Raising a layout off the floor to ceiling height

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have a new garage, with a 12’ eciling, and need to raise my 4x12 layout up off the floor, and suspend it above the work area of the shop when not in use, then lower it when needed. I need ANY advise on HOW to set up a pulley syetem. Articles on how to- photos or ANY advise would be appreciated.

2

Do a search for suspended layout it was covered recently and if i remember the solution given was great. Hope this helps.

3

I would attach a pulley to the ceiling, centered over the layout. Put an eyebolt in each corner of the layout. Attach chains or cables of equal length to those eyebolts. Attach the other end of those to a central point suspended from the ceiling pulley and anchor the other end to a point easily accesible to the wall near an entry point to the garage.

4

Go to the ‘coffe shop’ and introduce yourself. Ask if siberianmo can give you a hand with your project. He is currently building one.

5

I’m just curious. Why do you have a 12-foot ceiling in a garage?

And if it were me, I would use a 4-point suspension system on both the layout and the ceiling. A single-point system, although much easier to install the pulleys for, would allow the layout to rotate. It also puts all the weight on a single point, which could be a disaster if it ever failed. The tricky part of the 4-point system is co-ordinating the 4 lines as you raise and lower it.

6

Yes the four point system is the way to go. To coordinate the cables run them all to the same winding drum. When installing the cables make sure that you have equal tension on the cables and bam there you have it. One final thing, make sure that you are sunk into a rafter or beam with your pulleys, there will be a lot of tension on them and it would be disasterous to have one of them pull out of the ceiling!
Randy Johnson

7

I installed one using an electric, remote control hoist. For info. on them go to www.northerntool.com and search for “hoist.”

Stu

8

Here’s the earlier thread:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34696

And a potentially useful commercial product
http://www.hoister.com/

BH

9

i have been thinking about doing this also. i am using n scale on a couple of hollow core doors with foam on top. do you think the doors will hold up to the task. also thinking about using metal folding legs from northern tool with extensions to get the right height. scott

10

Thanks for all the help and ideas. I think I am going with the HARKEN lifter(being a sailor as well I trust HARKEN to do a great job), I am ordering the 7803b.12 which should hold up to 140lbs.
I am going with a 1x2 frame for the bench support with 1/4 inch plywood for the base covered with 1" foam
Under the board I will build a L shaped composite plywood girder beam on each side to support the bench work, and run the cables to eye screws on the end of the two L girders.
Let’s see if this works, will let you all know as soon as the Harken hoist arrives.
THANKS again for the help- especially the Harken Hoister that should solve my problem- Might even use that Northern Tools Electric winch- we’ll see. ANY MORE SUGGESTIONS?