Are the Harbor Freight under hoist Jack stands really ok?

[Lt CHEG]

Are these: https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-underhoist-safety-stand-61600.html under hoist Jack stands really ok? I don’t really see much difference between these, the Red line units, or even the Astro units that Harbor Freight compares them to? I like Astro stuff, and honestly haven’t had any complaints with their products, so if these are a copy of them at a healthy savings I’m ok with that, since I’ve got a 25% coupon that I need to use anyway. I’m as big of a Buy American when possible guy as anyone, but I don’t honestly even see any similar products made in the USA. So would you feel safe working under these as extra protection under a Mohawk lift For extended periods?

 

[TurnipTruck]

I don’t know about nowadays, but these 12-year-old HF jackstands seem sturdy enough for my non-professional use:

 

[Rockable]

I have a pair like TurnipTruck and have had them about 15 years. Couldn't live without them. They have performed very well. These are better than the cheaper mod3ls. These have a ball bearing in the tps of them and the frames are sturdy.

 

[Walkers]

I have a pair of the most recent design. They are virtually the same as the other brands. I don't have any problems with them.
I used 4 of them to support a car in the air when a 2 post lift hung up and needed to be repaired. (It was not my lift)

 

[AEAdam]

With respect, these are kind of dumb questions. Chinese steel is out of control. It was worse some years back, with building collapses. But asking others who have rolled the dice isn’t really providing useful data.

The answer is to buy what you want, inspect that product to the best of your abilities, then proof load test it. It probably doesn’t matter whose name is on it, where you bought it, or even how others have fared. If it comes from China, you probably shouldn’t trust it with your life.

BTW, did you guys see the pictures of that hole in the Soyuz spacecraft? It was pretty clearly a misdrilled hole somebody tried to cover up with putty. I guess he didn’t want to get in trouble. Chinese manufacturing is worse. There could be putty instead of welds. Check it.

Oh and Russias response to NASA was amazing (hole drilled by US astronaut, in love with a cosmonaut, who refused her romantic advances so she became suicidal and tried to sabotage the Soyuz by drilling a tiny hole in the pressure vessel.

 

[finn]

I paid extra to get an OTC branded tripod stand, but apart from the screw handle being nicer, I don’t see much difference amons several brands selling what looks to be clones of each other.

I think the OTC was made in China too, so don’t listen to the people going down that rat hole. It’s not 1954 anymore, nor will it ever be.

Check to make sure the HF has a bearing on the screw. Both my OTC and my Sunex single post (also made in China) have bearings and are extremely smooth to spin up.

Of the two designs. , I prefer the tripod OTC over the single post Sunex, although the tripod takes up a lot of space. It is subjectively sturdier, though.

 

[tomtomgt356]

I have a pair of the HF ones that were purchased 1-2 years ago. They work great for stabilizing the ends of long vehicles while working on them. They seem strong enough to support a car if you have enough to be stable, but that's what the lift is for.

 

[Lt CHEG]

They seem strong enough to support a car if you have enough to be stable, but that's what the lift is for.

That’s kind of where I’m getting at. I don’t need them to support the truck by themselves so that I could lower the lift, I just like having a backup in case of some catastrophic failure - which again is unlikely since I’m using a Mohawk lift lol. I guess I’m just a belt AND suspenders kind of guy. The other thing is that there is a pretty big difference in weight between the front and back of my pickup so it’s nice to be able to take any rocking out of the truck if I’m really wrenching hard on a suspension component or something.

 

[mike93lx]

I'd never trust my life to a harbor freight product, regardless of the application. Has nothing to do with country of origin, though

 

[GeoBruin]

I'd never trust my life to a harbor freight product, regardless of the application. Has nothing to do with country of origin, though

Glad you got that off your chest.

 

[mike93lx]

Glad you got that off your chest.

Me too

 

[finn]

That’s kind of where I’m getting at. I don’t need them to support the truck by themselves so that I could lower the lift, I just like having a backup in case of some catastrophic failure - which again is unlikely since I’m using a Mohawk lift lol. I guess I’m just a belt AND suspenders kind of guy. The other thing is that there is a pretty big difference in weight between the front and back of my pickup so it’s nice to be able to take any rocking out of the truck if I’m really wrenching hard on a suspension component or something.

