doany cheap flat topped jack stands exist?

[shampoop]

i got some of these cheap harbor freight ones earlier http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-heavy-duty-jack-stands-38846.html

and they are great, but i really really wish they just had a flat top. The curved style tend to crush whatever you put them under on unibody cars. Does anyone know of any cheap flat ones? I do prefer the ratcheting style, but it's not necessary. But when i say flat i mean FLAT! No lips on the sides. Weight is not an issue.

 

[c4e]

Can you weld?

 

[shampoop]

yes, but i have no access to one and i am not looking to modify the ones i have. The round ones will be nice for things like solid axles.

 

[dankicksass]

I have these Esco flat top pin-type stands on my short list, but they'll cost you.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

not sure if I'd want to use flat top jack stands while working under a car, what about the rubber pads you can get from HF that go on top......only cost $10 or cheaper with coupon.

 

[dankicksass]

Arbitrarily I ran across some cheap flat top jackstands on Amazon this morning, 6000lb rated in pairs for $23 or a 4-pack for $33 with free saver shipping on each. Right now I could use more jackstands and I'm tempted by the 4-pack but I don't know if I want to have a screw type stand...

A heavier steel model costs 3x as much and starts at 16in, probably higher than you'd like.

 

[toolz]

I have those Aluminum Camco stands, use 'em to hold the back of my small travel trailer from tipping when it is parked. They are tiny, you would NOT want to use these to support a vehicle while working underneath!

Arbitrarily I ran across some cheap flat top jackstands on Amazon this morning, 6000lb rated in pairs for $23 or a 4-pack for $33 with free saver shipping on each. Right now I could use more jackstands and I'm tempted by the 4-pack but I don't know if I want to have a screw type stand...

A heavier steel model costs 3x as much and starts at 16in, probably higher than you'd like.

 

[Porschedoc]

not sure if I'd want to use flat top jack stands while working under a car, what about the rubber pads you can get from HF that go on top......only cost $10 or cheaper with coupon.

Depends on the car you are working on. For instance, a german car (BMW, MB, Porsche, VW) do not have anywhere to put a curved top stand, in fact they tend to slip off the flat round jack points. All of their jack points are flat and typically round and work much better with a flat top stand. If .you are putting stands under an axle of an american car or something like that, then I for sure would use the curved top stands and not the flat tops. A diversity of tools is best.

 

[Brad54]

yes, but i have no access to one and i am not looking to modify the ones i have. The round ones will be nice for things like solid axles.

Can you cut metal?
Get a piece of box tubing that has one dimension the same width as the pad on the jack stands. Call it 2x4 to make things easy (though your actual dimension will probably differ). Cut off one side to form what amounts to a piece of C-channel that is 4 inches tall, and two inches wide. You've just made a "slip cover" for your jack stand. (Think removable soft jaws on a vise--same concept here) 4-inch skirts, with the 2-inch part on the saddle.

If you want to semi-secure it so the cover doesn't move or slip off, drill two holes through the skirts of the C-channel, then run bolts through the skirts side-to-side, under the saddle, to capture the jack stand's saddle.

-Brad

 

[is2simple]

have you tried US Jack in benton harbor, michigan? 800-535-2257
sometimes cheap is not cheap, safety should be your first thought.

 

[shampoop]

not sure if I'd want to use flat top jack stands while working under a car, what about the rubber pads you can get from HF that go on top......only cost $10 or cheaper with coupon.

got em, they don't do much except for get crushed the second you put them on a pinch weld. And flat jack stands are actually normally way safer than curved ones because they are much much easier to use. You can put them wherever you want and the pad is huge. With curved ones you have very limited placement options and you're always putting them in wacky places/positions in order to use them without crushing the unibody.

Can you cut metal?
Get a piece of box tubing that has one dimension the same width as the pad on the jack stands. Call it 2x4 to make things easy (though your actual dimension will probably differ). Cut off one side to form what amounts to a piece of C-channel that is 4 inches tall, and two inches wide. You've just made a "slip cover" for your jack stand. (Think removable soft jaws on a vise--same concept here) 4-inch skirts, with the 2-inch part on the saddle.

If you want to semi-secure it so the cover doesn't move or slip off, drill two holes through the skirts of the C-channel, then run bolts through the skirts side-to-side, under the saddle, to capture the jack stand's saddle.

-Brad

it's a good idea, but still too thin. The top on my jack stands is only like an inch or two wide and would still crush whatever you put it on. Just not as bad.

Also, i would definitely prefer steel jack stands. Stronger, better value, easier for the manufacturer to not **** up (and put your life at risk), and easier to modify. The only good reason to buy aluminum jacks/jack stands is if you race your car and need to take your stuff to the track. Or if you're just a *****. Lifting a full size steel jack isn't fun, but anything less than that is super easy to move.

 

[dwm]

I'd buy the ESCO ones that Dan mentioned. I have four of the original AC Hydraulic ones that the ESCO were based upon. Also own one of the ESCO that I picked up on eBay a long time ago for $20. I've had the AC ones for a long time and I'm certain they're going to outlive me and several generations beyond me. The rubber pads on them are swappable to the AC jacks and the AC crossbeam adapter, which means I only keep 2 spares (have yet to need to replace one, but it's nice to not need to keep a bunch of them around).

