Help me haul this heavy computer up into my attic
September 8, 2014 2:53 AM Subscribe
I recently moved into a new flat which has a (mostly) finished attic space. I’d love to use this room as a study – but there’s a problem. I have a large and very heavy desktop computer, and the only way into the room is up an extendible ladder...
Here’s a photo of the attic opening from above...
And here’s one from below, showing the ladder and what little space I have to work with here.
How would YOU go about getting a heavy and fragile (and expensive) desktop computer tower up this ladder?
I’ve considered some sort of electric winch or manual pulley block. This seems like a hassle-free solution, and I even bought a pulley block. But the problem is, there’s nowhere in the attic to mount it to. The walls are finished plaster. We rent the place – so I can’t go around screwing things into the ceiling.
To counteract this, I’ve considered building an ‘n’ shaped scaffolding frame over the opening, and attaching the pulley or winch to the mid-point. But the thing is, I’ve never built anything with scaffolding before, and wouldn’t know where to start getting the gear or making it safe. Is this at all feasible, and if so, how should I go about doing it?
Beyond that, I’ve considered getting some sort of cargo sling or tarp (and if you can recommend a specific item, please do), securing it around the desktop, attaching it to some sturdy rope, and just hauling it up from above with the help of a strong man (I can probably find at least one strong-ish man to help) and someone else guiding it from below. But this seems a little risky to both computer and men, and not particularly elegant.
The last option, to my mind, is dismantling the computer and bringing it up to the attic in pieces. But I’ve never opened a computer in my life and wouldn’t really know where to start. I suppose I could hire some geek to help me do so – but I’d rather avoid the hassle. If this really is the best solution, where could I find an amenable and trustworthy nerd?
So – what would you do? Are any of my plans actually feasible? How should someone who is as laughably weak, inexperienced and un-handy as myself go about hauling a heavy, expensive and fragile load into the attic?
If it’s useful, I can provide extra photographs or measurements of the computer, the attic opening and height etc. (but not weights as I don’t have a set of scales).
Here’s a photo of the attic opening from above...
And here’s one from below, showing the ladder and what little space I have to work with here.
How would YOU go about getting a heavy and fragile (and expensive) desktop computer tower up this ladder?
I’ve considered some sort of electric winch or manual pulley block. This seems like a hassle-free solution, and I even bought a pulley block. But the problem is, there’s nowhere in the attic to mount it to. The walls are finished plaster. We rent the place – so I can’t go around screwing things into the ceiling.
To counteract this, I’ve considered building an ‘n’ shaped scaffolding frame over the opening, and attaching the pulley or winch to the mid-point. But the thing is, I’ve never built anything with scaffolding before, and wouldn’t know where to start getting the gear or making it safe. Is this at all feasible, and if so, how should I go about doing it?
Beyond that, I’ve considered getting some sort of cargo sling or tarp (and if you can recommend a specific item, please do), securing it around the desktop, attaching it to some sturdy rope, and just hauling it up from above with the help of a strong man (I can probably find at least one strong-ish man to help) and someone else guiding it from below. But this seems a little risky to both computer and men, and not particularly elegant.
The last option, to my mind, is dismantling the computer and bringing it up to the attic in pieces. But I’ve never opened a computer in my life and wouldn’t really know where to start. I suppose I could hire some geek to help me do so – but I’d rather avoid the hassle. If this really is the best solution, where could I find an amenable and trustworthy nerd?
So – what would you do? Are any of my plans actually feasible? How should someone who is as laughably weak, inexperienced and un-handy as myself go about hauling a heavy, expensive and fragile load into the attic?
If it’s useful, I can provide extra photographs or measurements of the computer, the attic opening and height etc. (but not weights as I don’t have a set of scales).
This single female's way of moving most stuff alone is to slide it.
So in the past, when moving heavy and/or fragile and/or large items into/out of attics using these ladders, I have been known to slide the object up or down the ladder, with me supporting the weight from underneath with one hand/part of my body.
So in this case I'd take the tower and rest it against the ladder on its side, so it lies flusch against he ladder and the weight is supported by me from underneath. Then I'd slide it up the ladder as I step up the ladder. You can use the ladder's handrail as guiderail.
As the top of the object comes over the top of the ladder you have to start to pivot the object over the top of the ladder. Do this as soon as you have a couple of inches over the top of the ladder so you can then slide it onto the attic floor, you don't want it to tip over onto the floor in an uncontrolled way.
