heh, shoulda read these forums first.
I just built a hoisting mechanism with what is probably those exact same rope ratchets. Rated 250lbs apiece.
Used 2 2x4s bolted into the same holes that secure the top to the body, one in front and one in back. The back portion definitely has all the weight.
I was able to pull up the front just by pulling on the rope, but the rear ratchets I had to wind rope around a short piece of 2x4 and use that as a handle. About halfway up, I realized I could lift the top with one hand while pulling on the rope with the other - doh.
I'm a little concerned about the ratchets failing, so I ran a couple pieces of chain from the ceiling eyebolts to the rear 2x4 eyebolts as a safety measure.
Getting the beast down by myself will be a bit of a challenge, you have to press a little lever to release the ratchet and my ratchets are currently attached to the ceiling. I tried putting the ratches on the support 2x4 but found it difficult to get the right leverage.
In retrospect, I think you could put the ratchets on the 2x4 with the hook on the ceiling hooks and use the lift top, take up slack in the ratchet method. I'm thinking when I take it down I'll have a helper catch the falling weight while I release ratchets.
All in all, it's an ok solution for under $50. I think I'm going to improve upon it by building a better 2x4 frame (3 2x4s across), using a hand cranked wrench, and using steel cables to attach the ceiling eyebolts to the 2x4s. I'm thinking to have a short cable on either side that goes between the 2 rear 2x4 supports, running vertically to pulleys mounted so that the vertical cables run outward to the pully then back into a center pulley, route that across the ceiling and down the wall to the hand crank winch.
That should hold all of the weight and then you can just use these rope ratchets to cinch up the front and aid in positioning. The advantage with this system is it's still cheap (probably under $100), you have 4 eyebolts (vs 2) holding the bulk of the weight, and with the hand crank winch you can move the thing up and down yourself without too much trouble.
If I get around to this system I'll post pics and materials list.
