Stair lift/elevator

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Hey folks got a question for you. My mom has a heart problem and can't get up and down the stairs anymore. Does any one have any good ideas for a powered lift? A ramp won't work 'cuz she still gotta walk uphill and she can't do that. I'm open to about any idea and between me, pops, and  y'all, we can build anything!
Reply:how many stairs do you have to contend with, and are they straight, or are they curved...if you can a photo might be best, I've seen a few designs, and I have installed a store purchased one for my great grandmother.  Sorry to hear about your mothers health.
Reply:wintermute,thanks for the reply. Mom aint real bad,just trying to help her enjoy what she's got left. Any ideas are appreciated. Attached Images
Reply:TEK,You might want to try building an elevator type lift and remove some of the railing on one side.  I would recommend utilizing simple hydraulic or air rams and an electric motor in order to power the lift.  I'll look around and see if I can find some specifics on exactly how to the store bought models are built so that I can provide you a better idea of exactly how to go about the design.
Reply:Thanks,wintermute.  I googled wheelchair lifts and saw some interesting things. Still looking. It is nice to get a courteous,helpful response instead of some of that crap that goes on around here sometimes.  Thanks
Reply:Looking at those stairs I can see where she could easily have a problem..I sure can't help with a potential design, but a couple of thoughts.Slow and easy on the lift/start/stop. I can understand how jerky starts and such could be just as difficult as negotiating stairs. SOmething nice and smooth would be nice. Or possibly a combination of a bench style stool incorperated into the lift. Step on the lift pad, set on the bench then do the lift operation. Dunno, wished I could help.
Reply:TEK,One of the things I'm noticing is that alot of the lifts actually run on a screw type drive.  Since the porch in the picture doesn't look all that high, it may actually be possible to use one or more of the screw type garage door opener drive mechanisms for the lift.  I'm trying to find more information on exactly what the capable weight ratings of these types of garage door openers are.  I'll post again as I find more details.
Reply:Have ya thought about the tommy lift gate idea?  like ona  pickup?  Perhaps thers a way you could make a modification similar to that....with hydraulics....just a thoughtIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Sandy, thanks for the thoughts pal. The slow starts are a feature on some of the lifts I looked at. Definately a consideration........  wintermute, I saw the screw drive idea and liked it. I think thats better than hyd.I didn't check it but pops said the deck is 50" and he knows how to read a tape,just ask him.lol
Reply:Tx- Didn't see your post till I sent my last.Yea we kinda kicked that idea around a little and it might work, The truck lifts that I've seen all seem kinda jerky tho and I'm not sure that would work. still thinkin and thats tough work.
Reply:Well I wasnt sure how tall the porch was or if it would work ...dont know how much lift tommygate gives...Ive seen teh screw type myself  DOwn at the coast the neigbhor has one.  Houses down there are built on stilts...well the ones right on the water.  It was put in for the guy who lived there almost a year before he passed away.  Now it just sits there and is only used when the ole lady does her monthly grocery run IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Have you considered an electric motor and cables with pulleys to lift and lower? Even though the motor will be turning fast, that can be slowed down with different pulley sizes to make it less jumpy.
Reply:g33k,welcome to the zoo! No we hadn't really considered that but its an idea I can propose in triplacate (intentional misspell) to the planning commision. Thanks
Reply:I Happen to have , sitting in my lot, a bus which has been converted into the ultimate tailgating party bus. It also happens to have a wheel chair lift on the side of it. I think it would be perfect for what you are doing. The guys that own it are storing it until next season ( because the Browns suck). Anyhow , they were talking about getting rid of the lift to make more room for kegs. It looks like a newer unit to me and works great. Its battery powered over hydraulic. If your interested I could take some pics- even if it just gives you an idea or maybe you could find one of these locally. Johnny
Reply:I saw something several few weeks ago that might be an alternative to a lift or elevator.  My kids are on a local swim team, and this other team they had a meet against a while back has a handicap member. That member is lowered and raised from the pool with a thing that looks like a swing on a boom.  It used a winch motor or something like that (it was covered and i wasnt really paying too close attention) to pull down on a counterweight to lift. It sat on a swivel...so, you can move it any way you want, 360 degrees.  It's kinda like a crane...just way simpler.  Could you bolt a swing lift on the porch that could lift her weight.  Seems like I even saw one in a swimteam supply magazine for coaches.  Just a thought...if you are at all interested, I can see if I can get the coach of the other team to take a snapshot or send some info about it.Last edited by smithboy; 01-11-2006 at 11:00 PM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:smithboy, my mom?   on a swing? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(gasp for air)HAHAHA. I got all the animal genes, she has trouble saying the word "height". Cool sounding idea tho-might make one for my 16yr old daughter. Thanks for the thought and the laugh........ JohnnyWeld, thanks for the reply. I'l pass on the lift(and the Browns do suck )because pops might have a line on one in Sac. But thanks to all who helped. It is nice to be able to talk to weldors when you need to.
Reply:Yeah, something that looks similar to a catapult might not be the BEST alternative for someone with a heart condition...She might get the wrong idea.  It probably needs to LOOK as reliable as it performs.  I hadn't thought of that before...Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:A small utility winch motor would work. I have a superwinch 3000lb one on the bed of my truck to pull heavy stuff up on the flat bed I made. This should work. Now all you have to do is draw, design and built a platform that will "lift" up and down. The good thing about the winch is that it works both ways. The only bad side is that it is 12 volt and not 120AC. This might give you an idea though.T.J.www.tjsperformance.com
Reply:Thank for the ideas guys. I think this has been back burnered, but I do appreciate the help.