brokencamel
Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2024
- Messages
- 7
Hi all, I know this is a topic that has been debated to death but there is always varying opinions and it seems each situation is a bit different.
So I've built a new house and we did a bit of an oversized garage with the plan to put in a lift in. Starting to work on deciding what lift to buy and I'm torn.
I've attached what the floorplan looks like. We have 10ft ceilings. The overhead door is high lift and jackshaft opener. Concrete is around 5" and 4000+ PSI.
So the double door section is where we have an old car sitting plus a daily driver. The 3rd bay is where we were planning to put in a lift. During the summer, it likely will not have a vehicle parked inside most of the time, but in winter that spot will be used for parking. The rear section of the garage is for woodworking so no lift going to there.
We've talked about doing a 2 post lift and setting it a bit further up in the 3rd bay so that if you park as far to the front of the garage as possible, the posts would forward enough that you can open the doors all the way, and then if you want to go on the lift, you just go forward a bit.
On one hand I dont mind this idea, although I'm struggling a bit with finding a decent lift here in Canada without paying a bunch. Most of the cheaper ones seem to have 2 safety locks instead of one which doesn't seem as nice, or the arms are symmetric, which also seems not great. I would also have to do a lift with a baseplate which isn't a big deal, but still not super great. I think what has me most concerned is finding a good and safe lift without paying a fortune and then also whether the posts are really going to be in the way or not. This portable one from Lift King seemed decent though a bit pricey - https://liftking.ca/automotive-lifts/2-post-lifts/portable-2-post-lift/
I also couldn't seem to find any reviews on and the manual seemed to suggest needing 12 inches of concrete which sounds insane.
Being able to move a post out of the way if I needed to sounds good to me.
I've also been thinking on an off about scissor lifts. Something like this https://www.amazon.ca/KATOOL-Scisso...hoppingads-lpcontext&psc=1&smid=AVNNJ72F9HJ7T
These seem much "safer" when it comes to concrete requirements. Also the receiving and install of it would be far easier than a 2 post. It is also "moveable" ( i wouldn't consider it portable), which is a plus. But my concerns about a lift like this would be whether its annoying to park on during the winter, whether all the snow melt will be a problem (heated garage kept at 16C all winter, if that matters), and then of course the lack of lift height and potential limited access. I mean, any lift is probably better than no lift. I could probably also have this one placed just ahead of where a car would normally park and then can roll it forward/backward as needed. I've also though about maybe a full rise lift but those are a lot more expensive. Although If i did a scissor lift, I would probably use it as is for a few years, and then at some point cut the floor and flush mount it.
One other thing that I should mention is the kind of work that will be done. I would say 70% will be routine car maintenance like oil/tire changes, brakes, suspension etc, maybe some detailing. But I do have an old car I'm restoring so at some point being able to drop a transmission and work on the exhaust will be important, though we've done both up until now on jack stands. I also dont mind if i have to sit on a stool under the car. I dont need to stand under it.
Looking for some opinions/suggestions that could help me make a decision.
Thank you!
So I've built a new house and we did a bit of an oversized garage with the plan to put in a lift in. Starting to work on deciding what lift to buy and I'm torn.
I've attached what the floorplan looks like. We have 10ft ceilings. The overhead door is high lift and jackshaft opener. Concrete is around 5" and 4000+ PSI.
So the double door section is where we have an old car sitting plus a daily driver. The 3rd bay is where we were planning to put in a lift. During the summer, it likely will not have a vehicle parked inside most of the time, but in winter that spot will be used for parking. The rear section of the garage is for woodworking so no lift going to there.
We've talked about doing a 2 post lift and setting it a bit further up in the 3rd bay so that if you park as far to the front of the garage as possible, the posts would forward enough that you can open the doors all the way, and then if you want to go on the lift, you just go forward a bit.
On one hand I dont mind this idea, although I'm struggling a bit with finding a decent lift here in Canada without paying a bunch. Most of the cheaper ones seem to have 2 safety locks instead of one which doesn't seem as nice, or the arms are symmetric, which also seems not great. I would also have to do a lift with a baseplate which isn't a big deal, but still not super great. I think what has me most concerned is finding a good and safe lift without paying a fortune and then also whether the posts are really going to be in the way or not. This portable one from Lift King seemed decent though a bit pricey - https://liftking.ca/automotive-lifts/2-post-lifts/portable-2-post-lift/
I also couldn't seem to find any reviews on and the manual seemed to suggest needing 12 inches of concrete which sounds insane.
Being able to move a post out of the way if I needed to sounds good to me.
I've also been thinking on an off about scissor lifts. Something like this https://www.amazon.ca/KATOOL-Scisso...hoppingads-lpcontext&psc=1&smid=AVNNJ72F9HJ7T
These seem much "safer" when it comes to concrete requirements. Also the receiving and install of it would be far easier than a 2 post. It is also "moveable" ( i wouldn't consider it portable), which is a plus. But my concerns about a lift like this would be whether its annoying to park on during the winter, whether all the snow melt will be a problem (heated garage kept at 16C all winter, if that matters), and then of course the lack of lift height and potential limited access. I mean, any lift is probably better than no lift. I could probably also have this one placed just ahead of where a car would normally park and then can roll it forward/backward as needed. I've also though about maybe a full rise lift but those are a lot more expensive. Although If i did a scissor lift, I would probably use it as is for a few years, and then at some point cut the floor and flush mount it.
One other thing that I should mention is the kind of work that will be done. I would say 70% will be routine car maintenance like oil/tire changes, brakes, suspension etc, maybe some detailing. But I do have an old car I'm restoring so at some point being able to drop a transmission and work on the exhaust will be important, though we've done both up until now on jack stands. I also dont mind if i have to sit on a stool under the car. I dont need to stand under it.
Looking for some opinions/suggestions that could help me make a decision.
Thank you!
