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Posted by: DMCF1Fast Dec 13 2014, 08:31 AM

I'm thinking about getting this lift from Harbor Freight and wanted to know if the adjustments for the jacking pads fit 914s and 911s well? I think I saw some people had this lift on here a while back but can't find the posts when I search. Also if you have experience with this lift did you like it?

http://t.harborfreight.com/6000-lb-capacity-scissor-lift-91315.html

Posted by: r_towle Dec 13 2014, 08:36 AM

You may not get many responses.....the former owners might be crippled from the car falling on them...can't type etc.

Try
Www.craigsmithequipment.com

Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 13 2014, 08:44 AM

You might have better luck with Greg Smith Equipment. If you have the ceiling room a 2 post lift is not that much more $.

Posted by: r_towle Dec 13 2014, 08:45 AM

What I meant...

Got my four poster there, parts are there, guys know what y need....it is a good place for these things and they have multiple lines to fit your budget.

Posted by: Garold Shaffer Dec 13 2014, 08:46 AM

it's www.gregsmithequipment.com




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Posted by: DMCF1Fast Dec 13 2014, 08:52 AM

Thanks, the Atlas one looks better and is 110v which is a plus.

Posted by: Mueller Dec 13 2014, 08:54 AM

No personal experience, however a quick search and it looks like for a few hundred dollars more one can get a Bendpac unit (MD-6XP)


Will be following this thread since something like this is perfect for my garage, I don't have the room for a real lift.

Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 13 2014, 08:54 AM

I'm going to buy one of their 2 post lifts after the holidays. Delivered to my driveway. Plan is renting a forklift for 1/2 day for the unload if it will be delivered on a long flat bed carrier. Driveway is too narrow for a long truck and the garage is about 70 ft from the road.

Posted by: DMCF1Fast Dec 13 2014, 08:56 AM

Thanks, I already have a 4 post lift so a two post won't fit. A single column lift will but those are more than I want to spend.

Posted by: r_towle Dec 13 2014, 08:58 AM

Look at getting a four post, low ceiling lift with a scissor Jack and a rolling stool from Sears.

It's a lot more useful for all the other cars you have, it's a table when needed, it's easy to walk around, it works for bikes, and it's safe.

Posted by: DMCF1Fast Dec 13 2014, 08:59 AM

Good idea. I unloaded my 4 post lift off a uhaul trailer with rolling jacks and muscle and it near killed me. I assembled it by myself and that was a mistake also.

Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 13 2014, 09:03 AM

I used a cousin's 4 post when adjusting the valves. Major pita. Awkward as everything on the lift was in the way.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 13 2014, 09:05 AM

I have really great neighbors
He'll get a ring when it's time to unload the lift


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Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 13 2014, 09:09 AM

Too old to risk injury over a couple of hundred bucks or so. Plus, I'd have to assemble an army of local 914ners' to help with the heavy lifting and I'm fairly sure the delivery would happen mid day during the work week.

Posted by: DMCF1Fast Dec 13 2014, 09:12 AM

Only reason I was looking at the HF one is because they have a 25% off coupon right now. Not that's really anything special with HF. If it's junk or unsafe I don't want it. I'll pay the extra $$$ for the Atlas at GregSmith.

Posted by: DMCF1Fast Dec 13 2014, 09:20 AM

Yes, I agree sometimes it's better to pay. I paid to have our piano moved. Not worth the risk of being laid up b/c of a thrown out back. For my lift, my helpers flaked out once they saw how big the the 4 post lift pieces were. They really aren't car guys and were just too nervous trying to move such big things around.

Posted by: rdgabert Dec 13 2014, 10:09 AM

I also looked at the HF scissor lift but ended up buying the Dannmar for just a little bit more money. I ordered it from Big Boys Garage Toys and received it in one week. Made in America and looks very well built.
http://bigboysgaragetoys.com/car-lifts/dannmar-cadet-6000xl-mid-rise-scissor-lift/

Posted by: Highland Dec 13 2014, 10:23 AM

After reading this thread I feel kinda bad buying the HF lift. So far no injuries. I think less than $1100 with tax, delivery, hydraulic fluid and a long dryer plug and cable for the 220V.

"Looks" fine with the 914 on it, put a Mazda Millennium on it once and noticed the arms flexing. Don't know if th his is normal, but appears solid with the smaller 914.

Posted by: ConeDodger Dec 13 2014, 10:54 AM

I bought a HF scissors lift from another member when he decided to graduate to a 4 post lift. I used it for a couple of years before selling it to McMark. He has a couple of post type lifts in addition to the HF one. I can't tell you if he is happy with it, but I can tell you it worked fine for me and McMark is still using it daily at Original Customs.

Remember, HF doesn't make anything. It's probably just rebranded from another major manufacturer.

Posted by: GeorgeRud Dec 13 2014, 11:21 AM

I think HF is just a distributor for a bunch of Chinese manufacturers. Fine for just a cheap hand tool for occasional use, but I'd be careful about something as critical as a lift.

Just like racing helmets, how much is your body worth?

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Dec 13 2014, 11:37 AM

The scissor lifts are almost all identical. I believe they are assembled by the same group of teenagers somewhere in China. I have used mine a lot for the past five years or so and it works great. Having said that, I NEVER get under it without some kind of safety device (big jack stands) other than the mechanical lock in the lift or the beach chair on casters that I sit on. Maybe I'm over cautious but I don't think that's really possible.


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Posted by: mepstein Dec 13 2014, 12:17 PM

Extra safety under the car is always a no brainer. You can't be too safe. I won't embarrass my kids by being the dad who dies when there car falls on them. Embarrass them other ways, yes, but that's another story.

