Jack Stands

[graymond]

I was looking at my row of jack stands and realized after buying the stands on sale, I got less than I paid for. On my 6 ton ones, the weld at the top is failing and on a couple of the three ton, the ratcheting does not work.

The six ton ones are at the place I do not want to get under the car anymore.

What are some good stands to look at? I have a 70 Acadian, (looks like a Nova)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000779SUO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyone used these? Or something they liked better?

Ray

 

[zkling]

What is your budget and fab capabilities? What size and capacity stands do you need? Personally I've gone away from the cast paw catch design and made a set of welded tube stands. Of course caution is advised when doing that.

A few that I used for inspiration,
AC hydraulics
Easco
Alan's camera tri pods are a neat idea but really only designed for a large camera.
Hein werner jack stands
Milwaukee Hydraulics

With that said, there isn't much difference in the ~$40-$125 jack stand range. Most are off shore, cast paw, folded steel construction. The HF ones really aren't that bad, especially the 6ton units, IF your jack can clear them.

 

[ATC]

Torin Big Red's are what I use. Best bang for the buck. I picked up my 6-tons for $20 a pair, and 12-tons for $40 a pair at Northern Tool a few years ago.

 

[StanGetz]

I have a set of Nesco 955a's. They're pretty decent, with a wider platform.

That said, I use my ramps whenever possible. I usually just use them as backup in my garage. They've never let me down though.

I also have a set of 3 ton Power Zones, and some crappy Kobalt laser ones I was given as a gift. Haven't had any issues with any of them. I am just always weary of laying my life on cheap stands.

 

[astroracer]

You already have stands. Just fix 'em? Grind out the failing welds and re-weld them. Add some reinforcement if you want and you will be good to go, no cost.
Mark

 

[Flivver250]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200349986_200349986

These work for me

 

[Scout Driver]

Another Torin Big Red user. Good quality for not a lot of cash.

Scott

 

[SMKS]

Remember, Hein Werner stands are no longer really "made in the USA." The company has confirmed that the bases are now made in China and only the post is made in the USA.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233556


I have a beat-up old set of Wilmar stands I bought like 15 years ago, and I recently bought some of the Torin double locking stands. The Torins appear less beefy than the Wilmars.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195045

To the OP-
Can you provide pics of the alleged failing welds? And how does a stand no longer ratchet?

The Wilmar stands you pictured are going to be basically the same Chinese stands you can buy under a bunch of different brands.

For example, the Wilmar stands look incredibly similar to the HF stands
NOTE - if you look closely in the Amazon pic you'll see they actually show a 3-ton stands, and the photo is reversed, for some reason.

Here are the 3-ton HF stands:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-heavy-duty-jack-stands-38846.html

 

[paulsomlo]

I use these, made by ESCO: http://www.uniquetruck.com/p-6376-3-ton-jack-stand-flat-top-with-rubber-cushion.aspx

The minimum height is 13", but there's a new version which I think has an 11" height, although the base width goes from 12" to 10". These are extremely stable, and although imports, seem well made. I trust the pin type much more so than the ratchet type.

 

[bart1]

I use these, made by ESCO: http://www.uniquetruck.com/p-6376-3-ton-jack-stand-flat-top-with-rubber-cushion.aspx

The minimum height is 13", but there's a new version which I think has an 11" height, although the base width goes from 12" to 10". These are extremely stable, and although imports, seem well made. I trust the pin type much more so than the ratchet type.

I use these as well. They are also available from Pelican Parts or GJ member ultimategarage.

I think they are copies of the AC Hydraulic stands.

 

[graymond]

What is your budget and fab capabilities? What size and capacity stands do you need? Personally I've gone away from the cast paw catch design and made a set of welded tube stands. Of course caution is advised when doing that.

A few that I used for inspiration,
AC hydraulics
Easco
Alan's camera tri pods are a neat idea but really only designed for a large camera.
Hein werner jack stands
Milwaukee Hydraulics

With that said, there isn't much difference in the ~$40-$125 jack stand range. Most are off shore, cast paw, folded steel construction. The HF ones really aren't that bad, especially the 6ton units, IF your jack can clear them.

