Does anyone have any recommendations for a good “third hand tool” for hanging drywall, installing cabinets, etc. Thanks
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For hanging upper cabinets ( I assume) try a ledger board. Same for D.W on walls. I use a panel lift for the ceilings.
The Third Hand and Little Hand from Fastcap are great to assist in solo cabinet hanging. For drywall, nothing beats another guy.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Actually, Calvin, when it comes to drywall, nothing beats two other guys hanging it while I sit and enjoy a cool drink.
Shouldn't that be experienced guy?
Training a newbie with a 4x12x5/8 FC dw over your head is many times slower and more costly than using my dw lift and doing it alone. Course I am older and slower than I use to be, but that can't be the reason I don't hang as much in a day as I use to, can it? :)
Two young experienced guys, that have worked together for a while, are a pleasure to watch.
Dave
Dave, I know and have the pleasure to watch and work with a couple brothers that aren't young by any means.............as old as me and possibly older (55). They hang more, easier than I could ever hope to. True artists in something often looked upon as worthless, meanial tasks. Makes the finishing look better, makes the job more quality.
Give a look at the fest in August, you're just around the corner. You been around, come up and meet some good folks.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Okay, Two old guys, a couple of newbies, throw in some t jacks and a drywall lift, all working very nicely together while we relax with our cool drinks and talk about the good times!
Everytime I see these tools in the catalog I think "What a good idea!" but I always wind up improvising something on the job. The drywall lift though, is more of a neccesity than a luxury!
Tom
There's a book by John Carroll called "Working Alone". It's published by Taunton Press, so you should be able to get it through this website. This guy has many great ideas for that "third hand". I do work alone and have found this to be a valuable reference. Good luck!
Thank you for reminding me about this book. I seem to remember that this book was highlighted in a past FHB article. I'll start there.
Here is a good source for books. I bought my copy of 'Working Alone' thru this site and saved a few bucks. It was in excellect condition.
http://www.alibris.com/
"I was glad that when everything finally hit the fan I was holed up in a little beer joint in Robstown, Texas called the El Gato Negro."
Thanks for that link,
my son will be attenting
college soon and that site may
come in handy.
Was suprised when I checked that site to find Working Alone they listed used copies for about $20. Barnes and Noble have new for $14.50
Here is a site that specializes in over stock, shop worn, and the like.They have it for $11.95http://www.hamiltonbook.com/hamiltonbook.storefront/41fe59fb0234ee88271e424d36150654/Export/products/1117645WARNING! WARNING!DANGER WILL ROBINSONHamilton Books can be adictive.
Beats the $17.95 from FHB.
"I was glad that when everything finally hit the fan I was holed up in a little beer joint in Robstown, Texas called the El Gato Negro."
A guy I sometimes work around made a bunch of these himself. Got a bunch of good quality caulking gun and welded on some half-inch pipe. Welded on a short length and got himself a collection of couplings and pipe lengths. Welded up a plate to an intersecting tab so it could be bolted to a stub of pipe that he heated and beat flat. Made a nice pivoting head.
He has a friend who is a plumber so he did his own cutting and threading on a power pony. He has the welder. I offered to help with that but he had it covered.
Can't say he saved a whole lot of money. he likely saved a bit. Mainly he got exactly what he wanted. Made a nice weekend project. His seemed a bit more heavy duty that some of the others I have seen.
All the above suggestions are great.
I would second the suggestion of getting John Carroll's book. One of Carroll's best suggestions is to learn when it's safer, easier, or more cost efficient to get some help. And I agree with Xhammerandnails that hanging drywall is one of those times.
For hanging upper cabinets I like to use my small scissors jack from the truck. It will lift easily and precisely adjust up or down.
oldfred
Drywall lift for drywall.
Nailer for hanging upper cabinets.
I use these "T-Jaks" for all sorts of things. They work well.
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http://www.tjak.com/
Thank you. I have seen these advertised in a few sizes so I'll add them to my tools shortly.
For upper cabinets, hard to beat preinstalled cleats or z-clips.
Z Clips:
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http://www.monarchmetal.com/pages/panelclip.html