I can speak from experience here. I have a 4-post lift. I bought a
Direct Lift Pro Park 7LL when I was in the same place as the OP. The
lift is a bit tight in my garage, but much handier to use than the
Kwik Lift (Which I also looked at). If I remember right, I paid $1650
for my lift a few months ago. I agree completely with Trevor, but I
took it one step further. I have a stool, and I bought a little
rolling table that adjusts in height:
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Rolling-Work-Table-p/httc304c.htm
It's as quality an item as you'd expect a $99 work table to be, but
this gives me a work space that follows me and my stool around under
the car. I still have to hunch over and make my way to the tool chest
now and then, but I find that I accumulate most of the tools I need
frequently on the work table (or on the little table under the main
table, or in the cabinet, etc...). I bought the cheapie thinking I'd
see if I used it or if it was just in the way in the garage and that
I'd buy a 'good one' if I found it to be useful. I love it, but I
don't see any point to getting a nicer one. It does exactly what I
need it to do and I don't feel bad using it to rest heavy parts on or
giving it other abuse.
I still can't store a car on the lift, because I haven't raised my
garage door tracks yet. This also limits the height to which I can
lift a car by quite a bit. But it's plenty comfortable to sit under a
car on the lift. The Kwik Lift is sort of cool, but only saves you
the small hassle of jacking the car up and putting the stands under
it. A real lift makes the entire time you're working under there
nicer.
I don't know you are Marc, but if you're anywhere near Grand Rapids,
MI and want to see a 4-post lift in action and take some measurements
just shoot me an email. There's an e30 BMW being parted out on it
right now, so it's a great opportunity to see it getting some use.
-Paul
On Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 11:16 AM, Trevor Boicey <trevor@boicey.com> wrote:
> > higher, even though you wouldn't have the clearance to be able to stand
> > under the vehicle in most residential garages.
>
> Worth chiming in, I don't consider this a real minus...
>
> I have a hoist in my garage, and I've moved from a house with "medium"
> clearance to one with "lower" clearance.
>
> I find I am more comfortable sitting on a rolling chair under the car
> than standing. I'm pretty sure I don't work as fast as a pro mechanic so
> I like to be comfortable.
>
> The other upside is that the entire floor becomes your tool tray,
> everything is within reach.
>
> The main downside is that when you need a new tool, you have to hunch
> over to get to the tool chest...
>
> Overall though, sitting beats standing for me...
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