THSCC Forums

I promised several people that I would post more details about my full rise scissor lift that I imported back in December, since I know that a few people are interested in getting one for themselves (I will be importing these and they are now for sale, see below!). I decided to use it a few times first to be able to give a complete overview. In a word, it's brilliant. So far it has greatly exceeded my expectations. You can see the story of my shopping process for this lift and how I came to take the risk to purchase it sight-unseen in this thread: http://www.thsccforums.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=. I have had 6 cars on it and used it for about a dozen jobs including driveshaft work, brakes, shocks on my car and Adam's Corvette, and an inspection of my babysitter's Subaru

I posted an extensive photo album with 84 pictures documenting the pickup, installation, and all details of the lift. Take a look: http://www.nogumracing.com/lift_photos/index.html

Installation wasn't bad at all. Took almost 5 gallons of hydraulic fluid and a couple rounds of bleeding (using the "Debug" buttons), and it works great. The dual-circuit hydraulic system gives redundant support and provides load balancing, which is the real "win" of this design versus the Bend-pak units which rely on an obstructing mechanical linkage. No defects were found and everything works as intended. Concrete anchor bolts are included but not really necessary -- I did install mine this weekend but it was plenty stable just sitting on the floor. One concern I alway had with considering a 2-post lift was that you *really* have to trust your concrete!

The joints all have zerk fittings for lubrication and adjustable "clearance" plates to eliminate play in the structure. It is very easy to use -- easier than 2-post lifts I have used. Drive the car over the pads, decide where the lift will contact the chassis, place the 4 rubber pads on the lift, and hit "UP". 45 seconds later I'm walking under the car. Here are a few "epiphanies" I had once I started using it:

- You don't get dirty when working under the car. Maybe a little dusty, but nothing like the arms-rubbbing-on-dirty stuff rolling on a creeper dirty. It's awesome.
- Working on something up high? Raise the car. Need to tighten some lower bolts? Lower it a few inches. It's that easy.
- You WILL find things wrong with the car that you didn't know about when it's on a lift. Is that good or bad?
- I have been putting the car up before an event and after, just because it takes 45 seconds for a look-see.
- I'm the most popular guy in my neighborhood

There are some downsides of course -- there is a hydraulic line cover on the floor that can get in the way. The lift pads "jump" a few inches at first activation because of the lack of mechanical leverage when fully lowered. Really low cars have to be driven onto blocks (I used 2x10s). Not a big problem. Then there is the price -- if you have the extra space and concrete requirements, a 2-post lift is a lot cheaper and probably the way to go, as they can be had for 1/2 the price.

Here is what it looks like when not in use. 4 1/2" high. It's amazing they can fit so much mechanical actuation into something that slim.



And at full height with the M3 on it -- installed an X brace for a few weeks, just because I could There has been plenty of working room for anything I have needed to work on.



Side view:



Front:



Yes it is full height - 6'3"!



Lift platforms provide an *exellent* surface for placing parts and tools



This about the best option for a home/enthusiast user for several reasons. First, there are literally no headspace requirements. At full 6'3" height the top of the M3 is about 10'1" high. Even in an 8' high garage, the car is plenty high enough to work on anything while sitting on a rolling stool. Essentially this lift is installable in ANY garage. How high you can lift the car is completely dependent on what is above it.

Here is a picture of the E30 at about 4' high before I removed the garage door opener which is at about 8' high -- see the opener above the roof of the car. Even using the lift at this height would be a VAST improvement over a creeper.




It still boggles my mind that no one sells these in the US. Based on quite a bit of interest, I have decided to start importing the lift for anyone who is interested. After all the work I went through to establish a relationship with the manufacturer, and the pain setting up and understanding the vagaries of international shipping, I might as well!

The price is $3250 shipped to a dock in Raleigh for pickup. This is exactly how much it cost me to import the lift. I will wait until there are at least 4 or more orders. I will be writing up much more detail soon about the installation, details, warranty coverage, parts availability, etc. I would be happy to meet with anyone interested and show you the lift at my house in Cary, just let me know when you would like to stop by!

I'll be out of town for a week, but feel free to ask any questions here and I will respond when I return.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

That's impressive stuff Mike. I'm jealous - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Mike, you are needed here:

http://www.corner-carvers.com/forums/sh ... hp?t=28637

Nice writeup. I have been considering this, but I have a serious headspace issue in my garage. I have plenty of width, but not so much on the height.

Once I make a decision (prb another year out), this seems like a GREAT lift.

Wow... lift or rally car... lift or rally car.... hmmm...

- dow

Really Mike, get your lazy butt out of bed and post at Corner Carvers. I think your first order will be covered very soon. I also think they might be willing to pad your wallet more than the cheap asses with THSCC!!

Scott

I am definitely interested depending on how long it takes to accumulate the first order.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Hey everyone -

I'm back from vacation in the Caribbean (mmmm that was nice and needed). Scott, thanks for helping drum up business on Corner Carvers.

Seen plenty of interest but no actual orders yet. To anyone interested in the lift, either now or in the future -- please do spread the word! The more interest there is, the better chance of good continuity of supply, parts, internet "community" knowledge, etc. I'm not in a position right now to try to make this a full-time job, but I will be doing a lot of internet advertising, and I'm committed to at least seeing how much of a market there is. I'm convinced it could really, really satisfy a needed niche.

Selling these lifts in the US is my little way of trying to make the world a better place As well as the favorable tax deductions available to a small business. Don't be surprised if you see "NGR lifts" and "nogumracing.com" plastered all over my work truck (Durango) and advertising vehicle (M3)

Any suggestions, comments, or questions about how to get this fledgling business off the ground are more than welcome. Thanks!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

i'd go talk to the guys that sell/install that fancy garage flooring or the high end shelving systems...they are bound to have a client list, and could even promote your product with theirs. oh, and i'd also think of another name than NGR lifts

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05 MCS

I'm ready to order.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Problem with selling them as a business, is that most will want delivery and installation included, you'll need to decide if you want to do that yourself, sub it out. Best form a corporation and take out a healthy sized product liability insurance policy. If someone lowers it on their foot or family cat or something breaks, the lawsuit could make the tax benefits look like pocket lint. There is no way to totally absolve yourself of liability, so you must protect yourself from the dumbest thing a total idiot could possibly do wrong. Consult with a good product liability lawyer before you attach your name to any units or do any advertising.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

I'd love to have one and would order one in a heartbeat...but i need a real garage first. Ah well...

Good luck!

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'93 Mazda RX7, touring ed., 5 spd.

Wise words and exactly what I was thinking. Chuck let's talk offline about making some plans...

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

It looks like I may be putting an order in for several people in the club in the next few weeks.

If anyone else is interested, give me a call or send me an email!

I do plan to order one "extra" and have it for sale, so if you can't commit right away one might still be available later this year.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Any updates? The garage is all finished and ready for the lift.

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Not to thread hijack, but does anyone have a pointer to more of a "centralized" solution for a lift similar to this? Preferably something made to be recessed into the floor?

We're going to be building a new race shop at some point in the not-too-distant future and one of the plans is to recess an area for scales (four recessed holes, one for each scale, three of the four holes bigger to accomodate different sized cars, plates in the holes to level them, etc). But it would be nice to have a lift in the center of the floor that can lift a car off the scales to make tweaks and then just set it back down. I'm not opposed to having to make custom "bars" that sit on such a jack to stretch out to jack points or something, so something like Mike's solution above that was simply one larger scissor instead of two separate ones would be somewhat ideal, I think.


--Donnie