profiles in hard-to-reach places.

The mechanism operates on the principle of a jack. First, the sheet of drywall is securely fixed to the surface of the spreader table with clamps. Then, using a lifting mechanism, the sheet is delivered to the selected height and installed at the desired angle, provided that the lift is universal.

Mechanism and device

A drawing of a drywall lift will help you understand the components of the mechanism and decide on the choice of parts and fasteners. The store version of this device consists of:

The price of ready-made lifts in stores can be quite high, so many people choose a slightly more difficult path - to build such a mechanism themselves.

• front and rear lower pillar;
• front and rear upper pillar;
• front, middle, rear beams;
• upper spacer post;
• tension rope;
• console heads;
• lanyard, brackets, bolts.

Functional elements of the lift:

• Frame for fixing the sheet: a table in the shape of “H”, this form is considered the most stable.
• Retractable supports in the shape of the letter "T".
• A telescopic stand consisting of three pipes: main, medium, small and two units, with the help of which the height of the table is adjusted. The pipes are inserted into each other according to the “matryoshka” principle - first there is an 80 mm pipe, then 60 mm, then 40 mm. Round and square profiles can be used.
• Chassis for extending and securing in the required position.
• A winch that connects to the drum and regulates the lifting height. Usually bought in a store, self-production very complex.
• The tripod consists of three sliding metal legs with wheels: two swivel, one welded. The wheels must have locks to secure them in one position. Swivel wheels fold easily for transport.

What parts, tools and apparatus will be needed:

1. Metal profile with a cross-section of 80 mm, 60 mm and 40 mm, round or square; wheels, rollers, two beams, winch, chassis, bolts.
2. Grinder, welding machine.
3. Cables for electric motor.
4. Nails and hammer for wooden structure.

It is easier and faster to make a wooden structure, but if you have auxiliary devices and skills in working with them, it is better to make a strong metal mechanism for lifting drywall.

You can make a lift yourself from wood and metal; the second option is considered more successful and durable.

Instructions for self-production

After you have carefully studied the drawings, purchased the necessary parts, and prepared the tools, we can safely begin assembling the lifting mechanism. There are several homemade models lift:

• Making a wooden retainer - an alternative to a lift - using nails and a hammer:
  • Fasten two wooden beams together in a “T” shape with nails. The length of the beam must be equal to the height of the room and reach the ceiling, the width of the structure is at least 90 centimeters.
  • Between the horizontal and vertical parts there are reinforcing gussets, which are installed diagonally at an angle of 90?.
  • If necessary horizontal surface can be expanded with additional beams.
  • Such a simple clamp can only hold the sheet in a horizontal position; it is not equipped with lifting mechanism, so its height has to be additionally adjusted for different rooms.
• Manufacturing a metal universal lift from pipes using a welding machine:
  • The base is made from metal pipe 80×80 mm, the pipe support is welded from two corners.
  • Legs with braces are welded to the pipe on four sides. The legs should be removable or foldable for ease of transportation.
  • Let's move on to production telescopic tripod. It should consist of three pipes of different sections. The widest pipe 80?80?2 mm is at the bottom, the middle one has a size of 60?60?2 mm, the thinnest part is at the top, its size is 40?40?2 mm. We insert the pipes one into the other, fix each section with a plug on one side. At the end of the thinnest pipe we make a mount for the turntable.
  • The spacer table will consist of pipes 40?25?2 and 30?20?2. We connect the pipes in the shape of the letter “H”, welding them one to the other. The middle crosspiece should have holes for attaching supports.
  • Next you need to make two supports. Each of them is welded into a "T" shape, with a long vertical leg on which you need to drill a hole. Such supports are connected to the table using bolts.
  • We attach the rotating mechanism to the assembled structure.

We fix the drum and winch on the thickest pipe of the rack, and the rotating mechanism on the thinnest one.

• All components are connected to each other with bolts, which allows, if necessary, to disassemble the lift and hide it until next repair or transport to a new location.
• Such a mechanism is multifunctional, which means it will bring significant benefits during various types works

If a do-it-yourself gypsum plasterboard lift is made from good materials, correctly assembled, it will last a very long time and will be convenient to store and transport. A craftsman will be able to attach plasterboard sheets to walls and ceilings more efficiently and with less physical effort.

Installing drywall requires at least two pairs of hands. This is due to the fact that the mentioned building material has large sizes and impressive weight. If it is not possible to use help, then you need to use a special lift, which you can easily make yourself or purchase at a hardware store.