My Fab capabilities are not that great. Don't have a welder but I do have a friend that does. You are right. All of the stands in the 40-125 region seem to be built exactly the same. Some have better welds than others.

Thanks Ray

 

[graymond]

You already have stands. Just fix 'em? Grind out the failing welds and re-weld them. Add some reinforcement if you want and you will be good to go, no cost.
Mark

I think this is what I will try. A friend of mine has a welder and I will get him to see if the ones I have can be patched. Probably better than rebuying the same problem!!

ray

 

[graymond]

Remember, Hein Werner stands are no longer really "made in the USA." The company has confirmed that the bases are now made in China and only the post is made in the USA.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233556


I have a beat-up old set of Wilmar stands I bought like 15 years ago, and I recently bought some of the Torin double locking stands. The Torins appear less beefy than the Wilmars.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195045

To the OP-
Can you provide pics of the alleged failing welds? And how does a stand no longer ratchet?

The Wilmar stands you pictured are going to be basically the same Chinese stands you can buy under a bunch of different brands.

For example, the Wilmar stands look incredibly similar to the HF stands
NOTE - if you look closely in the Amazon pic you'll see they actually show a 3-ton stands, and the photo is reversed, for some reason.

Here are the 3-ton HF stands:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-heavy-duty-jack-stands-38846.html

I will get some pictures tonite.

I cannot figure out why it will not ratchet. It will go up but not down. The pawl will not flip back when you pull the leaver up. Sorta useless under the car.

Ray

 

[graymond]

I bet the shear pin either fell out or sheared. It's a pin that connects the handle to the pawl. Its function is to shear in case you accidentally put a jack under the handle. The pin will shear instead of the jack stand releasing and dropping the load.

I've read on another forum where the pin fell out. I can link to some pics later. I'm on my phone now.

That makes sense. I have this stray piece of metal on my floor. I bet that is where it came from.

Thanks.

ray

 

[graymond]

To the OP-
Can you provide pics of the alleged failing welds? And how does a stand no longer ratchet?

[/url]

These are three of my stands. You will see one has a piece missing and the other has the same piece that looks like it is failing. The third looks okay.



This is a close up of the stand where the weld seems to be failing.



This is how the other two started out. I am guessing that if I have the two sides welded shut, the stands should work okay. And have the piece that is missing replaced. Am I on the right track for this?

Seems like all of the other stands out there are built like this.

ray

 

[SMKS]

Attached are some images taken from the HF jack stand manual that reference the shear pin I was talking about.

 

[graymond]

That is probably the reason it is not ratcheting. I will uncover it and see if that fixes it. Thank you.

Am I on the right track with the welding plans?

Ray

 

[zkling]

Uhm, I'm not sure if you are using the stands properly. That welded tab was not designed to take the weight, the cast paw is what should take the load from the column. That welded piece is there to prevent the sides from spreading apart and letting the cast paw fall out. In use the ratchet paw should always be in contact with a notch in the column.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Another Torin Big Red user. Good quality for not a lot of cash.

Scott

I use torin blackjack stands (or craftsman aluminum stands depends on how long I plan to keep the beast on them)...same thing as the big reds but black! 3 ton I think. Don't remember buying them.

 

[mark5767]

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[mustangtyson]

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

These look like the blue point ones.

 

[bobbycos]

These look like the blue point ones.

and the Torin ones and the Duralast ones

 

[gte718p]

These look like the blue point ones.

I have the TSC version of the same thing, they are garnet. I like them for working on the BMW. Wouldn't use them on anything else. I know people will cringe and tell me I'm going to die, but I have 4 sets of HF jack stands and they all work wonderfully.

 

[FMC1959]

I just got these, so far so good....stable, solid, and do not dig into my driveway.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019JVIPM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dynamike]

I just got these, so far so good....stable, solid, and do not dig into my driveway.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019JVIPM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

+100% on these. I bought these and sold my ratchet types!