Repurpose a Bendpak 2 post

[8man]

I was given a Bendpak 9000 two post lift. Most of the parts are there, but the guy had it sitting outside uncovered for several years. So the humidity in Houston has caused some rust to start up. I would have to replace many parts and repaint the whole thing for my new shop. Since I'm building my dream shop and would like to have a 2 post lift, I have spousal approval for a new one.

So what are my options?

1. Rebuild it and use it. (My wife doesn't like that idea as she has a fear of it failing so she want's me to get a new one.)

2. Craigslist and take what I can get. I don't even know what to ask for it.

3. Repurpose it. I have no idea what to do with it.

So what are the suggestions?

 

[encantofred]

sell it and get what you can for it. if you are going to build a new shop you will have plenty to do.

buy one that you really want in your shop

tom

 

[Leopard Garage]

I am in the market for one, send me some photos of the unit, tell me what is missing, and we will go from there.

 

[rsanter]

Sell it and get a new one like you want

Or install it outside and use it for when you want to pressure wash the bottom of a vehicle or any other outside type work

Bob

 

[larry4406]

I like the have both option with one outside.

 

[Falcon67]

If the images I pulled up are right, looks like a similar lift to the Derek Weaver W-9F. If so, $1600 isn't much for a new lift with a warranty. I'd be interested if it was real cheap, but if we're replacing chains, pulleys, cables, cylinders, etc it'd have to be damn cheap to make it worth while. I can have the Weaver lift, lunch in Fort Worth and be home by dinner to boot LOL.

I'd not be so concerned about falling - the locks on most of these are mechanical things that could be repaired. If in good working order, the weight is sitting on those and should be stable.

I'd be more concerned with cables, carriage guides, and hydraulics that could fail and allow the load to act in an uncontrolled manner. Just depends - if you get two nice posts and have to replace everything else, was it really a deal LOL.

 

[8man]

Putting the new one in the shop and the old one outside is a cool idea. I couldn't put it in front, architectural control committee would have a cow. I do have a 10 x 10 back door from the shop to the backyard, and I plan on a concrete pad back there, but I'm not sure the wife would like seeing it from the back of "her" house.

I may have overstated parts needed. The hydraulic cylinders are not rusted and have had oil in them. The posts have paint and it has faded off, but it kept them mostly free from rust. The arms are in good shape. The pads are rusty, but may clean up in an "E" bath. The cables appear to be ok. The hoses are weathered but appear serviceable.

I will try to get pictures this weekend to put up here.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

Put it out back, even if you don't use it for vehicles you could make platforms for it to lift things like lawnmowers, etc. Great for taking heavy items out of vehicles...like your own loading dock!

 

[COSCAG00]

I may be interested in your lift. I am in Bryan as well so I am local.

Shoot me a PM!

Fred

 

[brownbagg]

mine been outside for twelve years, not much can get rusty, get a can of wd 40 and get to work, car lifts are not design to be pretty, there design to work. I bet you could install it and get it running in less than three hours and have to spend no money on anything for five years.

 

[ascott172]

I would set it up. You may find that it all works . If it's got too much to fix it's still worth more money if you can show what does work and that everything is there.

 

[Farmerjonathan]

Set it up and build a canvas/tent/umbrella to fit in the arms and run it up and use it as a covered patio when not in use as a lift/loading dock.

 

[Ironhorse74]

Don't know if you ride motorcycles or not, but if you do how about making it into a multilevel motorcycle parking structure? I have been pondering that one myself.

Brad

 

[Playwme]

Who gave it to you and what was the expectation? You sometimes have to be careful about selling stuff like that if it's likely to put the givers nose out of joint. Next time he's got something to give away you may not be his first thought.

 

[8man]

Brownbagg, I like your attitude about this. That's what I thought.

Ascott172, it was working when it came down, and all the parts are there, so I'm guessing it will still work when reassembled.

I got a manual form BendPak to order any parts and reassemble it.

Playwme, I agree with you and normally I wouldn't consider selling a gift. However, this was more a please haul this junk off, I don't play with tools and it was in the metal building when I bought it from a guy I've only talked to 5 times in our entire life.

Farmerjonathan, I'll talk to the wife about this and see if I can't get her to think of it as a Pergola or something.

Going to take some pictures and talk to COSCAGOO about this some more.

Thanks to all for responding.