Drywall jacks, or stands, are used to elevate drywall so it can be installed on the ceiling. The tools can be rented for a small fee from most hardware stores or you can build one from scrap materials. The basic drywall stand has an H-shaped top to set the drywall on, plus a long beam about 1 foot shorter than the height of the ceiling joists. It uses a standard car jack for lift.
Instructions
1. Cut a pair of 2-by-4 beams to 4 feet in length. Cut one 2-by-4 beam to 2 feet in length. Cut two beams to 12 inches long with 45-degree mitered ends, with the longer side being the 12 inches.
2. Assemble the two 4-foot-long beams and the one 2-foot-long beam into an H-pattern with the 4-inch sides of the beams standing vertically and the 2-inch edges sitting on the ground.
3. Drill two 3-inch wood screws through each outer, 4-foot piece and into the 2-foot-long beam connecting the ends.
4. Attach the H-joint--a piece of metal in the shape of an H that connects one 2-by-4 to another--to the center of the 2-foot beam, using 1.5-inch wood screws. Set the remaining 6-foot beam into the H-joint and attach the joint to the beam with 1.5-inch wood screws. Stand the 6-foot beam straight up from the H-structure, with the 4-by-2-inch end pressed against the 2-foot beam.
5. Attach the mitered beams to opposite sides of the vertical 6-foot beam so the mitered beam's angled ends are flush with the 2-foot beam on one end and the 6-foot beam on the other. Drive 3-inch wood screws through the mitered beams into the 6-foot and 2-foot wooden beams.
Tips Warnings
Flip the stand over and set the end of the 6-foot beam on top of a car jack while someone else loads a sheet of drywall onto the H-structure. Jack the structure up to the ceiling until the piece is held in place by pressure. You should be able to let go of the beam as the friction will hold the stand vertical. However, you should still hold onto it to prevent the stand from toppling over. To build a stable stand, add a second H-structure and attach it to the base of the stand. The stand then will remain up on its own, but will be difficult to elevate.
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