Feel free to also post a reply, whether or not you've responded to the poll.

There was something like this to the T when i was stationed in Vilseck, Germany, it was a car shack that had a lift and the tools...the works. would go there to do things like change my oil and put on rims etc. and when you needed help other people there would teach you a thing or two. very useful.

I'd love a place that I could rent to use a hoist. Thats it really. I understand why places dont do this though, with liability and all.

All limitations aside (like the liability issue), would or wouldn't you!

i would. im military and most bases have an "auto shop". at dover, we had one that had something like 15 bays, several different lifts, and even a paint booth. it was the tits! but they tore it down i hope they rebuild it

We have one here on Ft Stweart i've heard it's awesome

Check this out!

http://www.wrench-it.com/

Exactly as i said. There are people doing it, which means there is a way around that whole liability issue everyone keeps bringing up.

There is always a way around the liability issue, it's called insurance right? I think one of the bigger issues is just the business model. Who are you going to staff this place with, mechanics that don't fix anything? ...and how do you keep folks with running off with the tools? They aren't always cheap. Also, you may need some sort of club model to finance the space.

I have seen this at several military bases, it's a common thing (or at least it had been last time I checked). They have a whole sign in sheet deal and they have a GS mechanic who mans the shop who you sign out tools from and ask questions to () .

I know there (is?) one at Lackland AFB, TX on the back side of the non-training side gas station. I have also seen inspection facilities in Ft. Rucker, AL as well as lift centers, but I am unsure if they are staffed.

I can see if there is something at Nellis AFB, NV and the San Diego naval area as well, I'll just go up and start asking around to see what I come up with. Also for people who don't have base access, local racetracks have associated facilities as well.

im also military. Ft Hood has a place called Sprocket. Been there once to push a friends car out of the bays... (Ford). I have plenty of tools at the house, the only thing im missing is the lift.

You need to recalibrate your wife. Tell her not many women have a husband who can fix thier car just by going into the garage. My wife appreciates the fact that I have a full auto shop in my garage. Re-did the whole suspension in her Z3 last year. Then the clutch throwout bearing started to make noise, I said "No problem, I'll order the parts today". New clutch installed and a smile on her face and she could walk over to the garage at any time and see the progress.

Get a two post lift and park your car in that spot.

you can "rent" tools for free at your local autozone. O2 sensor tools etc. The specialty tools that you will only need once. They take a deposit for what the tool is worth and if you bring it back within 48 hours you get a full refund.

One of the greatest things about a military base is the Car hobby shop. Lifts, tools, and experienced people who can help you out.

I wish there was one in Houston.. here's one in Dallas:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/cars...121957094.html

I would love to just have access to a lift. I called around, but most places would rent time because of liability issues.

I would if it was anywhere close (which it won't be to me). When I was a kid my dad was in the air force and every base has an auto hobby shop where you could rent a bay for a few bucks a day and have access to everything you needed up to complete pro paint booths. Spent a lot of time there.

Start fixing your wife's car, so she doesn't have to take it into the shop, and see what she thinks then.

You can buy a floor lift style lift from autozone or something for around 2000 but the question is, would it be worth it? My biggest concern is the quality of the lift itself. I would open a garage and create one of these things and make them sign safety waivers that states we are not responsible for damages to vehicle or to untrained person(s) working on vehicle because it was their own free will to work on their own vehicle. Only thing that sucks is you can sue walmart for slipping and falling, what happens if the lift fails and kills the worker or something :/

If you are familiar with the design, it is really hard to fathom a lift failing that would kill someone. Most lifts have safety locks that the arms sit on when the car is in the air. If the locks fail, then the arms are on large hydraulic pistons that would take a long time to drop the car if a seal failed. Finally, the lifting arms are fully welded heavy steel, that unless way overstressed, probably would not catastrophically fail and instantly drop the car. Now if the car is not properly mounted on the arms when lifted, well that is a different issue, but it takes about two minutes to understand the concept to properly use the lift.

If you buy a lift it should certified by the Automotive Lift Institute. As far as I know, the American manufactures all have ALI certified lifts. A nice 10,000 pound lift is not as expensive as you think and if you are a serious DIY'er they are well worth the investment. I suggest you go read up on lifts at Rotarylift.com under the FAQ page. In 2004 my lift only cost $3,500 installed.