Features and purpose

A gypsum plasterboard lift is a device that can be used to lift sheets to a certain height in order to fix them in the required position. In this case, the person does not have to exert special effort. The main advantages of such devices are their ease of use and time saving.

Drywall lifts can be used perfectly for finishing frames. The design allows you to install materials of any size, which is very convenient, even if you have to work alone. The sheet must be laid on the support frame and raised to the required height, strengthened at the frame itself. With the help of the described device, you can also mark the corners and the ceiling.

At independent work such manipulations can be carried out with errors. If the lift is used when lifting the laser level, then you will be able to draw the ideal frame installation line the first time. Quite often, specialists and home craftsmen use lifts to install profiles when they have to work with hard-to-reach areas. Instead of drywall, profile guides should be placed on the lift, which rise to the marking line.

Types of lifts

Drywall lifts can be classified by area of ​​use, they are:

• universal;
• ceiling;
• wall

The main feature of these designs is the location of the desktop. If we are talking about the wall variety, then it is located vertically, while with a ceiling lift it has a horizontal orientation. The universal lift allows you to change the angle of the table depending on what work you want to do.

Design features of the lift

The lift-spacer for drywall should consist of several parts, including:

• tripod;
• telescopic tripod;
• turntable;
• winch.

A telescopic tripod must have several legs; they must be welded to ensure stability; their number can vary from 3 to 4. For ease of use, the legs are equipped with wheels with stoppers. The tripod can be made from several sections of profile pipe; its cross-section can be 40, 60 or 80 mm. The segments are inserted one into the other, and plugs need to be installed on one side. A fastening is made at the end of a thin pipe so that it is possible to install a rotating plane.

When making a drywall lift with your own hands, you will also need to make a turntable. At the first stage, a frame is formed in the shape of the letter H; it must have a through jumper in the center. Supports are installed in the holes on both sides to secure the bulky sheet of finishing material. As for the winch, it is better to purchase it from finished form than to make it yourself. As a fastening for it, you need to use an outrigger beam with a brace.

Making a lift yourself

If you make a lift in the form of a spacer yourself, it will be no less effective than a professional device. You can do this kind of work at home. Metal profiles and wood can be used to assemble the lift. Additionally, you will need a winch and fasteners.

The workpieces should be connected to each other with bolts. Drywall lifts are sometimes disposable. They are used to work in one room during renovation. Afterwards the structure can be disassembled. If the lift is to be used many times, then it can be made universal, then it will be suitable for different ceiling heights. The first option is easier to convert to another room.

Work technology

Before making a drywall lift, you should select a beam, the length of which should be equal to the distance from the ceiling to the floor. The beams are connected to each other in the shape of the letter T; nails should be used for this. Scarves are installed on the subcortex, which will give rigidity to the structure. They are mounted diagonally, positioned from the vertical support to the horizontal beam.

It is important to measure the right angle, and after installation you should get two isosceles triangles. If this rule is not followed, then ultimately the lift will not be accurate and reliable. If necessary, at the next stage you can make the horizontal surface larger by installing additional beams. It is important that the corners are straight.

If the farm has a professional welding inverter, then drywall lifts can be made universal. To do this, several pipes are prepared to make a telescopic leg. The cross-section can be round or square. For the table, pipes with the following dimensions should be used: 30 x 20 x 2 and 40 x 25 x 2 mm.

Instructions for assembling a metal lift

When a metal lift is made for installing drywall, the table is attached in the same way as in the case described above. The gussets must be installed at right angles; it will be most convenient to fix them welding connection, and bolts should be discarded.

Holes should be made in the pipes through which the winch will subsequently pass. A drum is installed on the widest pipe, which will serve as a frame. At the next stage, you can connect the frame, movable legs and table together using the welding method. Can also be used bolted connections, because if necessary, the structure can be disassembled quite simply.

Description of the Premos lift

The Premos drywall lift is a modern device. Its device facilitates the process of installing canvases, so for many professionals and home craftsmen it has become indispensable. This lift is intended for fixing sheets of drywall near the ceiling surface in a horizontal position. The advantages of the device are:

• the ability to lift and fix the sheet in any position;
• moving sheets from one place to another;
• the possibility of using the structure not only for installing drywall, but also for installing air conditioners, massive lighting fixtures, dimensional equipment and ventilation elements.

The lifting height can vary from 3.2 to 4.2 m. The total load capacity is 100 kg, while the total weight of the structure is 23 kg. The device is very convenient not only during operation, but also during transportation.

Conclusion

For those people who are used to working alone, a drywall lifter is perfect. It allows you not only to lift, but also to carry massive oversized sheets. The design allows you to change the position of the sheet in space without damaging its structure. For ease of use, manufacturers equip lifts with a foot counterweight, which is a pedal that operates on the principle of a lever.

