Car lifts - what's best for a hobby workshop?

[Burdekin]

Going to finally get a lift once I can make room, still not 100% sure which though probably this scissor lift style: https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7530d-garage-scissor-lift/ or this single lift style: https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/7521-mobile-single-post-vehicle-lift/

I have only about 2.6m ceiling height so won’t be able to stand under the car. I think either of those designs will work well for me. I think I will make some stands to go under the wheels so I would then have full access with either option then.

Any companies got any good deals on at the moment?

 

[scottmk1]

Well that single post will be tight unless you have a tad more than 2.6m height available, I've got a scissor one same as what you have linked to (but not from Automotech) and while it's useful it's also quite restrictive if you want to work on sills, brake lines etc that run along the bottom. Better than nothing though.

 

[ukracer]

There is a lot of variants out there, this is completely the wrong end of the country but these two lifts are cheap as chips and have a very small link between the two uprights which would be ideal in a situation where you wanted full access beyond the ramp.

They are both hydraulic too so not lift nuts etc to worry about.

£350 each
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Post-Vehicle-Lifts-For-Sale/362887140961?hash=item547dc25661:g:XIcAAOSwAj9eJC0i&LH_ItemCondition=3000

What were these type like? The listing has been removed now

 

[Burdekin]

Well that single post will be tight unless you have a tad more than 2.6m height available, I've got a scissor one same as what you have linked to (but not from Automotech) and while it's useful it's also quite restrictive if you want to work on sills, brake lines etc that run along the bottom. Better than nothing though.

Yeah I need to properly measure the ceiling height. That’s why I thought some wheel stands would be good when working on sills etc.

 

[scottmk1]

I guess it depends on what cars you are working on but I find the scissor lift awkward to place at times. To catch the front jacking points on a mk1 Golf the tyres catch on the ramp section if you have it locked in the up position, if you want the rear ramps to fold down so you have to get it just right. If you are working on bigger cars it wont be so much of an issue and I guess you do learn the best ways to use it as time goes on.

 

[tom2207]

@armalites I always find 4 post ramps a pain to work with. Good for tracking & welding though

Im the total opposite , I like the four post , old Bradbury one with wheels free , as you can haul push and beat anything into place , always have some where to put tools and lever off , and I just feel safer under one with anything heavier than a small hatch back on.
I think a lot of it is what your used to , and what type of work you will be doing , the place I work in a lot has two two posts and one four post ,, and the set up works really well.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

If I had the space I would buy the strongman scissor lift for spanner work.

Mostly I do Jap cars....they are so badly rusted that I would worry about restoring them on a lift.

I check the door gaps when I buy them...then I keep the weight on the wheels until the shell feels strong enough. I've bought myself a car tilter but again there is no way I'm tilting the project until the sills are repaired.

 

[Burdekin]

I have old Volvos and do welding and mechanical work. I also have a car rotator but takes a lot to get setup and only use it for big jobs, so hardly use it. I typically have worked on the ground with axle stands etc and it is just really hard work these days and not enjoyable. I don’t want anything permanent as it will hinder access and moving stuff about in my workshop. I’ve procrastinated for a long time over this as I know none are perfect so it’s what is the best compromise. I have liked the single post for a long time but also thought the platform type scissor lift with access in the centre would be okay as well.

 

[gaz1]

ive worked with all 3 types

single lift i am really nervous with and tend to take greater care when doing stuff certainly needs suppporting in rear and front areas

same with the 2 post lift if you intend to hit it with the hammer and you will do as they do rock if not supported

the 4 post is more stable but also takes up more room

if i was going for one with good access id go for the 2 post lift alot better access than the single post lift

 

[Dexy]

Strongman lift did some planning and made it flush with floor really handy now and can still use the floorspace or a multi position bench when not used for cars

 

[Ashley Burton]

Strongman lift did some planning and made it flush with floor really handy now and can still use the floorspace or a multi position bench when not used for cars
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Exactly the sort of thing I would choose!

 

[stuvy]

Same here

you can always put axle stands on to lift it higher

 

[stuvy]

Could you not concrete in some beams and make angantry then lift the cars by there hubs?

gives you the advantage of full sill access or get it high enough and stick it on a table/axle stands

 

[scottmk1]

Strongman lift did some planning and made it flush with floor really handy now and can still use the floorspace or a multi position bench when not used for cars
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I'd like to do that with mine

 

[Dcal]

I have a two poster and a 3m ceiling height.
I can almost stand up if the car is not too high and it almost touches the roof, (I'm only 5-8 which helps for once) other times an office chair can be quite useful.


These were on offer in the local factors and I almost bought one.
If I did I would have made up brackets to lift the front and rear at the same time instead of lifting one wheel.
4 good axle stands and you will have good access for welding underneath.

Or just get two.

https://www.tooled-up.com/draper-hydraulic-vehicle-lift/prod/355664/

 

[Burdekin]

Strongman lift did some planning and made it flush with floor really handy now and can still use the floorspace or a multi position bench when not used for cars
View attachment 260312View attachment 260313View attachment 260311

That would be a good option to lay it in the floor. How do you find the design of the lift for working? Do place blocks on jacking points or lift from the sills?

 

[scottmk1]

I put the rubber blocks on the vehicles jacking points where possible but I have also used the rubber blocks on the sills

 

[Dexy]

I do not lift on sill always use rubber blocks note when I put the lift into the floor I then welded in some kickers so the flaps could be left in the unlocked position if you had a shorter vehicle on the lift

 

[Dexy]

 

[gaz1]

That would be a good option to lay it in the floor. How do you find the design of the lift for working? Do place blocks on jacking points or lift from the sills?

not a good option in your case now, would have been better done as you was concreting the original floor

you would need to grind 4"- 5" into lines and then run a floor leveler in the cuts to level the lower base level

the question is is your floor concrete thick enough after this alteration for the lift