Consider them to be stabilizers, not lifting devices.

 

[aka Larry]

I have a pair of the HF ones that were purchased 1-2 years ago. They work great for stabilizing the ends of long vehicles while working on them. They seem strong enough to support a car if you have enough to be stable, but that's what the lift is for.

I also have a pair (mine are about 8 years old now) that I use for the same purpose. I've been very happy with mine.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I understand where you’re coming from. In this case though, it really looks like there is only 1 company that makes them and they just paint them different colors depending on whether they are going to Harbor Freight, Astro, Redline stands, wherever. It appears that there is literally no difference between any of them out there except color, and I definitely prefer the tripod style to the single pole style. Believe me, I was hoping that there was some competition, preferably something US made, but it appears that there is simply only one game in town.

I'd never trust my life to a harbor freight product, regardless of the application. Has nothing to do with country of origin, though

 

[mike93lx]

I understand where you’re coming from. In this case though, it really looks like there is only 1 company that makes them and they just paint them different colors depending on whether they are going to Harbor Freight, Astro, Redline stands, wherever. It appears that there is literally no difference between any of them out there except color, and I definitely prefer the tripod style to the single pole style. Believe me, I was hoping that there was some competition, preferably something US made, but it appears that there is simply only one game in town.

That may very well be the case, and it may not matter either way

 

[marinusdees]

Are these: https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-underhoist-safety-stand-61600.html under hoist Jack stands really ok? I don’t really see much difference between these, the Red line units, or even the Astro units that Harbor Freight compares them to? I like Astro stuff, and honestly haven’t had any complaints with their products, so if these are a copy of them at a healthy savings I’m ok with that, since I’ve got a 25% coupon that I need to use anyway. I’m as big of a Buy American when possible guy as anyone, but I don’t honestly even see any similar products made in the USA. So would you feel safe working under these as extra protection under a Mohawk lift For extended periods?

Yup.

 

[M635_Guy]

The new Daytona stands are excellent. That opinion is based on a lot of information-gathering since the recall (I had a set of the affected PN stands, and the chaos around it made me curious), but I've gotten tired of retyping it all.

But the net is they're very good. I have a couple different sets (Esco-style and aluminum post). I've got a couple buddies with the newer four-foot Daytona stands and they're very-nicely made.

With respect, these are kind of dumb questions. Chinese steel is out of control. It was worse some years back, with building collapses. But asking others who have rolled the dice isn’t really providing useful data.

What a nice answer

 

[AEAdam]

I understand where you’re coming from. In this case though, it really looks like there is only 1 company that makes them and they just paint them different colors depending on whether they are going to Harbor Freight, Astro, Redline stands, wherever. It appears that there is literally no difference between any of them out there except color,

Not likely. China has literally thousands of suppliers. That’s part of the problem. But don’t believe for a second that higher priced Chinese goods are higher quality than lower priced. They could be or could not be. And each supplier likely has their own untrustworthy raw material suppliers, which is really the issue here.

 

[fatfillup]

Not likely. China has literally thousands of suppliers. That’s part of the problem. But don’t believe for a second that higher priced Chinese goods are higher quality than lower priced. They could be or could not be. And each supplier likely has their own untrustworthy raw material suppliers, which is really the issue here.

I tend to agree. Whatever you buy inspect the welds closely

 

[AEAdam]

What a nice answer

11 people were hurt by collapsing HF Chinese jack stands. Those stands were sold for a long time. As a long standing supporter of Chinese made goods, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were one of the many here who recommended the purchase of the cheapest jack stands on the market because you and “your buddies” had them. Ask the 11 people who were hurt whose advice is “nice”.

 

[M635_Guy]

11 people were hurt by collapsing HF Chinese jack stands. Those stands were sold for a long time. As a long standing supporter of Chinese made goods, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were one of the many here who recommended the purchase of the cheapest jack stands on the market because you and “your buddies” had them. Ask the 11 people who were hurt whose advice is “nice”.

Where did that number come from?

 

[mike93lx]

Where did that number come from?

