Scissor Lift –any experience of?
Discussion
Has anyone got any experience of this type of lift? This is one example I’ve come across
http://www.cascos-lifts.co.uk/scissor-lift.html
Anyone know of other makes?
http://www.cascos-lifts.co.uk/scissor-lift.html
Anyone know of other makes?
Tight fit ? only just got the required 2 metres between tyres and then you'd be lifting on the outriggers ?
Are you looking to actually stand under the car or just raise to "waist height" to access brakes etc. comfortably?
Guess you've had a look around Ebay?
If the search is working various options have been discussed over on the "General TVR stuff" Forum in the past.
Waist height will do because of restricted head-room in the garage. I’m thinking this should give enough clearance underneath to do most jobs and make working on wheels and brakes a lot easier on my back and knees.
That Ebay one looks a bit “spindly” with all the weight being supported by thin struts on a small footprint. I wonder how stable it would be if you were yanking on a bar trying to get a wheel bearing off?
That Ebay one looks a bit “spindly” with all the weight being supported by thin struts on a small footprint. I wonder how stable it would be if you were yanking on a bar trying to get a wheel bearing off?
Have you looked into these guys: http://www.cjautosheywood.co.uk/lifts.shtml
They advertise in practical classics every month but I have no experience of their products. Apparently, there was a review of lifting devices in Car Mechanics a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure which one.
Ralph
They advertise in practical classics every month but I have no experience of their products. Apparently, there was a review of lifting devices in Car Mechanics a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure which one.
Ralph
Is this the thread you mean?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=982...
Had to use Google to find this as the “Search” isn’t working (again).
Going slightly off topic, I’ve found Google quite useful to find stuff on here – just type in your topic, eg scissor lift, pistonheads, or TVR s3c rear disc brake conversion, pistonheads, and a list comes up. Just finish off the topic description with “pistonheads”. Doesn’t work every time but a good starting point.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=982...
Had to use Google to find this as the “Search” isn’t working (again).
Going slightly off topic, I’ve found Google quite useful to find stuff on here – just type in your topic, eg scissor lift, pistonheads, or TVR s3c rear disc brake conversion, pistonheads, and a list comes up. Just finish off the topic description with “pistonheads”. Doesn’t work every time but a good starting point.
gifdy said:
There are a fwe examples on the 'Best garage' thread in General Gassing.
The best garage thread is this one, its a long thread but a lot of nice working garages in it too.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
For the amount your considering spending you could probably get your hands on a good second hand 2 post lift. There are always a few listed on ebay.
The Big G said:
The best garage thread is this one, its a long thread but a lot of nice working garages in it too.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
That's the one. There's a chap called scotty_d that has a Cerb up on a scissors lift ( second last page on my page setting )http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
These chaps always display at the NEC Classic car Show and get good reviews. http://www.strongmantools.co.uk/
This guy Ricky Hall did mine from https://ngelifts.co.uk/ here’s his add on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303610438227, it seems that a lot of companies either use couior transportation or only sell units X works. There seem to be, off load problems and access problems into peoples properties. I watch quite a few vids before buying and I saw guys spending 1/2 day getting these things out of plywood crate, then piping up hydraulics, finding and supplying their own hydraulic oil, adapting electrics to suit equipment ( some wouldn’t work from a domestic breaker).
I email NGE, Ricky retuned my mail same day, agreed a price including delve, he told me that they would put together in their own workshop, run up and test. Then attach transportation wheels to the unit, load onto trailer and delve within 2 days. My garage is at 90 degrees from road over a slightly rough crossover and up a 25mm step into the garage. Two of us wheeled the 450 kg unit off trailer across verything and into the garage very easily, another 30mins it was imposition off its transport wheels and working, I’d had a full demo, told that all parts were off the shelf from the uk, I transfer the money ( I’d paid no money up front) we drunk tea and waved good buy. 1st class in my book. One of the other mid rise lifts I was considering needed £350.00 electric work done to my garage and came with no hydraulic oil. Hope this helps others as other posts help me.
