Lifting Technique: How to mount and unmount a big old hunk of drywall and wood?

[wayne2069]

So, this is a weird ask, I know! I had a big frame built out of drywall and wood - measurements below - to cover my window to isolate the room from outside noise. It's mounted on a french cleat. But now, I'm in a conundrum about how to put it up and remove it easily for when I want to see the sun on occasion.

Here are the numbers:

• I'm 5'1
• The monster is 5'6"H x 3'6" W x 1 1/4" D. It weights about 25-30 lbs.
• I put two handles on the front, about 33" apart and about 33" down from the top.
• I have to lift it up about 22" to get up and over the French cleat - measured from top of monster to about 3" above cleat. (hope that's accurate?). I'm able to reach that high but I'm almost completely extended.
• I'm able to lift it but I can't determine how far up because it basically just lands on me and I'm pushing it with my torso to get close to the window.

So how do I lift this monster?

I saw this video of this guy on how he lifts 80-120lbs of plywood:

He basically creates handles that he puts on the bottom of the wood and lifts it up from there, but I don't know if that's adequate to lifting something overhead? Would one of those "forearm forklifts" work? How should I strap it around the thing to get it lifted? Can I do it from a ladder, or is that unsafe?

I'm not opposed to grabbing some dumbbells and conditioning to lift this thing, either! I don't need it to be in use right away, but definitely by the end of June. So whatever lifts you recommend, please let me know!

 

[c4needsparents]

@wayne2069 Since this is a fitness subreddit, I'll just chime in that the lift you want to practice is overhead press or military press. Get some dumbbells and condition lifting them over your head and you'll be all set

 

[wayne2069]

@c4needsparents Thanks!

 

[katie4469]

@wayne2069 Can you clarify how high you have to lift this? You say 22”, but you also talk about being fully extended and lifting overhead so I’m confused. How high is the French cleat mounted off of the ground?

 

[wayne2069]

@katie4469 The cleat is about 85” from the ground.

 

[katie4469]

@wayne2069 Okay, got it. In my opinion it’s not really safe to lift something so large overhead like that (not because of the weight, but because of the dimensions). Can you get a step ladder? That way you would only have to lift the handles up to shoulder height (I think, if I’m understanding things correctly).

 

[wayne2069]

@katie4469 Yep I can do that! Thanks

 

[katie4469]

@wayne2069 You’re welcome! I’m not sure exactly how that will work out, but possibly if you are to squat low enough on the step ladder to grab the handles near shoulder height, then you could do most of the lifting with your legs. Alternatively you might need to do an upright row sort of motion to lift it with your arms. So upright rows would be good to practice for that!

 

[keke1223]

@wayne2069 Based on my understanding of what you're doing, you should be totally safe to get a small stepladder, climb to the height you need which sounds like it should just be 2 or 3 steps, then pick it up (do not climb the ladder while carrying it) and place it right up on the wall. If it's truly about 30lbs that shouldn't be too heavy for this but based on the dimensions you gave I'm assuming it's at least a bit more than that.

To test your ability to lift it try picking it up by the handles and extending your arms straight out, then raise them up as high as you can. If you can get the mounting bracket to about head height or higher, you should have no trouble popping it in and out of the cleat. If you struggle, practice pressing it out in front of you and back (think a bench press, but standing up straight. Officially it's usually called a standing chest press if you need video). If you can get it over your head and press it that way (overhead press) that will help as well, but if you struggle even remotely I'd swap it for dumbbells or something safe to lift over your head because nobody wants a 5' sheet of plywood dropped on their skull. Hope this helps!

Source: I'm 5'4 and have done a lot of diy and construction in my day, often in some very stupid and unsafe ways that I'm now much smarter about

 

[wayne2069]

@keke1223 Awesome! Thanks so much for help.

 

[yodaforthesoul]

@wayne2069 Personally I just use curtains.

 

[wayne2069]

@yodaforthesoul They don’t block sound.