Homemade Dumbwaiter

Dumbwaiters are a centuries-old technology for lifting and lowering materials between two or more floors of a residence or business. Their primary purpose is to spare humans the difficult labor of moving heavy objects between floors. Thus, they function similarly to an elevator, but are smaller in capacity and aren't usually intended for use by humans or animals. Modern dumbwaiters can be very elaborate, but the basic theory is quite straightforward. Power can be motorized or hand-driven.

2 pulleys, steel
Hook, steel
Steel plate
Strong rope
Weights
Wooden or metal box
Springs, 2 to 8

Instructions

- 1
  Locate a suitable area for the construction of the dumbwaiter. It should be situated so that the freight can be moved safely and efficiently on all floors.
- 2
  Clear or create a vertical shaft large enough to accommodate the dumbwaiter platform plus the counterbalance. You may need to cut into the floor of a multi-story building or build an extension onto the side of the building.
- 3
  Install a double pulley in the ceiling above the shaft. Make sure that you mount the pulleys on a beam, girder, or other load-bearing structural component. Also make sure that this component will be able to safely bear the maximum design load of your dumbwaiter repeatedly. For dumbwaiters several hundred pounds or more in capacity, you may need to do some more research. Install structural reinforcements if necessary, or reduce the weight limit of the dumbwaiter.
- 4
  Purchase or cut a steel plate with the desired dimensions.
- 5
  Cut holes through each of the corners of the plate.
- 6
  Run rope through the holes. Join the four ropes together on a steel hook.
- 7
  Connect that hook to another rope, strong enough to carry the entire weight of the full assembly, and run that rope through both of the pulleys.
- 8
  Connect the other end of the main rope to a wooden or metal box containing weights. These weights will be a counterbalance for the dumbwaiter and should be accessible so that you can add and remove weights as needed.
- 9
  Install a rim around the steel plate so that your freight will not fall off.
- 10
  Mount springs to the bottom of the steel plate to cushion rough landings.

Types of Wooden Gates

Types of Residential Design

Architecture