Having to move many sheets of 1-1/8-in. plywood over rough ground by myself, I decided to make a panel carrier. It proved to be a real back saver
As shown in the drawing, I used about 6 ft of 1/2-in. EMT (thin-wall electrical conduit) and a conduit bender. It took me about four minutes to bend the conduit into the desired shape. The basic shape of the panel carrier consists of a 135° bend at the center of the conduit, with two 100° bends at the ends, which are perpendicular to the plane made by the 135° bend. Although not necessary, I made two 25° bends on both sides of the 135° bend, in the opposite direction of the 100° bends. These 25° bends keep the knuckles away from the panels.
By the way, in determining the dimensions that I eventually arrived at, I began with the 100° angle at the bottom of one of the legs. Then I stood up straight next to the bent conduit with my carrying arm hanging naturally and my knees bent a little. The height of my carrying hand showed where the apex of the 135° bend should go. This arrangement allows me to lift and carry with my legs, back and arms straight.
The dimensions shown above are ballpark numbers, meant to give you a rough sense of the device. And although I haven’t done it, putting foam pipe insulation on the contact surfaces would help preserve factory edges.
Reed Maxson, Davis, CA