Block and tackle for lighter weights

[jiminwatford]

I have these steps which are hinged at one end and want to store them horizontally




I could use a rope and a pulley to lift them but I would like to have a break in the system in case the rope slips etc

I've been using a 1 ton block and tackle but it's SLOW

A scale at one end says they weigh 15kg

Are there setups for lifting this sort of weight?

[Phil H]

Spring balancer? That will be able to be adjusted to have a slight lifting effect meaning to need to weight/lock it in the down position but only take a couple of kg to pull down?

Either that or play around with a couple of tailgate struts to get the angles right?

I’m assuming it either is, or can be, hinged at the upper end?

[jiminwatford]

Yes it's hinged at the top

Thanks for your input. I'm thinking about a counter weight extended past the pivot point

[discostew38]

Hand winch
Like this


Mount it on the wall with a pulley wheel in the rafters etc
And you can just wind it up and down
Very cheap to buy off eBay/Amazon

We use them at work for the lorry load levellers

[strikey]

if its only a 15kg lift you need , i would simply rig a couple of pulleys and rope which will give you enough mechanical advantage for an effortless lift. if you are worried about it slipping out of your hands when raising just run the rope through a cam block , on lowering simply take a single turn around a cleat which will act as a brake .there's no need to over complicate it , proper k.i.s.s principlal stuff

[jiminwatford]

Great stuff

If I hadn't gone with a pulley system I would have bought a winch like that

But I saw this video and knew what to do



I've ordered an old industrial triple pulley for the top and when it arrives I'll find a double pulley for the bottom

[jiminwatford]

I got this sorted with a couple of pulleys and some rope 🙂