Replies

1. 
   caseyr | Jul 08, 2004 06:22am | #1

   I can't give you much help, but perhaps looking at these will at least keep you entertained until someone gives you the information...

   http://doityourself.com/kitchen/dumbwaiters.htm

   http://www.butlersbuddy.com/

   http://www.dumbwaiters.com/html/3_stop.html

   http://universalelevator.com/mpc/docs/Site/Grocery%20Lift.html

   http://www.bobvila.com/BVTV/HomeAgain/Video-1019-01-1.html

2. 
   RalphWicklund | Jul 08, 2004 07:29am | #2

   It's a rather simple process. (I was able to do it).

   It's just a chase between floors that you frame to the specifications of the product you order. Then you attach the hardware to the sides, following the diagrams. Pull on the rope and it goes up or down.

   Put a door on the openings top and bottom (or leave it open). May be some fire codes you should be concerned about.

1. 
   CloudHidden | Jul 08, 2004 02:33pm | #3

   I hope he intends to use a prefab one rather than build the unit itself. Trying to figure out the pulley, brake assembly, counterweight, track, etc would be a LOT of work. You're right that the framing is easy. The rest of it?--buy the kit!

1. 
   CapnMac | Jul 08, 2004 04:53pm | #4

   Trying to figure out the pulley, brake assembly, counterweight, track, etc would be a LOT of work

   Yep, I know some folks at Otis & Westinghouse Elevators.  They can drone on about static and dynamic balancing for a good stretch.  The trick with things on a counterweight is what is the weight being countered?  The empty dumbwaiter does not weigh the same as a loaded one, that gets tricky.  Turns out that a cabled lift can actually benefit from the friction of multiple turns of wire on the hoisting drum (elegance only an engineer would dream of).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)