do you trust jack stands?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
do you trust jack stands?
not at all? a little or 100%?
they scare the crap out of me. maybe because i have had a tractor fall off of one. under the vette it is so easy to get crushed i would rather use ramps!
they scare the crap out of me. maybe because i have had a tractor fall off of one. under the vette it is so easy to get crushed i would rather use ramps!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Put your tires under your frame while its on jackstands, or blocks of wood (if tires wont be coming off) as a safety feature. The don't need to touch the frame, just "catch" the car if it falls.
I never trust jack stands 100%. A cousin of mine was killed when both of his jackstands failed and buckled. They were rated far above the total weight of his vehicle.
99.9% of the time, they will work fine. That last 0.1% is pretty permanent and you don't know when or if it may happen.
I never trust jack stands 100%. A cousin of mine was killed when both of his jackstands failed and buckled. They were rated far above the total weight of his vehicle.
99.9% of the time, they will work fine. That last 0.1% is pretty permanent and you don't know when or if it may happen.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
I use both. Jack stands supporting the frame, with a ramp positioned under each wheel. I doubt that jack stands would fail on a flat/solid surface, but it's nice to have the added security.
Edit: I've also used the tire-under-the-frame method. It's much better than the alternative.
Edit: I've also used the tire-under-the-frame method. It's much better than the alternative.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
I trust mine (but I agree 100% with the previous posts) 
More info here: AC Hydraulic jackstands
These stands will accommode two styles of posts: flat top and saddle (just a warning, they are VERY pricey $$$$$$$ but worth every penny); you really got to see these babies up close to appreciate the quality
Larry
More info here: AC Hydraulic jackstands
These stands will accommode two styles of posts: flat top and saddle (just a warning, they are VERY pricey $$$$$$$ but worth every penny); you really got to see these babies up close to appreciate the quality
Larry
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 681
Likes: 2
From: The Woodlands TX
Exactly what I did ... made it such that the farthest it could fall would be about an inch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
If they have a name like Craftsman, NAPA, or other AMERICAN MADE, I have a better sense of security than some crap off the internet, Pep Boys, Autozone, HarborFreight, Walmart or other places that sell crap made in China or god knows where else. I think the steel base is fine, as is the lock set mechanism. The cast iron part though..
way do I trust those.
I will use them while working on or around a wheel well, but to completely suspend the car at max height without ramps or tire/wheel under the frame too..... no frickin way.
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Life is way to short to trust only a single 'safety' net if you know you would be crushed to DEATH if something failed.
way do I trust those.I will use them while working on or around a wheel well, but to completely suspend the car at max height without ramps or tire/wheel under the frame too..... no frickin way.
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Life is way to short to trust only a single 'safety' net if you know you would be crushed to DEATH if something failed.
Last edited by diyguy; Mar 23, 2007 at 09:13 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Trust jack stands?
I trust mine (but I agree 100% with the previous posts)
More info here: AC Hydraulic jackstands
These stands will accommode two styles of posts: flat top and saddle (just a warning, they are VERY pricey $$$$$$$ but worth every penny); you really got to see these babies up close to appreciate the quality
Larry
More info here: AC Hydraulic jackstands
These stands will accommode two styles of posts: flat top and saddle (just a warning, they are VERY pricey $$$$$$$ but worth every penny); you really got to see these babies up close to appreciate the quality
Larry
I hope you are very careful using them.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 8
From: Northwest Washington
I use concrete blocks with 2x6's stacked on top. Also have homemade hellforstout ramps.
I was using my daughters factory jack to raise her car when the jack collapsed. Scared the Shat out of me!
I was using my daughters factory jack to raise her car when the jack collapsed. Scared the Shat out of me!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Pretty much, except during earthquakes.
I always throw spare tires and an extra jack just below the frame rail to support the weight of my vehicles when I'm working under them, which is becoming less frequent.
I always throw spare tires and an extra jack just below the frame rail to support the weight of my vehicles when I'm working under them, which is becoming less frequent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
I use both. Jack stands supporting the frame, with a ramp positioned under each wheel. I doubt that jack stands would fail on a flat/solid surface, but it's nice to have the added security.
Edit: I've also used the tire-under-the-frame method. It's much better than the alternative.
Edit: I've also used the tire-under-the-frame method. It's much better than the alternative.
If I'm leaving my Vette in the air for a while then I'll put the ramps under the tires (if the tires are still on the car). Otherwise I trust the jack stands.
Of course I use enough heavy-duty jack stands that I could hold up my house. Even with that I don't stay under there any longer than I have to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I trust mine...
They are Norco 81222's. Rated for 22 tons each.
Made in the USA and complete OVERKILL .
Why go cheap when your life is depending on something.
They are Norco 81222's. Rated for 22 tons each.
Made in the USA and complete OVERKILL
.- Pin type support column adjusts to four different height positions.
- Adjustment pin is secured to stand to prevent loss.
- 12"-20" height
- Handle provides ease of positioning and carrying.
- 3/8" thick solid steel base plate for added stability.
Why go cheap when your life is depending on something.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
I trust the stands. I don't trust the operator, hehee. So I check, double check, and re-check they are set up correctly.
I'm certain if they were untrustworthy some lawyers would have them banned from society by now and the PC crowd would have them all melted down.
..rickko..
I'm certain if they were untrustworthy some lawyers would have them banned from society by now and the PC crowd would have them all melted down.
..rickko..
. It is an accident waiting to happen. 
Administrator
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I use jack stands but I also keep the jack in place under the car.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,434
Likes: 18
From: Braselton GA
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Clermont, FL
I trust mine...
They are Norco 81222's. Rated for 22 tons each.
Made in the USA and complete OVERKILL .
Why go cheap when your life is depending on something.
They are Norco 81222's. Rated for 22 tons each.
Made in the USA and complete OVERKILL
.- Pin type support column adjusts to four different height positions.
- Adjustment pin is secured to stand to prevent loss.
- 12"-20" height
- Handle provides ease of positioning and carrying.
- 3/8" thick solid steel base plate for added stability.
Why go cheap when your life is depending on something.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
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