Yes, believe it or not, I finally worked thru my fear and poured con. countertops last week. Pulled the forms and am very happy so far. Knew they would be heavy, but, hmmm. Got to get them up a flight of stairs. Have 3, the heaviest is the island. 6′ x 3′, 2″ thick, and a double sink cut-out. Thought about a temp. service, 6 beefy guys, workmen’s comp. paid by company. Don’t know if there is one very close. Then thought, hey,,,,what about piano moving co.? Couple of guys and some clever equip? I thought about rigging a come-along, protect egdes, etc., but started getting queazy at the thought. Any suggestions? I’m stumped currently. Will take and post pics after finished and installed. Thanks, Beck
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Suggestions?
Yeah, next time pour them upstairs instead of downstairs!<g>
I'd venture that the 3' x 6' without cutouts weighs in the neighborhood of 450lbs with a standard (not lightweight) mix. You may be in the 350-375lb range with the cutouts.
If I had one like that to move up a flight of stairs, and the stairs were wide enough to handle the width, I'd leave it in the forms (to support the slab due to the cutouts...if no cutouts, then no form needed) and use a heavy-duty dolly to ride the slab up the stairs, with the slab flat on the dolly.
If the stairs aren't wide enough, again, with the slab in the forms, I'd stand the slab on edge. Then use a 2x4 supported ply base, about 6' long and 30" wide, and angled 2x4 braces, from the edges of the ply base going up and attaching to the slab's form to hold it upright. Think of the ply base being the base of an inverted "T", and the slab stood on edge as the part of the inverted "T" sticking upwards.
Something like this, with the "I" being the slab on edge:
/I
Then load that on a dolly and truck it up the stairs.
If it's out of the form for good, use 2x4s to rim the base of the slab as it sits on the ply base. Then run verticals, as well as angled, to lock the slab upright. Don't forget to wrap the back to prevent it from sliding back as the dolly is lifted up. I have two sheets of homasote I use to protect the two faces of the slabs. You could probably use a blanket.
A while ago I hand carried a 320lb, 5" thick teak countertop up a flight of stairs, but my right knee and lower back were protesting the the last few steps.
I'd think the easier, and safer, way would be to hire a couple of strongbacks to lift the bottom of the dolly while you, or a third strongback, handle the top of the dolly. Lift and go up one stair tread at a time. They lift from the bottom, you pull. Reposition and rest. They lift, you pull. Again and again.
Then again, when you call, they'll come out, look at it, and probably have it upstairs for you before you can pull your wallet out to pay them.
Glad they turned out well, and I'll be looking forward to the pics.
Couldn't say about getting up and down stairs, but for moving around the shop and for setting in place: get an engine hoist.
Hire some local college guys and pay them in beer. Football players are best.
In beer - after the move...
Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability
"football players are best"....
I respectfully disagree. I've found Wrestlers to be well disciplined, smart, and willing. (Maybe it's just the local HS culture...though the wrestling coach and FB coach are buddies and help each other).
Unless there's a crew team available.
"Hand's on!"
"Ready to go up to the waist...and UP!"
"Ready to go up and over head...and UP!"
"Ready to go down to shoulder opposite your rigger...and DOWN!"
"And walk it forward.........and halt."
Hey all, thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like an entire athletic dept. might be the ticket, and give each "sport" their own counter top, then stand back! But as the area around here is a bit rual, and I wonder about a school's fear of liability, (as well as my own) I will try and find "movers" of a sort that are in the business and perhaps up to a challange. Will let you know next week. The house goes on the market next Friday. YIPPEE! Thanks again Beck
One of the local safe dealers here has a dolly that "walks" up and down stairs. I think he said the capacity was around 800 pounds.
I was just suggesting a group that was young and strong ( and dumb wouldn't hurt).
Smart might be a liability. After all, would you want to help move concrete countertops?
"would you want to move concrete countertops?"
Can't testify to my intellect, but age and wisdom are determining factors...in a word...NO!