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Large sheets of wood, metal, or glass are difficult to hold with both hands. You can hardly wrap your hands around a sizeable panel to lift and carry it. And when working with small panels such as tiles and marble tops, it is challenging to line them up if you grab them by the edges. But you can solve these problems using a suction cup lifter.
In this article, we shall explore suction cup lifters a.k.a vacuum lifters, and some of the best options in the market. But first, what is a suction cup lifter?
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What is a Suction Cup Lifter and How Does It Work?
A suction cup lifter a.k.a vacuum suction cup or vacuum lifter is a device that uses negative pressure to attach to a flat non-porous surface such as glass, tiles, metal sheets, and some wood boards.
This tool has a rubber or silicon concave shape (cup) and a handle on the back that acts as a grip. You attach it to an object by pumping out the air in the rubber cups to create a negative pressure that results in a strong suction that secures the object on the vacuum lifter. The handle of the suction cup lifter acts as your grip.
Types of Suction Cup Lifters
Portable suction cup lifters come in two varieties: manual and electric.
Electric suction lifters utilize a battery-powered pump to generate the suction force needed to hold objects securely.
On the other hand, manual suction cup lifters require you to apply pressure by pushing the suction cup against the object to create negative pressure and form the suction seal on the object.
Uses
A suction lifter offers a convenient and reliable grip on flat surfaces. It turns a two-man job of handling large panels into a one-man job.
Some of the industries where vacuum lifters are useful include construction, glazing, and remodeling industries.
1. Glazing and Construction
Glaziers or glass cutters use suction lifters to hold fragile glass panes and marble slabs securely when cutting or handling them.
Similarly, carpenters and handymen in the construction industry find vacuum lifters to easily lift and manipulate large panels such as drywall, gypsum wood, MDF, and plywood.
2. Tiling
When tiling, a vacuum gripper can be incredibly handy for lifting and placing tiles. It enables you to grasp the tiles firmly by their faces and place them with great control. This gadget also makes easy the job of getting old tiles out and new ones in. Remodellers love it!
Personally, I cannot think of another way to get a vanity mirror off the wall without a suction cup lifter. It also makes a breeze the work of carrying and installing large glass windows.
3. Landscaping & Flooring
And if you are a landscaper, I dont see how you can effectively get by the job of installing outdoor tiles without a vacuum cup lifter. You can use it to pick up paver tiles and flat stones with one hand.
But more importantly, a vacuum lifter helps you lay the paver tiles with very good control without disturbing the leveling sand.
4. Autobody
Another application of hand-held vacuum lifters that is rather unconventional is to pull a dent out of a car. As an autobody mechanic, you might want to keep an inexpensive unit in your toolbox for quick dent fixes.
How To Choose The Best Suction Cup Lifter | Buying Guide
Consider the following essential factors when choosing the best suction cup lifter for your needs.
1. Dual-cup or Single Cup?
When choosing a suction cup lifter, consider whether you need a dual-cup or single-cup design.
Dual-cup lifters typically offer more lifting power and stability as they distribute the load across two cups. They are ideal for handling larger and heavier objects.
On the other hand, single-cup lifters are more compact and suitable for lighter tasks.
First, assess your lifting needs and the weight of the materials you plan to handle to determine which type of cup configuration would be most appropriate for your applications.
2. Manual or Electric?
Another crucial consideration is whether you prefer a manual or electric suction cup lifter.
Electric suction lifters are powered by batteries and utilize a pump mechanism to create the necessary vacuum force automatically. No manual pumping!
They offer convenience and ease of use, making them suitable for prolonged use. They also offer better control over the suction force exerted and they also work with rough surfaces such as wood and bathroom/outdoor tiles.
However, battery powered vacuum lifters are bulkier and require charging or battery replacement. They are also fairly noisy because of the running motor.
Conversely, manual suction cup lifters rely on your physical force to create the suction seal. While they may require more effort to operate, they are often lighter and more versatile. Unfortunately, they strictly work with smooth clean surfaces.
You can choose between manual and electric depending on your preference for convenience, frequency of use, materials you handle, and the level of physical effort you are willing to exert.
3. Handle type / Grip:
The handle or grip of the suction cup lifter is essential for comfortable and secure operation. Look for a lifter with an ergonomic handle that provides a firm and comfortable grip.
Handles with non-slip materials or designs can prevent accidental slips during use, ensuring your safety and reducing fatigue during prolonged tasks.
Consider the shape and size of the handle to ensure it fits comfortably in your hand, allowing for better control and maneuverability.
4. Lift Capacity / Holding force
Lifting capacity is a critical factor to assess when choosing a suction cup lifter. Each lifter model has the maximum weight it can lift and hold safely.
Verify the load capacity of the suction cup lifter and match it to the weight of the materials you intend to lift.
Bottom line, I suggest selecting a lifter with a load capacity that exceeds the weight of the objects you plan to handle. This will ensure safe and reliable lifting operations.
There you go!
By evaluating dual-cup or single-cup options, deciding between manual and electric lifters, examining the handle design, and ensuring the appropriate load capacity, you can find the most suitable suction cup lifter for your needs.
The following are our top choices!
Best Vacuum Suction Cup Lifters
Nemo Grabo Electric Vacuum Suction Cup Lifter – Best Overall
Key Features
Handle: Textured grip
Maximum lifting capacity: 375 lbs (170 kgs)
Single or Dual Cup: Single cup
Manual or Electric: Electric
Nemo Grabo is one of the most popular portable electric vacuum suction cup lifters. It is compact and versatile. You can use it with many materials including glass, marble, wood, and metal sheets.
