DIY Dumbwaiter
Carpentry, Garage and Storage, Interior, Video by Danny Lipford
Danny constructs a simple dumbwaiter using a garage door opener. Unlike expensive commercial models, this dumbwaiter only cost around $300, and it’s great for moving groceries when your garage is on a level below your house.
46 Comments on “DIY Dumbwaiter”
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July 29th, 2007 at 11:06
Do you have a drawing of what parts are used and how they are installed? Also how about any elevator laws that would apply.
August 30th, 2007 at 13:53
I LOVED this idea. Was additional track added to reach the upper floor? Does it have to be in a closet? Could the lower part just be open on the sides?
October 22nd, 2007 at 22:56
Where can we buy/get the plans on how to do something like this?
November 5th, 2007 at 01:25
We live in a townhome where space is limited-
what is the minimum space required to install
the dumbwaiter? We would possibly be using the powder room.
December 29th, 2007 at 14:00
What about fire walls? Fire could travel from the garage to the second floor?
January 5th, 2008 at 13:45
Hi Danny how did you extend the door opener rail past 8′?
January 31st, 2008 at 05:38
sir.
I loved this idea. too. Where can I buy parts(accessories)? . Where can I get the plans on how to do something like this?
please help me. I want to get a design dawing and orhers(accessories name. etc…).
thank you.
from korea
March 9th, 2008 at 03:35
Do you have plans/spec available?
Thanks.
March 24th, 2008 at 20:49
Where can we buy/get the plans on how to do something like this?
March 26th, 2008 at 16:16
From what I took from the video itself it seemed to be a simple installation of a garage door opener, attached to a home made “tray” if you will. Fire of course is always a worry however, that is just one more reason to make sure you have those batteries checked on a regular basis for those of yoiu that don’t have a home security system that notifies a security company. Myself living in a three story home I will give this idea alot of thought, since my son moved out three years ago and my husband isnt always home to help me carry in groceries it would be a godsend. I think the suppplies needed could be purchased at any home center.
March 26th, 2008 at 16:21
AL: The parts and sizes would be different for everyone since the size of the opening, closet or what have you would be different for every home owner. Therefore it would have to be adapted to your own specifications. I have a pantry in my kitchen that I no longer use that is nothing more than a “closet”. It is directly above the laundry room which is attached to the garage and the door that opens from the house to the garage is right there. So for me, that would be the ideal place to put it. I would build a “tray” the size of the opening I made in the floor of my pantry, ( or a little smaller so as not to get stuck) with high edges to hold grocery bags and the like and then attach that to the garage door system. Anyone ever wonder why they were called dumb waiters and not stupid waitresses??? lol
April 11th, 2008 at 15:59
Deb T –
Dumb refers not to mental capacity, but to ability to speak. It does everything a waiter can do, but will not talk back – a “dumb” waiter.
May 13th, 2008 at 17:13
Iwould like all the specs and plans.How much weight can this carry?
May 16th, 2008 at 15:31
Where can I get basic plans for this dumb waiter, I know that it will have to be customized, but I am trying to build a dumbwaiter from my basement to my kitchen, I have recently become handicapped and can not carry things up the stairs.
July 10th, 2008 at 15:17
I am interested in getting basic plans for this dumb waiter. We are remodeling and have a contractor working now. I would like more information so that I could add this to our project. Please e-mail the cost and any information that I will need.
August 16th, 2008 at 20:34
I also would like a set of instructions/drawings for this project. Where can I obtain them?
K/R
Terry
September 2nd, 2008 at 13:07
So, where do we get the plans????
September 4th, 2008 at 12:16
How much weight will this dumbwaiter handle?
September 22nd, 2008 at 19:43
Any chance you can post or email the plans/specs?
October 16th, 2008 at 12:32
Do you have plans for the dumbwaiter project? Please Email a reply
October 20th, 2008 at 22:33
Hi, I have been searching for a DIY conveyor option to carry food and crockery etc. from our verandah to our dining area by the pool below. Your solution looks ideal. Any chance of receiving further details?
Thanks.
Fiona
January 4th, 2009 at 15:56
Dumbwaiters and stair lifts are regulated as elevators in Minnesota. As such, only a licensed installer can do the project. The system must be code approved and the installation must be inspected and approved. This DIY solution is clever and affordable, but I would hate to incur the liability of suggesting it. I doubt that suggesting you keep both closet doors locked is going to protect the inventor or the homeowner. Good luck.
January 6th, 2009 at 19:54
I think that is a great solution to a real problem. More people are hurt each year by going up and down stairs carrying stuff than most anything else. When ever you have children you need to add extra protection. Keeping the doors locked is a good safe idea.
I enjoyed reading this article and am thankful there are people that use the good sense God gave them to make their lives easier. Thanks for sharing a good idea.
And for those that are worried about being sued. Anyone at any time can sue you. It matters not what you have done to prevent it from happening. So don’t worry be happy!
