The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Shop lift or not?

This is simple, Maybe? I'm planning on building a shop. I know a lift will be a nice addition but how important is it? How much will it be used vs how often will it just be taking up floor space? This will be for ongoing project after project, retired guy playing a little every day.

What say you, please vote 1 to 10.
1=not needed use money for something else, 10=every shop needs one!

Buddy

buddy in AK, i say 10. No more ramps!
tony from CA

Once you use it, you'll NEVER want to be without it again. 15


*ps* you can also put 1 'bolt on the lift, lift it all the way up, then slide another 'bolt underneath it... 2 for 1

If you have the room, do it!

Since it's a new shop, make room for it!

10.

Hmmmm..... there seems to be a pattern forming here.

I did see an ad for the 4 poster with one car up and one car under, good idea.

Current plan is 36' square shop with one 16' wide door tall enough for a COE.

Hi, Buddy,

Door tall enough for a COE? I don't see one in your list so you must have plans! Do you have one spotted?

I'd say go for a lift if you can do it. It sure beats jack stands or a pit.

My friend has one... sure wish I did.

rdbates, why do you need a lift if your friend has one? Cold barley pops are cheaper than a lift; and it's always good to have help...

If you have the money and need to spend it. Go for it. I'm a 10 cause I wish I had one, but I dont think it is necessary for me,I'm not getting one. Good luck, have fun, enjoy yourself. Build the ultimate shop!

10,10,10 Go for it, a guy up the street has one...sweet
can park another car under it. I would love one.

-RT1

I say build it into the budget for your shop. 10

For those of you that know about my Raffle, each year I have contacted a couple of the lift mfgs about donating a lift to our Tools for a Cure Raffle, no such luck YET!!!!! Boy would that sell some tickets!

I was considering one and even built the shop and over poured the slab to accomodate one. Half of my fleet are the big bolts and I didn't want to work around the posts that the trucks would have to squeeze between to get into the shop. For now I've decided against it until I get too old to lay under the trucks (which I don't think will be long). Besides, I use one at work everyday. I have access to a dozen hoists every week-end and evening so I thought I would keep my floor space for now. Besides, it's hard to have a barn dance with a shop lift right in the middle of the floor.
Scott

One of these days i'm going to build a shop out here, and the way i've been leaning is a PIT, not a lift.

Mostly because of price.. but secondly, because of ceiling height.

Topic: Shop lift or not?

Buddy you should never shop lift, it's against the law! .........g

build it and they will come ....

51 KY 3100: his lives in his basement with his 32 ford on top and his 2000 Corvette underneath, two late model bikes, a 77 Suburban, and a 1999 Excursion in front of it. He says that he plans to build a car but I don't know where he is going to do it.

The 10s are overwhelming, as I suspected. I plan a 12' ceiling and maybe build a deck in one corner to store a vehicle under and body part storage on top. Also a shed roof off one side (outside) for 2 vehicles along side. The finance dept. (I Love you honey) has given approvel, it's in the 3 year plan. She thinks I should put in a heated slab floor to cut down on dust(she's so smart). Hmmmm, now that I think about it she did mention something last week about her buying an old El Camino.

I gotta go guys...........

Buddy

My company just built a new factory with a heated slab. We have not used the heat function yet, but everybody we spoke with that has heated floors says that they absolutely love them. The down fall to this setup is that you cannot dtill into the floor due to the tubing that is installed in the concrete. One punctured line and you floor heat is history.

Phil

I have heated floor in the house garage, they are great! If I do them in the shop, the lift location will be done at the same time.

Thanks for all the input Guys.......

Buddy

If you go with the lift, I'd go higher than a 12' ceiling. That's what my friend has and with his 32 Ford on it which is pretty low compared to a bolt, I can't fully stand up under it and I'm only 5'8".

I built a 4' X 16' pit in my garage, I love it! No more creeper under the not enough room places, and never have to struggle with underfloor stuff. My exhaust work is now a snap. A lift would be good too, but I don't have a post (or 2 or 4) to work around. My total cost for the pit was less than $1,000.00 including 2" x 6" decking to cover it when not in use. Definitely do something to get under your car easily, you will be glad you did. Don't forget to put an electric plug in the pit too, I did and now need an extension cord to get my power in there. Also a drain if there is possibility of getting liquid in there, slope the concrete away from every edge of it too.

I have a 4 post lift in my garage, and it has been worth every penny I spent on it. A 4 post is the way to go, especially if you get the caster option, that way you can move it around your shop or outside. You really need a ceiling higher than 12'... My ceiling is 13' and I still have to stoop over a bit to get under the rails. At times I have cursed it for taking up space, but I'd just roll it outside. Buy the best you can afford. Backyard Buddy is a quality unit. If that is too much, buy some thing made in the USA, because the of the quality. I don't like the foriegn-made units... poor welds...

A lift is only as good as the guy(or gal) who welded it.

Andy