[Bulti]

Since I'm about to build a new garage, it's time to get me a nice grease pit. But what should be the ideal depth?



I will use a prefab concrete tub which has a depth of 1.4 m (+/- 55 inch), but where should be ground level (top of garagefloor) when I'm standing in it? Eyeheight? Even with the top of my head? Or should I make it intentionally too deep and put something on the bottom afterwards?



Any advice would be appreciated, don't want to mess this one up.



Ps I read about the MaxJax carlift, but I doubt its practicality (sitting in a chair while working...). Besides that, such a lift can still be installed afterwards.

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[flash]

no idea what it's like in your area, but a grease pit is not as simple as it seems. it's also not as inexpensive as you might think. when you dig down like that, there is a whole mess of work to be done, including figuring out how to handle any groundwater. you could quickly end up with a big bathtub if you don't also make plans for that. additionally, if the house is above it, a big hole like that creates a weaker foundation, unless you take steps to reinforce around it. even if it's only a garage above it, reinforcement will have to be done. that generally means a new garage floor at minimum.



in the end, you will probably spend 5 times as much on the pit as you would on a lift, and still not have the functionality. sometimes you just need to be able to raise or lower the car a few inches.

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[Inkedupfatboy]

Then every thing on the garage floor ends up in the pit - dirt and debris -

you have to have a lip around it for a steel grate - since you can't just leave a pit open - then you have to have stairs in it so you can get in and out of it...or at least a ladder -



If you still go for it, I would go to a "Jiffy lube" type of place that has one and ask if you can get into it - to see if you like it...



Then if you want a lift, my concrete guys says 8 inches minimum for concrete -

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[flash]

you can do with less thickness on the concrete, depending on the lift, and the location. maxjax says 4, as do most of the lift manufacturers. more is always better though.



i've not found that a pit is useful for anything but stuff at the center of the car (like oil changes). for any other work, it is a pain in the butt, as you still need to be able to put the wheels in the air, and with that big hole there, it's even harder.



seems easy. dig a hole. insert pan. pour some concrete. in reality, it's often very different. it's not easy to go back if you change your mind either. filling that hole and packing it down so the new concrete won't sag and crack is a real problem. you have to break it up at the bottom to allow the water to pass, drill into the floor for rebar to tie it together, and then fill it, wait, pack it, wait some more, pack it again, wait some more, pour concrete, and then cross your fingers.

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[Langley968]

This topic brings back memories...

The house I had in Brazil many years ago, had a "grease pit" in the garage, built by the former owner. The pit was difficult to get in and out of when I was younger, I would NOT want to have to try that these days! The pit had some wooden covers to avoid things & people from falling into it when not in use. Because the house was in a tropical area, the pit attracted many pests (cockroaches, etc) that would hide under the cover, so I had it filled in. And in time... that area sunk a bit, so I had to break the concrete and repour.

Thanks for reviving those memories...

Do not let my memories affect your decision! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/icon_lol1.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

yup - i've heard other horror stories about these, very similar to yours. sorry to bring back bad memories

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[Rap]

Lift manufacturers also tell you not to put a lift close to your walls. I poured 12" and was able to get the lift into the far left bay of a 3 car garage. You don't mention the height of your garage. This is also a factor that must be considered. I don't know your age but Langley's point was well taken! Making everything easy and convenient in your garage will be something you appreciate in the future! If you want to PM me, I designed a garage that incorporates that which I mentioned and much more.

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[Inkedupfatboy]

I would put a drive up lift in, before I would do a pit.

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[flash]

agreed. that way you can have your cake and eat it too.

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[Inkedupfatboy]

MMMM Cake



I think overall the lift makes more sense to me. I am trying to figure out how to afford to build a garage and I am wanting to put a lift in. One of the reasons is when I get the Volvo restored, I will have two cars that need storage, and when I end up with the father in laws hot rod, I can store one up on the lift, parking three cars in a space meant for two. Can't do that with a pit.

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[Bulti]

Well, I guess it's lift Vs pit: 7-0. But in favor of the pit: the new garage is not a part of my house, and because I'm not allowes to build higher than about 2.5 m, a MaxJax would be my only lift-option.



Also: a new floor and foundation must be constructed anyway, so I can take the pit into account from the beginning.



Water shouldn't be a problem since it's a pre-fabricated waterproof concrete pit... It comes even with matching stairs and frame for the cover.



A full-size lift would definitely my first choice, but that MaxJax thing...



Rap, I'm 33 (but feels like 55 sometimes - graveyard shifts all the time :-)), I sure can use some advice on the interior, will sent you a PM.



Anyone any advice on the depht of the bathtub?

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[Rap]

Bulti, start yet?

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[Bulti]

Nope, still not sure wether I use a pit or the MaxJax. Leaning towards the lift now. The pit would raise many problems but on the other hand, no more Dannmar dealers here or in the Nerherlands.

I send them an e-mail with a bunch of questions about shipping costs, support and such... It drives me crazy.

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[WJH]

Here is a German with a pit working on his 944S2. Start at about 19 minutes and you get a good picture of his pit. It looks like it works very well to me.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1P0n1DXMto

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[ds968]

Sigh, you guys are contemplating building full fledged repair shops in your garages while I'm still thinking about having a turntable built in mine because I'm too lazy to back the car out of the garage and would just like the novelty / fun factor of a gizmo like that.

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[WJH]

[quote name='ds968' timestamp='1385960053' post='153096']

Sigh, you guys are contemplating building full fledged repair shops in your garages while I'm still thinking about having a turntable built in mine because I'm too lazy to back the car out of the garage and would just like the novelty / fun factor of a gizmo like that.

[/quote]

Like the Bat Cave! I always thought that was so cool. They also had a nuclear reactor for their power.

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[Rap]

I'm sorry I didn't know about the idea until I was too far in! I'm sorry I built such a small garage. Who could have known. My contractor actually! Lol

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[gbarrier]

WJH, while the tensioners are different on our cars it's a well made video. Still, the close quarters, less light and the need for the pit to be built to the proper depth for the user does present some problems.

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[Bulti]

Yep, and it costs a hell of a lot more, you have to take groundwater into account and what not.



Plenty of cons mentioned above. On the other hand: when there is no alternative it sure beats lying with your back on a cold garage floor.

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[Inkedupfatboy]

I have a guy for all that - lol

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