Potomac-Greg

I am going to get a BendPak P6 which is a mid-rise lift with an open middle (basically two scissor lifts) and I have a lot of time (it's going into a new garage that does not exist yet), so I want to do it right. I'd consider alternatives, but I need to work with low-ish ceiling height, and minimum garage clutter. MaxJax would be the other option.

Is there a preferred source for BendPak/MaxJax? Do they have periodic sales or clearances?

Dave DE

In the 'consider alternatives' department, I have a low rise 2 post lift with a 9.5' ceiling height. I cannot lift the car up high enough to stand under it, but I can sit on a stool under the car. If working at the side of the car, such as doing brakes, I can stand. My 987 can be lifted high enough to park a small sedan under it with a few inches of clearance.

fyi - something to consider.

Lemming

MaxJax is a much better option than the P6, nuff said!

bauerjab

Check out my avatar. I have a low ceiling and a BendPak. It is very useful as there is plenty of room under the car. I would have preferred a high ceiling, but that's what came with the house. But all in all, I am very happy with it. And it runs on 110V. No need to rewire.

altonj

Used to have a scissor lift in my low ceiling garage at my previous house. It worked well, similar situation to bauerjab's avatar above, but now have a BendPak two post being installed in the current house on Monday.

Cheers

gums

how do you get a lowered car over those scissor things?

bauerjab

Not sure what you're asking. In any event, I put wood planks parallel to the lift. Otherwise the bottom of the car would hit the lift.

Lemming

+1, I have a scissors lift as well. If I have a large job to do, I'll move the planks to keep from tripping over them. Yes, it's a pain but it is still better than jack stands. When I got my scissors, no one was making a product like the JaxMax or I would have bought it instead.

bauerjab

Never heard of JaxMax. Just saw their website. Seems to me that the condition of your concrete is key. Also, I wonder what the minimum depth of the concrete has to be for a JaxMax. None of these issues present themselves for a scissor lift. My concrete has cracks in it and it makes no difference.

SpeedBump

minimum depth is 4" I believe for the MaxJax

JackOlsen

I think the Bend-Pak is a pretty good option (the company moving production to China notwithsatanding). Max-Jax is going to eat up a lot of floor space. If you're always going to have a car up in the air, that's maybe not a huge issue. But if it's bothering you every time you park...

One thing to think about, since you're in the planning stage, is the Bend-Pak P6F (the F is for flush mounted), which you can prepare for when you pour your slab.

(Not my car or my lift, but here's a picture.)



Costco discounts the Max-Jax. ASE has the P6 or the P6F for $2,120 delivered.

You might also consider a Mohawk. It'll go higher and can also be flush mounted.

(Not my car or my lift, but here's a picture.)





I put my lift (it's actually a repurposed hydraulic lift table) in my old garage by myself, and I tiled it over so there's no obstruction when I'm not using it. Yes, I made a video about it.


Aside from my stellar production values, it shows how you can preserve the utility of a small garage with a little planning.

It's a very handy tool to have in your garage:

docwyte

I bought my house specifically because the ceiling height in the garage's middle bay is over 15 feet. I'll be getting a "regular" full size 2 post assymetric lift as soon as I'm caught up on all the other house projects. Which probably means never...

gums

I am presently house shopping and my wife knows the importance of a good garage, we've already kabashed a few really nice homes because of it. Seems like builders still deprioritize garages.

spare tire

Jack, you should dual post this to the audio visual forum.

Julian Allen

I recessed a BendPak SP-7X into my garage, specifically so I could "reclaim" the floor when the car's out. But I find I also find that the wide bases of the lift at "bench" height gives me more workroom when I need it. If you want a scissors lift, I'd look into recessing it, especially if you have new constrution.