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Tools for Carrying Sheet Goods: The Gorilla Gripper and the Handle On Demand
Moving sheet goods is a huge pain in the neck, particularly for shorter guys like me with a wingspan that leaves something to be desired. But even for you bigger folk, there's nothing ergonomic about toting a 4x8 sheet around your shop or the jobsite.
The Gorilla Gripper is a cleverly-designed handle that allows you to lift and carry sheet goods using your back and legs, while preserving your fingers and toes. There are tons of YouTube videos showing the thing, but I like the following low-res one the best because it shows the actual applications in the field:
I don't think I'd have the balls to try hoisting it up a ladder, like the guy did in the video, but I'd try everything else they showed.Another set of tools designed to move sheet goods or heavy cabinets is FastCap's HOD, or Handle On Demand. The catch with the HOD, however, is that the surface of whatever you're lifting must be finished/sealed; while the Gorilla Gripper works on a clamping lever principle, the HOD operates via suction.
The delicate nature of the rubber suction pad makes me worry it would eventually get scratched and compromised by neighboring tools, and even if I had a nearby glass door to test it on, I doubt I'd have the discipline to do it consistently; but if you're careful with the thing, and you deal with prefinished plywood a lot, this thing seems like a good bet.
What I'm still searching for but haven't found: Something that enables you to safely carry a 4x8 sheet up a flight of stairs, as my building is elevator-free. If any of you have tips, please sound off in the comments.
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http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-cup-suction-lifter-46134.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-diameter-suction-cup-40993.html
They're just being rebranded as HOD. They're just generic Chinese imports. I've used both and they work well when pulling directly away from the surface(e.g. lifting floor tiles), but if they get dust on them, they won't work as shown in the video. They also won't work on flexible materials.
That's what I think of every single time I see those suction cups.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Panel-Carry-Orange-93-300K/202262083#.Usbr7OBTSvI