new 40x60 dream shop: lift placement help

[biglos454]

Hello everyone, ive been lurking on here forever and im finally at a point in life where i get to build the dream shop. Im currently in the design phase. Details: it will be 40x60x16 with 2 front doors and one rear wall door, all on the gable end. there will be a 16 ft loft at the rear of the shop. Stair placement for the loft is not concrete yet. under the loft there will be a dedicated grinding/welding room to keep the dust down in the shop. there will be a 20x30 enclosed lean to that will be the man cave, with a wrap around porch behind the lean to wrapping over the rear door.

I have a question for everyone. im planning on having 2 lifts in the shop, a two post lift and a flush mounted scissor lift. i plan on placing the 2 post at the entrance of the right side front door, ill treat it as a dedicated bay essentially. my question is what seems best for the flush mount scissor lift. ive thought of 3 options so far and would love anyones input.

the scissor lift would be used exclusivly for the smaller stuff, cars like E36s and camaros. the big 2 post would be used for my trucks

Option 1- in front of the other front door (concerned with long term projects blocking entry to the rest of the shop)


Option 2- in front of the 2 post at a 45 degree angle (not sure if the workspace will be ideal, but pulling onto the lift will be easier)


Option 3- in front of the 2 post at a 90 degree angle ( good workspace, possibly difficult to get parked on the lift)



Thank you to anyone with input. since the slab will be poured with the flush mount scissor lift boxes built in, i want to get this part right.

 

[jack stand]

#3
Smaller vehicles will easily make that 90* turn. My brain likes parallel or 90* to it's wall
Personally I'd add some windows, the welding corner looks like a good area for several. Then I'd consider moving the stairs outside of the building footprint and include a roof to keep the weather off of the stairs.
Whatever you do you'll find that you didn't consider something. I've done it with 2 shops and weather it's your needs have changed or something else, it's really hard to project 20+ years ahead.
In your design the only "hard" or permanent choices is your loft and the potential posts interfering with the area below.
They all look great and the best of luck to you with your build!

 

[AC-WC]

I like option 2, it gives you the chance to have 2 projects going, still have room to pull another vehicle in case of weather. Easier access with the angled lift instead of a hard 90.

 

[CraigStu]

I think I like 2 the best but have a Q. Is the scissor lift you are thinking of the type that you drive over the two lift pads? If you drive over it would you be better off not recessing it so you can move it as needed? IE if it were in position one, could it simply be driven over to use the space past it? Another thought is layout one but w/ two 2 post lifts. I once worked in a shop w/ 8 lifts. 4 doors w/ 2 lifts at each door, one behind the other. When I started there it took about 2 days until driving under a car on the first lift to get the next lift was completely normal.

 

[biglos454]

#3
Smaller vehicles will easily make that 90* turn. My brain likes parallel or 90* to it's wall
Personally I'd add some windows, the welding corner looks like a good area for several. Then I'd consider moving the stairs outside of the building footprint and include a roof to keep the weather off of the stairs.
Whatever you do you'll find that you didn't consider something. I've done it with 2 shops and weather it's your needs have changed or something else, it's really hard to project 20+ years ahead.
In your design the only "hard" or permanent choices is your loft and the potential posts interfering with the area below.
They all look great and the best of luck to you with your build!

I know the feeling, the OCD in me is leaning towards having teh 90 degree angle lol. there will be a lean to on both sides of the shop so we want the stairs to be internal, but i am thinking that they need to be moved up against the left wall instead. that is where they will be least intrusive. Its not in the pictures but i do plan on having a good size filtered exhaust fan on the back wall of the welding room to keep the air in there moving and clean. I wish i could get it perfect on the first try, but you are correct, i wont know exactly what i need until i build it and use it.

 

[biglos454]

I think I like 2 the best but have a Q. Is the scissor lift you are thinking of the type that you drive over the two lift pads? If you drive over it would you be better off not recessing it so you can move it as needed? IE if it were in position one, could it simply be driven over to use the space past it? Another thought is layout one but w/ two 2 post lifts. I once worked in a shop w/ 8 lifts. 4 doors w/ 2 lifts at each door, one behind the other. When I started there it took about 2 days until driving under a car on the first lift to get the next lift was completely normal.

yes, the type of lift i am getting is the drive over scissor style. The reason i want to recess it, is 2 fold. 1 is the cars that will be on there are very low so the recess is the best solution for lifting them, and 2 i love the idea of saved floor space. when the lift is not in use, it is not in the way. the area in front of the 2 post is essentally the main work area when the scissor isnt in use, also the scissor lift works as a height adjustable workbench when there isnt a car on it.
My original idea was to have 2 two-post lifts, but then i discovered the world of scissor lifts and saw the versatilty of them. having 1 of each type feels to be the best solution if you can swing it. I never considered having both lifts in line though. ill have to map that out and see how i feel about it. driving under the 2 post with a car on it does not bother me.

This is the style of lift i will be getting

 

[Jon h]

I’m for option 1. That’s the same spot my hoist is. The problem with planning to have a long term project on the hoist is that it’s on the hoist when you need the hoist for other things. Such as tire changes, etc. If you have the hoist at the front it’ll always be clear or at least you’ll make sure your ‘long term’ projects will always be able to roll ahead when you do need the hoist.

Jon h.

 

[Blk88GT]

2. If you plan to drive under the 2 post, make sure you get the high clearance model.

 

[BobnCO]

yes, the type of lift i am getting is the drive over scissor style. The reason i want to recess it, is 2 fold. 1 is the cars that will be on there are very low so the recess is the best solution for lifting them, and 2 i love the idea of saved floor space. when the lift is not in use, it is not in the way. the area in front of the 2 post is essentally the main work area when the scissor isnt in use, also the scissor lift works as a height adjustable workbench when there isnt a car on it.
My original idea was to have 2 two-post lifts, but then i discovered the world of scissor lifts and saw the versatilty of them. having 1 of each type feels to be the best solution if you can swing it. I never considered having both lifts in line though. ill have to map that out and see how i feel about it. driving under the 2 post with a car on it does not bother me.

This is the style of lift i will be getting

Damn you!! Now I want to cut out my floor and add a set of these… damn you! Mine is an existing 40’ x 60’ as well but (currently) only one door. (I’m a semi retired commercial contractor so would cost me far less than most, so I guess you’re already forgiven!)

 

[biglos454]

Damn you!! Now I want to cut out my floor and add a set of these… damn you! Mine is an existing 40’ x 60’ as well but (currently) only one door. (I’m a semi retired commercial contractor so would cost me far less than most, so I guess you’re already forgiven!)

a lot of people cut them into existing slabs. real easy for someone like you who already has the skills. there are some decently priced scissor lifts out there, especially if you go with a mid rise. sadly the full rise are all pretty expensive.

 

[BobnCO]

Thanks! thats what I noticed (price difference) which a mid would likely be fine since I have a Rotary SPOA9 already. I could rotate tires, do brakes, change oil etc in this my “daily” bay. And it would help w/ very low BMW E46 330i ZHP (M height suspension)! Prior owner built it (true commercial building in a residential neighborhood) for his HVAC shop (we were friends).. there is even a spare conduit from the three phase panel to that area!! I would just need to intersect it!