What stands out about this model (GRABO PRO-LIFTER 20) is that it has an automatic on/off suction detector with a digital pressure gauge. The pump comes on and off automatically to maintain the suction pressure. This makes it a perfect suction lifter for use with surfaces that are rough such as plywood, drywall, and paver tiles.
Although you can use the Grabo electric vacuum cup to lift up to 170 Kg of material, this maximum load capacity is only possible with glass. For other materials, these are the maximum lift capacities as per the tests:
Metal: 242lbs Plastic: 220lbs Wood: 220lbs Ceramic Tile: 375lbs Rough Concrete: 176lbs Dry Wall: 165lbs Rough Slate: 176lbs. Tested Parallel Hold: Glass: 265lbs Metal: 242lbs Plastic: 220lbs Wood: 143lbs Ceramic Tile: 265lbs Rough Concrete: 176lbs Dry Wall: 143lbs Rough Slate: 176lbs.
This unit comes with one battery and one seal. It is an upgrade to the older model (NEMO GRABO Classic Model no. NG-2B-FB-2S) that did not have an automatic vacuum pump but came with 2 batteries and 2 seals. Both units come with a nice fabric carry bag.
You can use the Grabo vacuum lifter for many jobs but it stands out in flooring and landscaping jobs where materials might not be mirror smooth.
IMT Suction Cup Glass Lifter- Best for Glass
Key Features
Handle type: Metal
Lifting capacity: 176 lbs – 660 lbs
Single or Dual Cup: Single suction cup
Manual or Electric: Manual
The IMT suction lifter has a single circular cup. It uses a manual pump to create the suction force. This unit is well-built and offers great suction for glass.
It is extremely easy to operate. You just place the unit on a flat surface and ensure a perfect seal. Then pump the plunger a few times to build negative pressure. If the seal is perfect, the unit can hold the material until you release the pressure. Provided you don’t exceed the load capacity.
The load capacity for glass is around 500 lbs. A friend of mine used it on 5ft x 2.5ft glass windows and the tool held them in place securely without slippage or losing suction.
But I don’t find it safe to handle large and bulky glass panels alone. I recommend finding a helper so that you can use two suction cups to handle the glass panels and other bulky panels more safely.
The size of the cup on this unit is 8″ but you can get other sizes including 10″ and 12″ that offer more suction force.
The unit comes with a hard plastic storage case for safe storage and easy transportation.
The IMT is ideal for working on glass, smooth plastic, sheet steel, bathroom partitions, smooth laminate, and any smooth surfaces.
FCHO Dual Cup Suction Lifter – Best Value for Money
Key Features
Handle type: Textured aluminum grip
Maximum lifting capacity: 200lbs per cup
Single or Dual Cup: Dual cup
Manual or Electric: Manual
The FCHO suction cup lifting device is one of the best manual vacuum lifters with double suction cups. The cups are 12 inches apart and have a 4.6″ diameter.
This unit is made of aluminum, making it lightweight yet heavy-duty. It offers amazing holding power on the right surface.
But unlike the IMT suction gripper that has a manual pump, the FCHO pair uses clamp levers to drive out air from the suction cups and create suction force. It might not be the best design but levers have decent travel, resulting in great holding power.
To use it, you simply press the cups against the surface of the object you want to lift and press down the two locks. But you must make sure the surface is smooth and clean to avoid loss of suction power.
Overall, the FCHO dual vacuum cup lifter works great and offers the best value for money in its class. It grips tight and you can even break the rubber seal with your fingernail.
It is the best budget suction lifter for thick glasses such as shower glass, glass doors, vanity mirrors, glass table tops, and smooth floor tiles. You can also use it to grip large appliances such as dishwasher and washing machine and move them effortlessly around the house.
Furthermore, you can still use the FCHO pair to install single-pane glasses. However, you must control the holding force to avoid shattering the glass at full suction force. I find starting the clamping levers partially before putting the suction cups on the glass to work well. It relieves some of the suction force, preventing your flimsy glass from breaking.
Final Words
In general, you need a hand-held vacuum cup lifter for safely handling sheet materials. This gadget provides a secure and stable grip on smooth and non-porous surfaces like glass, metal, granite, and marble. It is the perfect tool for handling glass doors, tiles, glass table tops during placement or removal.
Portable suction cup lifters also enable you to handle heavy and bulky panels effectively, reducing the need for additional manpower. They also prevent injuries by reducing physical strain. And most importantly, a vacuum lifter can increase your productivity if you use it effectively.
Depending on your budget and application, you choose the most suitable unit from our top choices above.
The Grabo electric vacuum lifter is the best overall, offering great suction force even on rough surfaces. Unfortunately, it is not cheap!
On the other hand, the FCHO pair is one of the simplest and least expensive double cup vacuum lifters but only works on mirror-smooth surfaces.
The IMT also works on smooth and clean surfaces only but has a very efficient manual pump mechanism for creating negative pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best handheld suction cup lifter for rough surfaces?
The Grabo vacuum lifter with automatic pump is the most suitable for lifting panels with rough surfaces because it has an automatic vacuum pump to restore vacuum pressure when it is insufficient. It is the best hand held suction lifter for materials such as drywall and concrete.
