Jack and jack stand recommendations?

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » Mar 29, 2011 6:39 PM

In light of this thread:

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=89883

I think we should spin off a jack and jack stand recommendation thread. Suggestions?

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Mar 29, 2011 6:45 PM

All my stuff is Sears and Harbor Freight............no good recommendation here.

AT8M5 · Post by **AT8M5** » Mar 29, 2011 8:44 PM

rmiddendorf wrote:In light of this thread:

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=89883

I think we should spin off a jack and jack stand recommendation thread. Suggestions?

And sticky it too!

This same thing happened to a friend I'd made from VW school, while at home installing a new clutch in his Bug.

I won't crawl under a car on stands to this day.

Karl

stuartinmn · Post by **stuartinmn** » Mar 29, 2011 8:59 PM

I would suggest checking out some of the many jack and jackstand information over on the Garage Journal board. There's a lot of knowledge over there, including one guy who repairs jacks for a living. There are also some cool restoration threads on vintage art deco style jacks.

oldskool · Post by **oldskool** » Mar 29, 2011 9:13 PM

I was under a Honda one time and didn't notice the jackstands tilting under one last "sqweeeuuugg". I barely made it out alive before that car hit the ground.
Thank God I've got nine lives. I'll think thrice about jackstands now.

Post by **tsmall07** » Mar 29, 2011 9:25 PM

I had my e28 fall off some jack stands once. It was at Mark Wicker's house and he had some weird aluminum jack stands that had a circular aluminum foot. I was dubious of them to begin with and I always shake a car around before I get under it. The car fell when I pushed on it. Use common sense when purchasing your stands and get ones that are made well. Also, be generous with the weight ratings.

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Mar 29, 2011 9:33 PM

The ultimate for my tiny garage would be the MaxJax Portable 2-Post Lift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5e5c8euXEw

About $2,000 at Northern Tool. Considering the bother of floor jacks and the inherent dangers of jack stands, that's not a bad price.

Rich Euro M5 · Post by **Rich Euro M5** » Mar 29, 2011 9:35 PM

I have a set of Lincoln 6 Ton Jackstands, they're large and expensive, but worth every penny.

Rich

ncpaladin · Post by **ncpaladin** » Mar 29, 2011 9:42 PM

These guys make a whole bunch of useful ramps and stands.

http://www.raceramps.com/

I keep my 533i on their FlatStoppers. While they have an extensive product line, their stuff won't do if your work requires removing the wheels. If you're doing driveline/exhaust/fluid service, you may find them useful.

bwenham · Post by **bwenham** » Mar 30, 2011 12:16 AM

FYI. Costco has those Max lifts for $1899 delivered!

I'm considering it.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Mar 30, 2011 12:33 AM

You guys don't want to know what I do and what's happened to me with jacks and jackstands.

I only got my arm stuck once. And even then I eventually got it out on my own.

Beware dirt/gravel/mud/anything besides pavement with any of the above.

Alfonso Bedoya · Post by **Alfonso Bedoya** » Mar 30, 2011 12:57 AM

I have a smooth as silk, bare and clean cement car port, I block the wheel, and use pin type stands made in Canada. Rated for 4,000 lbs. each!

(I just had to check them)

Made by This Co.

Jfl Industries Inc
3455 Wolfedale Rd
Mississauga, ON L5C 1V8, Canada
Phone: (905) 270-8204
Website:Information not found

As for a floor jack I am shopping for a new one. This site http://www.hyjacks.com/stands.htm states thats the pin type jacks, are more heavy duty, than the ratchet type.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Mar 30, 2011 2:14 AM

I've got ratchets, but prefer pins.

I may go shopping for some wood.

Found them here.

alijonny · Post by **alijonny** » Mar 30, 2011 3:42 AM

OH MY!
You know, I think back to the time I had my old 1962 Deville on jackstands at all 4 corners to do the transmission re-seal. I think I was using 2 old triangle base units from the 70's (nice solid units) and some newer craftsman ratchet type stands that didn't have a large base. I don't think I would ever do that again. The trans itself must have weighed 200lbs (cast iron case!).

it's nice to have a shop with lifts, but even those can be trouble if not used properly.

alijonny · Post by **alijonny** » Mar 30, 2011 3:46 AM

davintosh wrote:The ultimate for my tiny garage would be the MaxJax Portable 2-Post Lift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5e5c8euXEw

About $2,000 at Northern Tool. Considering the bother of floor jacks and the inherent dangers of jack stands, that's not a bad price.

You could make breakfast before that thing reaches the top!

slammin_e28 · Post by **slammin_e28** » Mar 30, 2011 9:52 AM

Put that jack stand money in a little jar on your dresser, and each time you think you want to buy a jack/stands, put that money in there.

Eventually, you will have enough to buy a lift.

Post by **tsmall07** » Mar 30, 2011 10:04 AM

Alfonso Bedoya wrote:I have a smooth as silk, bare and clean cement car port

That sucks. You should really pour concrete in there. I wouldn't want to lift my car in the air in a space with nothing but white powder for a floor!

Coldswede · Post by **Coldswede** » Mar 30, 2011 10:07 AM

I think it needs to be said:

No matter how good, big or expensive your jack and jack stands might be, placement and fore thought are the key to safely raising your car. Guys lose cars off lifts all the time.

Concrete blocks used properly are better than cavalier use of expensive jack stands.

My personal phobia is putting steel jack stands under steel lift points with no wood or rubber in between

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Mar 30, 2011 10:35 AM

I just ordered a set of these -

3 Ton, US Made, "Double lock security system" utilizes two pawls to engage two teeth on the load bar.

$85.32 delivered.

http://www.jackxchange.com/products/D-41608.cfm

I will be throwing away four out of my six jack stands.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Mar 30, 2011 11:23 AM

Duke wrote:I will be throwing away four out of my six jack stands.

Bring 'em to RTT, I could always use an extra set.

L_N_Love · Post by **L_N_Love** » Mar 30, 2011 11:46 AM

Anyone have these:

AC Hydraulic

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Mar 30, 2011 12:00 PM

L_N_Love wrote:Anyone have these:

AC Hydraulic

I wouldn't trust this model under any vehicle, period.

L_N_Love · Post by **L_N_Love** » Mar 30, 2011 1:04 PM

1st 5er wrote:

I wouldn't trust this model under any vehicle, period.

Why not? Is it the 3 legs? I am just wondering. They apparently think they are the best.

rodpaine · Post by **rodpaine** » Mar 30, 2011 1:04 PM

davintosh wrote:The ultimate for my tiny garage would be the MaxJax Portable 2-Post Lift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5e5c8euXEw

About $2,000 at Northern Tool. Considering the bother of floor jacks and the inherent dangers of jack stands, that's not a bad price.

No, the better method is to use the EZcarlift, which is very portable and works in my garage, which is probably smaller than yours. Two and a half minutes to full height lifting time, with a good quality 1/2-inch drill motor.
FWIW,
-Rod

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Mar 30, 2011 1:08 PM

1st 5er wrote:

I wouldn't trust this model under any vehicle, period.

Even the cheap sheet metal jack stands have a band at the base of the legs to prevent the splits. Surprised these do not.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

Jack and jack stand recommendations?

Jack and jack stand recommendations?

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