Got injured while using an engine stand

[poppinjohnnies]

I was working on Dad's model T engine / transmission last weekend and I made a big boo-boo. The load on the stand swung hard as I was in the process of rotating it and the rotating handle caught the inside of my left thigh as the load swung around. Nothing hit the floor because my thigh took one for the team. the next day I ordered a worm drive hand crank rotating stand (#80059) from Jeg's. I've had several close calls with these cheap stands over the years, but it hurts too bad to get bit, so I'm not letting it happen again.

 

[The Cobbler]

working safer is always better, whether through better tools or better habits

 

[Ohmthis]

What kind of stand do you have? I have a couple, I’ve even used 2 at once on a marine 454 with the exhaust manifolds on. That was one heavy *** engine. The swinging of a heavy engine has hurt a bunch of people.

 

[HemiRambler]

Always surprised when watching some of the Pro's on TV using crappy engine stands. Here's mine:

 

[evintho]

Yep, over the years I've had some close calls with engine stands. No more trying to spin them by hand. Didn't want to spend $200 on a rotator stand so I made my own for cheap......
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433569

 

[HenryAZ]

I had one spin on me like that. Thereafter, I always used it under my chain hoist, with the chain supporting the engine as it turned.

 

[MushCreek]

Yep, over the years I've had some close calls with engine stands. No more trying to spin them by hand. Didn't want to spend $200 on a rotator stand so I made my own for cheap......
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433569

I like that; might have to do that to mine. I'm currently working on a 300 six, and between the weight and the extra length, its kind of scary hanging way out there.

 

[poppinjohnnies]

Always surprised when watching some of the Pro's on TV using crappy engine stands. Here's mine:

Ok, that’s sweet! What was your worm gear from?


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[poppinjohnnies]

What kind of stand do you have? I have a couple, I’ve even used 2 at once on a marine 454 with the exhaust manifolds on. That was one heavy *** engine. The swinging of a heavy engine has hurt a bunch of people.

It’s a garden variety HF 1000 lb stand. We’ve had everything from tractor engines to big block Mopars on it. Had a lot of close calls, but never got thumped until now. My new stand was delivered today, and I got it assembled tonight. Looks decent. I’m going to convert the old one like the one in the video posted on this thread. That’s a great idea.


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[HemiRambler]

Ok, that’s sweet! What was your worm gear from?


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It was literally out of the scrap bin at work. IIRC though it was 30:1 so it'd be self locking - that way if the chain failed it wouldn't spin uncontrollably.

 

[noid]

My philosphy is normally not to save money where injury may be a factor.

Sometimes it takes getting bit to spend a bit more.

 

[Blue924.9]

We use an otc revolver at work. [6k rating] with a transmission on the a half decent spin on the handle sends the handle whirling like none other

 

[poppinjohnnies]

I was working on Dad's model T engine / transmission last weekend and I made a big boo-boo. The load on the stand swung hard as I was in the process of rotating it and the rotating handle caught the inside of my left thigh as the load swung around. Nothing hit the floor because my thigh took one for the team. the next day I ordered a worm drive hand crank rotating stand (#80059) from Jeg's. I've had several close calls with these cheap stands over the years, but it hurts too bad to get bit, so I'm not letting it happen again.

Here’s my new, safer stand in action. My thigh still hurts.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[William Payne]

Yip a geared head engine stand is on my purchase list as well. You just can't put a heavy engine block on those handle turn stands. I am learning that with a Hemi.

 

[toplessHO]

had my JD backhoe motor on the stand and it flipped while trying to rotate.
took out the passenger door of my 68 Firebird.
Lucky for me no personal injury.