I want to build a new workshop/garage, advice/ideas requested

[V12]

A mech I know swears by the cheap ramps. He pays £800 for a 2 poster which takes up to 3 tonnes, he has 3 of them and replaces each of them every 3-4 years. I don't think that's bad considering they are in constant use every day of the year and one is even situated outside with no covering or weatherproofing...he's never had an issue.

As with everything, you get what you pay for...but if you're not running a MOT centre, do you really need an expensive lift when the money could be better spent elsewhere?

 

[guydewdney]

Just a note about single vs three phase - inverter drives (convert from single to three phase) are stupidly cheap on fleabay - my 2kw one was 70 quid..... variable speed etc etc - (99.99% of the features are pointless --eg slow start, speed ramping etc)

 

[gbjeppm]

A mech I know swears by the cheap ramps. He pays £800 for a 2 poster which takes up to 3 tonnes, he has 3 of them and replaces each of them every 3-4 years. I don't think that's bad considering they are in constant use every day of the year and one is even situated outside with no covering or weatherproofing...he's never had an issue.

As with everything, you get what you pay for...but if you're not running a MOT centre, do you really need an expensive lift when the money could be better spent elsewhere?

I tend to agree, this will likely only get used on weekends. So for me safety is more important rather than longevity.

I know a few have recommended to get the best lift I can afford, and I am sure there is a quality argument, when they get used everyday, but that wont be the case here.

I know I don't want a 4 post lift, as a significant amount of work is likely to be wheels off.

I am pretty sure that if I want to do this within permitted development, I am going to be restricted on height to 2.5m as it is within 2m of a boundary. I really don't want a pit. So it seems to me that if I want a 2 post lift I will need to get planning permission as the building needs to be higher, and will need to spend money on an extra think base.

Or go with a scissor and avoid these problems, but compromise on how much room I will have under the vehicle.

Thanks to all for input so far. Does anybody have any input on good timber framed building manufacturers?

 

[John Jones Jr]

With a restricted overall height of 2.5m, using a two poster, you'll end up having the car only 4ft off the ground or thereabouts. So, a scissors lift might be the only option which would be a pity since you're building a garage from scratch.

 

[Ian Donkin]

My 4 post is primarily to double the (car) storage space; the scissor lift gave a good working height for the engine / gearbox removal as depicted yet within a standard height. Scissor lifts also usually store low enough to be under a car. If I was starting again and money was no object, I'd love a good quality 2 post system (and a much bigger garage).

 

[John Jones Jr]

With a restricted overall height of 2.5m, using a two poster, you'll end up having the car only 4ft off the ground or thereabouts. So, a scissors lift might be the only option which would be a pity since you're building a garage from scratch.

Actually, that 4ft is away optimistic as it would depend on the roof pitch. At a max height of 2.5m (8.25ft) less a cars height say 4ft that leaves 4.25ft, less loss of height due to roof pitch and you could be looking at only lifting the car 2ft off the ground.

 

[Piff]

Does anybody have any input on good timber framed building manufacturers?

Timber frame construction is so simple if you have reasonable DIY skills.
All about a square/level base and then making each wall section square.

 

[BlackC55]

A mech I know swears by the cheap ramps. He pays £800 for a 2 poster which takes up to 3 tonnes, he has 3 of them and replaces each of them every 3-4 years. I don't think that's bad considering they are in constant use every day of the year and one is even situated outside with no covering or weatherproofing...he's never had an issue.

As with everything, you get what you pay for...but if you're not running a MOT centre, do you really need an expensive lift when the money could be better spent elsewhere?

I've used cheap ramps. They wobble. I don't like it when they wobble.

 

[V12]

I've used cheap ramps. They wobble. I don't like it when they wobble.

That's a fair point but I've never seen a ramp that doesn't wobble when my W220 is on it...