Works with most things. Main problem I could see here may be monitor, if it's not a flat screen.
posted by koahiatamadl at 3:14 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
So in the past, when moving heavy and/or fragile and/or large items into/out of attics using these ladders, I have been known to slide the object up or down the ladder, with me supporting the weight from underneath with one hand/part of my body.
So in this case I'd take the tower and rest it against the ladder on its side, so it lies flusch against he ladder and the weight is supported by me from underneath. Then I'd slide it up the ladder as I step up the ladder. You can use the ladder's handrail as guiderail.
As the top of the object comes over the top of the ladder you have to start to pivot the object over the top of the ladder. Do this as soon as you have a couple of inches over the top of the ladder so you can then slide it onto the attic floor, you don't want it to tip over onto the floor in an uncontrolled way.
Works with most things. Main problem I could see here may be monitor, if it's not a flat screen.
posted by koahiatamadl at 3:14 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
It's hard to say without seeing the computer, but I'd just pack the computer as if I was moving it - in a box with styrofoam etc. - and get the help of several people to push it up from below or sliding up against the ladder while someone above grabs it. The box also protects the walls/ladder from scratches.
posted by vacapinta at 3:16 AM on September 8, 2014
posted by vacapinta at 3:16 AM on September 8, 2014
Response by poster: Not to threadsit, but just to clear up a couple of things - the attic opening is rather narrow, and the box I used to move the computer is too wide to fit through it. The computer itself would fit if it were carried upright - but in the box, it lays flat.
You'll also notice in the photograph that the ladder has these annoying metal support struts which would prevent anything wider than the ladder from being slid up it.
The computer is very heavy. I can lift it to waist height, but it's way too heavy to get over my head. One person cannot easily push it up from below and there isn't the space for more than one person. That's why I think hauling it up from above is a better option - the ikea bag would actually be perfect and I'd be willing to give that a try. If anybody can sell me one and send it by first-class post, let me know by PM.
Still open to other suggestions though, particularly ideas for the ad-hoc mounting of a winch or pulley. The thing is SO SO heavy and I don't want to risk dropping it at all, if I can help it.
posted by Ted Maul at 3:23 AM on September 8, 2014
You'll also notice in the photograph that the ladder has these annoying metal support struts which would prevent anything wider than the ladder from being slid up it.
The computer is very heavy. I can lift it to waist height, but it's way too heavy to get over my head. One person cannot easily push it up from below and there isn't the space for more than one person. That's why I think hauling it up from above is a better option - the ikea bag would actually be perfect and I'd be willing to give that a try. If anybody can sell me one and send it by first-class post, let me know by PM.
Still open to other suggestions though, particularly ideas for the ad-hoc mounting of a winch or pulley. The thing is SO SO heavy and I don't want to risk dropping it at all, if I can help it.
posted by Ted Maul at 3:23 AM on September 8, 2014
I don't think your strong friend is likely to have much trouble with this at all. They can carry it piece by piece (by which I mean, tower, monitor, etc) with one hand while steadying themselves on the ladder with their other hand. If you have strength or balance problems then you might be assuming that anyone else would need 2 hands to carry such a weight too, but it's not so.
posted by jon1270 at 3:32 AM on September 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by jon1270 at 3:32 AM on September 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Alternatively, strap it your front... or back if it will fit.
posted by taff at 3:35 AM on September 8, 2014
posted by taff at 3:35 AM on September 8, 2014
The computer is very heavy. I can lift it to waist height, but it's way too heavy to get over my head. One person cannot easily push it up from below and there isn't the space for more than one person.
Just to clarify - it doesn't need to go over your head. You just stop it from sliding down below your waist or thereabouts and keep it level as your legs lift you and computer up each step of the ladder. But whatever feels most comfortable to you.
Also, nthing friend who's comfortable on ladders.
posted by koahiatamadl at 3:42 AM on September 8, 2014
Just to clarify - it doesn't need to go over your head. You just stop it from sliding down below your waist or thereabouts and keep it level as your legs lift you and computer up each step of the ladder. But whatever feels most comfortable to you.
Also, nthing friend who's comfortable on ladders.
posted by koahiatamadl at 3:42 AM on September 8, 2014
Response by poster: Here's the thing, though - I'm trying to be as clear as I can without pictures - if I had the longest side of the computer against the ladder, it would be too wide to get through the opening and at any rate, it wouldn't get past the metal struts I mentioned earlier. It would need to have the longest side pointing towards my body, and there's no way anybody could lean far enough back on the ladder to accommodate that.
