Where is your progress on that design?
Looks kind of like a drywall lift...

 

I like the "drywall hoist/lift" idea, but you'll still need a place to set the top (I don't think I'd want the pressure points to stay in the ceiling for extended periods...)

But that would take the pressure off your back!



----------------------------

I built the first table and created this post back in 2007! And it's satisfying to see all the uses and upgrades. But the best feeling was when my wife got home from work the other day, saying she saw "my hardtop table" at a house on her way home...



FYI, the original table is still in use (although it could use a coat of paint!)

 

looks good!

 

I guess my only thing with the original design that you had is the fact that a lot of tops are painted now so we would need to cover it with something that would protect the paint on the new hard tops....

I like your idea, I do but I think I need to modify it just a little.

 

Man ... Simple yet effective.

 

Just bought materials for this tonight. Hopefully I do a job at least half as good as the OP. if I do, I'm sure it'll work out fine.

 

Good idea. I'm going to look into splitting the table up into sections for ease of storage.

 

Thanks for making this great hard top tool! Love it!

After building it with the minimum braces, was too wobbly for me (most likely my crapping wood working skills). So extra braces all around (2x4's are cheap). No wobbling now, solid.

I put 4 caster wheels (back 2 locking) on it to move the entire thing around, works great as well!

I plan on cutting a couple more 2x4's (to width) and letting the plywood bottom rest on those for my doors (no fastening them down so easy removal). My poor garage is a modified car port so no room for this stuff and don't trust the ceiling enough to hang it. Lucky I live in Phoenix, so minimum rain.

Since I only have a 2.5 inch lift now, I built it a 2x4 width higher, backed my Jeep on 2 pieces of extra 2x6's and slide it right off.

Anyway Thanks again for the great write up!

Here it is for your viewing pleasure:

 

I backed up to a flat deck trailer , with tail gate open to the side of the trailer , so my jeep is as close as possible to it , and I go underneithe the hard top , use my back/shoulders/arms and lift the hardtop up , and walk onto the trailer , and leave it on the trailer

 

Finally got to do this! It was so easy. It took me 8 minutes to take the top off and I was being extra careful. I'd say that's a success.

I built the table as suggested but added eye bolts for a strap.

I'm happy with this setup, it's great!