Folding collapsible / Church Truck tool for plywood and large slabs

[s1nglemalt]

I work with large slabs delivered off of a lift gate to my driveway. I once rented a church truck (for coffins) from a local mortuary, but feel creepy asking again.

What tool do you suggest would work for slabs/ply? from a liftgate / back of pickup truck?

I am open to straight out buying a church truck on amazon, if there no better suggestions?

s1

 

[luvmytoolz]

A second hand gurney from a hospital would be a cheap option with a few little simple modifications.

 

[Dane]

How about a lift table?  Pretty inexpensive at harbor freight

 

[mike_aa]

Why not the STM-1800?  It's very versatile and, after all, this is the Festool Owners Group.  [big grin] 

 

[squall_line]

I was going to recommend the STM1800 as well, but if the OP is looking to move slabs instead of sheet goods, the church truck / coffin truck is much more suited for the task, as it is narrower and basically the right height for what is needed.  It's basically a Bora portamate on steroids and wheels.

And it's 50-60% cheaper than an STM1800.

 

[RonMiller]

The church truck probably supports more weight as well. I have the STM1800 and it's great but not sure it can carry the weight of a slab.

 

[squall_line]

The church truck probably supports more weight as well. I have the STM1800 and it's great but not sure it can carry the weight of a slab.

Most assuredly.

The STM1800 is rated for 329 pounds.  Church trucks are rated for close to 1000 lbs.

If your slabs are heavier than that, you should probably be using a hoist and reinforced gantry to move them around.

 

[s1nglemalt]

Thank you, Festool OGs. This is exactly what I needed. the STM is not strong enough for giant, boxed, 5x15' slabs. The lift table cart or the church truck is what I need for large slabs.

This is a pretty good deal for slabs and/or part-time funeral gigs -https://www.amazon.com/INTSUPERMAI-...fos.304cacc1-b508-45fb-a37f-a2c47c48c32f&th=1

 

[ChuckM]

Could never have imagined the use of any mortuary equipment in a workshop! [scared] The price is totally affordable...and I wonder if there's a smaller version of it.

 

[WastedP]

Could never have imagined the use of a mortuary equipment in a workshop!

I did some cabinets for an undertaker's work room.  There's a lot of workshop equipment in a mortuary.

This cart is a great example for the "Using items for other than its intended purpose" thread.

Also, when I checked the Amazon link, it was encouraging me to bundle the mortuary cart with an item called "Fun Pack Foods - Carnival Funnel Cakes Deluxe Kit - Includes (2) Original Funnel Cake Mixes, Pitcher, Fry Ring & Cooking Tongs."  That must be one heck of a party.

 

[dmccririe]

I agree that this is a great idea to haul slabs.  When I looked it up on amazon, it suggested styrofoam cups or caskets.  I love coffee, but not during the funeral...

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

Yeah, the styrofoam doesn't hold up to well in the crematorium.
Seriously, this is a great case of "I had no idea!"

 

[Packard]

I have a van, not a pickup. So maybe not applicable.

When I pick up plywood sheets, I immediately part them out to more manageable size pieces.  It is the reason I got the track saw. 

I back my van onto my driveway.  I open the tailgate.  I set up two roller stands that are just slightly taller than my saw horse cutting area. 

I lift one end of the sheet onto the roller stands and then roll the sheet onto the saw horses. 

I once leap frogged a heavy board into the house by using the same roller stand onto a saw horse, then moving the roller stand to the other end and repeating. 

It is much slower than having a helper, but entirely manageable. 

This process would be greatly enhanced if my roller stands were more stable.  If you go this route, try to find roller stands with wide bases.

Or, if it will get a lot of use and the cost could be justified, a scissor roller stand with wheels.