Working with drywall shows good results during the implementation of almost every project, and often we do it without an assistant. Which means it is necessary special tool and accessories for drywall, which will help make the work even better and greatly simplify the processing of immense sheets.

auxiliary tool

Today we will look at special devices for installation and processing of plasterboard sheets.

Lift

When the ceiling is finished, it is very difficult for the master to cope with the work. Lifting fragile and bulky sheets to the ceiling and keeping them up is not an easy task.

The plasterboard spacer lift is a reliable station for lifting and holding gypsum plaster boards, and other finishing materials, which is used when working with ceilings, laying ventilation ducts and even decorative finishing ceilings. The device for lifting drywall can be made of aluminum or steel, is easy to disassemble and assemble, convenient to use and transport. A plasterboard lift with a height of 1.4 - 1.6 m can withstand the weight of material up to 60 kg, and a device with a height of 3.5 - 4.5 m can support 30-40 kg. Often, such lifts are additionally equipped with holders and clamps.

Essentially, a drywall spacer lift can be called a type of jack that is capable of lifting huge sheets of paper to the ceiling. These modern devices allow you to install them yourself, without helpers ceiling structures at a height of up to 4.5 m.

Premos

The Premos lift is a modern device for installing plasterboard on the ceiling. The device greatly facilitates the process of installing sheets, so for many it has already become indispensable.

Premos - lift is designed to lift sheets to the ceiling with subsequent fixation in a horizontal position during ceiling works with drywall.

Advantages of the tool:

• The device allows you to install and fix a sheet of drywall in any position;
• Moving sheets of drywall from one place to another is not a problem with the Premos device;
• In addition to working with drywall, the device can be used when installing air conditioners, fixing massive chandeliers, installing ventilation, and fastening large equipment.

The lifting height of the Premos device is from 3.2 to 4.2 m, the load capacity reaches 100 kg with a total structure weight of 23 kg. The device is convenient both during transportation and during operation.

Angled attachments for power tools

Often when working with plasterboard, especially if it is associated with fairly complex geometric shapes and multi-level ceilings, attachments for screwdrivers and drills are used. They are conveniently located on the electric tool, can be fixed in several positions, and rotate around their axis.

Shape cutting device

Available in the arsenal of professionals and special cutter for gypsum board - a ballerina, with which you can easily make large, correct form holes - from 15 to 35 cm. The tool is easy to work with and even a beginner can handle it, the main thing is that such a thing is in your tool kit.

If we talk about small holes, say, from 2 to 13 cm in diameter, which are most in demand when working with plasterboard, then it is better to use a set of hole saws for drywall. These are special attachments for drills, which are used in working with ceilings and niches, for installing lighting or laying some communications.

For installation

When screwing a sheet of drywall to a wall or ceiling, you can damage the material if you do not take into account the depth of the screw. Professionals recommend using a special attachment for drills and screwdrivers, which will help with covering the frame with plasterboard. This is a bit with a limiter that will prevent the material from being damaged while wrapping screws into a sheet.

For carrying

Quite often we work alone, and moving a sheet of drywall from one room to another can be too difficult. To make it easier to carry gypsum boards, holder handles for drywall were invented, which allow you to conveniently lift the sheet and, holding it, move it where necessary.

To lift

To carefully lift drywall from the floor or simply change its position slightly when you apply the sheet to the ceiling or wall, you can use a foot counterweight - a drywall pedal, on one side of which a sheet of drywall is installed, and the other acts as a lever.

DIY lift

This device can be made with your own hands. The drywall lift consists of four mechanisms that are assembled separately, combining at the final stage into a single device.

Construction drawings should include the following elements:

1. Tripod. 3-4 legs are welded to the telescopic tripod fixture for stability. For ease of use, it is better to equip the legs with wheels with stoppers.
2. Telescopic tripod made from three sections of profile pipe with a cross section of 80.60 and 40 mm. The segments are inserted one into another like a “Matryoshka”, with plugs placed on one side. At the end of the thinnest pipe, a mount is made for the turning plane.
3. Turntable. First, an H-shaped frame with a through jumper in the middle is welded. Retractable T-shaped supports are inserted into the frame opening on both sides to hold the bulky sheet of fragile material.
4. Winch. It is easier to purchase this element than to make it yourself. An outrigger beam with a brace is used as fastening for it.

Devices for transferring and fastening drywall, shaped cutting and faster installation are constantly being developed and modernized, and therefore be sure to keep an eye on new products on the market.