Harbor freight

Harbor Freight Says 11 Injuries, None Life-Threatening, Are Tied to Its Recalled Jack Stands

The defect only affects a small percentage of jack stands manufactured at a single factory, but all of that factory's production has been recalled.

www.roadandtrack.com

 

[finn]

11 people were hurt by collapsing HF Chinese jack stands. Those stands were sold for a long time. As a long standing supporter of Chinese made goods, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were one of the many here who recommended the purchase of the cheapest jack stands on the market because you and “your buddies” had them. Ask the 11 people who were hurt whose advice is “nice”.

There’s some false equivalency in your logic.

11 people were hurt, but not killed, because 11 jack stands out of , what, a millon sold? Therefore annproducts produced in China, including your television, washing machine, and cell phone should be avoided at all costs?

By that logic, since Takata air bags killed several hundred people, perhaps all Japanese products (designed or produced there);should be avoided?

 

[Officenthesky]

Where did that number come from?

From a spokesman for Harbor Freight in an email to Road & Track....

Harbor Freight Says 11 Injuries, None Life-Threatening, Are Tied to Its Recalled Jack Stands

The defect only affects a small percentage of jack stands manufactured at a single factory, but all of that factory's production has been recalled.

www.roadandtrack.com

Since it is a a company spokesman it is likely to be either accurate or the low end. It's doubtful he would have exaggerated that number.

 

[M635_Guy]

From a spokesman for Harbor Freight in an email to Road & Track....

Harbor Freight Says 11 Injuries, None Life-Threatening, Are Tied to Its Recalled Jack Stands

The defect only affects a small percentage of jack stands manufactured at a single factory, but all of that factory's production has been recalled.

www.roadandtrack.com

Since it is a a company spokesman it is likely to be either accurate or the low end. It's doubtful he would have exaggerated that number.

I agree it's likely the number is accurate, at least as far as they knew at the time.

11 people is not great, but it's a very, very small number compared to the number of stands shipped. As much as anything, it was a reminder for me to inspect everything coming out of the box (no matter where it's made...). I've always been pretty vigorous with shake tests, etc. when it comes to jack stands anyway - regardless of what factory (or country... ) they come from, the biggest danger with jack stands comes from the user not setting things up properly.

 

[mike93lx]

I agree it's likely the number is accurate, at least as far as they knew at the time.

11 people is not great, but it's a very, very small number compared to the number of stands shipped. As much as anything, it was a reminder for me to inspect everything coming out of the box (no matter where it's made...). I've always been pretty vigorous with shake tests, etc. when it comes to jack stands anyway - regardless of what factory (or country... ) they come from, the biggest danger with jack stands comes from the user not setting things up properly.

Absolutely. Many, many, have used HF stands without any issue and many will continue to do so.

I'm just not one of them

 

[Officenthesky]

There’s some false equivalency in your logic.

11 people were hurt, but not killed, because 11 jack stands out of , what, a millon sold? Therefore annproducts produced in China, including your television, washing machine, and cell phone should be avoided at all costs?

By that logic, since Takata air bags killed several hundred people, perhaps all Japanese products (designed or produced there);should be avoided?

I don't see a false equivalency to it. China has a terrible track record with cheap, poor quality manufacturing. Often with safety hazards. Do children's toys painted with lead based paints ring a bell?

The reason Takata air bag failures did not bleed over onto the reputation of other Japanese products is because their manufacturers have worked to make Japanese products nearly synonymous with quality and reliability. A product failure like Takata is much more likely to be seen as an outlier there when nearly every other company is setting the bar and then raising the bar.

 

[AEAdam]

There’s some false equivalency in your logic.

11 people were hurt, but not killed, because 11 jack stands out of , what, a millon sold? Therefore annproducts produced in China, including your television, washing machine, and cell phone should be avoided at all costs?

By that logic, since Takata air bags killed several hundred people, perhaps all Japanese products (designed or produced there);should be avoided?

Next time, please read what I wrote then respond. Please.

Here’s the point for those who missed it: When you are asking for opinions about sockets, GJ is a good place to ask. When you are asking about an object that, if it fails, could hurt you or cause significant damage, don’t trust the reviews, regardless of how trustworthy.

