"JustTom" > wrote in message
...
> I'm looking to create additional floor space in my garage with a 4
> post lift (or something else if anyone has a better idea).
>
> I've sent away for info from Dannmar.
>
> http://www.dannmar.com/dannmar-produ...ost-lifts.html
>
> When I sent away, I didn't realize that they were sold at costco and
> northern, so now I'm wondering a bit about the quality.
>
> When looking at a lift to permanently park one of my expensive
> belongings on top of another of my expensive belongings (not to
> mention my own head), cost isn't a the top of the list, so I'm
> wondering if anyone has one of these and their impression of the
> quality and safety aspects, and if anyone has suggestions or
> preferences for another manufacturer?
>
> What should I be looking for?
>
> thanks,
> tom

I'm normally working alone in the shop and the lift has become
invaluable. First off I'm not under a vehicle that is on a jack, or
jack stands but it is in the air high enough to work with ease. Any
tool is as safe as its user so be careful and use it safely. It, (they
are), is built to do the job without a lawsuit.

Here's what I would have done differently if I were buying today. I
would buy from
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...p-xl-8k-ds.htm
because I know his company and he normally has the best price and he
is in the automobile service tool business.

The new lift would have the full floor (or at least 1/2), no drip
pans, or dollies, a jacking tray (bridge) and aluminum ramps.

My reasons are I don't move it so why have the dollys? You're going to
lift the ramps more than you expect so get the lighter ramps.

With the floor I can put my mower and lawn tractor on it and keep my
cars on the ground except right now and for the last few months the
'72 has been up there. It will make a place for your ramps so they
aren't sticking out for you to bump into with your head. It keeps them
off the floor where you can trip over them. Although I welded the
corners and a drain plug in one floor unit to use as a drain I've
never used that feature.

I use the jacking bridge to set my drain pan on while I drain the oil,
seldom use it to jack anything.

Most likely you'll get the plastic drain pans and I do use them when I
put a car under another one.

Unloading it is an effort, I used a large backhoe and it was all it
could do to pick it up out of the semi.

After 10 years of using it I took it apart this summer and checked all
cables, pulleys, and their shafts for wear and lubricated them and put
it back together. It showed no signs of wear and gave me peace of mind
for the next 10 years. One of the pulleys had a slight misalignment
and raised a sharp edge that I removed but that is all I could find
after many lifts.

Good luck.