small lightweight jack

These only have a stroke of about 6" or so, but perhaps something similar?

http://www.hyjacks.com/H21.HTM

Or a scissor jack

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200305253_200305253

Something like a desk dolly?

http://www.advancedhandling.com/dollies/moving_dollies.htm

Thanks for the reply,web site helped alot.

Again with the questions we come. What kind of furniture? Is it tall or top heavy like a refrigerator or bookcase? What kind of surface are you moving it over? Is it smooth and hard, carpeted, stairs, from one building to another, into a van?

I have already built 2 of these dollies that work together in lifting any load. It currently has a small 2 ton hydraulic bottle jack that works great but is sort of heavy. I'm thinking maybe a ratcheting type or even a smaller bottle jack. I'm looking for something really small that can lift 500 lbs. I dont need it to lift 2 tons. These will be marketed to move appliances and larger pieces of furniture like, book cases ,armoires,desks.

A large air bag between plates maybe? Lift could be had by attaching and air pump similar to that used for airbed?

One can already buy these "tools" from £1 shops.
(althought some do charge £2 or more.)

It's a simple tubular lever, usually with a small angle
(L shaped) piece at one end, which fits under the
furniture / item to lift, with a handle at the other end
of the lever. (pivot is close to L shape)

When the item is raised a few inches, by inserting the "L"
under the item and levering, a very small wheeled platform is
introduced under the item in various places. e.g. the corners.

They are quite useful. (did my back in once shifting a wardrobe)
because I did not use it. They look a bit "toy town" but work.

jt.

Have a free web page in seconds - on http://www.mfnb.at

do you know where i might look for such tools so that i can see if they would work on or with my device?

Thanks for your help.The web site looks good

You might look at Johnson bars or pry trucks. They have that general shape and function, but also have wheels.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF AIRBAGS WITH A PORTABLE BATTERY OPERATED COMPRESSOR

An air bag capable of lifting 12" would need to be about 24" square. The pressurizing would be very low and could be done with a small hand powered pump as only about 10 PSI would be needed. There is a problem with air bags though. They lack stability. As the contact area becomes smaller, the lifted object acts like it is balancing on a balloon. If you use an airbag type lift use diagonal straps to restrain it. Your plan should work if you run the airbag up until the straps are tight. Good luck.

www.amasci.com/amateur/hovercft.html Give this a try and it's fun too.

That does look like a fun project. A pair of RC plane motors and I would have forward motion and steering. This will make the wife's Roomba green with envy.