 

[shampoop]

I'd buy the ESCO ones that Dan mentioned. I have four of the original AC Hydraulic ones that the ESCO were based upon. Also own one of the ESCO that I picked up on eBay a long time ago for $20. I've had the AC ones for a long time and I'm certain they're going to outlive me and several generations beyond me. The rubber pads on them are swappable to the AC jacks and the AC crossbeam adapter, which means I only keep 2 spares (have yet to need to replace one, but it's nice to not need to keep a bunch of them around).

yea, those look great, and probably work fantastic, but my $12 a piece HF ones will probably last just as long as those over $70 shipped each esco ones. And you can probably adjust the height on mine 5x as fast. Just wish someone made similar ones with a nice big flat top

 

[dwm]

I have no problem spending extra for things that my life, limbs and cars I care about depend on. Not to mention my asphalt driveways and PVC floor covering, neither of which appreciate a jackstand with sharp-ended legs. I also feel safe getting under the car with the AC jackstands set much higher than I'd want to try with my cheapos.

My only point being that yes they're pricey, but I've found them to be well worth it in the end. Wish I could say that about all of the tools I've spent a decent chunk of money on.

 

[shampoop]

and i mean, they don't have to be super cheap, it's mostly just that i don't want to "waste" any money on something aluminum when i gain nothing from it being aluminum vs steel.

 

[dankicksass]

and i mean, they don't have to be super cheap, it's mostly just that i don't want to "waste" any money on something aluminum when i gain nothing from it being aluminum vs steel.

The Esco/AC tripods are steel, for what it's worth. I had a quick look at amazon.co.uk, most of their jack stands look like the cheaper Esco with the cup-top. Maybe internationally you'll find something cheaper, but I know I had the Esco on my list cause it's damn good. UG has a coupon for $15 off $150, good until Dec. 23.

 

[nate379]

What is holding the legs on your from spreading out? There is nothing tieing the bottom together?

I have no problem spending extra for things that my life, limbs and cars I care about depend on. Not to mention my asphalt driveways and PVC floor covering, neither of which appreciate a jackstand with sharp-ended legs. I also feel safe getting under the car with the AC jackstands set much higher than I'd want to try with my cheapos.

My only point being that yes they're pricey, but I've found them to be well worth it in the end. Wish I could say that about all of the tools I've spent a decent chunk of money on.

 

[dwm]

What is holding the legs on your from spreading out? There is nothing tieing the bottom together?

Nothing tieing the bottoms together on the AC. The ESCOs have the legs tied together, which I find a little bit more annoying for storage. These things are very heavy gauge steel, each one weighs over 12 lbs (base alone without the post is about 7.2 pounds). Rated for 6600 lbs each, and the Swedes are conservative with these ratings. Very big picture from when they arrived in 2003:

 

[aspera]

FYI, that center 'rod' is solid steel. Heavy duty.

 

[nate379]

Just doesn't give me a warm fuzzy. I use 6 and 12 ton stands in the garage so I guess they a bit beefier and that is what I was comparing to. I do have a set of 3 tons I use for the lawn tractor, holding loose axles and stuff like that.

 

[chavist93]

Nothing tieing the bottoms together on the AC. The ESCOs have the legs tied together, which I find a little bit more annoying for storage. These things are very heavy gauge steel, each one weighs over 12 lbs (base alone without the post is about 7.2 pounds). Rated for 6600 lbs each, and the Swedes are conservative with these ratings. Very big picture from when they arrived in 2003:

My ACs have the bracing at the bottom just like the Escos do.

 

[dwm]

My ACs have the bracing at the bottom just like the Escos do.

At some point during the transition, there were changes made. Steve D. (Ultimate Garage) would have more information if you're curious. Mine were bought in 2003, a while before the ESCOs came along. I seem to remember some disputes over intellectual property in some of the design elements (Steve actually came up with the flat top posts originally), but I might be misremembering. All I know is that the AC with Steve's flat-top posts (and now the ESCO complete units) are the best off-the-shelf stands I've owned or seen for my uses.

 

[shampoop]

guess i just assumed those ones were aluminum because of the prices, but man those AC ones up close look VERY nice. Much much better welds than the escos. Compare the weld quality in this picture to those of the AC's pictured previously

I also don't feel that comfortable under aluminum jack stands, i like the fact that those ones are steel.

 

[dwm]

Just so it's obvious to anyone coming in late... the AC jackstands are steel. The ESCO jackstands are steel. Maybe the finish misled you, I don't know.

The only half-decent aluminum jackstands I've seen in person are the OTC 1582. 2-ton rating, and I personally wouldn't choose them over the ESCO for garage use, but they'd be nice for carting to/from the track. The tops are almost flat, but no rubber pad.

If you only have one or two vehicles to lift, you could have jack pad adapters made if your vehicles have usable jack pads. I made some out of acetal years ago for the AC stands, but misplaced them in a move. If I were doing it again, I'd just farm it out to emachineshop.com and have them made out of steel or aluminum.

 

[dwm]

One of the reasons I posted the big picture was the weld quality. On the ultimategarage.com site, Steve says, "The ESCO stands have cleaner welds and a better finish than the last stands that came from Europe." My stands were bought long before AC stopped making them; yet another thing that apparently changed later on. The welds on my AC stands are much better than the ones on my single ESCO stand. But they both gets the job done very well. And the ESCO are less expensive; if I remember correctly, I paid about $100 each for the AC stands with Steve's flat posts in 2003. The ESCO are a bargain in comparison.