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Diy oil drain pans?

Want2race

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Nov 8, 2008
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217
This is probably more for people with 4 post lifts but let's try.

Has anyone made an oil catch pan for draining oil on their 4 post lift?

I've seen many that slide between the rails but I don't really need anything that serious.

I thought of getting a restaurant steam pan ( stainless) and making a metal frame to hold it between the rails. Then brazing a copper valve to the bottom to dump oil into a bottle etc

Anyone done something like this?

Here is the pan I was thinking.

fullsizepan
 
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Want2race

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Nov 8, 2008
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217
Thats not a bad idea but could you just find a used stainless steel sink and frame that up to the bottom of your lift.

I like that! Thanks!

I'll go check iKea. They always have scratched ones in their clearance section!:thumbup:
 

garfunkle24

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Mar 18, 2008
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3,429
Location
Saskatoon, Canada
A co-worker built a height adjustable one using the bottom of a barrel, a pan, two chunks of pipe that slid inside each other tightly then welded a nut on for a lock clamp. You can adjust to whatever height, just make sure the top tube is inside the lower tube.
 

bobabuee

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Nov 6, 2009
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Location
HAZLETON, PA
craigslist for used stainless sink .build frame from uni-strut plumb it up like a sink to ball valve and add hose to 55gal drum on casters still cheaper than commercial wheeled or lift railed one.

have not got my 4 post lift yet about 2 weeks this first thing I am building...

then 2) rolling air jack rails with 2/ 12 ton harbor freight air jacks with
c-channel
 
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Want2race

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Joined
Nov 8, 2008
Messages
217
craigslist for used stainless sink .build frame from uni-strut plumb it up like a sink to ball valve and add hose to 55gal drum on casters still cheaper than commercial wheeled or lift railed one.

have not got my 4 post lift yet about 2 weeks this first thing I am building...

then 2) rolling air jack rails with 2/ 12 ton harbor freight air jacks with
c-channel

Picture of proposed design?
 

kbs2244

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Nov 11, 2006
Messages
14,065
I do not have a lift.
But the best ones I have seen are just a big funnel down to a floor level tank.
That keeps the weight down low.
Often a screen of some kind to catch the plug if it slips.
 

sberry

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Jun 18, 2005
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Brethren, Michigan
A mud tray from Home depot is about perfect. I don't want to fuss with a pumper and bottle, I don't change oil like a quick lube anyway and my drum is in another building. I get a pail I haul it off. Somewhere there is a screen sits on top and I made a niche storage fit, out of the way.
 

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CJM8515

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NJ
A mud tray from Home depot is about perfect. /snip

What a great idea! Ive been using this 8qt plastic pan thing I found somewhere for years now but a mud pan would work so much better. I dont have alift at home so it would be perfect.
 
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Want2race

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Nov 8, 2008
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I actually have a mortar tray I got when I had a bobcat. My big problem with it was that it would contort when I tried to empty it and go everywhere.

Now I am hoping for a valve to get it out without moving it
 

sberry

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Brethren, Michigan
Most cars today hold less than 5 qts. A pan with 8 or 10 in it has its problems but I get a system and its no big deal and not worth the extra equipment.
 

WhiffySpark

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Oct 22, 2009
Messages
6,252
$85 for an 8 gallon oil bucket. Why mess with these contemplations? Just buy the right tool for the job
 

nadogail

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Jan 23, 2009
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32,032
Location
Coronado, CA
The first shop I worked in had drain pans that were made from 55 gallon drums.

A 6" section was cut from the end of a drum, handles attached and two pans were made from each drum.

This was 1955 in Anchorage Alaska.
 

cactiki

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Nov 17, 2011
Messages
123
Location
Ridgecrest, Ca
I use a metal drawer from an old refrigerator. When I am done, I pour the old oil back in the jug the new oil came from. When I remember to do it, I take the full jugs to the dump and pour it into the recycling barrel there.
Am I a hillbilly?
 

Davi

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Jul 9, 2010
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366
Location
North East England
Over here they're called gastronorm pans. They're actually pretty cheap, been thinking about getting a few for use in the kitchen. You can get them in multiple sizes and depths plus the steamer inserts could be used as a strainer as they sit inside them.
 

jimgood

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Aug 4, 2014
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2,394
Location
Marshall, VA
Are you talking about draining the oil for changes or catch oil dripping from a vehicle parked on the lift long term?
 
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