Garage and 2 post lift…
Discussion
Wasn’t too sure whether this question is for here, or home & DIY but given the discussions on best garages hoping here will do…. But it might get moved….
Got the OK from Mrs Trikster for a workshop/mancave in some deadspace near our house. Effectively an oversized single garage space. I’m meeting with our architect on Tues but if I’m reading the regulations correctly I could get enough headspace in there for a 2 post car lift which I’d much rather have than a scissor lift.
I think the max internal width I’m going to be able to get away with is 3.6-4m (length about 7-7.5m) so wondering if that’s enough to fit and be able to move around it - welcome any input from those who have a similar setup
TIA
Got the OK from Mrs Trikster for a workshop/mancave in some deadspace near our house. Effectively an oversized single garage space. I’m meeting with our architect on Tues but if I’m reading the regulations correctly I could get enough headspace in there for a 2 post car lift which I’d much rather have than a scissor lift.
I think the max internal width I’m going to be able to get away with is 3.6-4m (length about 7-7.5m) so wondering if that’s enough to fit and be able to move around it - welcome any input from those who have a similar setup
TIA
Yes, that’s enough space but I’d personally consider a 4 post lift. Takes up less width, safer and can still raise all four corners if you’re doing brake work or something in the area. Higher upfront cost to a 2 post but better than the “garage” version 2 post lifts which take up a lot of width, don’t raise too high and usually have a manual lock and release mechanism.
Your dimensions sound very similar to my garages.
I put a four post ramp in one of them to make a workshop, it’s tight to shimmy around the posts, but I much prefer the four poster from a safety point of view.
I can’t quite get mine up as high as I’d like due to the roof height, so I use an office chair on wheels to sit on for long jobs under the car rather than be hunched over.
It’s brilliant for polishing the sides of the car at a comfortable working height, and cleaning bits like the valances without having to get on the ground.
I put a four post ramp in one of them to make a workshop, it’s tight to shimmy around the posts, but I much prefer the four poster from a safety point of view.
I can’t quite get mine up as high as I’d like due to the roof height, so I use an office chair on wheels to sit on for long jobs under the car rather than be hunched over.
It’s brilliant for polishing the sides of the car at a comfortable working height, and cleaning bits like the valances without having to get on the ground.
shirt said:
2 post is, imho, much better for working on cars. advantage of the 4 post is that foundations don't need to be as strong, you can use it as a storage ramp and they can be moved [some come with castor kits for this]. but for actual spannering, 2 post all the way.
Agree. Also a 2 post owner as well. If you're a keen on the spanners and DIY, then 2 post is the way forward for access underneath. When you're looking at lifts and dimensions, make sure it includes the overall width with the hydraulic motor, as sometimes these are mounted on the side of the post, rather than the front of it, thus adds more width. Something to think about if garage space is tight. Like this:
Edited by Rich_AR on Sunday 30th April 15:52
If you go for a two post, make sure the floor is up to the anchor requirements. if not...
From Health and Safety executive Link
From Health and Safety executive Link
I bought a 4 post lift 2 years ago with the intention of using it for car maintenance. The platforms do get in the way more than you might expect, especially on older cars that are relatively narrow as compared to modern cars.
I then ended up getting another car so it’s now mostly a storage lift. Am in the process of recessing a mid-rise scissor lift into the other bay for maintenance tasks. I might have considered a full height scissor lift but don’t have the headroom on that bay.
So my advice is 4 post for storage, 2 post for maintenance, possibly also for storage.
I don’t recall seeing any moveable 2 post lifts; by their nature they need to bolted down rather securely.
I then ended up getting another car so it’s now mostly a storage lift. Am in the process of recessing a mid-rise scissor lift into the other bay for maintenance tasks. I might have considered a full height scissor lift but don’t have the headroom on that bay.
So my advice is 4 post for storage, 2 post for maintenance, possibly also for storage.
