Derek Weaver Lifts?

[MBABGarage]

Does anyone have experience (or know anyone who has) with Derek Weaver branded lifts?

In particular, the Weaver W-Pro10 (PL10N000). Its Certified and lift gate delivered for $2799.

I cant seem to find many positive or negative things about them.
I want something safe, but my budget needs to stay under 3k. I cant find much in the way of used.

I was going to go with the Atlas PV10P from Greg Smith, but they just raised their prices by a few hundred dollars.

Thanks to everyone for their advice!

 

[Falcon67]

Love my two post. I installed November 2016.

Easy setup, works good - no issues. Good folks to deal with. I just took the trailer to Fort Worth and picked mine up. Bit under $1800 out the door.

 

[mhejl]

I checked out the showroom (of sorts) in Ft. Worth and they looked pretty good except the floor plate was a little higher than others (I didn't have the height for a clear-floor). This would bother me with a transmission jack based on being a mechanic way back when with floor plate lifts.

I ended up going with another local, Worth, since they are actually made here (in Mansfield, TX) and it was just a few hundred more at the time and way less expensive than Mohawk or Rotary. USA-made motor and hydraulics, with aluminum cable pulleys (vs plastic on most). No showroom for Worth, though. I've been generally pleased but...

...I wish I paid more attention to the arms (arc radius) and min pad height before ordering. The Worth's 2-pc arms are too long to go under short wheelbase cars (like my Miatas) without jockeying the car back and forth. The pads are also at least 1" over published specs and I have to remove them for the Miata and rest the pinch welds on the main bars (sliding bars are too far inbound). Worth's reply was "that's just how we make them." Thanks.

If you have short wheel bases, get a post with at least two 3-pc arms and low profile pads.

I have bought tall jack stands, etc. from Weaver. They're the same as all the other Chinese imports but they have a local shipping container mega-warehouse so I can pick up without waiting.

EDIT: Forgot to mention I had Worth's crew deliver and install for an additional $500 over the base price - less hardwiring; we used a temp NEMA 50A plug to bleed hydraulics. Well worth the hassle of DIY. I'm not sure what they'd do to the Austin area, though.

Also, Worth was about the only manufacturer I found that would fab whatever you wanted - taller/shorter posts, extra width, etc. Expect to wait, though, lead time is (was) over 4 months.

 

[ncfireman1918]

I don't have direct experience with Derek Weaver (yet), but am in the market as well. I am considering the exact same model that you are looking at. I noticed on the ALI certification (you can search the ALI site), the manufacturer is listed as Rotary. That makes me feel pretty good about the quality. I have not found anything negative about the company, so that's a plus. The two warehouses are in TX and NC (I'm in NC), and it's $300 off to pick up at the warehouse. I'm almost 100% certain that's the way I'm going. Just gotta get things moving on my shop before I can do it. Building is on order (should be delivered in August), and have to start the slab soon. Good luck, and post up which way you end up going.

 

[Falcon67]

I haven't had any issues with the floor plate - other than I have to move it to the side when I roll the dragster into the space. It sits so low it will hang on the hump.

I think the arms was one of the things I didn't like about the Worth when looking.

 

[dvo]

No problem here either after 5 years. Picked up my 9k 2 post at their NC warehouse. I like the option on my lift to go higher if you have more than 12' ceiling.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

I have a Direct Lift purchased thru Derek Weaver. Doug is a great guy to deal with. If you can make the trip to Arlington TX they have a nice showroom with many operating lifts.

 

[gearhead1]

No problem here either after 5 years. Picked up my 9k 2 post at their NC warehouse. I like the option on my lift to go higher if you have more than 12' ceiling.

Nice, where is the warehouse in NC?

 

[dvo]

Nice, where is the warehouse in NC?

It was in Thomasville

 

[MBABGarage]

The fact that they have a showroom alone makes me feel better. It shows they are proud of their stuff and is of higher quality than those cheaper companies that may be hiding something. They appear to be very comparable to Atlas at Greg Smith. Greg Smith does all of the in house testing to prove the quality though. I do like the better price at Weaver though to leave a littler extra room for one of their Tire Changer/Balancer Combos.

Thanks everyone for your comments! I think I'm just about ready to make some calls and a final decision.

I'll post what I decide soon.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Nice, where is the warehouse in NC?

They are in Charlotte now. May have moved since dvo picked up his lift.

11922 General Drive Suite E
Charlotte, NC 28273

 

[MoonShiner]

They don't have a showroom in Charlotte. Just a warehouse.

 

[rburke65]

I believe these lifts have been around for while....years really.

 

[nine45s]

I installed a Weaver W-Pro10 Black in my new garage last fall, great lift, had a Direct 8000 lb. in my old garage, nice but the Weaver is surely nicer. Three stage front arms are the way to go, easy to lift my small sports cars or my truck.
BTW, been around (or under) lifts for many years during my career in the auto industry.

Gerry

 

[MBABGarage]

That's a big boost in my confidence. I appreciate the comparison and comments.
I'm making the call today. Going with the Derek Weaver W-Pro10. It should work perfect for the variety that I will need to lift. Small sports cars, heavy and long classics, 3/4 truck, etc.
Thanks again!

 

[MoonShiner]

I believe these lifts have been around for while....years really.

Yup,

https://www.derekweaver.com/about/

 

[MattRMagnum]

"The Weaver Lift brand is currently used to label only carefully selected products from industry leading quality manufacturers."

This means that it's the same lift from China most others sell. With that in mind, look for who has best combo of price/install/shipping.