Hi All,
I haven’t posted in a while, but this is Paula in CO. I had strange error messages with logins, so I had to create a new one.
Anyway, we anticipate several drywall projects coming up on our house because we are going to add a floor over the garage and have a bonus room above. Also, our basement will be drywalled when we get around to finishing it. We have rented in the past a Telepro drywall lift, and it was awesome, but I’d rather own one. By the time you’re done, it’s cheaper.
Anyone have any experience with the much cheaper Troy Drywall lift? I’m wondering if as homeowners we need such a heavy duty lift and if the Troy would work just fine.
Here is the link to it at amazon.com
http://tinyurl.com/yalp87
Thanks for your help.
Replies
I own one of those, have had it for over a year. For occassional use - I use it 2-3 days/month - it's great, it's saved me a small fortune on rental fees. The lifting and brake mechanism have worked fine.
Fit, finish & smoothness of operation are "off" just enough that I if I were 'hanging rock' for a living I'd get the Telpro. But I saved $400 that I invested in other tools and have no regrets.
-Norm
Thank you so much. That is exactly what I was hoping to hear.
i think they would be fine for ho. i mean how many sheets are you going to hang 50/100.check ebay also for drywall lift,start at 125.. also you might ask at hd if they are ready to sell thier rental.local hd just sold the name brand for 200. larry ps word of warning i have a jack.in 15 years i probably have had possesion 1/2 that, rest of time buddies have it.
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I guess I should ask HD if they plan to sell anytime soon. Thanks for the reply. Ebay is actually where I was planning to buy.
Somebody wrote e review in JLC a few months ago about the red panel lift that was around $200. If memory serves correctly he thought it was a decent tool for the money.
Have a good day
Cliffy
Thanks cliffy. I found the review and it was written by a Norm in VT. Norm from above, is that you?Here is a link to the JCL article. http://tinyurl.com/y7ugqoYep, I plan to get one. Paula
Yes, that's me.
Thanks for the review, both the reader's digest version contained here and the full version at JLC!Paula
Its a small world afterall!
Have a good day
CLiffy
OK - $200 for the lift and $70 for the shipping - I don't think so.
On ebay they are about $200 total, including shipping. I agree, the shipping on the amazon seller is unattractive. Paula
I saw this item at Cummings tools today for $350 (plus tax). I found it to be much heavier than the lifts I have used previously. Also, it only raise the panels up to 11 ft. I would seriously considering paying 2 bills more for quality.
Hey Sasquatch. Yowsa. $350??? That is a lot.I got mine from ebay with shipping for $189...oh and they threw in some little multi tool too. Now how much would you pay? LOL. Okay, the lift arrived. Purchased from ebay from the vendor MaxTool, which is the same vendor selling them on amazon for a lot more. However, the winch handle was missing, so I've asked them to send it. Will let you know. Also, like Norm, the parts didn't go together easily. Well all of them did but one, but with a little convincing, it was assembled and the offending part that was sticking out ever so slightly and making things difficult was gently pushed back, so no future problems. For a DIY, this is perfect. $189 is far less than we would spend on rental. For a pro drywaller, no. For a handyman or professional using it occasionally...maybe. And for comparison's sake, the telpro only goes to 11 ft as well unless you get the extension. You can use an extension on this one too. Okay, this might sound scary, but we ended up putting our rented telpro up a couple of feet on scaffolding with wheels in order to get to the peak of our 13 ft ceiling. It was only a few pieces and it worked perfectly. It wasn't unstable at all, but we strapped it on securely. It sure beat driving 25 miles one-way to rent the extension. This one's shipping weight was 90 pounds, according to amazon, the telpro is 123 pounds and current price is $632.......so....even if the winch handle never shows up (you can operate it without it, and we can easily make one), this thing seems like it will work for our needs at a heck of a price.
I think I'll wait for about two years, which is when I hope to build my own house. Maybe the price will go down even more, or better yet, the technology will improve and the price will go down.
If I build any more homes for others, somebody else gets to do the drywall. I did the drywall on an addition for a friend and used the telpro. It was certainly better than the old days.
I remember remodeling half of my home in Florida in 1980. I put up strapping and drywall alone, using nails. I hated that job.
We are finally really putting this lift to use with 12 ft, 54" sheets of drywall that are 5/8 thick. The lift handles it perfectly and the operation is smooth. I still can't believe how cheap this thing was. We have a waiting list of people who want to use it now! When we are done, I can envision selling it for $100. I just wanted to post my final follow up. I hate leaving something hanging. Paula
> I hate leaving something hanging.So you took the drywall back down?
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
For less than $10, you could make 2X T-braces which just wedge drywall in place while you nail it off. We use them at Habitat all day.
Carl
If you need to save $$$ and you're not having to work alone, the T-brace is alright. Personally, I'll pick the drywall lift EVERY time I have to hang lid. I can do the entire job myself. The rental fee is inconsequential to the benefits.