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Jack stands

DeltaV

Endeavor to persevere
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Long post, please bear with me.

I had some pin type Craftsman jack stands (3 legs) from the early 1970s, but I sent them off to the metal recycler. I liked them, but they were old and there was light rust here and there. I had some pin type Craftsman jack stands from the early 1990s, but I sent them off to the recycler too. I never liked them and they were not as sturdy as the ones I had from the early 1970s.

Last year I bought some ratchet type jack stands from Harbor Freight. I had to have _something_ that weekend. I Iearned, after further investigation, that most ratchet type jack stands have a cast (not forged) central member. So, I use my two floor jacks as backup and I slide the wheels/tires under the car as a precaution too. I can't stand the thought of using a ratchet type stand that is cast, not forged.

I need to get quality jack stands and I need your suggestions on what to buy. Here are my "specs" and use:
(1) My heaviest vehicle has a curb weight of 5,016 lbs.
(2) My garage floor and driveway are concrete.
(3) I would like the maximum height of the jackstand to be at least 21 inches.
(4) Sturdy and stable. Overdesigned!
(5) Quality and reputable manufacturer.

Thank you for your responses.
 
I have a set of Harbor Freight stands that came with a jack I bought. They scare me!

I like my NAPA jackstands... real heavy duty, but they are big... better suited for trucks but I use them on my '67 and work just fine.
 
I'm glad you ditched the three leg, I had some (not sure what brand). I read somewhere about an incident where one of those three leggers failed/collapsed. I use some Autozone brand now (blue with pins) which look alright, at least they have four legs.
 
Have them made the way you want the cost maybe more but you will know they will last and be safe.
 
Don't know the history of the US Jack brand. Curiously I have similar stands with the same PN from the mid 80's. Really solid IMO. Never had anywhere near the rated 6K on them.
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Lol, They replaced my mid 70's Sears set that live out back in the shed these days...….
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Cut the legs off the blue ones weld plate on the bottom and gusset four sides. This puts the weight to the floor. Not in the middle of the stand.
 
All jack stands scare me, I really like that style linked above from summit. They look stout
 
I always err on the side of caution - I leave the Jack under there in case the stands fell and the rescuer needed to lift the car off me, Jack stands (heavy duty), plus blocks of wood that I made from an old hardwood beam. Beware if you live in a new house too, there's been stories of Jack stands punching through thin concrete garage slabs where they've poured a 50mm slab over polystyrene void former to save money. Concrete ain't always concrete!
 
Excuse my ignorance. Cribbing/ cribbage? You hold your cars up with a card game/ board game? There must be another definition i couldn't find.
 
I call them cat blocks it is lumber formed into a stable support
Excuse my ignorance. Cribbing/ cribbage? You hold your cars up with a card game/ board game? There must be another definition i couldn't find.
 
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