I don’t recall seeing any moveable 2 post lifts; by their nature they need to bolted down rather securely.
jason61c said:
I don't know how 4 post lifts get in the way? they give extra support, space to put things and a stable platform
Having lived with one, they do a bit. To get under the car you have to duck under the ramp for instance, even from the front/rear.As a very amateur mechanic however, I feel more comfortable driving onto a four post, checking all is square, lifting the car and then jacking one end from the ramp with the built-in jack. It can’t fall off!
jason61c said:
I don't know how 4 post lifts get in the way? they give extra support, space to put things and a stable platform
Look at the photo above of the mini and imagine yourself doing suspension work. From the outside you’re reaching across perhaps a foot which reduces access and impacts the leverage and swing radius of any tools. From the inside you have to duck under the ramp and your access is still restricted. Those issues don’t exist with a 2 post ramp.I would still prefer a 4 post ramp to crawling around under a car on axle stands but the lift choice depends on the main projected use.
AW10 said:
jason61c said:
I don't know how 4 post lifts get in the way? they give extra support, space to put things and a stable platform
Look at the photo above of the mini and imagine yourself doing suspension work. From the outside you’re reaching across perhaps a foot which reduces access and impacts the leverage and swing radius of any tools. From the inside you have to duck under the ramp and your access is still restricted. Those issues don’t exist with a 2 post ramp.I would still prefer a 4 post ramp to crawling around under a car on axle stands but the lift choice depends on the main projected use.
As someone who inspect vehicle lifts for a living, garages only use 4 post lifts as mot ramps. All vehicle maintenance is done on 2 posters for ease.
Points to note, make sure your floor and floor fixings are correct.
Make sure you do a good first parade before use of arm locks etc
Avoid ones with load nuts and get a hydraulic one.
Spend our a little more and get a decent one, the cheap Chinese ones are false economy.
Be aware of the work you are doing, where your mounting your pads and if removing an engine, it'll very much effect the balance of the vehicle. This applies to using big breaker bars too. The HSE are hot on them at the moment due to the amount of crush injuries/ deaths due to improper use.
The amount of garages I go to and the mechanics aren't lowering into the mechanical locks is unreal, they are every handy, but compliance will bite you
Points to note, make sure your floor and floor fixings are correct.
Make sure you do a good first parade before use of arm locks etc
Avoid ones with load nuts and get a hydraulic one.
Spend our a little more and get a decent one, the cheap Chinese ones are false economy.
Be aware of the work you are doing, where your mounting your pads and if removing an engine, it'll very much effect the balance of the vehicle. This applies to using big breaker bars too. The HSE are hot on them at the moment due to the amount of crush injuries/ deaths due to improper use.
The amount of garages I go to and the mechanics aren't lowering into the mechanical locks is unreal, they are every handy, but compliance will bite you
jason61c said:
you can adust the ramps inwards on most. So apart from on on a classic mini, where one of the tiny 4 post lifts would be ideal, a 4 post is better
Yes but it’s not a quick adjustment as you have to shift the entire platform and there is only 1 other set of fixing holes. You can see them in that photo with the mini on ramp. On my lift the outer edges of the platform would then be about 1.5m apart - that’s just about wide enough for a classic mini. And then the jacking beam and jacking platform can’t be used.I spent ages trying to decide between a four post and a two post lift for my car barn.
In the end I opted for one of these. It hasn't arrived yet so I will report back later but my builder has one in his garage and claims it works really well and it's very convenient.
To be honest it looks dodgy as hell but if it works okay for the occasional time I need it it will be very convenient not having any Pillars in the middle of the barn.
https://www.twinbusch.co.uk/1-post-lifts/1-post-li...
In the end I opted for one of these. It hasn't arrived yet so I will report back later but my builder has one in his garage and claims it works really well and it's very convenient.
To be honest it looks dodgy as hell but if it works okay for the occasional time I need it it will be very convenient not having any Pillars in the middle of the barn.
https://www.twinbusch.co.uk/1-post-lifts/1-post-li...
jason61c said:
I don't know how 4 post lifts get in the way? they give extra support, space to put things and a stable platform
Not exactly easy to get a 911 engine out on a 4 poster....Lotobear said:
I put a two post in and I happily use it for storage in the winter - just be sure you have no brake fluid leaks! (PS: that's only oil)
The big advantage for me is access for working on cars, especially when doing anything aorund the wheels and brakes
Nice. I use mine for storage as well. Works great.The big advantage for me is access for working on cars, especially when doing anything aorund the wheels and brakes
Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 1st May 16:45
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