james.c Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 Hi all, We are building a new garage (including foundations) so it seems like a great opportunity to (perhaps) put a lift in the floor for the Caterham. Bit of a luxury I know but seems like the time to do it and obviously it would be great for those quick post track day spanner checks! Has anyone done this who could give me any pointers? Any specific kit people have found worked well (or not so well)? Perhaps things to think about when selecting flooring for the garage so it fits in well. Anything else?! Thanks J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 What do you want?Full ramps to lift it on it's wheels or just something that will lift the chassis and thereby giving access to the wheels?I have the latter and I miss a proper 4 post lift, which is part of the plan when I build a garage...I'm in Denmark, and lifts seem very different in the UK compared to here. The best four post IMO is a "Stenhøj" but it comes at a cost. High cost, that is.If you get the one just lifting the chassis and lower the lift in the floor make sure you get one intended for this. Most lifts won't lift high enough if not intended for the lower base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Reeves Posted May 6, 2018 Share Posted May 6, 2018 Garth fitted one not long ago hopefully he will respond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 It is also worth looking at a portable lift, if your use is going to be fairly infrequent, I have this one, it is available under various brand names around the world: https://liftking.ca/pro-king-scissor/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Fox Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 I built a garage and put a two post lift in.the lift is from liftech near Preston, cost £1240 fitted in 2016. Very good quality.The garage floor is fibre re-enforced concrete 6 inches or more thick in the area of the posts.From memory the posts are 2.7 metre high so you need plenty of roof height, mine is flat roofed, 3.5 metre outside height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 If you google ‘One car to do it all’ Jack Olsen, he has a rather nice 911 and well designed garage.At one point you see him using his lift which disappears neatly into the floor.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_ASH Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 WP - One of my more favourite YouTube vids. Have a link on me (He talks about the garage from about 6:10 onwards)A specific vid on the same garage here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 And I can recommend Willow Springs Raceway in a Seven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Scissor lift is no good on a 7.I had one and sent it back.Yes it lifts the car but you can not get close to the side of the car to work on it as the lift makes the width impossible to work close to the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garth Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Agree scissors lift not too good for a 7!I cannot really comment on the 4 post ramp style as not worked on my car on one.I have recently installed a twin post and am happy with it so far! Spent too much time looking for second hand ones lots of 3 phase and generally expensive. Then looked at a range of new versions - all made in China as far as I can tell.Went for a Twin Busch in the end (Automotech was a close competitor, but just slightly too tall). Twin Busch had a good installation video and detailed dimension on line which gave me confidence. I also feel that given the occasional use with a light car the 'quality' does not need to be at the level required for a garage where the lift would be in regular use daily?Twin posts do need good headroom and also require more width than a 4 post. Make sure you reinforce the slab and that you have about 125mm thickness where the posts are going to be.Drop me a line if you have any specific questions.Garth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Like the ramps of a four post, the ramps of my scissoor-lift can be moved. Hence I can get close if I want to.(In an ideal world you have at least three lifts in your garage) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted May 10, 2018 Leadership Team Share Posted May 10, 2018 I find a 4-poster ideal for maintenance, storage and for finding that you suddenly have more friends than you thought!James(It's particularly useful for working when lying down... not sure how to fix that!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph45 Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 Resurrecting an older post Ian,I love the look of Mr Olsen's garage,it's quite inspirational as I'm about to start the inside of my garage barn.I've been scouring the net for ideas and have just fallen in love with the colours and old oak beams,this would be in keeping with the interior of my barn.In particular the idea of a flush level floor lift really appeals although I would ideally have a two post lift set with the entry level set in the floor with no ramp.Any members who could advise or enlighten me regarding ideas on a good or recommended make of lift would be be greatly appreciated.If geographically it makes any difference I'm in Mayfield East Sussex,as I truly don't have the spare time to deal with my Caterham stuck six foot above ground level for two weeks while I wait for a repair should the company be based 300 miles away when I want to drive it tia Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
356DNA Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 There are, of course, pros and cons for all types of lift. The 2 post is probably most flexible but for me, the height was going to be problematic.In the UK I would strongly recommend Automotech. Their products have excellent reviews and their customer service / delivery/ cost is excellent.I went for this... https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7532b-3-2t-mid-rise-scissor-lift/It has the advantage of having separate platforms that could be spaced to suit a caterham as well as other machinery. It works great as a level table for metalwork and woodworking also. Whilst it doesn't have the advantage of a full lift (as you can see my roof height is restrictive) its so much easier to get a car into the air on this and kneeling underneath is much safer, roomier and generally more pleasant that axle stands. I changed out the gearbox, subframe and rear suspension on my mk5 golf easily using the lifts and so I'm super impressed. You can see below how much free space there is at the front end of a normal car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph45 Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 Your garage looks very well sorted....very inspirational, I can't wait to get mine up to scratch i'm fortunate as I've got nearly twenty foot floor to roof height to play with whitch opens up more avenues.great to see you work on all sorts of various projects, keeps you on you're toes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
356DNA Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 Perfect setup Ralph - and a perfect time to pour enought concrete for a 2 poster...I looked at Automotech, Strongman, Twin Busch and Bendpak BTW - they were all similar but Automotech spent most time discussing matters on the phone and convinced me most of their product. They also spent some time post purchase helping me out with an install issue i created for myself.David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgm Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 We have an Automotech two post lift in our workshop and have found it to be a very good product. Also found them easy to deal with.Kind regards PGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 Spotted this on ebay a while ago. Looks a bit precarious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph45 Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 I have seen your lift in situ when I've been over at your workshop,handy to put all the trophies up on that high shelf on the back wall interesting to know the manufacturer is Automotech,obviously a good bit of kit as you have chose it.thanks for the reply Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph45 Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 Certainly does look precarious I'd be scared to breathe just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 1.4m maximum lift height with my Lift King mobile unit (3,000 kg maximum load) with some adapters I have made to lift by the wheels (specifically when I place the car on my winter storage frame), as well as using the standard sliding rubber pads on the four lift arms, too.Minimum 125mm drive-over height requires home-made wood ramps either side that are 75mm high for the Caterham to clear. Also works well with our BMW M240i, Golf R and my son's Corvette and GMC 2500HD diesel full size pickup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AG2728 Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 I ended up buying one of these mobile lifts that run off a single phase supply. As I also needed to redo my garage floor last year before I started my Caterham build so I decided to sink it into the floor to give me greater ground clearance, as I don't really need it to be mobile. Worked well for me and really helped me complete the build in a tight single garage space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgm Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 I know Ralph, afraid we haven't added to them for a long time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Ralph, have sent you a message via this forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph45 Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Very neat being set in the floor and great use of a single garage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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