Hi, As I'm disabled I need to raise up the base board rather than bend down to add wiring point motors etc.
I had thought about using hydraulic arms like the hatch/5th door in a hatchback car, but that would not have given me a controlled movement. Somehow I managed to get a link to a bath lift in my search, but at £300 plus that was too expensive so found a secondhand one on ebay for £35 took a chance. I got my car mechanic to cut two end bits off and drill a couple of holes where my diy tools just didn't cut the mustard. Here's how I did it with photos to show what I've done.
1)First I had to make the frame, by cutting the wood to lengths, drilling holes
for the wires and inter locking joints; this I could do on my own. (photo -board lift2)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s550/Bacupaws/Baseboard%20bath%20lift/boardlift2_zps6bd8c752.jpg)
2)I then got the local timber merchant to cut the large sheet of ply to size( photo- board)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s550/Bacupaws/Baseboard%20bath%20lift/board_zps279136bb.jpg)
3) Then I attached the frame and a second frame underneath.
4)I had 2 low level book cases which Peter attached 2 sets of wheels with brakes.
5)In these I cut out spaces for the bath lift.(photo- base 2)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s550/Bacupaws/Baseboard%20bath%20lift/base2_zps44409e97.jpg)
6) My car mechanic used an arc welder to cut off bits I didn't need and drilled holes.
7) My carer moved the ply & frame into place (photo- lift up)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s550/Bacupaws/Baseboard%20bath%20lift/liftup_zps4f932331.jpg)
8)I drew an outline to show where the frame was underneath (photo-board flat)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s550/Bacupaws/Baseboard%20bath%20lift/boardflat1_zps53b7846e.jpg)
I had help to lift the bath lift into place, the board on top and the wheels onto the unit.
I'm goining to use a mirror on a short pole or a video camera to see where I need to thread
wire etc.. I have no idea if its all going to work but I'll keep you informed. :Dftp://
The description sounds fine, Brenda, but sadly no photos appear in your post. :( Are you using an image host like photobucket to copy them from?
Hi yes ~I used photo bucket as directed, but nothing appeared so I've amended the post and added the link does this work for you?
Hi Brenda,
That looks good to me. Have got the lift functioning yet? How high will it lift the board up for you?
Thanks for sharing
Mark
That's ingenious :thumbsup:
Paul
Atta girl :NGaugersRule:
Allan
Where there is a will there is a way, well done Brenda you pass with flying colours :thumbsup:
Absolutely brilliant!! :thumbsup:
Wow, superb idea. :claphappy:
Absolute genius! Well done :claphappy:
Glad you sorted the pics, Brenda.
I had a clue from the description of what you were doing, but it surpasses anything I imagined :claphappy:
I hope you're very pleased with it.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and that is just genius :thumbsup: you want to get that patented quick :D
:angel:
Gosh I feel so proud thank you all for the praise.
Thanks Brenda
You're welcome - it is a brilliant piece of thinking that has been well executed!
Totally agree with everyone, (seeing the cat) I'm just wondering if the board is wobbly in any way. Cheers john.
Hi John,
The base of the unit which is made out of steel rod is about 50cm by 12cms, I asked my car mechanic to drill holes in this part so I can secure it with nuts and bolts to the frame attached to the baseboard. This I'll do once I have sorted the lid issue out just incase I have to remove the baseboard. (which by the way is 12mm ply.
At the moment the cat can land on either end when its fully raised and it doesn't move.. so I hope it should be ok when finished.
Thank you for your interest
Brenda
Absolutely ingenious Brenda - I'm most impressed - and very well executed the work is too. You're definitely off to a solid start!
Please keep us posted as you progress :)
:) That's the spirit that built an empire!!! If you come across a situation where you need points that can't be on the raised board, I suggest using surface-mounted point motors and extended tie bars to reach them - all hidden in scenery or buildings. I've used this for a 4" distance and think longer can be possible. Wiring points under boards is just too much for real oldies like me!
Brenda, you seem to have everything thought of :thumbsup:. By the by have you got a video diary on the go :D. Cheers john.
Brenda that is a stunning solution
I too am disabled with a shot back among other probs, I built my layout on "stilts" to get it to a reasonable height. I wish I'd had not only your imagination but also your mechanical skills in assembling all these myriad parts.
Brilliant, I am so impressed and should I ever be bonkers enough to start another layout I shall have to seriously think of doing something similar
Congrats Huntlyian :claphappy:
Forgive me Brenda but i'm wondering how you are getting along?. Cheers john.