Scissor Lift

I haven't ruled out the Quicklift, I like the simplicity, versatility and
cost, but I was looking for something I could use a chair under vs. a
creeper. But again not seeing one of these first hand maybe I'm wrong....
can you use a mechanics chair, the shortest chair I have is about 15" from
the seat to the floor.


".boB" <noneofyourbusiness RemoveThis @goaway.net> wrote in message
news:473f264a$0$1773$ec3e2dad@news.usenetmonster.com...
> Jeff Dieterle wrote:
>> I'm looking to put a lift in my garage for hobby use. I don't have the
>> headroom (9ft ceiling), for a 2 or 4 post lift. I've considered digging a
>> pit but now leaning toward a scissor lift. I've not seen one in person.
>> Does anybody have any information, first hand experience or an opinion if
>> these are worth the cost... seem to run around $1500-2000.
> I looked at those, and dismissed them for a number of reasons.
> What do you do with it when you're not using it? Takes up a lot of
> valuable floor space.
> It's good for tires, brakes, etc. But it really limits access to the
> middle of the car - transmission, oil pan, etc.
> I purchased a Kwik Lift. Kind of like giant car ramps. I reall like
> it. Mostly I use it to work on my Cobra. But have also used it for my
> wife's COugar and my mom's Subaru
> Easy to get under the middle of the car for whatever work needs to be
> done. Not so high that things are out of reach. Suspension work is very
> easy using a bottle jack and jack stands.
> It gets in the way if I need pull the engine. But it takes about 20
> minutes to take it apart and get it out of the garage. About 30 minutes
> to put it back together.
> I leave it in place and just park on it.
> www.kwiklift.com
>
> --
> .boB
> 2006 FXDI hot rod
> 2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
> 1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
> 1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

Jeff Dieterle wrote:
> I haven't ruled out the Quicklift, I like the simplicity, versatility and
> cost, but I was looking for something I could use a chair under vs. a
> creeper. But again not seeing one of these first hand maybe I'm wrong....
> can you use a mechanics chair, the shortest chair I have is about 15" from
> the seat to the floor.

No, you definatly need to use a creeper for under
car work. But it's at the perfect height for a
mechanics chair on the side of the car, like brake work.
You really wouldn't want to use a chair anyway.
That causes you to hyperextend the shoulders and the
neck. It wouldn't take long before that got real
uncomfortable. A creeper makes an excellent support
for your lower back.
Also, it's difficult to lift in the upright
position. I can easily install my IRS diff while lying
on a creeper. Kind of like doing a push up. I would
think it would be more diffcult if I was upright.


--
..boB
2006 FXDI hot rod
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

On Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:04:37 -0600, "Jeff Dieterle"
<djdieterle RemoveThis @lhughes.net> wrote:

>I haven't ruled out the Quicklift, I like the simplicity, versatility and
>cost, but I was looking for something I could use a chair under vs. a
>creeper. But again not seeing one of these first hand maybe I'm wrong....
>can you use a mechanics chair, the shortest chair I have is about 15" from
>the seat to the floor.
>

Personally, I'd go with a good floor jack and a good set of four jack
stands considering your headroom issues.

I agree with the other reply that says that these things take up room,
and really limit the access to many places under the car.

In fact, get two floor jacks, then you don't have to more it from one
end fo the car to the other! <bg>
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

I've got 2 floor jacks and plenty of stands but I'm looking into developing
a small scale oil/lube business, keeping it under 50 customers. Not looking
to get rich, just keep busy & networked in my retirement. I figured some
folks may be adverse to jacks and stands as well as the time factor and
since the main use would be oil/lube service a chair would be easier than a
creeper.

