Planning on building a 30x40x10 in the fall. I want to put in a 2 post lift but worried about height restrictions. I wanted wood frame (conventional framing) but can also use metal framing if it will help with easing my height issue. Plan on regular roof pitch angle. Has anyone put a 2 post lift in a shop with ten foot sides. Please let me know what problems you have ran into. I would like to stand under car I would raise up....
2 post lift in 30x40x10ft sides
- Thread starter free07110
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rockchucker
Well-known member
10" Walls give you 10" Lid Height. You can stretch it to 10' 4.5" by going away from the norm and cutting the Studs to 10'. The extra 4.5" would be a double top Plate and the Bottom Plate. Still not enough room. If you are doing really low Sports cars there MIGHT be enough room but any Truck or SUV on the Lift and you will run out of room quick. Nothing to be comfortable walking underneath it without crouching. At that point I would rather lay on a Creeper. Then you have to take into consideration your lights hanging. There is another 6" of space. I would shoot for 12'-14' Walls with thoughts of a lift in place.
I have the same issue in my Shop. 10' is just not enough for a lift to be REALLY utilized the way I would want to use it. It would still be great, don't get me wrong. If you have the ability to build what you are housing the Lift in then bigger (taller) is better.
Just my 2¢
I have the same issue in my Shop. 10' is just not enough for a lift to be REALLY utilized the way I would want to use it. It would still be great, don't get me wrong. If you have the ability to build what you are housing the Lift in then bigger (taller) is better.
Just my 2¢
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Ok thanks. I use a lift everyday at work and want to be able to use one at the house for side jobs. Does anyone have pictures with metal frame that was able to make a lift work with 10ft sides. If not guess I will have to start looking into 12ft sides....
fordflambe
New member
I am 6 foot 4 and have both 4 post and 2 post lifts in a stick frame garage with 12 foot ceilings, I have 8 foot fluorescent lights throughout. I normally work on my cars when lifts are fully extended (to keep from abusing my bald head). It is possible for a 10 foot ceiling to work if you are shorter than me or dont mind working in a bent-at-knees position. I actually have a friend that put a 4 post in a garage with 8 foot ceiling. He works on his cars while seated on a rolling mechanics chair and seems to have no problems at all.
You must also consider the height of the vehicle you are working on. Cars are normally shorter in height than trucks. Therefore if you intend to work on trucks, the cabs may limit the height you can raise the vehicle, limiting the space you have to work under the lift.
If you intend to do heavy work (replace rear ends, transmissions, etc) i think you may find a 12 foot ceiling more accommodating.
Hope this helps......
Phil
You must also consider the height of the vehicle you are working on. Cars are normally shorter in height than trucks. Therefore if you intend to work on trucks, the cabs may limit the height you can raise the vehicle, limiting the space you have to work under the lift.
If you intend to do heavy work (replace rear ends, transmissions, etc) i think you may find a 12 foot ceiling more accommodating.
Hope this helps......
Phil
ambenz
Well-known member
I am curious too...have a 22X30 with 10 foot walls in my garage with a hip roof, so I am locked in below where the door is stored in the open position, about 9' 5".
I am hoping I can raise the storage height of the door and squeeze in my 2 Mustangs in one bay, on a lift. I originally intended to store a 19' travel trailer with roof air conditioning in one bay so my garage reflects the thought.
I am hoping I can raise the storage height of the door and squeeze in my 2 Mustangs in one bay, on a lift. I originally intended to store a 19' travel trailer with roof air conditioning in one bay so my garage reflects the thought.
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wedge40
Well-known member
I have to ask why not go higher? 12' or 14'
Wedge
Wedge
Hacker-Pschorr
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My ceiling is 10' 6" and I'm installing a two post lift by cutting two holes in the ceiling sheet-rock. The posts will go into the attic with the cross bar going over the base of the joists.
The primary car I work on is a Porsche 928, if my calculations are correct I'll be able to stand under the car with room and I'm 6' tall.
My Yukon will be just enough off the ground to be comfortable on a creeper, cannot have everything unless I start to modify the joists (which I might do down the road).
The primary car I work on is a Porsche 928, if my calculations are correct I'll be able to stand under the car with room and I'm 6' tall.
My Yukon will be just enough off the ground to be comfortable on a creeper, cannot have everything unless I start to modify the joists (which I might do down the road).
DirtRoad
Well-known member
Maxjax?
I don't want the shop to over power my house. If I make it 12ft high than I will see it over my house from the front yard. I think if I use scissor trusses and space them out between the lift I will be ok but wanting to see if anyone has had luck doing this.
I too am planning a garage build this summer. A 32x40x10. Im planning on using scissor truss's to put a 12' lift in. The posts of the two post lift may stick up above the ceiling by a couple inches, but that doesnt really affect anything.
Most guys in here seem to go the more traditional 12' ceiling route. I am staying away from that due to aethetics. Cost may be a wash as scissors truss's are more.
Most guys in here seem to go the more traditional 12' ceiling route. I am staying away from that due to aethetics. Cost may be a wash as scissors truss's are more.
