what sort of lifter are you after? the panel type for ceilings or the foot type for wall boards?
If it's a diy job do you need a panel lifter?
I knock up some dead mans props ( http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Dead_man_prop ) to hold the board in place, if you use smaller boards you can handle them yourself, I stupidly handle 8X4 on my own without problems. But I would not advise that it is best to have a spare pair hands, if you can muster up someone to help.
It will save you the cost of buying a piece equipment that your likely to use only once or twice then it's hanging around doing nothing.
You can also buy extendable props for about £10-15 each.
Aren't there any local lads that would give you a lift for a bit of cash in the hand?
Is there not a hire shop on Malta?
I have seen that video before, quite inventive but by the time you have built the contraption, you could have your ceiling up! I still go with the dead man props and a hop up!
Jason - get a pair of Boardmate drywall board support tools ... £8 each. They're special brackets (small) that clip with a single screw to the ceiling joists, the plasteboard is then angled up to hook into the brackets (this is a VERY easy one man job 'cos all you are doing is tilting the p/board up), the lower end of the p/board being held in your hands is raised to it's final position by you stepping up onto a builder's trestle, it's now held up by one hand (or using a dead man's prop) whilst you fix the p/board in position with a couple of drywall screws. You then insert the rest of the screws. Finally you unclip the 2 Boardmates and reposition them for the next sheet - the clever design allows for the correct gap for adjacent sheets.
I got mine about 5 years ago - these things are a brilliant aid to one man p/board fixing!!! An 8 x 4 sheet can be lifted to the ceiling, positioned and then fixed in maybe 5 mins.
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