Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack
Customer Review: Convenient storage but not trival to install or use
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had two of these for several years and just got another since the price was good. The hardest part about installing them was the hot weather. But I can't blame the manufacturer for that. If you measure properly and make sure that you know where your beams are, then it's a matter of making appropriate sized pilot holes so you can get the bolts in without killing yourself, but assure that they won't come out of the ceiling either.
There have been a few comments about the spacing of your joists. 16 inches has been a standard for a long time, which makes them 48 inches apart with two in between. If they were off, it would be impossible to use standard sheet rock to build your walls, pass building code inspections, and so forth. If your house is old enough that it predates the standard, your house does not have a garage. However, standard construction often includes extra joists to support other things, depending on what's behind the ceiling. So it's possible to find a joist without a corresponding one where expected. But it should also be possible to find joists that are spaced appropriately. Keep in mind that when you pick out a spot for it, you might need to move a bit to be under a joist.
Each support that goes on the ceiling has a keyhole in the middle. So you can install the first bolt by itself, leaving it 1/4 inch away from tight. Then you can take the support with you up the ladder, slide the bolt through the keyhole, and not have to worry about holding things up while installing bolts.
Once things are installed, you might find that the rack is not level. Each corner has nuts that can be adjusted to change the height. However, you are better off checking things with a level, climbing back up the ladder, and repositioning the part of the cable that loops over on top. Then use the nuts and bolts for fine tuning.
The rack is easy to get down with a crank, but when raising it, keep in mind that you are raising everything on it too. You will need less force to move the crank than to lift things by hand, but you make up for it with the distance that your hands travel with all the cranking. The more petite members of society might find it tiring, but others might find it about as much work as they would have expected.
Customer Review: Did not live up to expectations
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this item based on 3 glowing recommendations. When the kit arrived, the original box was in sorry shape, held together only by a large amount of packing tape.
I attempted to put the product together, only to find that the bottom grate (which you put items on when completed) would not sit flush with the crossbar. The method of securing the grate to the bar were J-hooks, and did not function as required. Plus, one of the hooks were not threaded as the others - requiring a call to the manufacter to replace. I am thoroughly displeased, and returning this item promptly. I can't believe that it would hold 260 pounds. Looks like I need to find another storage solution.
Customer Review: Did the job!!
Summary: 4 Stars
My husband and I were able to put this up in a few hours. With no problem. The only reason why it didnt get 5 stars is because it is hard to crank up and I wish it was motorized.Customer Review: Did the job...
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking for a rack to put up in the garage. These looked like they would work well, because they can be raised and lowered. After reading the reviews, I almost changed my mind, as they seemed difficult to install. However, actually they were not that bad to install. I followed some suggestions that I read in the reviews.
First, I bought different mounting hardware. I used 3" #12 self tapping hex head screws that I purchased from Home Depot. I did not get the 5/16 lag bolts, as they were much larger in diameter than the slots on the rails.
Second, I did not assemble the rails before putting them up. I put one half of the rail up and got it straight and true with the beam. Then, I attached the axle holder (without bolting it to the cieling). I attached it with the supplied nuts and bolts. Then, I mounted the second part of the rail to the axel holder. Next, I made sure that the new rail was straight and true with the beam, and then bolted it up. Lastly, I put the two bolts through the axel holder into the beam.
Third, I did not use a stud finder. Well, I tried, but the drywall on the ceiling was over an inch thick (which is why i used 3" bolts to put it up), and the stud finder did not work well enough to be trusted. So, I took out my long skinny phillips screw driver and poked holes in the ceiling to find the edges of the beam. This way I knew exactly where the edges of the beam were and could confidently mount the rails.
I purchased two of the racks. The first one took about three hours to put up. The second, only two. Now, I am not a fast worker and like to take tea breaks when I work, so I figure that these are pretty good times.
As for the racks, I have to get used to stuff hanging over my head. The ceiling is ten feet high, but I got about three feet of storage bins on them, so then are between 6 to 7 feet off the ground. Also, they claim to hod 250 pounds, which is probably true. but, I wonder about the strength of my rafters. I got two racks side-by-side, so I guess at max 250 pounds per rafter. My wife loaded up one of the racks and we have 8 bins on it. Each bin seems to be about 25 pounds or less. But, what if she packed 40 pounds in each bin? There is no way to know for sure. Anyway, it is a little omnimous having them hanging over our heads.
Customer Review: Does the job.
Summary: 4 Stars
Installs very easy although the instructions are not very clear as to sequence of steps. But it isn't a complicated installation so it is fairly easy to complete. The Pro Lift works very well with no glitches so far.