Mark Jones
January 12th, 2009 at 10:29
I would like to try and use this idea to install a dumbwaiter.
If anyone has done this and has more information on how to do it could you please e-mail me information.
thanks
February 8th, 2009 at 04:46
It looks like folks have been requesting plans.materials lists/hints for building this dumbwaiter for a couple of years – has anyone received anything or come up with a solution? If so, can you share? Thanks!
February 8th, 2009 at 12:16
I am impressed with the dumb waiter, could you please contact me with more information.
March 27th, 2009 at 07:12
What is the weight/load capacity of a 1/3 hp garage door opener/dumbwaiter?
April 1st, 2009 at 20:40
can you send me plans?
April 2nd, 2009 at 19:00
Brilliant! I have allowed room for a dumbwaiter in the house I’ve just built and I wanted to use a roller door opener but your solution is many times simpler than mine. Can I get plans or more detailed instructions, please? Are there any electrical wiring issues?
Ian Cunningham
Ben Erickson Says:April 3rd, 2009 at 07:33
We do not have plans available as of now for the dumbwaiter, but hope to post them in the future.
April 12th, 2009 at 09:09
Hi:
It would be great to find plans that show even a “manual pulley system” with a platform. Where you can transfer say picnic supplies and food from an upstairs deck to a lower level. If anyone knows where to buy one or make one please email!
Thanks
Christine Hopko
July 17th, 2009 at 22:24
Hi,
I’d appreciate it if you could let me know the types of garage door openers that work the best, the weight carrying capacity, and plan details.
Thanks,
Brenda Deming
July 27th, 2009 at 13:11
I would like to have detailed plans of this project, soon if they are available.
September 15th, 2009 at 15:47
I don’t know why everyone is asking for plans, it looks as simple as pie. If you can install a garage door opener on the ceiling just turn it vertical and add a basket and your done. I am remodeling a master bathroom and included a laundry chute directly into the laundry room in the basement. I am now going to add this right next to it to bring finished laundry up.
Ben Erickson Says:September 16th, 2009 at 09:53
Hi James,
As you indicated, Danny said that the dumbwaiter he installed in his house, which is shown in the video, was not hard to do and didn’t require plans.
October 29th, 2009 at 09:54
Danny,
I had considered using a garage door opener to power a lift in my own home and was glad to find your article while doing my research. I assume it is better to use the quiet motor type opener. Did you use a chain drive or a screw drive? How did you create the stops? Are there any plans available for the eletricat components. I realize that every installation application will be different because of height and size ranges as well as weight constraints. Thanks for any information that you can provide.
December 20th, 2009 at 15:02
This should be called the lazywaiter lol
January 4th, 2010 at 09:18
Do you have a drawing of what parts are used and how they are installed? Also how about any elevator laws that would apply.
January 25th, 2010 at 11:31
I had thought of this idea for our beach house. I have the shaft in place, just need to construct the dumbwaiter. Do you have any plans, etc. I mainly wanted to know about the wiring, sensors, etc. Any idea of the weight restrictions with different hp units? We plan to transport groceries, platters of food, etc.
Thanks, Mike
February 28th, 2010 at 13:45
I belong to a group that is buying a commercial building and we are going to convert the building to a Animal Shelter. There are stairs to a mezzanine room that is huge and we would like to use it for storage for our annual Rummage Sales and our other fund raisers. How much weight can a dumbwaiter bear when constructed with a garage door opener? We store items in the plastic boxes you can buy at Wal Mart and wome of them can get very heavy.
February 28th, 2010 at 13:47
This type of dumbwaiter would be ideal if we can use it in our Animal Shelter.
April 2nd, 2010 at 09:58
I believe the very best solution, for true safety and convenience, is to invest in a product that is designed from the ground up to do this very job. A company in Oklahoma City saw the need for a economical home storage and transport lift and spent years designing and developing their product called Versa Lift specifically for this application. If you would like to see video demonstrations of this wonderful technology go to: http://www.bpghome.com for complete information
April 9th, 2010 at 17:05
Being disabled and having the garage in the basement is such a pain delivering groceries/garbage. I’m seriously thinking this garage/dumbwaiter is the way to go. Thanks!
April 23rd, 2010 at 21:35
can I get plans for this great idea
Ben Erickson Says:April 24th, 2010 at 08:54
Hi Kathi,
We do not have plans for the DIY Dumbwaiter, but Danny said that it’s not hard to figure out how to install it using a standard garage door opener. Thank you for your interest.
July 28th, 2010 at 22:08
Hi -
I too would like some kind of detailed plans. How do you build the shaft? How do you build the dumbwaiter car? How do you put it all together? What about safety features? I saw the response to Kathi, but based on the number of requests for plans it must not be quite as easy as it seems – especially for those of us who are not mechanically knowledgeable
I have friends who can help, but would love to have some plans to get started with. Any chance you could put together some kind of plans for those of us without a clue how to start?