Trash compactor scissor lift?

[bora492]

Last weekend I pulled an old, unused trash compactor out of the kitchen in our new (110-year-old) house. Inside was the compacting mechanism, which looks like a honking-big heavy-duty scissors jack driven by a 110V electric motor. I got to thinking that with a little welding, I could have a nice little car lifting mechanism. However, I don't know how much it would lift, or whether it would handle a sideways load if not precisely centered. I can say the actual scissors arms are about twice as thick as a standard OEM scissors jack, so it looks pretty beefy.

Has anyone ever tried it? Thanks.

Dave

 

[Carguy99]

interesting, I have no idea if this would work... and I don't think anyone else will either. Id give it a shot. just dont lift anything you aren't willing to drop.

 

[CNGsaves]

Probably would work better for Motorcycle lift due it's limited travel of lift.

But hey, give it a try . . . Show us what you did . . . we like pics!!

 

[Steevo]

Good re-purposing idea.
We want pics.

 

[mrknowitall]

Great idea for re-using your trash - hopes it's secure!

 

[fatfillup]

Interesting and yes let us know the results.

 

[rsanter]

How about using it as a lift positioning table,to changentqhe height of a work bench

Bob

 

[sselander]

A Broan trash compactor would have something similar

Here is a thread with a photo of the Braun mechanism:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45221
Repairing a home Trash Compactor

 

[Major Ramifications]

Ah, the trash compactor, the most useless kitchen appliance ever invented.
The problems I see is that they have a limited range of lift and not much oomph.

 

[porschedude996TT]

Maybe an adjustable rolling table???

 

[Steven67fr]

Sounds like a great idea... couldn't hurt to try. I'll be waiting for pics and a review of the success!