NHBandit
Well-known member
Are you guys staying with 10' walls just for looks ? Makes no sense to me to sacrifice comfort for looks but I go to the store wearing sweat pants too. My garage will see alot of use over the coming years and I don't plan to cut any corners on the build if I can help it only to regret it later. I am also building a 30x40 garage but am going with 12' walls AND scissor trusses so I have a little height to spare for the lift. In fact I ordered the lift yesterday and the posts are 1" short of 12' tall. Also keep in mind that depending on how your building is being constructed you may not have the height you think you'll have. My garage is pole barn style but is being built on top of the slab giving me true 12' walls. Typical pole barn construction is to build the building first & then pour the slab inside the building after. Common procedure but you lose some wall height doing it that way. For example if you pour a 4" thick slab inside the building you will only end up with walls that are 9'8" in a 10' building.
yup me too 10' ceiling 30X36 I have a floorplate style 2 post the posts are only 8'6... my garage is all stick built I could take out a few ceiling joists to gain a couple feet over the spot the hoist will go... just gotta either get rid of some "junk" in the attic or at least rearrange it
I have 6/12 pitch gable roof, lift will be mounted "with" the ridge not across it
I have 6/12 pitch gable roof, lift will be mounted "with" the ridge not across it
budl
Well-known member
I looked at a garage plan on the BEHM DESIGN web site that makes sense to me. I am also planning a new garage build that will include a lift but (hopefully) won't piss off the neighbors. Check out BEHM DESIGN plan #1292-1.
Bud
Bud
KPSquared
Well-known member
If you can do a vaulted ceiling or a relief in the area where the lift will go it will help. There are lots of good examples on here of tray ceilings anf vaulted ceilings that work with a hoist.
Personally, I'd just go 12'6" ceiling.
Personally, I'd just go 12'6" ceiling.
Mr onetwo
Well-known member
Shawn Alexander
New member
I also have 10ft walls due to zoning and overall building height restrictions. I went with scissor trusses 6/12 outside and 3/12 inside. I have just over 12ft inside under the peak. my lift fits perfectly.
I'm with Hacker. If you are still in the planning phase, you have several options to keep the outside wall height within your specs.
Here is what I did, but the garage was already built, so it was a little more difficult.
Good luck, Ralph.
Here is what I did, but the garage was already built, so it was a little more difficult.
Good luck, Ralph.
coljar
Well-known member
10 ft open ceiling. Steel truss. Messy, due to being under constuction.
mrobins297aaa
Well-known member
here's the truss I used at my old house, its a little different than a scissors truss.
the garage had 10' walls the truss is 30' long, if i remember right it was 6/12 on top and it gave me a 13'-3" clearance in the center, worked out good
the garage had 10' walls the truss is 30' long, if i remember right it was 6/12 on top and it gave me a 13'-3" clearance in the center, worked out good
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mrobins297aaa
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cutthroatxxx
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We had 10 ft side walls in the old shop&we had a 2 post Ben Pearson lift down there.No issues .I've had everything from mgs to hot rods to full size trucks on it.If you need a few more inches just spread your legs out.
KPSquared
Well-known member
I would call that an issue. If you have the chance to avoid nonsense like "spread your legs out" ahead of time, why wouldn't you?
I guess it depends on your height and the size of rigs you're working on.
I mean, the columns on the xpr-10 are 12' tall to start with. . .
You will be surprised how cheap it is to build up... I would go 16' sidewalls and plan for a loft one day. Lots of extra sqft for a good value. or you could go 14' sidewall with scissor truss and still have room for loft with plenty of head room.
KPSquared
Well-known member
Going up with the frame is cheap. . Its the extra square feet of finish that will kill you.
classic boost
Well-known member
i have a 40x32 pole building with scissor trusses. 5/12 outside and 2/12 inside. gives me ~12.5' at the peak.
http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/378187_476617999015665_1121574970_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/378187_476617999015665_1121574970_n.jpg
CrewCabGuy
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In my opinion the trusses will be the cheapest place to get the height. Get creative. Go with a 6 or 8/12 pitch. Then you will have room to do a scissor or tray on the inside to get your extra height. I think the higher pitches make the building look better too. My house has an 8/12 so I built mine with a 6/12 to help it blend in a little.
classic boost
Well-known member
theoretically, with a 30ft span, a 2/12 will give you 12.5ft to the peak. 3/12 will give 13.75ft.
jaybird3897
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You can do it with 10' walls if you go 5/12 pitch and scissor trusses over lift area. You would have over 12ft for your lift if you place lift in middle of trusses.
logixjock
Well-known member
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10 ft open ceiling. Steel truss. Messy, due to being under constuction.
Coljar,
Who was the supplier for your trusses. Thats exactly what I'm looking for.
bigbubba
Well-known member
That's why ours has 16' eaves
We built the building(Pole barn) then poured the floor,Lost over 8" in some places.coljar
Well-known member
My garage is a 64 METALS building. I don't know if they construct the trusses or farm it out. You could give them a call and find out.
rburke65
Well-known member
You are not going to be happy with 10' height to your ceiling and a lift with wanting to stand under it. 12' maybe.......
coljar
Well-known member
My open ceiling garage is 10ft. walls and I've had a couple of crew cabs on the rack, one with a Lincoln welder in the back. No problems with them all the way up.