Posted by: Tom_T Dec 13 2014, 12:41 PM

Hmmmm .... .... That may be a solution for our tiny 17'-6" w x 18'-0" L (outside) x 7'-6" ceiling ht. 1921 "Model T" garage.

However, doesn't the idea of using jack stands + a scissors lift defeat the purpose of using a lift vs. good floor jack & jack stands??

Posted by: fiid Dec 13 2014, 03:16 PM

I have one similar to this from Greg Smith.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-Kwik-Bay-7-000-LB-Mid-Rise-Lift

It differs from most scissor lifts in that there are no bars across the middle, so for a front engine, rear drive car, you can access all of the center tunnel. I also have mine recessed into the concrete so that it lies flush in the floor, with the bottom bars covered.

(the one I have is actually from Greg Smith, but it's an older version.)

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Dec 13 2014, 06:33 PM

The scissor lift will hold the car up higher than floor jacks and jack stands. I put two jack stands under the lift in case the hydraulic pressure fails then the mechanical lock fails. If both those things happen (not likely) the lift will stop at the jack stands and save my old ass from being crushed. It's a belt and suspenders kinda thing. By the way, my "garage" is an enclosed car-port. The floor is 17X17.5 with a seven foot ceiling.

Posted by: mr2by4 Dec 13 2014, 06:53 PM

I have an off brand scissor lift. I bought it used from a local guy who had restored a Mustang MachI on it. I have dropped motors out of numerous Toyota MR2's, a Porsche Boxster S and will be dropping the engine and tranny from my 914 sometime next week (I hope). It sill drop over time until it is resting on the safety catches (I mean weeks not days) but I have never had any trouble with it. I had a race car sitting on it (2200lbs) lifted at 70% for over 10 months. No Catastrophe.
Having said that, I wish I had seen Danmar MaxJacks (not sure if they existed). Occasionally the lift is in the way. VERY in the way. Most of the time it is perfect.

Posted by: patssle Dec 13 2014, 07:28 PM

That's why I went for a 2 post lift. It's NEVER in the way and gives you access to 99.9% of the car. No regrets on that expense.

Posted by: mr2by4 Dec 13 2014, 08:22 PM

I could not find a 2 post that would fit in my garage back then. Thus if given the chance to do it over today, I would do the Max Jacks.

Posted by: Tom_T Dec 14 2014, 07:08 PM

Would that be a Red-Green Show sort of belt & suspenders Elliot?

I get what you mean though, but I thought you meant a set of those +/- 48-60" tall jack stands.

Otherwise, I'd think that the extra force from the drop if the scissors jack failed, might either kick out the short jack stands or crush then from the momentum of the drop down.

Your carport/garage is about the same size as mine, so I think it will work without my having to "raise the roof".

Thanx!
Tom
///////

Posted by: 3d914 Dec 18 2014, 12:01 PM

Garold, nice lift. I noticed on some of the scissor lifts that the car shifts forward a few inches as the lift is raised. I'd like to find one that lifts straight up. How is the Atlas?

TIA

Posted by: fiid Dec 24 2014, 01:12 PM

It doesn't seem to move the car much. It's geometry doesn't allow the ramps to move forward or backwards. They do ask you to put the weight at the fixed end though, which is different for front engined vs mid/rear engined. Obvs .

Posted by: PancakePorsche Dec 27 2014, 11:43 PM

The HF lift you refer to is a exact copy of my Bendpak lift. I love it and it works well with 911-914 cars. It does block center of car and not good for transmission work on front engined, rear drive.

It folds up so flat I park my car trailer over it. It also does not go high enough to over lift a car in a regular garage. I can drop engine in my 914's easily in less than half hour. I installed a hydraulic quick disconnect so I can store power unit in my shed.






quote name='DMCF1Fast' date='Dec 13 2014, 06:31 AM' post='2121916']
I'm thinking about getting this lift from Harbor Freight and wanted to know if the adjustments for the jacking pads fit 914s and 911s well? I think I saw some people had this lift on here a while back but can't find the posts when I search. Also if you have experience with this lift did you like it?

http://t.harborfreight.com/6000-lb-capacity-scissor-lift-91315.html
[/quote]

Posted by: Garold Shaffer Dec 28 2014, 09:50 AM

It was $1500 out the door a few years ago.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 7 2015, 07:59 PM

I have a SnapOn, made by Wheeltronic, lift that I bought via Craigslist for about $800 dollars. It is built like a tank and I have no concerns about how well it is built from a safety perspective. I did have the hydraulic ram rebuilt for good measure, that was about another $100.

While the scissor lifts lie pretty flat, they can still be a pain with low profile cars. Most owners build some form of ramp from lumber. I went with the RacerRamps as shown here (yes, they are expensive):

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bti-rr-clr-4/overview/



I also have a 4 post lift from Craigsmith with the rolling sliding jacks which allow you to get the wheels up in the air as well. If you have the room, I would definitely go with one of these rather than the scissor lift, especially if you will also need to build or buy ramps.

Posted by: billh1963 Jan 8 2015, 06:54 AM

I bought one of these a couple of months ago. Got it new off craigslist from a pilot in the military who bought it and then was suddenly deployed. Paid $1000.

The nice feature is that it truly is portable. No one piece is over 50 pounds. Looks to be well made as well.

http://ezcarlift.com/

Posted by: BK911 Jan 8 2015, 07:22 AM

I have the HF scissor lift.
No problems during dozens of engine drops over the past ~10 years.
Dont know how I ever lived without it.
But as usual; use at your own risk, your mileage may vary, images are closer than they appear, etc...