Awhile ago a layout was pictured here which was suspended by several cables and a common winch shaft which could be raised or lowered while level. Any idea on where to find it?
Thank you! tt
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Here's an idea for the lift mechanism using a Harbor Freight lift motor and garage door hardware.
My 6' X 12' O gauge layout is in the garage suspended by cables from a manual winch system. For the last five years or so. I'll post some pictures.
No problems with the system or concept. The winch motion is smooth enough that running trains do not derail as it goes up or down. Most of the time it is suspended over the bed of my pickup truck. So I have not lost the use of the garage space, and can run trains when the truck is parked inside. Its nice for working on, I can raise it for wiring under the layout, seated comfortably. I can lower to try different viewing angles. I can walk around the layout for viewing trains.
I bought a set of temporary legs, which I have found out I rarely need. Occasionally I will lower the layout to rest on the sides of the pickup bed.
I found an elevated garage storage system that supports 400 lbs. I don't use the metal cage that the system came with, just four cables, one to each corner of the layout framework. I did have to extend the winch axle (if that is the right word) in order to span the 12 feet in length, which I was able to do with a piece of square rod from Home Depot. I'll see if I can get some decent photos this weekend. -Ken
This is a pic of the lift system, I had to search around to find one that would hold 400lbs - just over-engineering to be safe. This is a Racor lift. -Ken
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I am only finding the 250lb Racor model at the moment, but the steel platform itself weighs 76lbs, and since that is not used the lift capacity total is 326lbs. My framework is good quality pine, so is not very heavy. I used ceiling tiles for the surface to help mitigate sound. Then trains, track and scenery - I am not even close to the total weight capacity. My transformers are on a separate rolling control stand connected by umbilicles, so that weight is not on the lift.
I am at work now, so cannot check the exact lift model. But here is a great description with pics of the 250lb model if you are curious:
http://www.bestgarageshelvings...l-1r-pro-heavy-lift/
I am very happy with the system, and am thinking about my "next" layout suspended similarly but with two additional cables, to support a 8' X 16' layout with access in the center. Still working on the current layout, so that is a daydream for the future.
I'm definately considering this option. Kind of neat to free up the space underneath.
Thanks folks, please keep the resources coming.
@ ken. Didn't see your email. Could you post some picts of of you modified your lift?
The great Phil Klopp has a tinplate layout that lowers from the ceiling in the middle of his O gauge RR.
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DK that is a really cool picture of the cable lift layout. Thanks for sharing.
The amount talent on this forum is AMAZING
Brent
anyone know kens email
Originally Posted by dk122trains:
The great Phil Klopp has a tinplate layout that lowers from the ceiling in the middle of his O gauge RR.
Note that the cables don't have to be located at the corners, so the lift can be somewhat smaller than the overall layout. That way you can move about more freely and not accidentally hit the cables with your arm, etc.
Hey DD. Yes, noted. With the straight use of the Racor Heavy Lift a small to medium-ish layout could be hung by taking off the tray on perhaps up to something 5-6' wide with some eye bolts. Length is the tough part and its a balancing act on anything wider than 4'. The pulleys are fixed in and there are cable alignment issues going wider. Some mods and oreienting it differently on the ceiling may work. It looks like the arms have some holes so perhaps swivel pulleys could be an easy fix. I've designed something like in the vid for a few bucks cheaper but I like how the racor system works.
I've been asked to share my idea by fellow member rrkidder, so here goes. Scuse the crude sketch but it should suffice.
Modelling after the video above every support cable is independent and cut to its own length to reach a gathering rod with turnbuckles. The cable is fed through fixed 'hoist' and swivel 'guide' pulleys on screw hooks in the joists. From there a single cable is connected to a winch (trailer winch in my case). The single cable needs to travel the distance you need it to go up and down.
I have a few more pulleys to guide the cable to where I need the winch to be. I priced it around $70. There is another design I saw on instructables.com that uses a few more pulleys and/or dual pulleys but only uses one cable. Trouble there is the cable that comes with the winch only ~30' and is too short. Easy enough to get a bare winch and cable from Lowes I guess.
The first system seems more fool proof. I question the single cable/dual pulley system as it appears there could be cable alignment issues if the pulleys aren't placed in the correct spot.
Not a fan of using eye hooks for connection to the benchwork. I'd just have 2x4's held in place by some notches on the bottom of the benchwork, but whatever works.
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Jay would you please repost the picture. Thank you.
The picture came up for me when I clicked on the icon, not the photo. Not sure why it's not showing in the post.
On amazon for $120 for the 145lb. They have them for up to 200lbs. Hmmm. Brings up an intresting topic. How much does a layout weight? The 5x5 I built for my nephew was maybe 40lbs? I'll have to weight it after X-mas.
For reference it was built with 1x3, 3/8 plywood and 1/2" foam board. Track is ballasted, WS sprinkle grass bonded with paint. The mountains are removable.
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