Scissor lift advice (again!)
Discussion
Scissor lifts give limited access because they sit right in the middle where you often need to be to do your work. But here's a thought, could I use the scissor lift to raise the car onto some tall 1 metre "truck" axles stands (own a set already)? Then I'd have the access 
and the scissor lift is then moved out the way.
Concerns: If I lift the car with the scissor lift, will I still have any jacking points to place the axle stands?
I do actually have space for a 2 post lift, and the price difference is not all that big, £800 for scissor vs £1000 for the 2-post lift. The trouble is that my pad is 5m wide which lets me fit two cars side by side, but a two post lift is 3.4m wide and needs to be at least 0.6m from the edge of the pad. So I end up with one bay for working on one project instead of two.
I know that with the scissor lifts you're neither standing not lying down (more like kneeling??). It's all a compromise right.
and the scissor lift is then moved out the way.Concerns: If I lift the car with the scissor lift, will I still have any jacking points to place the axle stands?
I do actually have space for a 2 post lift, and the price difference is not all that big, £800 for scissor vs £1000 for the 2-post lift. The trouble is that my pad is 5m wide which lets me fit two cars side by side, but a two post lift is 3.4m wide and needs to be at least 0.6m from the edge of the pad. So I end up with one bay for working on one project instead of two.
I know that with the scissor lifts you're neither standing not lying down (more like kneeling??). It's all a compromise right.
I've decided to leave the 2 post lift for now because it looks like the only safe way to fit a two-poster is to install a concrete base. Doing small concrete pads to sit the posts on requires the pads to be "keyed" under and existing floor, and I only have a patio covered by a roof. The "keying" adds a lot to the foundations ability to resist turning moment as the car tries to tip the posts and that I don't want to risk it.
For now may use a scissor lift. In the future I might put in a pair of piles into the ground to anchor a two post lift. But none of the manufacturers give specs for piles because most garages have a concrete floor.
Some importers of chinese lifts gave me silly small specs for the foundations, saying it just needs 50cm pads. I'm not going to go with that... A quick search on two post lifts on the HSE gov website will soon make you want to play safe
For now may use a scissor lift. In the future I might put in a pair of piles into the ground to anchor a two post lift. But none of the manufacturers give specs for piles because most garages have a concrete floor.
Some importers of chinese lifts gave me silly small specs for the foundations, saying it just needs 50cm pads. I'm not going to go with that... A quick search on two post lifts on the HSE gov website will soon make you want to play safe
Mr2Mike said:
Compared to lying on your back with a car on axle stands it's infinitely better, but still not a patch on the access a two poster gives.
Dropped the entire engine and drive train from a Tuscan on my scissor lift identical to the strongman unit. A two poster wouldn't have helped in any way apart from me requiring a thicker concrete pad in my garage and potentially reducing access to open the doors.Rebuilt the engine, dropped box, prop, exhaust, installed new fuel lines front to rear, just fitted Syvecs. So a two poster would have given me nothing additional.
There's a link to my build thread in my profile.
I have owned a scissors lift and a 2 post lift.
Don't assume the 2 post lift gives better access. While the underside of the car is generally more free, one PITA is the inability to open the doors.
For many years I had one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MID-RISE-SCISSO... And these guys were very helpful.
I personally found this very good - you can open the doors, gain access to the underside etc. It comes with a series of small posts, so you can lift the car above the main body, and in that way you can get access to the exhaust or propshaft. It's also excellent for brakes and the like.
When I did a big job from underneath, I used a small stool like this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rhyas-Garage-Seat-Worksh...
This meant that I could put tools on the floor, and wheel about on the stool. Actually in most cases this was easier than the 2 post, as you can't hold something in place and reach down to pick a spanner off the floor with a 2 post.
The floor and space constraints of a 2 post have already been mentioned.
I ran the scissors lift on a pair of steel strips to protect the floor. It also has a habit of 'walking' about, so stops on the end of the strip stopped this to. It worked lovely for many years with absolutely no problems. I did have a ram seal leak, but this was replaced FOC well after the warranty period had expired.
I used mine literally daily as I started my own workshop, and it was still fine after 4 years hard work.
You probably guessed, I'm a bit of a fan, and while I sold mine to buy the 2 post, I'm intending to extend the workshop, and buy another in the summer.
Don't assume the 2 post lift gives better access. While the underside of the car is generally more free, one PITA is the inability to open the doors.
For many years I had one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MID-RISE-SCISSO... And these guys were very helpful.
I personally found this very good - you can open the doors, gain access to the underside etc. It comes with a series of small posts, so you can lift the car above the main body, and in that way you can get access to the exhaust or propshaft. It's also excellent for brakes and the like.
When I did a big job from underneath, I used a small stool like this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rhyas-Garage-Seat-Worksh...
This meant that I could put tools on the floor, and wheel about on the stool. Actually in most cases this was easier than the 2 post, as you can't hold something in place and reach down to pick a spanner off the floor with a 2 post.
The floor and space constraints of a 2 post have already been mentioned.
I ran the scissors lift on a pair of steel strips to protect the floor. It also has a habit of 'walking' about, so stops on the end of the strip stopped this to. It worked lovely for many years with absolutely no problems. I did have a ram seal leak, but this was replaced FOC well after the warranty period had expired.
I used mine literally daily as I started my own workshop, and it was still fine after 4 years hard work.
You probably guessed, I'm a bit of a fan, and while I sold mine to buy the 2 post, I'm intending to extend the workshop, and buy another in the summer.
Useful stuff Bearman, thanks. Just saw this, if it could grab a full car it would be great, but it's only good for bare chassis because of weight restrictions and lack of mounting points: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/car-roller-chassis-tilte... via @eBay_UK
rcx106 said:
Useful stuff Bearman, thanks. Just saw this, if it could grab a full car it would be great, but it's only good for bare chassis because of weight restrictions and lack of mounting points: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/car-roller-chassis-tilte... via @eBay_UK
Good for welding I would have thought, I don't know how practical in a workshop environment though - depends what you want I suppose.Cheers
Have a look at http://garage-tools.co.uk/mid-rise-car-lifts and their blog article http://pillertons.blogspot.co.uk/p/selecting-right...
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