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scissor lift vs. 2-post lift

K

king nero

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Joined
Dec 27, 2010
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1,469
Location
Belgium
I have been thinking some time to get myself a used two-post lift, however this thread has caught my attention, and made me rethink my decision.

Any advantages for one system against the other? Keep in mind my space is limited, I've got the necessary height though.
Would there be work that harder or impossible on a scissor lift (like welding on the bottom parts of the car, where old timers tend to rust), things like that?
I can easily get a two-poster second hand, a scissor lift I will need to order new.

It would be mostly used for small maintenance work like oil and filter, and brake jobs, but I plan to get myself an older car for doing a full restoration.

I have to pour the slab for my garage in the next few weeks, so I'll need to decide one of these days...


thx in advance for your opinions...
 
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M

mad57

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Jan 30, 2009
Messages
1,698
Id go with the 2 post while your at it measure where your gonna put it and make some pockets with more concrete where it will be anchored, plus how many scissor lifts do you see in autobody shops, used for restos. now my buddy has one and it goes up enought to walk under and is open under it and has drive on tracks like a 4 post that ones not a bad choice but i still think if you have the height go 2post or for that matter 4 post good luck with ur decision.
 
H

HGFS

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Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
46
Location
Brisbane, Australia.
HI
King Nero, I am a rodder so I bought a second hand 4 post hoist to keep with the theme. My hoist was made in Tasmania in 1965 and needed a new lifting nut with a butress thread made, this cost me $310.

I find the 4 post quick to use as you just drive on and dont have to worry about opening doors. To raise a wheel I have a stand I place under the car then lower the hoist to suit......feels safe and gives me a work platform.

Storage is handy to, just lay some boards across and the surface area is much larger than that of a 2 post. My plan was to extend my mezzanine floor and use the hoist for access of heavy equipement.

Finally....no right or wrong??? depends on cost, your space, power supply, choice. All will work for good and bad, at least you will have something....even just a talking point, good luck with your choice.

Regards, Richard.
 
K

kfosburg

Active member
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Jun 26, 2008
Messages
28
The 2 post is better for most jobs... I've been debating the same question for quite a while and finally decided to go with the 2 post after working at my friends house with one. The one thing that the scissor lift has going for it is it's [relative] portability and quick setup. The more I thought about it, the more I considered a scissor lift as a temporary solution. The good news is that if you end up buying a scissor lift you can always resell it for a high % of what you pay for it. I never, ever see them for sale used for a cheap price where I'm at.

My 2 cents,

Karl
 
G

gkring

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Joined
Oct 15, 2006
Messages
134
Location
Keller, Texas
two poster
pros-
more undercar clearance
cheaper to buy
can park a car underneath

cons-
need more room to install
door clearance an issue and generally the lift is in the way of everything in cramped garages
inherently less stable
harder to setup lift points correctly

scissor lift
pros-
very quick to use-drive on and lift
very stable
unobtrosuive when not used, especially if mounted flush

cons-
more expensive, especially for one to lift trucks
lift points not moveable so working clearance can be an issue
can not park a car underneath

My choices?
One car small garage then scissor
two car small garage then two post
Multiple cars large garage-one of each, two post if limited to one

We have 25 scissor lifts at my dealership, but have to keep 2 two post lifts for the jobs you can't do on a scissor lift. The reverse is not true at any of our other dealerships. We can fit 9 scissor lifts in the space only 8 2 post lifts would take.
 
R

RMR&C

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Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
121
Location
NW Montana
So who makes the best (safest) scissor lift? I want one, but they look kinda scary.....Like a bigger car might fall off easily...
 
OP
K

king nero

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Dec 27, 2010
Messages
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Location
Belgium
Thx for your replies...

Even though the installation in this thread is uber cool, I think I'm gonna stick with my original idea (i.e. a two-post lift).

I have to say in addition, I'll use a large cart, that can be placed under the elevated car, to move the car from the lift when I'm not working on that car. So the twoposter will be free whenever I need it to work on other cars. I think this is not possible, or much harder to accomplish, with a scissor lift.

I appreciate your opinions! :thumbup:
 
C

C91x

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Aug 26, 2015
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267
Location
Prescott Valley
Where is the cheapest place to purchase one? I see the atlas is $3500... is that about the cheapest you can get one for?
 
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Worsedog

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Mar 2, 2008
Messages
1,515
Location
Central FL
omowright said:
A two-post is inherently unsafe (cantilever design, floor dependence) and the accidents are catastrophic ...
Click to expand...

Hundreds of thousands are used without incident daily. Like many other things, safety is dependent on the nut behind the controls.
 
G

gerryw

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Aug 10, 2008
Messages
815
Location
toronto area
Im on the scissor lift side, didnt want banging doors on exit of vehicle, wanted to maximise floor space (doesnt take up any when car is over it for parking)
I do mostly brakes, suspension work, so its perfect.
A big plus with limited space is the scissor lift makes a great work bench (piece of plywood)(i didnt realize how much i would use it this way, its my go-to for a home reno “station”)
Think about what you been working on in the last year, and go from there.

Gerry
 
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P

pbon

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Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
3,498
omowright said:
A two-post is inherently unsafe (cantilever design, floor dependence) and the accidents are catastrophic ...
Click to expand...

They are the most common lifts. I also think they are the best lifts since they give the most access. I had one for 5 years and loved it. Unfortunately I have to use a 4 post in my new garage.

My guess is that if there are problems with 2!post, it’s due to improper installation or operator error. Nothing inherently dangerous about them. A scissor lift would be my last choice.
 
C

cspcrx

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Joined
May 2, 2014
Messages
608
Location
Phoenix, AZ
The other item that influences this is your slab. Mine is post tensioned so it creates other challenges to installing a lift that required bolding to the floor.

Can it be done, yes.

I went scissor. Does what I need for what I do and stays out of the way under the car when not in use.
 
P

pbon

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May 14, 2017
Messages
3,498
My new garage has no slab, so went with a 4 post. If I was going to fill and pour a slab, I would have considered an in ground lift, although they do cost 2-3x as much as a 2 post and 2x as much as a 4 post. I hopefully I will like the 4 post.
 
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