Handling Plywood

[Jes Pidlin]

Anybody got any ideas about handling 3/4" plywood. I have a storage building that's separate from the shop and I have to man-handle the stuff from the truck to the building for storage, then from the building to the shop when needed. I know there are several gadgets out there for this purpose, but I was wondering what you use and how you like it.


Thanks in advance,

[dbhost]

You could build yourself a lumber cart for the task...

[docrowan]

I found a metal gadget somewhere for very low cost. I can't remember now where I picked it up, but it works pretty well. It has about an 18inch long metal u channel at the bottom that the 3/4 sits in and a metal handle angled out with a comfort grip at the top. To use, you lay the plywood sheet on it's side, place the gadget on the ground at the middle of the sheet, then left the sheet slightly up to set it into the channel. Then you can grab the handle with your right hand and steady the sheet at the top with your left. Makes 3/4 MDF a one-man job, where without the gadget I would try to get a helper.

[LinuxRandal]

Obligatory, get her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwC7zJrzSw8

That said, I agree with the lumber cart. Build one that uses hinges and can be locked down. Drill through some rod, and use cotter pins, and make the axles/wheel barrow tires removable, as your probably going to be buying more then one sheet at a time (even though, to the shop, you may only move one sheet at a time).

[dlminehart]

Here's one you can build: http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/2007/07/27/ws/

And another: http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodwork...t-goods-mover/

[JR]

I found a metal gadget somewhere for very low cost. I can't remember now where I picked it up, but it works pretty well. It has about an 18inch long metal u channel at the bottom that the 3/4 sits in and a metal handle angled out with a comfort grip at the top. To use, you lay the plywood sheet on it's side, place the gadget on the ground at the middle of the sheet, then left the sheet slightly up to set it into the channel. Then you can grab the handle with your right hand and steady the sheet at the top with your left. Makes 3/4 MDF a one-man job, where without the gadget I would try to get a helper.

Like this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=7459

I use this and it's pretty effective. I must say, though, that as time marches on I'm a little less enthusastic about hefting 3/4" panels.

JR

[Caddis295]

Use some rope.....

I have used a length of rope with a large loop at both ends to move my sheet goods for years. Just hook the loops over the corners of the sheet good and lift away! Cheap too.....

He-he...also good for a few Popeye sized forearms too......depending on distance!

[cabinetman]

I have one of those HF hand carriers like JR posted. I also made this carrier out of scrap 2x4's. The groove is 1" wide, and it rolls like a dream. If you don't want to hand carry, this works pretty good.
.

.

[os1kne]

I have one of these that I got from HD a few years ago, about $5. It works well enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-93-301.../dp/B00004UDN8

[docrowan]

Like this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=7459

I use this and it's pretty effective. I must say, though, that as time marches on I'm a little less enthusastic about hefting 3/4" panels.

JR

That's the one. I'm not usually moving more than a couple of sheets for any one project, so it's not that big a deal for me.

[jhart]

There's a number of one's like the Stanley that are quite inexpensive. I've used one for years not only for plywood, etc., but also good for sheetrock.
It's also easy enough to make your own out of scrapwood. I worked as a laborer in construction during high school and college days (40+ years ago) and we would make them on site as we needed them. Crude, but worked.
Of course, in those days, I was in a lot better shape and could just lift them up and carry them to where needed. Can still do it today, but just barely. They've gotten a lot heavier!!!!!

[footprintsinconc]

here is a much more expensive version of what c-man has from rockler:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...8&cookietest=1