Harbor Freight Lift on Sale
01-02-2015, 02:48 AM
#32
I have an Atlas lift. Had it about a year. The Harbor Freight lift looks like a knock off ditto copy. But when I was looking the shipping weight was less and the locking safety bar was different.
Pay a lot of attention to the locking bar and how it works. This is what keeps you safe. I haven't done the analysis, but in my estimation the fail mode on these scissor lifts will be mostly in the locking mechanism and not from broken welds or tipping.
As mentioned earlier the HF unit had less locking positions. It's nice to be able to dial in your height when sitting on a chair working the brakes etc.
I am happy with my lift.
Johnny
Pay a lot of attention to the locking bar and how it works. This is what keeps you safe. I haven't done the analysis, but in my estimation the fail mode on these scissor lifts will be mostly in the locking mechanism and not from broken welds or tipping.
As mentioned earlier the HF unit had less locking positions. It's nice to be able to dial in your height when sitting on a chair working the brakes etc.
I am happy with my lift.
Johnny
01-02-2015, 10:34 AM
#33
Rennlist Member
Take a look at Kwiklift……….it is excellent, solid, safe and not that expensive. My friend uses his all the time for a 67 Corvette. Unless your lift goes all the way up (so you can stand straight up and not have to bend over) this is probably the better way to go. He takes his down in the spring and stores it along his garage wall. Puts it back up in late fall. Works on his car all winter long.
Ralph
Ralph
You don't have to go all the way to the ceiling with a mid-rise. I have a roll around mechanics chair, that allows my torso to be upright under the car. I can kneel on the ground, if I want, and often use my creeper-so there is variety. Certainly not the same as a 2 post, but pretty effective.
The Quickjack posted above would have some similar limitations, IMO.
01-02-2015, 03:32 PM
#34
That lift is useless for most things, other than oil changes on a front engine car. Where do I start? Car sits on wheels, no height, full length rails in the way, etc. Oh, you're not dropping an engine, for sure. I've seen one in action that a friend had. You don't have to go all the way to the ceiling with a mid-rise. I have a roll around mechanics chair, that allows my torso to be upright under the car. I can kneel on the ground, if I want, and often use my creeper-so there is variety. Certainly not the same as a 2 post, but pretty effective. The Quickjack posted above would have some similar limitations, IMO.
You can indent the lift into the floor or build ramps, which is what I did. Keeps mine portable as I have a long shop and move my lift fore and aft so I can work on other cars without starting up the Porsche.
In the summer it can be moved out on the drive for good cleaning.
There are advantages both ways. You need to way them.
01-02-2015, 03:45 PM
#35
Rennlist Member
No disrespect, but I don't agree. I have full access to the engine and Transmission on my lift. Yeah getting to the center tube shifter, etc although doable is difficult.
You can indent the lift into the floor or build ramps, which is what I did. Keeps mine portable as I have a long shop and move my lift fore and aft so I can work on other cars without starting up the Porsche.
In the summer it can be moved out on the drive for good cleaning.
There are advantages both ways. You need to way them.
You can indent the lift into the floor or build ramps, which is what I did. Keeps mine portable as I have a long shop and move my lift fore and aft so I can work on other cars without starting up the Porsche.
In the summer it can be moved out on the drive for good cleaning.
There are advantages both ways. You need to way them.
I've had a BP lift for about 10 years now, in 3 houses. I'm well aware of what a mid-rise lift can and can't do, and how many ways it can be installed.
01-03-2015, 02:27 AM
#38
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Thanks for all the feedback. As expected I got the info I needed and some interesting alternates. I decided on the Atlas TD6MR Scissor Lift. It's the same price as the HF lift, $1500, and has been given some pretty good Rennlist reviews. There may be some price adjustments for taxes, shipping and coupons but the price will be fairly close. The equivalent Bendpak is $2K.
One difference I found between the Bendpak lift and the Altlas are the stop positions. It's interesting to me that these stop positions are the car working positions but they are not defined in the availiable literature. I had to contact Bendpak to get the specific data. What I found is the Bendpack has three and the Atlas seven. I'm thinking the seven will give me some flexibility I might need in the future. Also since I do have some height concerns I could fill the last stop on the Atlas stop bar if required, to prevent from the car getting locked in the top position.
Since I don't need the lift today I will be exploring buying options including maybe waiting for another group buy.
Thanks again.
One difference I found between the Bendpak lift and the Altlas are the stop positions. It's interesting to me that these stop positions are the car working positions but they are not defined in the availiable literature. I had to contact Bendpak to get the specific data. What I found is the Bendpack has three and the Atlas seven. I'm thinking the seven will give me some flexibility I might need in the future. Also since I do have some height concerns I could fill the last stop on the Atlas stop bar if required, to prevent from the car getting locked in the top position.
Since I don't need the lift today I will be exploring buying options including maybe waiting for another group buy.
Thanks again.
01-03-2015, 10:48 AM
#39
Rennlist Member
I've had that Atlas lift since 2010, its got more than 7 latching heights. Never counted the indents before, but I will this afternoon. Gotta mount a second tire rack on the wall. Actual count, and pic to follow.
01-03-2015, 05:23 PM
#42
Rennlist Member
My Atlas TD6MR, circa 2010...has 8 mechanical latching heights, roughly at 4" increments. My lift is recessed 5" in the slab, my lowest locking height(measured to hub center) is 20", highest is 48 1/2". Couldn't get a good picture of the locking bar, so here's a pic of the hanging art next to the car.
01-03-2015, 05:38 PM
#43
Three Wheelin'
P.S. Magdaddy / Joe, Thanks again for your patience and advice when I was recessing mine........Mark.
