How strong will this hold?

[Vette TPI]

Will this be sufficient enough to hold my vehicle? I've thought and planned this out a thousand times. My design comes from others who have tried. There is this and this. I added extra diagonal bracing's and then triangular bracing on front, plus the ramps being on the back of the lift. Will this suffice and be safe enough for exhaust, oil/trans oil change? It should be 16" off the ground. I know many will not think this is safe, but it's honestly better than the above links.

P.S. there would be 280 square inches of contact patch to the 2x12's, with all the verticle and diagonal bracing.

[sene]

Only one way to find out...

[SUX2BU]

Looks good to me, but it seems like a lot of work compared to using a jack and 4 jack stands.

[rolnslo]

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. Why risk your life to save a few dollars?

I was going to suggest getting a KwikLift instead but it looks like they didn't survive the economic downturn and went out of business a couple of months ago. Too bad, since they actually had a decent alternative to a 2 or 4 post lift.

[Synner]

A 2x12 shouldn't be used for the vertical members, thats where the 4x4 or 6x6 should be used. A 2x12 isn't strong in the direction you were planning on using it. Lateral bracing can be made from 2x6, not 4x4. It should only be providing bracing in a single direction so square lumber isn't necessary if you design it properly.

Its tough to understand the drawing for what you're planning. Its possible to do this safely but I can't tell if your specific plans are. The fact that you're using incorrect dimensions for support pieces I'd say "contact a professional before proceeding."

[Camarowguy]

Your gonna use wood?????

[Vette TPI]

Originally Posted by sene

Only one way to find out...

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

Looks good to me, but it seems like a lot of work compared to using a jack and 4 jack stands.

I know this is wood but just seems better the weight more spread out instead contact patch to the ground vs Jack stands.

Originally Posted by rolnslo

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. Why risk your life to save a few dollars?

I was going to suggest getting a KwikLift instead but it looks like they didn't survive the economic downturn and went out of business a couple of months ago. Too bad, since they actually had a decent alternative to a 2 or 4 post lift.

I really want one of those after seeing one! Thank you for your advice. Is there anything similar with only this height? I don't have a lot of money or space for something bigger.

Originally Posted by Synner

A 2x12 shouldn't be used for the vertical members, thats where the 4x4 or 6x6 should be used. A 2x12 isn't strong in the direction you were planning on using it. Lateral bracing can be made from 2x6, not 4x4. It should only be providing bracing in a single direction so square lumber isn't necessary if you design it properly.

Its tough to understand the drawing for what you're planning. Its possible to do this safely but I can't tell if your specific plans are. The fact that you're using incorrect dimensions for support pieces I'd say "contact a professional before proceeding."

It's basically exactly the first mustang thread but with 4x4 s in each section diagonally. It's exactly why I came out here. To hopefully find something better or safer.

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

Your gonna use wood?????

haha yeah. I can't weld at all or find something of significant other.

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by Vette TPI

...
I really want one of those after seeing one! Thank you for your advice. Is there anything similar with only this height? I don't have a lot of money or space for something bigger...

Used Kwiklifts pop up from time to time on craigslist and car forum classifieds (check Corvette forums, they tend to like them). As far as alternatives, I'm sure that there is something similar out there, just haven't seen or heard of one yet.

[Vette TPI]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

Used Kwiklifts pop up from time to time on craigslist and car forum classifieds (check Corvette forums, they tend to like them). As far as alternatives, I'm sure that there is something similar out there, just haven't seen or heard of one yet.

I'll have to look for them! I'm in need of one!

[justa25thTA]

instead of all that fancy stuff, you could just lay out some long pieces of 2x12's stacked on top of each other for the whole thing. Not fancy and definately not light, but would be much stronger and safer ( and I bet not too expensive).

[Vette TPI]

Originally Posted by justa25thTA

instead of all that fancy stuff, you could just lay out some long pieces of 2x12's stacked on top of each other for the whole thing. Not fancy and definately not light, but would be much stronger and safer ( and I bet not too expensive).

oh #*@$ probably cost the same as buying all that wood too. So need to buy sixteen 2x12 boards.. Thanks

[Synner]

http://www.derekweaver.com/update/W-...uct.aspx?id=61

I clicked on the link, the ramp portion is a death trap with no lateral bracing. They were using the plywood as lateral bracing where the car is. A boxed 2x12 frame would be way safer.

[knitetrain05]

Thats not at all a good idea.You better think out what your really doing here. Really think.

[motorhead]

So how are you going to get it up onto that truss system?

[Vette TPI]

The cost is exactly the same as my original concept, so I'm just going to get twelve 2x12 boards and lay 6 on top of each other. I went to home depot and found out it should cost 150 bucks or so for all the boards and then 12" threaded rods with a nuts and washers. Then lay some 4x4's across to keep side to side support and lined up together. 100% solid as far as I can think

[AZSS6SPD]

Any experienced welder can probably make a lift similar to the kwiklift pictured and safer. A home made lift and jack stands for safety. Just my suggestion.

[CWI]

Save a little and use 2x4 spacers on 16 to 18" centers as long as the spacers are all in a vertical line. You would need half the 2x12s. I've worked in industrial construction for years. A 2x12 with a 8' span will support more than 600 lbs. Using spacers there would only be a span of no more than 14". The load capacity would increase dramatically. More than enough to support a vehicle. For good measure and safety allowance you could double just the top layer and support a huge amount of weight safely.