I email NGE, Ricky retuned my mail same day, agreed a price including delve, he told me that they would put together in their own workshop, run up and test. Then attach transportation wheels to the unit, load onto trailer and delve within 2 days. My garage is at 90 degrees from road over a slightly rough crossover and up a 25mm step into the garage. Two of us wheeled the 450 kg unit off trailer across verything and into the garage very easily, another 30mins it was imposition off its transport wheels and working, I’d had a full demo, told that all parts were off the shelf from the uk, I transfer the money ( I’d paid no money up front) we drunk tea and waved good buy. 1st class in my book. One of the other mid rise lifts I was considering needed £350.00 electric work done to my garage and came with no hydraulic oil. Hope this helps others as other posts help me.
I personally had one of these....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR...
Regret selling it to be honest - though replacing it with a 2 post was inevitable I suppose.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR...
Regret selling it to be honest - though replacing it with a 2 post was inevitable I suppose.
I've got one of these. It's branded 'Budget Garage Equipment' or BGE.
I've had it about 5 years, and it's the best tool I ever bought. By far.
It won't fit under a low car like ours, so there are several ways of raising the car to use it. Some are shown in the ad.
I bought mine second hand, from a guy who had previously had a TVR. He was glad to get rid of two crude timber runways, each about 300mm wide and 125mm high. If he hadn't given me those, and if I hadn't the means to take them home with me, I would have made some myself from scaffold boards. The lift is a heavy item to move (which is reassuring!)
So: the lift lives in the garage, between the runways and under the car. The car being raised 5 inches is a HUGE help for everyday work on the bodywork or in the cockpit: worth it, even without the lift!
Of course, the kit only lifts from the chassis, not the wheels, but I haven't found that to be a disadvantage at all. There's a lot of adjustability in the lift brackets and in the lift pads, so (being careful of the balance of the car) you can use the lift well towards the front or towards the rear of the car. You need to do this because there is a transverse 'bridge' that can get in the way.
For instance, using the longer lift pads removing/refitting the exhaust was a doddle. The 'bridge' actually supported the exhaust just where I needed it.
Engine/gearbox out? Different height at front/rear makes it easy to get the engine at the right angle. Had to slide the runways out to get the engine crane in, though. Access to the engine mountings is still horrible, but a bit more comfortable.
Wheels, brakes, steering and suspension: piece of cake.
Petrol tank out: couldn't be easier.
I'd go so far as to say, that without the lift I wouldn't have the 'S'. I'm 70 and arthritic, and (by intention) the only spannerer.
Do you get the impression that I'm recommending it? Well, I am!
I've had it about 5 years, and it's the best tool I ever bought. By far.
It won't fit under a low car like ours, so there are several ways of raising the car to use it. Some are shown in the ad.
I bought mine second hand, from a guy who had previously had a TVR. He was glad to get rid of two crude timber runways, each about 300mm wide and 125mm high. If he hadn't given me those, and if I hadn't the means to take them home with me, I would have made some myself from scaffold boards. The lift is a heavy item to move (which is reassuring!)
So: the lift lives in the garage, between the runways and under the car. The car being raised 5 inches is a HUGE help for everyday work on the bodywork or in the cockpit: worth it, even without the lift!
Of course, the kit only lifts from the chassis, not the wheels, but I haven't found that to be a disadvantage at all. There's a lot of adjustability in the lift brackets and in the lift pads, so (being careful of the balance of the car) you can use the lift well towards the front or towards the rear of the car. You need to do this because there is a transverse 'bridge' that can get in the way.
For instance, using the longer lift pads removing/refitting the exhaust was a doddle. The 'bridge' actually supported the exhaust just where I needed it.
Engine/gearbox out? Different height at front/rear makes it easy to get the engine at the right angle. Had to slide the runways out to get the engine crane in, though. Access to the engine mountings is still horrible, but a bit more comfortable.
Wheels, brakes, steering and suspension: piece of cake.
Petrol tank out: couldn't be easier.
I'd go so far as to say, that without the lift I wouldn't have the 'S'. I'm 70 and arthritic, and (by intention) the only spannerer.
Do you get the impression that I'm recommending it? Well, I am!
mentall said:
I've got one of these. It's branded 'Budget Garage Equipment' or BGE.
I've had it about 5 years, and it's the best tool I ever bought. By far.
It won't fit under a low car like ours, so there are several ways of raising the car to use it. Some are shown in the ad.
