Scissor lift A to Z

[Eddie's GTS]

Scissor Lift A-Z
I would like to start off by thanking Jack Olson and Paul Bird for giving me the idea and inspiration for installing a scissor lift, and for their excellent post here on the Garage Forum.
I hope to answer all your questions on importing and installing a lift in your garage. I chose a scissor lift because I did not want a post in my garage or a hump that my lowered car would scrape on. Having a flush mounted lift is optimum for every day use as I drive my car over it when parking my car. I chose the Ever-Eternal EE-6503 http://www.ever-eternal.com/ . This company also makes post lifts.
Ever Eternal is a major manufacturer of lifts in China, and imports lifts to this country under names like BenPak and Danmar.
My contact at Ever Eternal was William Zhang [email protected]
Skype: wenzio520
TEL:+86-21-32500752
FAX:+86-21-32500785
CEL:+86-15900655435
After selecting a lift and agreeing on a price with William, I was given wire transfer instructions that I took to my bank and wired the money to their bank in China. Sending money to China was scary, but it has worked for many forum members, and it worked for me. I received a confirmation in short order and my lift went into production.
Importing your lift will require certain documents required by our government:
1. ISF 10-2 import security filing is REQUIRED by the TSA and boarder patrol. This form must be filed by a bonded customs agent who has the computer program to talk to the TSA’s computers. I used US Import Bond in Los Angeles usimportbond.com and the cost was $95.00. See http://www.shapiro.com/html/isf.html for information on the ISF filing.
2. Customs, I did my own informal importing using customs form CBP 3461. This allowed me to not use a customs broker, or post a bond, thus saving those costs. All goods for personal use and those costing under $2,000.00 (net excluding shipping)can use this form. If your lift will be used commercially, you will need to file form #7501, and you will need a customs broker and post a bond.
3. Note: I live in Seattle and have ready access to the Port of Seattle. If you live in a non-port city you will need a customs broker to expedite the goods to your home or business.
4. I prepaid the shipping on the lift, but the release form and arrival notice required a $35.00 payment. DO NOT USE FCC Logistics in Los Angeles. Nasty people.
5. There is no customs duty on a lift.
6. You will also be paying a logistics company when picking up your new lift at their warehouse. Cost for this is $130.00. This covers warehousing, unloading from the ship and container, and paper work.
7. Total Cost :
Lift $1,900.00
Shipping, Shanghi to Seattle $ 150.00
ISF bond $ 95.00
Paperwork $ 35.00
Port logistics fee $ 130.00

 

[Eddie's GTS]

You will need 220 power and Pneumatic air pressure to run the safety up-locks, so plan accordingly. I was lucky and had both in one spot. I laid out the lift on the floor and measured three times before I cut the concrete. I decided to use a commercial guy to cut the concrete since mine was 6"inches thick. We made extra cuts and chunked it out. The digging was the hardest part, about 6 advils'.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

I planned for 9" inches of concrete in the base and used 1/2" rebar to enforce the floor and walls which are 5" inches. Drilled the rebar supports into the existing floor. I also planned for and dug a dry sump hole with a post hole digger about 3'ft. deep.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

I used 3/4' MDO to make the forms. You will need a pass thru for hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control lines plus the feed to the pits from the main controller. I allowed the center supports to move up and down so I could level the bottom when I poured the concrete. What would work best in hind sight would be to pour the concrete in two batches. level the floor and let it set before pouring the walls. This keeps the concrete from welling up in the center. I made blocks to lock in the corners so there was no movement during the pour.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

These are the finished tubs.

 

[e-tek]

Being in Seattle, those "dry" sumps won't be for long - just hope they're deep enough!! LOL!!

 

[Eddie's GTS]

I set up the system on the garage floor before lowering the lifts down in the pits. After hooking up the Hydraulics and electrical I tested the lifts and raised them so I could hook on to them with the fork lift.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

Lifts lowered into place and bolted down.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

Not happy with the cracks in the garage floor I decided to tile the shop and main floor. After considering all types of covering I chose Porcelain Tile in 1'x2'. It took a couple of months before I found the right tile at the right price. I had no idea that it would take 7 or 8 days to lay a 1000sf. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. The garage looks more like a hospital now and the lift really does the job. I did a brake job on the Suburban the other day and the lift didn't even groan.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

More Photos

 

[Spire]

Left space in my PEX tubing layout when I poured my 3000 Sq. Ft. slab this fall.

Can't wait to order mine. Great detailed information, thank you.

Subscribed.

View media item 26061

 

[HIRISC]

More Photos

Really nicely done.

