The Family Handyman – September 2019

34 SEPTEMBER 2019 FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM

INSTALLATION

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Start in the attic by snapping lines

on the floor along the inside of

the joist space you’re using for

the lift. Snap two more lines to

make a rectangle 46-1/2 in. long

and 22-1/2 in. wide. Make sure

you have at least 4 ft. of

vertical clearance above the

marks, then cut the opening into

the floor with a reciprocating saw.

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Install blocks 1-1/2 in. beyond the

opening at each corner. Then cut

headers and screw them to the

blocks. Double-check the open-

ing to be sure it’s sized correctly

and square.

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Slice around the rough

opening to open the hole to the

garage. Hang a plumb bob from

each corner of the opening and

mark the garage floor. This will

help later on when you attach the

platform to the lift.

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For the platform to move

through the opening smoothly,

nothing can protrude into the

opening, including nail heads,

splinters and screws. If there are

any protruding edges, trim them

off with a flush-cut bit in your

router. Cover the corners from

the top of the floor to the bottom

of the ceiling with the L-flashing

provided with the lift.

4

L-flashing

1

2

3

46-1/2"

1-1/2"

22-1/2"

2x6 header

Blocks at

all four corners

48" of

vertical

clearance

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