I bought mine second hand, from a guy who had previously had a TVR. He was glad to get rid of two crude timber runways, each about 300mm wide and 125mm high. If he hadn't given me those, and if I hadn't the means to take them home with me, I would have made some myself from scaffold boards. The lift is a heavy item to move (which is reassuring!)
Do you get the impression that I'm recommending it? Well, I am!
EEEEEck, that's the one I had. I've never known anyone else on here have one. I heartily endorse all the views above - thoroughly recommend. And the sellers were very good with me. I've had it about 5 years, and it's the best tool I ever bought. By far.
It won't fit under a low car like ours, so there are several ways of raising the car to use it. Some are shown in the ad.
I bought mine second hand, from a guy who had previously had a TVR. He was glad to get rid of two crude timber runways, each about 300mm wide and 125mm high. If he hadn't given me those, and if I hadn't the means to take them home with me, I would have made some myself from scaffold boards. The lift is a heavy item to move (which is reassuring!)
Do you get the impression that I'm recommending it? Well, I am!
Best £1500 ever spent. Don’t know how I ever managed without one. Watch out for delivery as some leave it by the roadside. Mine was forklifted down (a steep driveway with a bend) right into the garage. Came with hydraulic oil and unboxing it was not too much of a faf. There are plenty of YouTube vids of people unboxing, (there is a bit of a technique using the detachable small wheels). i have had it for over a year and is hence out of warranty, I have a minor issue so would not necessarily recommend mine until i see the level of customer service to resolve. Please don’t judge me on such an untidy garage
This lift is rather different: you can drive the car, on its wheels, over the lift. It looks good, but I prefer my (cheaper) kit.
With the front of the car slightly overhanging the end of the runway (battens nailed down under the front tyres) the bonnet opens fully!
One day I'll adopt the 'wide-open' design, but I haven't needed to yet.
mentall said:
So: the lift lives in the garage, between the runways and under the car. The car being raised 5 inches is a HUGE help for everyday work on the bodywork or in the cockpit: worth it, even without the lift!
I forgot to mention the other enormous advantage of parking the car on 5 inch high runways:With the front of the car slightly overhanging the end of the runway (battens nailed down under the front tyres) the bonnet opens fully!
One day I'll adopt the 'wide-open' design, but I haven't needed to yet.
Edited by mentall on Monday 8th February 09:17
I've been thinking about getting a lift for some time. I don't have room at home for a 2 / 4 post so am thinking about a scissor lift of the type you guys seem to like, one of those tilting scissor lifts that have adjustable width from CJ Autos or a set of QuickJack ramps. Does anyone have experience of the last 2 with a Cerb or Tuscan and would they recommend them? I am quiet keen on a scissor lift with adjustable arms but they do seem to obstruct access to most of the underneath of the car.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
PhilF329 said:
I am quiet keen on a scissor lift with adjustable arms but they do seem to obstruct access to most of the underneath of the car.
There are obstructions, but with the long extension pads the chassis, propshaft, exhaust etc can be a good 9" above the lift: somewhere to put parts and tools, and you can reach everywhere. If you look at RR's Cerb picture above, you can get the car much higher than that. Without the bits of wood!And much further back: presumably he's working on the tank or the diff etc.
You do need to think ahead to which parts you're working on.
You can't really get yourself underneath in the area where the hydraulics are, but if you're lifting at the chassis where the front outriggers join (far enough forward that the car doesn't rock forward, on the 'S'), then the lift itself can be quite a long way further to the back.
I haven't found an 'underneath' job that wasn't made much easier with the lift.
The reason for the wood and not a direct 'pad on chassis' is that I like to lift where the tubes intersect (see pic above), note, the roll cage also bolts in the same area. Unfortunately on the Cerb this area is recessed, so a carefully crafted piece of wood was used (They are not separate pieces btw, because that would be daft).I also have a pair of adjustable ramps, lead screw type as opposed to the hydraulic version.
They have their place but are no substitute for the above lift, you have to watch out for rust/debris falling on the lead screw thread, this can find it's way into the 'nut' and lock up, I've had this happen twice.
Mine were the early versions, I believe the thread was made much courser on the later ones.
The lift in my previous post is not perfect, you'll find some part of the scissor will be in the way at some time BUT I would not be without it
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