Makes my place look frumpy.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

Thank you, the effort was worth the pain.

 

[Jack Olsen]

That floor -- and the lift -- look awesome. Very nice work.

 

[akdiesel]

I missed this thread. Great job on the information and work.
When you say you lifted your suburban what is the weight of yours. I would like to have this set up in addition but need to have at least 8000 lb capacity for a truck.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

This lift is rated for 3000kg or 6600 pounds. You may need a higher weight capacity lift. Take a look at the Mohawk lift, they may have a higher capacity lift.

 

[pumalex]

missed this thread, really nice garage, i know you will love the lift, i certainly do. How did you fit the tiles on the lift and what are they, ceramic, porcelain? Aren't you afraid they will break? Are they glued on?

 

[Eddie's GTS]

The lift is getting a workout and I love it. I used Laticrete # 125 Sound and Crack to bond the Porcelain tiles to the lift. This material stays flexible and I have had no problems yet. The edges I boarded with Schlulter stainless edging.

 

[eastbaysubaru]

Thanks for the excellent write-up. This is the lift that I plan on getting eventually. Your installation looks top notch!

-Brian

 

[RSwannabe]

Eddie,

Congratulations on the beautiful install and thank you for the excellent post. The information is very pertinant as I just got my permit to build a new garage in my backyard in Ballard. I will be installing an EE6503 as part of the initial construction. I have a few questions I hope you can answer:

1. Once you placed the order for the lift, how long did it take to arrive at the port in Seattle?

2. I have seen a few posts saying the dimensions of the lifts, and thus the required dimensions of the hole, have varied. Can you confirm the dimensions of the pits you put in place for the lifts?

3. Where did your soruce the tile from?

Thank you,

 

[sfriesen]

FYI... My wife is not happy with your purchase and thread detailing how nice it installs.


-if you know what I mean

 

[Eddie's GTS]

RS Wannabe

Eddie,

Congratulations on the beautiful install and thank you for the excellent post. The information is very pertinant as I just got my permit to build a new garage in my backyard in Ballard. I will be installing an EE6503 as part of the initial construction. I have a few questions I hope you can answer:

1. Once you placed the order for the lift, how long did it take to arrive at the port in Seattle?
About 45 days from when you order it.
2. I have seen a few posts saying the dimensions of the lifts, and thus the required dimensions of the hole, have varied. Can you confirm the dimensions of the pits you put in place for the lifts?
Use the factory recommended measurements and add 1/8"gap spacing on 3 sides and at least a 1/4"to 3/8 on the expansion end. I chipped a tile when the expansion end moved when I was torquing my center lock hubs with a 4ft bar and I didn't catch it before lowering the lift "my bad...".As far as the depth goes make it a little deeper and bring the height up with thinset to level the base out.
3. Where did your soruce the tile from?
I bought my tile from Dal tile in 1ft x 2ft tiles. Light color tiles reflect more light but also require a little more maintenance to keep clean.
Thank you,

 

[SteveCh]

Just now ran across this thread. You simply did a beautiful job. Just beautiful.

 

[Eddie's GTS]

The project turned out great and more importantly I am using the lift all the time. I even use the lift to wax the side of my car. I have been trading street and race brake pads between events. You want security leave the car up on the rack and let somebody try and steal it.

 

[hookedontronics]

thanks for making this easy, i was having an impossible time trying to order one of these within the US. You are my savior!

 

[Eddie's GTS]

I believe it is Chinese New Years this week so you may not find anybody home at the factory. Try William next week. Also you may want to hook up with other forum members looking for a lift for a group buy. If you keep the price under 2k (minus shipping)you can do a informal customs entry and save yourself those cost.

 

[R6 Racer]

Eddie's GTS Do you think it's still possible to get them for under $2,000.00? I saw in another thread that they wont sell them to individuals any more.

Steve

 

[hookedontronics]

has anyone been able to get ahold of william lately? i've sent a few emails but no response yet

 

[tc-cad]

I love the scissor lift. I am in the process of Building my own scissor lift . I like how they are flush with the concrete floor when not in use. The tubing came in today and the lasered brackets that join the two arms have been formed. I will take/post pictures of the process as it develops. I have a complete design that I did on SolidWorks software.

TC-CAD

 

[tc-cad]

I found a scissor lift looks very close to EE model. It is made by Snap-on and rated at 7000 lbs. So no need to build my own any more. Now I just need to cut concrete and get mine all set-up in my garage. I just picked it up today drove 700 miles in one day to pick it up and bring it home.

TC-CAD