On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 14:12:04 +0100, ":::Jerry::::"
wrote:


"Mike Mitchell" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 10:10:00 +0100, ":::Jerry::::"
wrote:


"Mary Fisher" wrote in message
.net...

"Jerry Built" wrote in message
...
:::Jerry:::: wrote:
Pit are dangerous, they can easily become filled with poisonous
or inflammable gases / fumes without warning and thus without a
chance to use a fan or what ever to try and disperse the gases /
fumes.

How many repair businesses do you see with an inspection pit? Not
many (any?). Why do they prefer (have?) to spend money on lifts
that cost lots of money, need safety certificates, and are an on-
going maintenance cost? It is because pits are dangerous.

Not necessarily. It's because they are forced to. Not all legislation
is
for
sensible reasons.

That is the point, there is NO legislation forcing workshops not to use
pits, they do so because it is safer to use hoists etc. Many workshops
have
spent money removing pits due to the safety concerns that surround their
use
and even presents in the workshop.


DIYers are unlikely to be able to afford the sophisticated equipment -
nor
the space demanded - which the pros have.


But they can afford to use ramps and axle stands, which (in the case of
axle
stands) they need anyway to work safely in a 'wheels free' situation.

Putting it bluntly, pits in domestic (DIY) garages are not much more that
an
ego trip - totally un-needed...

Would you prefer working underneath a car from a pit or crawling under
it if it was propped up on axle stands? I know which method I would
prefer! Also, how you can possibly come to the conclusion that wanting
a pit is part of an ego trip? That sounds like a ridiculous argument
to me.


Neither would I use axle stand or a pit, I would use a nice wheels free
hoist. But if I didn't have access to a hoist I would choose stands anytime,
not only are the wheels free to be removed the vehicles height can be
adjusted to suit the job in hand - reach is often a factor when using pits,
you're either cramped of have to over reach.

The more you spout on about what you say are the advantages of pit and the
disadvantages of hoists or stands the more I'm convinced that you have not
used either of the choices and probably never done work (more than an oil
change) on any vehicle.

Whoa, you're conflating hoists and stands, when the two are completely
different! Of course I would use a hoist, but how do I get a hoist
into a domestic garage? And even if I could, i.e. if I had a double
garage maybe, though it would have to be double height as well, how
could I afford one? Hoists cost a lot of money, you know. A pit costs
practically nothing, especially if you live near a railway line.

MM