Hello, I visit the garage journal site a bunch but really think I'll get better opinions and advice over here. I just built a new shop at home and am shopping for a lift. I was set on a two post model but have heard some strong reasons for a four post unit from some autobody friends I have. So what do you use and recommend for home shop use for hot rod fabrication and repair? Like I said it will be low volume work of a great variety. With my new shop I plan on doing my first full on build, ch***is and all. Thanks in advance!
If I can have only one it's gonna be a two post. Find the local supplier for Rotary lifts and see if they have any used ones. I'll take a used Rotary over any import any day. If all you're doing is autobody then a 4 post could be nice, but there are quite a few things that a two post is ideal for.
i wouldnt have a 2 post you cant swing the feet under a low car i have a 4 post it rolls around and i have 2 air jacks that slide full lengh best thing i ever bought..also my frame jig mnts to it so when i'm welding i can raise or lower where i want it
I have a rotary 2 post, I have 4 little platforms to get under super low cars, no problem, and when the car is lifted the entire undercarrige is open. You can't say that with a 4 post regardless of your jacks or not. And sorry to say any 4 post that is on wheels to roll around is to light duty for my tastes. I can get a '49 Caddy he**** up on mine with no sweat, I'd question doing that on a hobbyist 4 post lift, and if it has wheels that's what it is...
one thing to be aware of if you go with a 2 post be sure your floor is thick enough to support it. I can't remember for sure but I think the recommended minimum is around 8" thick
When I built my shop I poured the floor 12" thick with 2 #5 rebar for a 2 post lift. The manufacturers say 4" is fine (do to the large base plate), just make sure you use a good epoxy and blow out the drill holes before you epoxy in your anchor bolts, DO NOT USE WEDGE ANCHORS they can loosen and a more likely to blow out the concrete I did a lot of research and thought the 2 post would be the best since you got full access under neath. When I was a mechanic my bay had a single post and it was pretty much useless for exhaust jobs but I was front end tech so it worked fine. Just make sure your car is balanced and the locks are out before you go under.
Just one recommendation. Check around for someone that demos old gas stations. They usually have a lift or 2 hanging around. You may pick one up cheap. Friend of mine demo'd stations as a side job.
I've been looking for a long time. I am pretty much convinced,though I have no personal experience, that I would most like to have atwo post,asymetric lift. I've been to several garage auctions, but the prices usually show the excitement of bidding wars. Plus,you have to wonder if a really good lift that has been up and down dozens of times day for many years is going to need some expensive rebuild. I 'll probably end up with on of the better quality,foreign lifts.
had an argument about this with a worker the other day we decided a two post is okay but no matter what i still go for drive over pit!- I HAVE BEEN IN A SHED when a four poster dropped a big 4x4, it bounced sideways through the posts and into the side of a truck it is not pretty!
had a commercial grade 9000lb lift bought it used off a guy for $900. dragged it home alone set it up using my engine hoist rebuilt the cylinders (just a simple oring) used it on all kinds of cars lowered cars need to drive up on a 4" x 10" block to make it easy.I had a professional mechanic drop my truck off a lift and bend the ch***is on a 2 post. now that i have more than 1 project car i need to stack them at night to store them and the 4 post is way easier for that.my import 4 post has lifted my expedition with no problems and my 59 chevy wagon get's parked on it for months at a time. The 2 post is def easier to work on the car.
It's clear there are two sides to who likes what over here just like at the garage journal site. I like the open room you have with a two post lift, but worry about being able to really muscle a project around on it. The LAST thing I want is a car to fall off it and I have seen that with a two post twice in a professional shop.
Choppedsled, when those cars fell off the two post lift, what was the cause? I hear the problem is "usually" the car not being clear of obstruction, and when it's taken up or let down it catches and tips off the lift.
Usually if it's a quality lift like a Rotary it's operator error. The only problems I've ever seen that were the lift failing were cheap import lifts.
One problem with a 2 post is the ability to open the door and get in and out of. Esp. when you have a little extra bagagge like me
I'd be willing to say both instances were the fault of the mechanic's using the lift. One of the units was a Rotary with a one ton dump bed on it. It went over forward, I don't know what the cause was, and L&I is doing an investigation into it. The second looked like it slipped off the pads on the p*** side and ended up holding the car up by the bottom of the door etc. I don't think for a minute that either lift was at fault, just that there may be a lot more room for error witth a two post if you arn't real carefull. That being said I'm still leaning toward a two post, just value the opinions on here before I buy.
If you opt for a 4 post, go with Backyard Buddy. I wouldn't let my dog lay under some of the Chinese **** out there. My BB has given me flawless service for six years.
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