Looking for car lift/ramp plans

atr · Unread post by **atr** » 07 Nov 2010, 04:39

Hi all
I hope that the admin will not delete my post since it's not specific for Citroen, but perhaps you can help.
I'm looking for plans/ideas to build a ramp so that I'll be able to do more things on my car (a Xant, btw). let me point that I have the skills and the equipment (welder,saw,lathe,etc) for the job.
Thanx for your help.

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 07 Nov 2010, 09:07

Plenty of people build their own ramps using angle-iron and plate - no great challenge - and some build sloping walls to drive up!
A fully-fledged lift is another matter altogether - there'd be some real design work involved (calculating stresses etc), and a lot of fabrication. You'd probably be better buying one second-hand; they come up quite regularly.

atr · Unread post by **atr** » 07 Nov 2010, 09:29

dnsey thanks.
what I'm looking for is something in between. not the typy that is used in car repair shops, that's an overshooting for me and on the other hant not the simplest 20 or 30 cm high. I'm almost sure that there is something like that and since I dont want to "reinvent the wheel", I'm looking for something that already built.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 07 Nov 2010, 10:14

http://www.restorationramps.co.uk/ what about these?

D

frenchcarnut · Unread post by **frenchcarnut** » 07 Nov 2010, 20:41

Do people (in nil flood risk areas) dig pits in their garages anymore? That's what I've always wanted since my father used to go around to his mates with one when I was a nipper. I also remember Dad spraying his car in that garage but I don't remember the use of a mask either

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 08 Nov 2010, 15:12

Do people (in nil flood risk areas) dig pits in their garages anymore?

I have one, but dug by my predecessor, not me.
It would be quite useful if:
a) I could get a car into the garage, and
b) It was less of a struggle getting out of the pit and under the car sill (especially on a lowered hydraulic Citroen)

VertVega · Unread post by **VertVega** » 08 Nov 2010, 20:49

I wish I had enough room for a car ramp as seen in Deanxm's link (or as in below).
Here's another link for car ramp design inspiration

... --> http://www.carstages.com/

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 10 Nov 2010, 13:29

VertVega wrote:I wish I had enough room for a car ramp as seen in Deanxm's link (or as in below).
Here's another link for car ramp design inspiration ... --> http://www.carstages.com/

Interesting site VertVega I think I saw this site a while back, looking further they even show a ramp being used in a workshop, so they are not just for showrooms/sales areas.

Also they show what happens when they are poorly made, and unsafe by competitors copying their product.

Take a read through it, and look at the pictures which demonstrate the point.

VertVega · Unread post by **VertVega** » 10 Nov 2010, 15:55

ACTIVE8 wrote:... they even show a ramp being used in a workshop, so they are not just for showrooms/sales areas ...

When I have first seen their ramp I also thought it would be good for car repair purposes

I watched their Demo video 4MB which is actually a 9.5MB wmv file.

It has a smart design and very practical I think.

ACTIVE8 wrote:... Also they show what happens when they are poorly made , and unsafe by competitors copying their product. ...

Checked it after reading your post. Some construction 'engineers' have forgotten the structural strength calculations, I guess

So far I manage well with the wooden ramps I made. I got inspiration from ---> Rhino ramps 8000 <---

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 10 Nov 2010, 16:52

So far I manage well with the wooden ramps I made. I got inspiration from ---> Rhino ramps 8000 <---

Those Rhino ramps remind me of the type of chocks the Fire Brigade use here, when chocking a vehicle to stabilise it when lifting, winching, general working on vehicles when they attend an accident, and need to keep the vehicle still, while working with a Holomatro ("jaws of life") or other equipment, and attending to the casulty.

In actual fact it is probably the same durable material, although their ones come in all different shapes, and sizes.

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 10 Nov 2010, 17:18

VertVega wrote:
ACTIVE8 wrote:... Also they show what happens when they are poorly made , and unsafe by competitors copying their product. ...
Checked it after reading your post. Some construction 'engineers' have forgotten the structural strength calculations, I guess

It also though could be copycat products done by those with no structural knowledge, not consulting those that can do the structural calculations, and being built in a hurry, and down to a low price with poor quality welding, and materials.

There is a saying/caveat that is used here in the U.K. "buyer be aware" and if someone wants to be safe, as well as their customers, then they need to be careful what they buy, and where they buy it from.