Hi Nelson
I didnt buy mine new, I got mine from another board member that had a ove head crane. They are pricey, Ive seen them for between 6 and 7 hundred bucks brand new. I didnt get a screamin deal like 20 bucks, I paid 250.00 for mine.
The nice thing with a Sky Hook is the lift height is very percise, if you need it up or down say 1/4 inch to line up that chuck , or what ever, it will do it. And at 23lbs, you can scoop it up in one hand to move it, and can be hung up on a wall to store it.
I allso bolt it to my lift cart, takes seconds to install. I use it to get heavy items out of my car when needed. I just lifted a 15 hp motor out of the trunk of my car. The motor was dropped in there with a fork lift, but the sky hook makes easy work of that. I used to use a cherry picker for many lifting jobs, and I find I have no use for that now, and will be up for sale on Kijiji or Craigslist soon.
There is guys that have built a simular crane using a winch designed to pull a boat on the trailer, but I see that type needing 3-hands to operate, and the danger of a run away load.
The electric winches are much too fast on the desent as well..
After using one of these, I think if I couldnt find one used, I would pay the long dollar for a new one, they are that good!