This is not a standard office-sized desktop - it's a very large gaming computer. You would need exceptionally long and flexible arms to secure it with one hand, even if strength wasn't an issue. I'll get some measurements tonight.
posted by Ted Maul at 3:48 AM on September 8, 2014
This is not a standard office-sized desktop - it's a very large gaming computer. You would need exceptionally long and flexible arms to secure it with one hand, even if strength wasn't an issue. I'll get some measurements tonight.
posted by Ted Maul at 3:48 AM on September 8, 2014
Does the skylight open? If so, could you run rope up through the attic opening and out through the window, so that someone outside on the ground can haul while you're on the steps keeping it properly aligned as it moves upwards, and then you just have to shoulder it up the last few inches to the attic floor?
posted by XMLicious at 3:56 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by XMLicious at 3:56 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
Still open to other suggestions though, particularly ideas for the ad-hoc mounting of a winch or pulley.
I still suspect this is unnecessary, but you could mount a pulley to a board (I want to say a 2x4, but I don't know what comparable lumber is called in the UK) laid across the opening, and haul each part up to the height of the top of the ladder, to be finally grabbed and lifted the last bit from above. A ratcheting mechanism for the rope would be nice -- probably some piece of climbing or sailboat hardware, but those aren't my specialties.
posted by jon1270 at 4:29 AM on September 8, 2014
I still suspect this is unnecessary, but you could mount a pulley to a board (I want to say a 2x4, but I don't know what comparable lumber is called in the UK) laid across the opening, and haul each part up to the height of the top of the ladder, to be finally grabbed and lifted the last bit from above. A ratcheting mechanism for the rope would be nice -- probably some piece of climbing or sailboat hardware, but those aren't my specialties.
posted by jon1270 at 4:29 AM on September 8, 2014
I would dismantle it and reassemble it in the attic. It's not very difficult - the only tools you need are standard screwdrivers and possibly an anti static wristband if you're feeling fancy.
You don't have to disassemble it entirely. I'd hazard a guess that the case itself is very heavy (mine is) - so if you unscrew the motherboard from the case and disconnect the power and hard drives, carry the mobo up, then carry the rest of it up, it should be okay. Take pictures of everything you disconnect (before you disconnect it) if you're unsure and you should be able to put it back together without problems.
Alternatively: ask around your friends for anyone who's poked around the innards of a computer before. There's probably several.
posted by Xany at 4:45 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
You don't have to disassemble it entirely. I'd hazard a guess that the case itself is very heavy (mine is) - so if you unscrew the motherboard from the case and disconnect the power and hard drives, carry the mobo up, then carry the rest of it up, it should be okay. Take pictures of everything you disconnect (before you disconnect it) if you're unsure and you should be able to put it back together without problems.
Alternatively: ask around your friends for anyone who's poked around the innards of a computer before. There's probably several.
posted by Xany at 4:45 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
One of those blue IKEA shopping bags would work as the tarp you are thinking of. They are pretty strong and have handles
Someone taking the weight in the attic with rope and the other of the ladder to lift would work
This with two people. The person below guides it and takes some of the weight, the person above takes the rest of the weight. It will really not be that heavy for the person in the attic as they can lift with their legs.
Other than that, taking a computer apart is far, far easier than you think it is. Most things in a computer are *not* heavy so it's probably one or two components that are heavy so it won't be a box of random pieces (as you are likely imagining) but the box and two-three heavy things.
All this talk of pulleys and frames is distracting you and it seems like you have - one some level - convinced yourself this will be really complicated. You're over thinking it and the two answers above are the best and easiest ones.
posted by Brockles at 4:53 AM on September 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Someone taking the weight in the attic with rope and the other of the ladder to lift would work
This with two people. The person below guides it and takes some of the weight, the person above takes the rest of the weight. It will really not be that heavy for the person in the attic as they can lift with their legs.
Other than that, taking a computer apart is far, far easier than you think it is. Most things in a computer are *not* heavy so it's probably one or two components that are heavy so it won't be a box of random pieces (as you are likely imagining) but the box and two-three heavy things.
All this talk of pulleys and frames is distracting you and it seems like you have - one some level - convinced yourself this will be really complicated. You're over thinking it and the two answers above are the best and easiest ones.
posted by Brockles at 4:53 AM on September 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
I would carry your computer upstairs in a flash. Using a block and fall just seems like making it too complex. So if I can't help (and I can't, no current plans for going to the UK) perhaps just hiring a single mover for a few hours.... Here that would cost less than $200 and you could have him help with all sorts of other stuff.
posted by chasles at 4:53 AM on September 8, 2014
posted by chasles at 4:53 AM on September 8, 2014
People glibly talking about taking computers apart have clearly never got up close and personal with a high end gaming rig. If it's too heavy to haul up a ladder by hand, it's probably water cooled and god knows what. I fix computers for a living, and I would not even contemplate system disassembly as a solution for this problem.