Inspect and test. I’ve had my Chinese craftsman jack stands for 30years. They have been used but not used extensively, not daily. I still do a shake test EVERY TIME I lift a vehicle. And I would never trust a single stand, not ever. I also leave the jack in place, ready to go but just not carrying load in case something goes wrong, anyone helping me can instantly pump the handle.

Guys: because I care about you, see the difference between a Chinese made iPhone and a $10 Chinese jack stand.

 

[Jgaz]

Consider them to be stabilizers, not lifting devices.

This^^^^

 

[zendriver]

For those interested in reality, the "problem" with HF jack stands, was a supposed manufacturing defect, not the jack stand material itself.

Regarding "China steel" there may be a bunch of it under the vehicle your family is driving this very day.

We do love to ride the propaganda train.

I agree I would not trust 4k# that high up on any jack stand like that. I always they were for propping up rear ends, transmissions, etc., not an entire vehicle. Not saying they won't however.

I still use their jackstands, haven't died - yet.

 

[jubilee]

Very easy to fabricate. Made mine 30+ years ago.
Steel wheels, 3” ,2 1/2”, 2” pipe, and a little angle. I used a couple of
16” pickup wheels I had laying around.

You can make a variety of attachments to slide in top for bottle jacks, hooks, scaffolding, and etc.
I torch cut the adjustment holes. Very easy to roll around and store.

 

[charbar]

I use the HF ones all the time. I tossed the hardware they came with for 'better' but honestly there was probably no need to. They really don't hold any weight, they are just to keep the vehicle from moving all over on the lift. If you are actually supporting much weight with them then you have the vehicle set up wrong on the lift. Knowing this is why I had no problem going with the cheapest ones I could find (HF).

Mine don't have bearings at the top but it isn't a necessity in my opinion....they spin up and down just fine.

 

[whateg01]

...

BTW, did you guys see the pictures of that hole in the Soyuz spacecraft? It was pretty clearly a misdrilled hole somebody tried to cover up with putty. I guess he didn’t want to get in trouble. Chinese manufacturing is worse. There could be putty instead of welds. Check it.

...

Inspect anything you buy is good advice. But thank gawd nobody has ever tried to cover up their mistakes here in the US!

 

[AEAdam]

Inspect anything you buy is good advice. But thank gawd nobody has ever tried to cover up their mistakes here in the US!

The current Chinese business model is make stuff as fast as possible, have zero quality control, and offer lifetime warrantees.

So when you guys see those warrantees, understand that that means YOU are the QA inspectors. Again, if it’s a socket, whatever.

The problems with my comments in this thread are:
1) Chinese products dominate several markets such that we literally don’t have a choice
2) “proof test” is easy to say. “Yeah, just proof test it”, as if everyone knows what that means, and how to do it. You “inspect”, declare something “good”, then trust it with your life? How did you make the determination that the welds were good, for example.

 

[Komet]

 

[M635_Guy]

The current Chinese business model is make stuff as fast as possible, have zero quality control, and offer lifetime warrantees.

That's ridiculous.

 

[tarbellb]

what about American made with Chinese steel !

Or made in China with American steel!

OR.... what if the welder the USA made with USA steel had Chinese spool or wire?

 

[AEAdam]

what about American made with Chinese steel !

Or made in China with American steel!

OR.... what if the welder the USA made with USA steel had Chinese spool or wire?

Gosh what about Alien made with US steel or goblin made with elvish steel? You guys just type ****..
.

 

[M635_Guy]

Gosh what about Alien made with US steel or goblin made with elvish steel? You guys just type ****..
.

He's joking, because what you typed is equally ridiculous. Just like any country, the range of manufacturing quality runs the full gamut. Plenty of garbage made here, plenty of garbage made there (and India, and just about everywhere else).

 

[AEAdam]

He's joking, because what you typed is equally ridiculous. Just like any country, the range of manufacturing quality runs the full gamut. Plenty of garbage made here, plenty of garbage made there (and India, and just about everywhere else).

This thread is about the quality of jack stands used to stabilize cars on lifts. I said, “don’t trust them and don’t trust the reviews inspect for yourself” because a Chinese manufacturer of a similar product from the same retailer failed and hurt people.

If you want to say that’s bad advice, bless your heart and good luck.