How to Build a Drywall Jack or Stand

Drywall jacks, or stands, are used to elevate drywall so it can be installed on the ceiling. The tools can be rented for a small fee from most hardware stores or you can build one from scrap materials. The basic drywall stand has an H-shaped top to set the drywall on, plus a long beam about 1 foot shorter than the height of the ceiling joists. It uses a standard car jack for lift.

7 wooden beams, 2 inches wide by 4 inches long by 6 feet tall
3-inch wood screws
H-joint
1.5-inch wood screws
Miter saw
Drill
Screwdriver drill attachment

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a pair of 2-by-4 beams to 4 feet in length. Cut one 2-by-4 beam to 2 feet in length. Cut two beams to 12 inches long with 45-degree mitered ends, with the longer side being the 12 inches.
- 2
  Assemble the two 4-foot-long beams and the one 2-foot-long beam into an H-pattern with the 4-inch sides of the beams standing vertically and the 2-inch edges sitting on the ground.
- 3
  Drill two 3-inch wood screws through each outer, 4-foot piece and into the 2-foot-long beam connecting the ends.
- 4
  Attach the H-joint--a piece of metal in the shape of an "H" that connects one 2-by-4 to another--to the center of the 2-foot beam, using 1.5-inch wood screws. Set the remaining 6-foot beam into the H-joint and attach the joint to the beam with 1.5-inch wood screws. Stand the 6-foot beam straight up from the H-structure, with the 4-by-2-inch end pressed against the 2-foot beam.
- 5
  Attach the mitered beams to opposite sides of the vertical 6-foot beam so the mitered beam's angled ends are flush with the 2-foot beam on one end and the 6-foot beam on the other. Drive 3-inch wood screws through the mitered beams into the 6-foot and 2-foot wooden beams.

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