Given the constraints as described, I'd probably be looking for a small, lightweight aluminium step ladder that I could use to straddle the opening and hang my pulley block from. And I'd have a second person up in the attic to receive the machine and pull it sideways once it got to height.
posted by flabdablet at 5:03 AM on September 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Given the constraints as described, I'd probably be looking for a small, lightweight aluminium step ladder that I could use to straddle the opening and hang my pulley block from. And I'd have a second person up in the attic to receive the machine and pull it sideways once it got to height.
posted by flabdablet at 5:03 AM on September 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, I would not be relying on an Ikea bag for a sling. I'd tie the thing up like a parcel, which would also make it easier to grab up top.
posted by flabdablet at 5:12 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 5:12 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
Another option: leave the gaming rig in the corridor below, and run 5 metre VGA and USB cables up through the hatch.
posted by flabdablet at 5:21 AM on September 8, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 5:21 AM on September 8, 2014 [6 favorites]
Similar to your scaffolding idea, but simpler:
Get a relatively sturdy pole and lay it across the opening at the top. (Broom? Thick wooden dowel? If you have a long metal pole like the one holding up my shower caddy, that might be your best bet.)
Put the computer in the IKEA bag (or similar), tie it to a rope, throw end of rope over the sturdy pole.
While standing below, yank on free end of the rope to raise the computer up to the top of the opening. Have someone positioned in the attic to pull it the last few feet to safety.
posted by lizzicide at 5:45 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
Get a relatively sturdy pole and lay it across the opening at the top. (Broom? Thick wooden dowel? If you have a long metal pole like the one holding up my shower caddy, that might be your best bet.)
Put the computer in the IKEA bag (or similar), tie it to a rope, throw end of rope over the sturdy pole.
While standing below, yank on free end of the rope to raise the computer up to the top of the opening. Have someone positioned in the attic to pull it the last few feet to safety.
posted by lizzicide at 5:45 AM on September 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
the attic opening is rather narrow, and the box I used to move the computer is too wide to fit through it. The computer itself would fit if it were carried upright - but in the box, it lays flat.
I have carried a tower case by wrapping a Velcro strap with a handle around it.
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:58 AM on September 8, 2014
I have carried a tower case by wrapping a Velcro strap with a handle around it.
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:58 AM on September 8, 2014
There is no gaming computer on earth that I could not carry up that ladder. Roofers carry much more awkward and heavy loads up ladders all the time. Find your strongest, longest-armed man-friend and have him carry it up.
posted by Sternmeyer at 6:33 AM on September 8, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Sternmeyer at 6:33 AM on September 8, 2014 [4 favorites]
Yeah, strong friends. They won't be fragile. Alternatively the idea to leave the body of the computer downstairs and have the monitor/keyboard upstairs with appropriate wiring is nifty.
posted by glasseyes at 7:42 AM on September 8, 2014
posted by glasseyes at 7:42 AM on September 8, 2014
If you decide to use a block and tackle. First, get a rig with a mechanical advantage (I.e. not just a single block) and some sort of cleat or jamming arrangement. Second go to the home improvement store and get a kit of parts plus wood to make a sawhorse. Figure how to make the tallest sawhorse you can that will stand oner the opening. Test it with your weight, not over the opening. Place the sawhorse over the opening and use it as the attachment for the b&t. Using some sort of canvas sling sound better than just rope around the box. I expect that after you get the box hoisted through the hatch you will have a "what now?" moment trying to get it onto the attic floor.
Hiring a strong man or using long cables both seem easier.
posted by SemiSalt at 8:21 AM on September 8, 2014
Hiring a strong man or using long cables both seem easier.
posted by SemiSalt at 8:21 AM on September 8, 2014
Have a person go up into the attic. Second person gets the computer up the ladder from below, resting it on each rung if necessary until it gets to the top (you don't lift the computer above your head, you lift it to the next rung). Upstairs person grabs the computer from the top (possibly via velcro handle/ikea bag/whatever) while downstairs person pushes from below.
