Jack Stand Safety
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
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Just use what you have....like this guy:
He's even using a wheel chock for safety.
He's even using a wheel chock for safety.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Well I'm freaked out now. Shopping around for a mechanic to do the job for me now. After the cost of jack stands and backup blocks I'm only saving about 250 in labor. Not worth the hassle and risk at this point.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Anybody who uses blocks as a part of any "Safety" system or second stage of supporting a car is unsafe and has a "Death wish" in my opinion. You dont agree, fine, IDK what you think, believe, feel or have to say. Supporting the use of concrete blocks is a hollow argument.
Last edited by Goldcylon; Aug 29, 2013 at 01:37 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Check the cut bins at home Depot or Lowes (Some times they are free some times they will charge you a couple of bucks). If any home building is going on in your neighborhood ask for permission if you find some usable scraps. They can last you a lifetime and are a solid investment if you wrench on your own car. GC
Last edited by Goldcylon; Aug 29, 2013 at 01:36 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
I sure do have a point. When we behave like alarmists, and make sensational posts like your earlier one claiming the OP "Has a death wish", which he obviously has no wish to die, then that is spreading misinformation to the unwitting. The result? See the quote below. We've scared someone from doing what ever would have likely been a fine, DIY project. Good work. BTW; please quote where I "support the use of concrete blocks". I don't believe that I said that. All I said is that you were being a sensational drama queen about something. For you to say the OP has a "death wish" is totally ridiculous.
As requested
Which you support as the two systems. Or you would have stated otherwise
I guess reading is not fundamental in Utah.
Id already advised the OP where he can find the blocks of wood on the cheap. Its "Alarmest" to think hes now scared from doing the project now. Whos being the sensational drama queen now? Great work. Now go bother someone else. However, I already told you that once before.
Last edited by Goldcylon; Aug 29, 2013 at 05:51 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,459
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Having been a professional Fire Chief for 32 years, now retired, I have see two people crushed dead using Jack Stands that failed. I will never use Jack Stands. I use 6x6" wood cribbing, cross stacked. Its safe, its not going anywhere. Never use concrete blocks as they two can fail.
8Valve
8Valve
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
I would never use concrete blocks. Not designed for the purpose and I'm sure the Chinese are into making crappy blocks now too. To many cracked at Home Depot to ever think about getting crushed under a car.
I'm working on my 1st big Vette project now and my car is on jack stands. As an insurance policy I use extra jacks under the car as backup in the event the main jacks fail. I have the ramps and jack stands and for me I prefer the jackstands for the height I can get.
My 3 ton floor jack can have the entire side of the Vette lifted and stabilized in about 2 mins and then repeat on the other side. Done.
I'm working on my 1st big Vette project now and my car is on jack stands. As an insurance policy I use extra jacks under the car as backup in the event the main jacks fail. I have the ramps and jack stands and for me I prefer the jackstands for the height I can get.
My 3 ton floor jack can have the entire side of the Vette lifted and stabilized in about 2 mins and then repeat on the other side. Done.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor FL
My 90 is sitting on 4 - 6 ton stands, wheels off in the garage now. I just measured the height of the stands in the lowest position and they are 19 1/4 floor to perch so my car is about 2 ft off the floor - been like that for about 4 weeks now with plenty of activity going on under and around it.
My stands are good quality and not the grocery store brand. I also use them to work on my 6000 lbs pickup truck and lift it 3 or so feet off the ground on 4 at a time.
30 years of working on cars and nothing has ever fallen.
My stands are good quality and not the grocery store brand. I also use them to work on my 6000 lbs pickup truck and lift it 3 or so feet off the ground on 4 at a time.
30 years of working on cars and nothing has ever fallen.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,025
Likes: 6,538
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Originally Posted by 8valve
Having been a professional Fire Chief for 32 years, now retired, I have see two people crushed dead using Jack Stands that failed.
Originally Posted by kevingib
30 years of working on cars and nothing has ever fallen.
On one of these forums a while back, someone said they were working under their car. Something happened - wife called him for dinner, buddy called on the phone, I forgot what it was. He came back and found the car on the ground because a jack stand had collapsed!
Regardless of WHAT you use, always use TWO unrelated and redundant methods.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor FL
Yes dad. Now I have to go run buy a 4 post lift so I can use my 2x4's as a secondary.
I hate it for the guy that bought the $9 china made stands for his $10 vette.
Maybe you should PM me your contact info so I can add you as a Benny to my life insurance policy. Not being a smart *** but I posted my experience and don't expect at 45 that I am going to get a lecture.
I hate it for the guy that bought the $9 china made stands for his $10 vette.
Maybe you should PM me your contact info so I can add you as a Benny to my life insurance policy. Not being a smart *** but I posted my experience and don't expect at 45 that I am going to get a lecture.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,459
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
I got a feeling those two dead guys 8valve saw had never had anything fall before, either!
On one of these forums a while back, someone said they were working under their car. Something happened - wife called him for dinner, buddy called on the phone, I forgot what it was. He came back and found the car on the ground because a jack stand had collapsed!
Regardless of WHAT you use, always use TWO unrelated and redundant methods.
On one of these forums a while back, someone said they were working under their car. Something happened - wife called him for dinner, buddy called on the phone, I forgot what it was. He came back and found the car on the ground because a jack stand had collapsed!
Regardless of WHAT you use, always use TWO unrelated and redundant methods.
I have watched a few issues of "Snapped" and I must say that some of the "accidents" look pretty real. I haven't had that happen yet but getting under the car doesn't make me the most comfortable. I think my TPIS headers that made sure I didn't have to are worth it. I had a set of headers on my F-body that when getting to #8 SUCKED because I had to be under the car. Short of an alignment lift, getting under the car never made me feel comfortable. So I would want it jacked up, jack stand standing by another standing by.
Unless you want to have an "accident" with the wife, claim the insurance and run off with the hot mistress.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
I just measured. 17" from the floor to the jacking point lip. Seems like plenty of lift for doing what I need to do. Removed the X brace (Vert), exhaust, replaced fuel filter, did brakes, rocker arms, clutch fluid. Plenty of room on the bottom and good height for working on the engine from the top without breaking your back bending over.
My ramps don't give me what I need to this kind of work. The spare set of jackstands was $30 so it's small insurance to save your life. I'm going to get a 4th set for this weekend when I muscle the pipes back on.
My ramps don't give me what I need to this kind of work. The spare set of jackstands was $30 so it's small insurance to save your life. I'm going to get a 4th set for this weekend when I muscle the pipes back on.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 5
From: Coast MS
They will come in handy for oil changes and such. Backup blocks can be built yourself for cheap out of wood.
Also when I'm under a car I keep my cell phone in my pocket or laying near. I figure if I do get stuck I can at least call for help. If my wife is away I may text her when I start and finish. If she doesn't hear from me after a normal amount of time she can come check.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 65
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