"PeterD" <peter2 RemoveThis @hipson.net> wrote in message
news:dnpuj3l43pq3tp1gop4nbmnu2grmemb4k6@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:04:37 -0600, "Jeff Dieterle"
> <djdieterle RemoveThis @lhughes.net> wrote:
>
>>I haven't ruled out the Quicklift, I like the simplicity, versatility and
>>cost, but I was looking for something I could use a chair under vs. a
>>creeper. But again not seeing one of these first hand maybe I'm wrong....
>>can you use a mechanics chair, the shortest chair I have is about 15" from
>>the seat to the floor.
>>
>
> Personally, I'd go with a good floor jack and a good set of four jack
> stands considering your headroom issues.
>
> I agree with the other reply that says that these things take up room,
> and really limit the access to many places under the car.
>
> In fact, get two floor jacks, then you don't have to more it from one
> end fo the car to the other! <bg>
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

On Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:40:02 -0600, "Jeff Dieterle"
<djdieterle.TakeThisOut@lhughes.net> wrote:

>I've got 2 floor jacks and plenty of stands but I'm looking into developing
>a small scale oil/lube business, keeping it under 50 customers. Not looking
>to get rich, just keep busy & networked in my retirement. I figured some
>folks may be adverse to jacks and stands as well as the time factor and
>since the main use would be oil/lube service a chair would be easier than a
>creeper.
>

I think if you are going commercial (even small scale) you won't be
happy with a scissor lift. I've known at least one shop that tried it
(same thoughs and problems that you have) and in the end they decided
that it was a waste of money. The ripped out the ceiling, and put in a
regular 2-post lift.

As everyone mentions, scissor lifts are great for wheels and tires,
but terrible for anything under the vehicle.

Were this me, I'd look at increasing the head room in your shop. I've
almost 15 ft in mine (designed it that way) which is just about right.
Ideally even a bit highwer would not hurt, but for most cars and
smaller trucks, even 12 ft is more than enough.

My (strong) suggestion is not to waste money on something that you
probably won't be happy with in the long term. But then again, who
knows, you may be as happy as a clam in his shell with it.

Personally, I'd just as soon use jacks/jackstands than a scissor lift,
both will probably get about the same height, which is to say not high
enough for comfort... Even with the scissor lift, I suspect you'll
still be on that creeper...
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:59:04 -0500, PeterD <peter2.DeleteThis@hipson.net> puked:

>On Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:40:02 -0600, "Jeff Dieterle"
><djdieterle.DeleteThis@lhughes.net> wrote:
>
>>I've got 2 floor jacks and plenty of stands but I'm looking into developing
>>a small scale oil/lube business, keeping it under 50 customers. Not looking
>>to get rich, just keep busy & networked in my retirement. I figured some
>>folks may be adverse to jacks and stands as well as the time factor and
>>since the main use would be oil/lube service a chair would be easier than a
>>creeper.
>>
>
>I think if you are going commercial (even small scale) you won't be
>happy with a scissor lift. I've known at least one shop that tried it
>(same thoughs and problems that you have) and in the end they decided
>that it was a waste of money. The ripped out the ceiling, and put in a
>regular 2-post lift.
>
>As everyone mentions, scissor lifts are great for wheels and tires,
>but terrible for anything under the vehicle.
>
>Were this me, I'd look at increasing the head room in your shop. I've
>almost 15 ft in mine (designed it that way) which is just about right.
>Ideally even a bit highwer would not hurt, but for most cars and
>smaller trucks, even 12 ft is more than enough.
>
>My (strong) suggestion is not to waste money on something that you
>probably won't be happy with in the long term. But then again, who
>knows, you may be as happy as a clam in his shell with it.
>
>Personally, I'd just as soon use jacks/jackstands than a scissor lift,
>both will probably get about the same height, which is to say not high
>enough for comfort... Even with the scissor lift, I suspect you'll
>still be on that creeper...

Why not wheel ramps? They're a lot faster. I have elevated the whole
car by backing on to wheel ramps and putting jack stands under the
front of the car.

PS: Emergency brake, wedges, blah blah blah...
--
lab~rat >
Do you want polite or do you want sincere?
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:28:12 -0500, "lab~rat >" <chase DeleteThis @cheeze.net>
wrote:

>
>Why not wheel ramps? They're a lot faster. I have elevated the whole
>car by backing on to wheel ramps and putting jack stands under the
>front of the car.
>
>PS: Emergency brake, wedges, blah blah blah...

Nothing wrong with *good* ones, I just don't use them, mostly because
for those vehicles that are not running (for whatever reason) wheel
ramps don't work as well! <bg>
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

Ok you-all convinced me, scissor lift is not worth the cost.