How much does this thing actually weigh? I'm imagining like 60-70 pounds, maybe 30 kilos? I think you're overestimating how difficult this is. I'm an average-size woman with no particular claim to upper-body strength and I have put bookcases, boxes of books, microwave ovens, etc. into attics via ladders and although it's certainly not my favorite thing to do it is entirely doable.
posted by mskyle at 9:37 AM on September 8, 2014
How much does this thing actually weigh? I'm imagining like 60-70 pounds, maybe 30 kilos? I think you're overestimating how difficult this is. I'm an average-size woman with no particular claim to upper-body strength and I have put bookcases, boxes of books, microwave ovens, etc. into attics via ladders and although it's certainly not my favorite thing to do it is entirely doable.
posted by mskyle at 9:37 AM on September 8, 2014
You can get some quite good VGA cables in 5 and 10 metre lengths - they're made for use with data projectors and they don't mess up the signal too badly. But for a high-resolution gaming rig you're probably better off with an HDMI cable, possibly with HDMI/DVI-D adapters, instead of VGA.
USB should be no problem - there's a 5 metre maximum hub-to-hub limit on it but that should be plenty for going up one floor through a hatchway. You only need the one USB cable: put a powered 7-port hub upstairs and you can run your printer and optical drive and whatnot off that too.
If your audio stuff is analog rather than HDMI, I'd recommend a separate shielded audio cable over one of the hybrid DVI/audio assemblies - video cables radiate a fair bit of noise and if the audio cable is bundled in the same jacket you'll almost certainly hear some.
All fun and games. But cables, especially long ones, are irritatingly expensive - in your shoes I'd be spending half the cost of cables on beer for a strong friend :-)
posted by flabdablet at 9:44 AM on September 8, 2014
USB should be no problem - there's a 5 metre maximum hub-to-hub limit on it but that should be plenty for going up one floor through a hatchway. You only need the one USB cable: put a powered 7-port hub upstairs and you can run your printer and optical drive and whatnot off that too.
If your audio stuff is analog rather than HDMI, I'd recommend a separate shielded audio cable over one of the hybrid DVI/audio assemblies - video cables radiate a fair bit of noise and if the audio cable is bundled in the same jacket you'll almost certainly hear some.
All fun and games. But cables, especially long ones, are irritatingly expensive - in your shoes I'd be spending half the cost of cables on beer for a strong friend :-)
posted by flabdablet at 9:44 AM on September 8, 2014
Is that railing at the top screwed to a stud? Attach the pulley block to it with knots or a carabiner, then have one person in the attic pulling while another below guides the bag up the ladder rung-by-rung. The person below needs to be physically capable of balancing the computer on a rung should the system fail at some point, but even in that event, going down would be much safer and easier than going up.
posted by teremala at 9:49 AM on September 8, 2014
posted by teremala at 9:49 AM on September 8, 2014
Post a picture of the computer!
posted by amaire at 10:54 AM on September 8, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by amaire at 10:54 AM on September 8, 2014 [3 favorites]
Running data cables seems like a messy solution and, regardless of whether its internals are complicated by water-cooling, etc., I can't see that making it any easier. In any case, I want to nth the following:
There is no gaming computer on earth that I could not carry up that ladder. Roofers carry much more awkward and heavy loads up ladders all the time. Find your strongest, longest-armed man-friend and have him carry it up.
Any able-bodied neighbour or friend could easily do this. With two, it would be even easier. You could also employ a nearby man-and-van type for about a fiver.
posted by turkeyphant at 12:52 PM on September 8, 2014
There is no gaming computer on earth that I could not carry up that ladder. Roofers carry much more awkward and heavy loads up ladders all the time. Find your strongest, longest-armed man-friend and have him carry it up.
Any able-bodied neighbour or friend could easily do this. With two, it would be even easier. You could also employ a nearby man-and-van type for about a fiver.
posted by turkeyphant at 12:52 PM on September 8, 2014
I am a woman (a tall strong woman) and I think you are over thinking this. There is no "home computer" that is too heavy for me to carry up that ladder. Have your strongest friends over and ask them. My go to plan would be to grab a couple winch moving straps have a friend go up above me then I would push carry the computer above me as high as I could then have the friend lift it the rest of the way with the straps.
posted by saradarlin at 12:17 PM on September 9, 2014
posted by saradarlin at 12:17 PM on September 9, 2014
I'm also skeptical that the weight alone would be a substantial problem as long as there's nothing bizarre involved like a case built from marble or obsidian slabs or a coffee-table-sized rack-width server, but googling around it does appear that caution is frequently advised when moving water-cooled systems if that's what this is.
posted by XMLicious at 1:15 PM on September 9, 2014
posted by XMLicious at 1:15 PM on September 9, 2014
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Someone taking the weight in the attic with rope and the other of the ladder to lift would work
posted by MarvinJ at 3:13 AM on September 8, 2014 [4 favorites]