DIY: Drywall Lift

A drywall lift can improve the speed and quality of a drywall ceiling project.

Installing drywall on a ceiling can truly be a backbreaking job. And not only can getting the sheets of drywall up to the ceiling be tricky, but once you get them up, holding them in place while you screw or nail them is another challenge. But with the addition of a drywall lift the job can be made a lot less stressful.

Things You'll Need

• 2x4 lumber
• Saw
• Course thread screws
• Measuring tape
• Drill with screw attachment
• Ladder or scaffolding

Instructions

1. Measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling to get the length needed for your drywall lift. Most ceilings heights will be between 8 feet to 15 feet from the ceiling to the floor.

2. Take a piece of 2x4 lumber and cut a length of wood on the saw 3 feet in length. Cut a second piece of 2x4 lumber the length of your ceiling height. These will be used to form a T to be used to assist you when holding a piece of drywall into place on the ceiling. Repeat these steps, cutting a second 2x4 the length of the ceiling, which can serve as a horizontal resting piece and another 2x4 piece 3 feet as a vertical hoist. A final piece of 2x4 should be cut 4 feet that will be used join the two T pieces together for your drywall lift.

3. Using course thread screws, attach the 3-foot piece of 2x4 lumber to the horizontal piece of lumber to form what looks like a T. Repeat this step with the other 2x4 vertical piece of wood and 3-foot vertical hoist piece of 2x4. Join these two pieces of the assembled T form with a 4-foot piece of 2x4 lumber. You now have a lift to use for lifting drywall to the ceiling.

Tips & Warnings

• Work with a partner when using drywall lifts; an extra set of hands could be useful to position the lifts in position under the drywall once it's in place to be fastened.

• Make sure drywall is secure between lift and ceiling joist before letting go.

• Use a dust mask when working with drywall.

References

• Drywall hanging information.