We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Construction

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Drywall Hoist?

By Dale Marshall
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,127
Share

A drywall hoist is a device used in construction that securely clamps a sheet of drywall and can be used to position it for installation on a wall or ceiling. Promoted as a tool to help the do-it-yourselfer hanging drywall without helpers, many construction crews use drywall hoists because they save labor. Usually made of steel or aluminum, most drywall hoists are manually-operated, although electric-powered models are available.

The introduction of drywall to the construction industry was revolutionary because it reduced the amount of time necessary to create a paint-ready wall from a week or so to a day or two. A standard-sized sheet of drywall is a layer of plaster pressed between two sheets of very thick paper. It's used worldwide and called by a number of different names, such as gypsum board, Sheetrock™, plasterboard, and Gyproc™. It's attached to wooden or metal framework to make walls and ceilings. The most common size is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by ½ inch thick (1.22 m x 2.44 m x 1.27 cm).

One of its major drawbacks, though, is that at approximately 70 pounds (32 kg), it’s fairly heavy and somewhat awkward to work with. For one person working alone, it’s very difficult to position and install on a wall, and installation on a ceiling is almost impossible. The problem of dealing with this heavy and awkward material led to the development of the drywall hoist, which permits a single user to raise and position a sheet of drywall for installation even on a ceiling.

There are three major components to a drywall hoist: an assembly called a pad that clamps the drywall sheet, a shaft on which the pad is mounted, and a base. The pad is the part of the hoist that holds the drywall securely as it’s being raised and positioned; it should be adjustable to accommodate drywall’s varying lengths, widths and thicknesses. The shaft is a telescoping construction that’s extended or collapsed by means of an internally-contained winch; extending and collapsing the shaft raises and lowers the pad. The base is a three-point assembly with sturdy casters that can be easily rolled around a worksite. Despite its sturdy construction and portability, a drywall hoist is meant to handle only a single sheet of drywall at a time and can be damaged if used to move multiple sheets.

Drywall hoists are generally available in two grades, light-duty and heavy-duty. Light-duty drywall hoists are designed primarily for residential renovation and are more often rented from home improvement centers than purchased. They generally don’t extend above 11 feet (3.35 m). Heavy-duty hoists are intended for more continuous use and have increased capacities. For example, their pads can generally be raised to 16 feet (4.88 m); this requires that their bases be larger and heavier due to the elevated center of gravity at full extension.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-drywall-hoist.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.