Formula Car Lift or Hoist to ease my aching back!
Does any one have plans or diagrams of a formula car hoist?. I would like to fabricate one. The well set up teams all seem to have an A-Frame type hoist to lift the car up to a good working height (like my kart) and set it on a rolling stand. I have been admiring these for quite some time but after spending my tire budget at the chiropractor I need to make my own.
Re: Formula Car Lift or Hoist to ease my aching back!
I have been trying to figure out how to do the same thing (both from an economic and space conservation viewpoint). The best idea to date is to scale up a lift similar to what the FV guys use. You could pick from the side or get a little more cumbersome (longer) and pick from the front. Due to ground clearance limitations, a drive-on ramp (maybe a couple 2x12's) would be necessary. Any other Rube G's out there??
Rob Bork
Unregistered User
(1/11/01 7:08 am)
Car hoist
Larry Oliver of IRP (check the FF Board) has one in his catalog for $500
Re: Car hoist
First, with the Harbor Freight (and other similar things), you will still need a quick jack or similar to get the car off the ground enough to get it onto the lift. I've seen one person successfully use one on a DSR.
As for A-frames, years ago, I found an old steel tube swing set that someone wanted to get rid of. This wasn't truly an A-frame. Imagine cutting off the top about a foot from the point and then joining the sides with a ladder-like assembly. The beast was too wide to use in a single garage space, so I cut a section out of the middle of the "ladder" to decrease the width. I then found a couple of three foot lengths of pipe just slightly smaller than the ladder tubes. By sliding the (now) two sides of the swing set over the pipes, I had and adjustable width, quite strong and stable frame - and it is semi-portable. I use 1 ton chain hoist suspended from the frame to lift the car (the chain hoist hook isn't big enough to fit over the roll hoop, so I use another piece of pipe that will fit the hook wedged in between the roll hoop and the forward hoop supports). Works like a charm and it is a one-person operation. I hoist the car up and then I slide sturdy portable saw horses under the car.
If this idea appeals to you, send me an e-mail and I'll send you photographs and dimensions.
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