Workshop lift - recommendations?

[philw696]

Not sure our landlord would be keen on us digging a couple of graves in the floor so if we go 2-post then I will get some 10mm 1000x400mm MS plate laser cut for post base holes etc as belt and braces.

Just interested how simple to locate arms somewhere suitable on a range of targets.

We painted the floor with some grey stuff 4 years ago (will report on brand when back) that has held up well against vehicle mess and CNC coolant. A problem in my old garage was condensation on the paint when wet after a cold spell. We don’t see that at all in this current place.

Are you talking about the arms that the car sits on ?
If so they can be swapped around easily and I've done them all on my own but they are heavy.
My preference is I like to reverse front engined cars on to my two post but cars like my Porsche go on forwards.
A good rule of thumb instilled into me for two post lifts car a meter off the ground and just give each corner a Pushto make sure your happy and then send up then put on the safety locks.

 

[zagatoes30]

I keep changing my mind on 2 or 4 post, I think most of the time I will have a car stored on it and therefore think 4 post is probably better. I also have the issue of only single phase power so options are limited. Might have to decide soon as the builder keeps threatening to give us a start date.

 

[philw696]

I keep changing my mind on 2 or 4 post, I think most of the time I will have a car stored on it and therefore think 4 post is probably better. I also have the issue of only single phase power so options are limited. Might have to decide soon as the builder keeps threatening to give us a start date.

I miss using a 4 post lift but you do need a sliding beam jack on there to do any work safely plus they are great for organising your tools nicely whilst working on a car.

 

[Nibby]

A Bradbury one you can take outside if you can’t get the height in your garage, goes up about 4 foot.

 

[mjheathcote]

A Bradbury one you can take outside if you can’t get the height in your garage, goes up about 4 foot. View attachment 107794

Don't get any oil stains on block paving!

 

[Nibby]

Don't get any oil stains on block paving!

I should’ve been more specific Michael, this is my mate’s lift that I use to use to change the oil and filter until the wind decided to give the block pavers some lubrication one day and that was the end of borrowing my mate’s lift.

 

[2b1ask1]

I keep changing my mind on 2 or 4 post, I think most of the time I will have a car stored on it and therefore think 4 post is probably better. I also have the issue of only single phase power so options are limited. Might have to decide soon as the builder keeps threatening to give us a start date.

True but also a two post allows over winter storage ‘off’ the tyres.

 

[Gazcw]

Surprising really, the two idiots we got in ended up just sloshing it out on the floor and pushing it around as all they wanted to do was go and get ** at the local pub

Mostly on their shoes from memory

 

[conaero]

Mostly on their shoes from memory

Thats them

 

[Zep]

Surprising really, the two idiots we got in ended up just sloshing it out on the floor and pushing it around as all they wanted to do was go and get ** at the local pub

Sack ‘em, if you can find ‘em

 

[happydaze]

My 2-post hoist served me well for years. When I moved house a couple of years ago, and built a new shed (12mx7m), I decided to go for a 4-poster. It suits me fine for what I use it for, which is oil-changes and general maintenance of my own cars. Being an old codger, I find the 4-poster makes life much easier when it comes to loading a car on - just drive it into the ramps. An added benefit is the 2 convenient 'bench-tops', for spreading out all the tools and parts...

 

[CatmanV2]

and built a new shed (12mx7m),

That's not a shed......

C

 

[rockits]

I wanted to go 2 post as it seems more practical. I'd mainly be on my own though and have no experience of 2 posts so was apprehensive and went 4 post. Much easier to drive on and off easily single handed and no central posts to open your door into or struggle to get in or out of the car.

It has central drip trays and an axle lift took but used it once I think!

If I bought again I'd probably get one with attached drive up ramps as mine are manual pop on/off ramps. Not too much of an issue for me as I don't use it tons but they are chuffing heavy.

I did go for a scissor lift in addition to the 4 post aswell though that works really well for wheel/brake work. Allows good access underneath front and back too. Also good for mopping or detailing a car to give you a nice height to work at to protect the old back a bit.

I got mine from a local established company who have been doing it for years and have had no problems. I think the were called Equipment 4 Garages in St Albans or somewhere close. I can dig out the details.

 

[rockits]

If I had more.confidence, knowledge or experience or had some training I might go 2 post. Just wanted safety and security over functionality as I'm only an occasional hobby mechanic.

 

[philw696]

In my 40 plus years with most of my work on two posts but always with work colleagues around me gives you a feeling of safety as never felt unsafe under a four post and they usually had large 4x4 or Vans on them hence why I invested in the steel plates.

 

[philw696]

These are the ones I bought not cheap but they are substantial and when you see a normal installation they really do look substantial and for me it was a no brainer.

Plaques de renfort pour TW242GE

Plaques de renfort pour TW242GE: Compatible avec TW242GE uniquement (pont pour espaces réduits) A noter, que dans la plupart des cas, les plaques de ...

twinbusch.fr

 

[RodTungsten]

These are the ones I bought not cheap but they are substantial and when you see a normal installation they really do look substantial and for me it was a no brainer.

Plaques de renfort pour TW242GE

Plaques de renfort pour TW242GE: Compatible avec TW242GE uniquement (pont pour espaces réduits) A noter, que dans la plupart des cas, les plaques de ...

twinbusch.fr

Neat. Over the foot and tidy. That’ll be the design to go with if we go 2-post.

 

[philw696]

Neat. Over the foot and tidy. That’ll be the design to go with if we go 2-post.

Best I have seen and if I was doing it again I would sink it flush in the floor for extra safety but one thing guaranteed those posts ain't going anywhere.

 

[rockits]

One thing for me that pushed me to go 4 post for my own personal circumstances was my use is mainly as longer term indoor car storage to stack 2 cars more than anything other use.

I also didn't know the existing garage concrete base depth, construction or strength. So for ease,.cost and my use the 4 post made sense. Especially with a complimentary scissor lift in the adjacent space.

I might have gone 2 post if I worked on cars more, didn't need it as car storage so much or didn't have the scissor lift. I use the scissor lift more than the 4 post for works. Everybody has different needs so it is great the options are there to suit what you need.

When you have a 4 post mainly as storage it is not so easy to use as a service/works lift as I have to move the car outside out of the way. Move the car out from underneath, drop the car down and out that is on top to then get a car on the lift.

It was only temp solution for me originally as we were supposed to be building a new house by now with underground but that has taken longer so the current setup remains. If I did it from scratch I'd still have a scissor lift regardless as I think they are a great tool. Would set it in the ground though next time for flush mount finish rather than surface mounting that protrudes a bit.

 

[philw696]

Second the scissor lift as Dean says it really is a useful bit of kit and doesn't require the same concrete requirements as other installations.
As I put a complete new floor in mine was done all the same.
If you can do it it's well worth doing and people spend more money on other things.