4 reasons to use a drywall panel lift on your next job

Do you find yourself struggling to singlehandedly lift and secure drywall on ceilings and upper walls? You’re certainly not the only one.

While you could try to MacGuyver a custom jig or take your chances on a precarious balancing act, we really don’t recommend attempting either of those options for obvious safety reasons.

This is a prime example of what NOT to do.

Instead, you need something as reliable, secure, and easy to work with as a trusted helper. Lucky for you, just such a piece of equipment exists, and they’re called panel lifts.

What is a drywall panel lift?

Drywall panel lifts are designed to hold 4’ x 8’ and 4’ x 12’ drywall sheets securely in place during fastening. While certainly not the fastest method of drywall installation, it does provide the best means for a single person to accomplish a job that normally requires at least two people.

Telpro Drywall Panel Lift 439 (Chain Drive)

The drywall panel lift looks a bit like a large easel and has a hand crank that raises and lowers the sheet of drywall to the desired height. In addition, they typically have wheels at the base that allow you to adjust the position of the panel once it’s raised.

4 benefits of using a drywall panel lift

Now that you know what they are and what they can do, it’s time to talk about the many reasons to use one on your next project.

1. You can complete the job by yourself

Whether you’re a contractor that prefers to work alone or a literal do-it-yourselfer, having a quality panel lift at your side is an absolute necessity. While certainly slower than having a human assistant, they’re the next best thing if you don’t have (or want) that option.

If speed is a concern, you can always upgrade to a model that swaps the hand crank for a hydraulic, chain-driven lift. You’ll be amazed at how fast and easy it is to finish an entire ceiling all by yourself!

2. They’re surprisingly portable

While they’re certainly a sizeable piece of equipment when fully assembled, most panel lift models can be easily broken down into 2–3 parts. This makes them a breeze to haul to the job site in the back of a truck or even the trunk of a midsized car.

3. You can use them for ceilings and walls

While some people think panel lifts are only for ceiling installations, this is absolutely not the case. They work on upper wall sheets and angled sections just as well as on ceilings.

With minimal effort, the cradle can be tilted laterally (usually up to 65 degrees) for easy installation on walls and sloped ceilings. Many models can also tilt longitudinally for maximum versatility.

4. They reduce strain and risk of injury

Unlike a human assistant, a panel lift won’t grow tired or lose its grip over time. They also alleviate the stress and strain on the body that comes with a long day of hard manual labor. When you use a panel lift, your arms and lower back will thank you.

Get your drywall panel lift from Al’s Taping Tools

At Al’s, we’ve provided high-quality drywall tools and expertise to our customers for more than 30 years. Shop our collection of drywall panel lifts and accessories today to save time and energy on your next job.