"PeterD" <peter2 RemoveThis @hipson.net> wrote in message
news:uu14k3pl7i7a4i7gc6fdk2rr72rbis0tpt@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:28:12 -0500, "lab~rat >" <chase RemoveThis @cheeze.net>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>Why not wheel ramps? They're a lot faster. I have elevated the whole
>>car by backing on to wheel ramps and putting jack stands under the
>>front of the car.
>>
>>PS: Emergency brake, wedges, blah blah blah...
>
> Nothing wrong with *good* ones, I just don't use them, mostly because
> for those vehicles that are not running (for whatever reason) wheel
> ramps don't work as well! <bg>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:03:01 -0500, PeterD <peter2.RemoveThis@hipson.net> puked:

>On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:28:12 -0500, "lab~rat >" <chase.RemoveThis@cheeze.net>
>wrote:
>
>>
>>Why not wheel ramps? They're a lot faster. I have elevated the whole
>>car by backing on to wheel ramps and putting jack stands under the
>>front of the car.
>>
>>PS: Emergency brake, wedges, blah blah blah...
>
>Nothing wrong with *good* ones, I just don't use them, mostly because
>for those vehicles that are not running (for whatever reason) wheel
>ramps don't work as well! <bg>

I have those plastic composite ones, and they're great. BTW, a friend
and I rolled my El Camino up on them one time....
--
lab~rat >
Do you want polite or do you want sincere?
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:14:30 -0600, "Jeff Dieterle"
<djdieterle.RemoveThis@lhughes.net> puked:

>Ok you-all convinced me, scissor lift is not worth the cost.

Get a concrete saw and a shovel and dig yourself a pit.

>
>"PeterD" <peter2.RemoveThis@hipson.net> wrote in message
>news:uu14k3pl7i7a4i7gc6fdk2rr72rbis0tpt@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:28:12 -0500, "lab~rat >" <chase.RemoveThis@cheeze.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>Why not wheel ramps? They're a lot faster. I have elevated the whole
>>>car by backing on to wheel ramps and putting jack stands under the
>>>front of the car.
>>>
>>>PS: Emergency brake, wedges, blah blah blah...
>>
>> Nothing wrong with *good* ones, I just don't use them, mostly because
>> for those vehicles that are not running (for whatever reason) wheel
>> ramps don't work as well! <bg>
>>
>

--
lab~rat >
Do you want polite or do you want sincere?
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

A pit is also an option I've not eliminated.......yet

"lab~rat >" <chase.TakeThisOut@cheeze.net> wrote in message
news:9sb6k35o5rf1r83v1mlamo5h4au0qtks35@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:14:30 -0600, "Jeff Dieterle"
> <djdieterle.TakeThisOut@lhughes.net> puked:
>
>>Ok you-all convinced me, scissor lift is not worth the cost.
>
> Get a concrete saw and a shovel and dig yourself a pit.
>
>>
>>"PeterD" <peter2.TakeThisOut@hipson.net> wrote in message
>>news:uu14k3pl7i7a4i7gc6fdk2rr72rbis0tpt@4ax.com...
>>> On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:28:12 -0500, "lab~rat >" <chase.TakeThisOut@cheeze.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>Why not wheel ramps? They're a lot faster. I have elevated the whole
>>>>car by backing on to wheel ramps and putting jack stands under the
>>>>front of the car.
>>>>
>>>>PS: Emergency brake, wedges, blah blah blah...
>>>
>>> Nothing wrong with *good* ones, I just don't use them, mostly because
>>> for those vehicles that are not running (for whatever reason) wheel
>>> ramps don't work as well! <bg>
>>>
>>
>
> --
> lab~rat >
> Do you want polite or do you want sincere?
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

Jeff Dieterle wrote:
> A pit is also an option I've not eliminated.......yet

Due to the possibility of heavier than air fumes accumulating many (most?)
building codes would not allow a pit in a non-commercial application. If you
are not in a regulated area then you would have to take serious precautions for
venting.
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift 

On Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:49:38 -0600, "Jeff Dieterle"
<djdieterle.DeleteThis@lhughes.net> wrote:

>A pit is also an option I've not eliminated.......yet
>

Well, I eliminiated it eventually in my design. I could just see it:
in the pit, oops, need a tool, up out, get tool, in pit. Opps, need a
different tool. Up out, get tool, in pit.

Pits are not common today, and there's a reason for that! <bg>
 >> Stay informed about: Scissor Lift