Jack Stands
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Jack Stands
I am looking for a new set of high quality Jack Stands for my C5.
This is what I am currently considering. I know Snap-On is "pricey", but then I have never had a Snap-On tool fail on me so far in over 40 years and these are at least Made in USA supposedly (which may be a plus unless they are being welded up by Elmer Dinkley in his Airstream, in which case I would opt for the usual member of the Woo Tang Clan in China).
I could not find a high quality "screw-type" in the USA that could be fine-tuned for height, so this is where I am for now. The last thing I need is a Jack Stand failing and bragging to everyone else in the morgue how I saved a hundred bucks!
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
This is what I am currently considering. I know Snap-On is "pricey", but then I have never had a Snap-On tool fail on me so far in over 40 years and these are at least Made in USA supposedly (which may be a plus unless they are being welded up by Elmer Dinkley in his Airstream, in which case I would opt for the usual member of the Woo Tang Clan in China).
I could not find a high quality "screw-type" in the USA that could be fine-tuned for height, so this is where I am for now. The last thing I need is a Jack Stand failing and bragging to everyone else in the morgue how I saved a hundred bucks!
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I built my own custom jack stands but the trick to avoiding the bragging rights down at your local cold stone is double redundancy. Or triple. If I'm underneath up on stands I still have a jack or two ready to catch the weight. If the tires are off they're under there with me. Piles of wood are good. Still afraid? I bought a kwiklift. Took me a while to man up and get under the car when I did the clutch on stands. Well custom wood ramps for the front and custom stands in the rear frame holes but I still need to grow a pair climbing under. The higher you go the bigger the set you need to grow.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 55
From: Philadelphia PA
The ESCO 10498 stands are solid and have a good reputation. The flat top rubber padded saddles should work well with your C5. $130/pair including shipping.
http://www.reverselogic.us/shop.html...08&id=26613546
http://www.reverselogic.us/shop.html...08&id=26613546
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
I'm just curious, has anyone ever heard of a jack stand failing? (Assuming they are used on a level surface.)
I've heard of many instances of a hydraulic jack failing (or even a car lift) due to a leaky cylinder, however a jack stand is really a very simple mechanical device that relies on a 'ratchet' or pin to bear the weight of the car. If the welds are good at all points, and the pin or ratchet gears are solid enough, how could one ever fail?
Even good car lifts have a catching device should the hydraulics fail.
I've heard of many instances of a hydraulic jack failing (or even a car lift) due to a leaky cylinder, however a jack stand is really a very simple mechanical device that relies on a 'ratchet' or pin to bear the weight of the car. If the welds are good at all points, and the pin or ratchet gears are solid enough, how could one ever fail?
Even good car lifts have a catching device should the hydraulics fail.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
I had a cheap Sears Craftsman break a weld and drop my wife's sedan about 30 years ago. Thank God I was not under the car when it let go. Front of the car dropped and screwed up the rotor and backing plate. Sears would not honor Craftsman warranty. Only fully welded seam top quality units for me ! I have plenty of $ but only one body and life.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 55
From: Philadelphia PA
Here's one example.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/dockside...under-car.html
If you Google "jack stand failure" you will find more.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/dockside...under-car.html
If you Google "jack stand failure" you will find more.
I'm just curious, has anyone ever heard of a jack stand failing? (Assuming they are used on a level surface.)
I've heard of many instances of a hydraulic jack failing (or even a car lift) due to a leaky cylinder, however a jack stand is really a very simple mechanical device that relies on a 'ratchet' or pin to bear the weight of the car. If the welds are good at all points, and the pin or ratchet gears are solid enough, how could one ever fail?
Even good car lifts have a catching device should the hydraulics fail.
I've heard of many instances of a hydraulic jack failing (or even a car lift) due to a leaky cylinder, however a jack stand is really a very simple mechanical device that relies on a 'ratchet' or pin to bear the weight of the car. If the welds are good at all points, and the pin or ratchet gears are solid enough, how could one ever fail?
Even good car lifts have a catching device should the hydraulics fail.
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Race Director
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
142 bucks for a pair of jack stands. I bought some that are very close to those that I paid like 25 bucks a pair and work great, I haven't used stands that have a pin in them in years..
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,650
Likes: 7,292
From: CT
Never had a problem with Napa stands. Cheap and efficient. Having had several types, my main recommendation is to seek those with flat pads under the corners. They are more stable (larger surface area connecting to the floor) and on hot/weak pavement will not press little L's into the surface. 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,951
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From: The heartbreaking shame of pink stars Kentucky
I've been using a set (four) similar to these for 20+ years:
http://www.mile-x.com/norco-81004c-jack-stands.aspx
rated at 3 tons EACH, not 3 tons for the pair
disclaimer: not an engineer, just passing along what has worked for me
http://www.mile-x.com/norco-81004c-jack-stands.aspx
rated at 3 tons EACH, not 3 tons for the pair
disclaimer: not an engineer, just passing along what has worked for me
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I use some heavy duty Craftsman jack stands - never had a problem with them in many years of use. I do keep a floor jack in place though when I am under the car just as an added measure.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Thanks for the replies!
I spent 3 solid hour last night researching threads on the Internet. The only jack stands I could find under $250 that were somewhat for sure made in the USA were "US Jack" - http://www.jackxchange.com/products/D-41608.cfm
and this Norco 81205 Model
http://www.mile-x.com/norco-81205-jack-stands.aspx
There was some controversy over whether even the Snap-On units which claim "USA - Country of Origin" on the original link I posted are actually all USA bases.
I saw several photos of jack stand bases where welds had failed, ratchet column stems had broken in half, and even load pins (mostly Made in China) had collapsed.
I spent 3 solid hour last night researching threads on the Internet. The only jack stands I could find under $250 that were somewhat for sure made in the USA were "US Jack" - http://www.jackxchange.com/products/D-41608.cfm
and this Norco 81205 Model
http://www.mile-x.com/norco-81205-jack-stands.aspx
There was some controversy over whether even the Snap-On units which claim "USA - Country of Origin" on the original link I posted are actually all USA bases.
I saw several photos of jack stand bases where welds had failed, ratchet column stems had broken in half, and even load pins (mostly Made in China) had collapsed.
Last edited by Choreo; Aug 4, 2013 at 04:41 PM.