[Shop-talk] 110 vac winch

[Karl Vacek]

My luck with cheap winches is similar, so I can't offer any help there, but 
I'd be a bit worried about the safety aspect, particularly with just any 
cheap winch (and the cheap cable that comes with it) holding a heavy load 
while people and vehicles pass under it.  Some are rated for lifting, others 
only for pulling - I believe the difference is in the quality and security 
(or even the existence) of the brake.

My garage attic staircase (less than 100 pounds, but the same principle) 
works easily by hand thanks to a balance weight and pulley we installed 
decades ago.  Just pull it down and push it back up.  Instead of a pull rope 
I have a length of conduit which hangs down to allow pulling or puching the 
stairway.  For additional safety we arranged it so the conduit push-handle 
can be locked against the wall as a brace to jam the door closed, but I've 
of neglected to use that feature for many years.

Karl



>I made a hinged wooden stair case to get in to the loft of my new barn and 
>am
> in need of a 110vac winch to hoist it up out of the way so I can drive 
> through
> to the other half of my barn.
<snip>
> I've checked out a few
> web sites including Northern Tools but they're a little high. The stair 
> case
> weighs probably 200lbs and needs to be hoisted up about 10ft.
>
> Thanks for the help.
>
> Frank V.
> rustymetal at sbcglobal.net