I'm not saying I'ld buy one or that it looks desperately practical - I can certainly see I'ld find a million reasons to just use jack stands and liftbars and finish the job before I got that thing up to height.

BUT - it's probably as safe or safer than an an amatuer installed 2 post lift. Just bear in mind that your average 2 storey steel framed building is built on the same principles and is about as robust. (I am reserving judgement on the the fore/aft bracing - the pics just don't look right to me)

 

It bothers me, too. I'm no engineer but it looks like if the right weld failed, it could collapse rotating CCW around its vertical central axis (I think I said that right). I would want a few more braces. Wonder if the heavier duty lift they mention is built with the same configuration?

 

I'm gonna have nightmares about that thing!

 

I'd feel a bit more comfortable if they had something a tad heavier than a honda Fit on it.

 

I like the concept and the price point. I would not use it myself without an engineering analysis.

But it make me think that there has got to be a smart engineer out there that can model something like this and provide a structural and safety analysis. There is little more than $100 worth of material there - there is a good margin opportunity.

Obviously, product liability is a HUGE issue on something like this. Of course, it's hard for dead people to sue, but their estates can.

 

LOL!!!

 

The other $500 of the price is the contingent for lawsuits.

 

Interesting that their product is the EZ Auto Lift 100, not to be confused with the EZ Car Lift, which seems to have some pretty good reviews on various forums (and costs about 3X as much). http://www.ezcarlift.com/

A quick Google search found NOTHING on the EZ Auto Lift 100 other than an EBAY link which leaves a lot of questions.

I have thought about AOs point before.

It does seem like there should be a relatively cheap and safe way to fabricate a garage lift without spending over $1000. It really shouldn't take that much to lift 3500 lbs.

 

I agree that it could rotate clockwise. Those diagonal steel straps are stong in tension, but worthless in compression.

 

Lifting is not the problem - holding those 3500 lbs in place while some loose screw behind the wheel is wrenching on it with two hands and one foot is the challenge.

 

You're right. A lift really needs to be over-engineered to make it idiot-proof. Then again, you could call it the Darwin model (as suggested) and let nature takes its course. Taking some of the idiots out of the gene pool might not be shuch a bad thing.

 

If your wife buys you one for fathers day, take the hint and start packing.

 

I'm probably going to pass just because $600 is tuff to come up with right now. I thought the basic design beefed up by someone with a design background , steel and a good welder could make it work for our cars. Portable and no wiring is a BIG plus for renters.

 

Not married any more...I left after she continued to wrapped my lunch sandwiches in road maps.

 

Calling Ken....

Is there a better engineering approach to add to liftbars and get the car up 3 or 4 feet safely?