Stupid question time - Jack stands....

[ryoken]

as I mentioned, THE biggest no no is not having wood on top of the block.. that's a recipe for disaster there...

didn't mean to drag this so off topic, just trying to make a point... sometimes what people think they know is true, is not always quite so...


some serious weight sitting on these keel blocks....

 

[Blue85]

12 ton harbor freights

Agreed. The little jack stands are good for cars, but can hardly even hold an axle high enough to take of a 37" tire. For a lifted truck you want some taller stands.

I sometimes put smaller jack stands on cement blocks to hold things like axle, tranny, etc.. With a piece of lumber between the cement and jack stand it is real strong. I have also spaced up a little jack stand on brake rotors and drums, but again, that's not recommended to hold the whole vehicle, just components.

So it's good to have more than 1 size. For lots of stuff I work on, there's no way to get the 12T stands in there.

 

[82355]

I have probably three different sizes. The 12 tons are nice for under the frame, but unnecessary a lot of the time.

Martin

 

[Chevy911]

for the last 20 years I have used stands made from 2x4s. stronger than probably any cheap steel stand, and they work amazing on sand or soft dirt. Also does not scratch up the paint if it is a nice vehicle. Cut the boards into 12 inch pieces and put two parallel, then 2 across, two nails each corner and repeat until the desired height. I think I have a 12, 6, and 3 high pair. also allows you to stack them, or shim, if its an uneven surface.

 

[dhcomp]

Get the 12 ton HF ones when they are on sale, or you have a coupon.

For daily small stuff, having a set of small 3 or 6 ton ones is great too.

But if you only get one set, get the 12's.

 

[Deuling]

I have probably three different sizes. The 12 tons are nice for under the frame, but unnecessary a lot of the time.

Martin

I agree. The 12 tons are super tall, I prefer the 6 tons most of the time for going under the axles. 12 tons for going to frame.

 

[diesel4me]

for the last 20 years I have used stands made from 2x4s. stronger than probably any cheap steel stand, and they work amazing on sand or soft dirt. Also does not scratch up the paint if it is a nice vehicle. Cut the boards into 12 inch pieces and put two parallel, then 2 across, two nails each corner and repeat until the desired height. I think I have a 12, 6, and 3 high pair. also allows you to stack them, or shim, if its an uneven surface.

If I have to have the truck jacked way up high,I prefer using a good piece of hardwood log about 12" or greater in diameter that's the correct height,for supports..they are much more stable than jack stands ,and they dont "slip" against the frame rail..and wont ever crush!..they may be hard to work around,but they want fail or slide on you...just be sure when you cut them with a chain saw,you make good square cuts...and equal lengths..

I remember using some 12x12" "cubes" made of hard pine from a sawmill to raise up my '63 VW high enough to get the engine out from under it--just drove it on ramps and parked on them...the crumbling remains of one of them is still sitting on top of my truck bidy shed in the backyard!..other one rotted into dust and bugs long ago...my older brother had them when he had VW's and gave them to me--that was around 1976...