Workshop Ceiling Track System?

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I was wondering if anyone has a workshop/home ceiling track system? I'm asking about something that can be used for lifting or moving heavy or awkward projects around the shop. If I had a shop, that is something that would be real handy. Anybody have one or looked into buying one?

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Dave,

You mean like an I-beam and trolley system?

 

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Dave, You mean like an I-beam and trolley system?

Yes or something equivalent to it. There must be some type of retrofit system that doesn't need extra height ceilings or modified whole house plans to use a ceiling lift? Considering all the exotic dream machines woodworkers talk about here, I'm wondering why I haven't seen much discussion on it.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

There are retrofit systems for moving around people by home health aides and nurses.  That might be the area to look into, although it will probably cost more than something similar for an industrial application.  Still worth a look.

 

[tbellemare]

Three I-beams and trolleys work well in shops. Typically two are stationary and the third spans them on trolleys with a trolley winch on it. If there is nothing in the way, you can cover the whole shop that way and it doesn't take up a lot of headroom.

Tom

 

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Three I-beams and trolleys work well in shops. Typically two are stationary and the third spans them on trolleys with a trolley winch on it.

I've seen similar heavy duty setups in factory settings, but not something suitable for a home workshop. I'd hazard a guess that available height and ceiling floor bracing is a concern, especially so if it's a basement ceiling. It just seems to me to almost be a no brainer option for those with a have everything workshop. Yet, I've never known anyone to have one. Or, is there some other option I'm missing for dealing with bigger construction projects? Most I guess would be built on site.

 

[Dan C]

I use an overhead trolley/lift system in the metal shop, but at home I have not come up with a plan yet to lift some of the heavier projects.  I have seen a few floor cranes that can be assembled/disassembled when needed.  The biggest reason I have not yet, is that I am debating using 80/20 extrusions to make the floor crane possibly.

 

[tbellemare]

I think that if you planned and executed an I-beam system properly, the ends of the parallel beams would rest on load-bearing structures. The top of the beam could literally be flush with the bottom of the floor joists in a basement and if attached properly, would add significantly to the structural integrity of the building.

If I were planning a shop from scratch, I would use a trolley structure as an integral part of the building structure.

Tom

 

[marrt]

I've seen people use "barn door track."  But it's only rated for a couple hundred pounds.

 

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The top of the beam could literally be flush with the floor joists in a basement and if attached properly, would add significantly to the structural integrity of the building.

I can just see it now. An Ibeam workshop fallout shelter. I like it!  8)

 

[mwhafner]

All you really need is a properly secured beam, and a couple of these - http://www.pacline.com/products/12_overhead_trolleys.php