Anyone install a stair lift?
 

Looks like my parents will be moving in with my sister and will need a stair lift to negotiate the stairs. I'm responsible for finding one. There are a fair number of used units available on Craigslist. They will be have to be cut to length to fit the stairs. Has anyone here cut down an existing stair lift track to make it fit? I won't be doing it. My BIL will. How difficult is it?

I guess the question is how good you think he is. Before I go that route, I would ask a DME store to give you a quote for modification. Client I talked to hurt himself because his so and so tried what you are doing and didn't do it quite right. Not sure of the details but there it is.

End of track stop would have to be modified on one end I would expect. I have no knowledge of these devices other that they appear to be anchored on the stair treads.

The newer stair treads are particle board with a thin hardwood veneer so I would not just screw them down to this. Should be bolted with load spreaders. Otherwise should not be rocket science.

If a used one were purchased a really good mechanical inspection of the power system that is used to provide movement should be done. Perhaps periodically as well. Also there should be a website describing the various brands pros and cons. I can almost see one slamming into the bottom stop if a mechanical failure occurred.

I thought about installing one for the tired out women that want to return to the first floor of the house in my dreams. :D Unfortunatly there is no need of one.

I found the mfg website with instructions on how to shorten them. Barry, you're right. The bottom end is to be shortened. Doesn't look too difficult.

This is exactly why Dumbwaiters were invented.

It might not be IF you are good at doing that. They do it all day long when they install a stair lift. BUT, if you screw up anything like with my client, you can find yourself on the floor with a broken hip. So unless the potential for saving is huge, I'd have a professional install it. In my work, I've seen some installs for grab bars that were installed poorly. YMMV

We have a chair lift in our carriage house that we installed for my mother in law when she lived there. Cutting the track is not the difficult part, working with the wiring harness which has to follow the chair up and down is the tricky part. I'd check and see if I could get a pro to do the installation if it were me. Might not cost too much. Maybe $500? Getting it all done right with the wiring shortened professionally would be nice. Saving the cost of buying a complete installation new would be nice.

The instructions do give directions for shortening the wiring harness as part of the process. I'll have to take a close look once I purchase one and make a decision.

So, are you OK with people on this list ( with minimal mechanical skills ) that change steering tie rods / brake hoses?

I've sewn my own lifejacket. :)

I'm pretty sure Mr. Lim would argue that the sky is neon green and it's right that the sky is that color given the opportunity.

Was that before or after he took the brown acid? Or visited Studio 54?