Please re-comment on my jackstand setup
 

I decided to revisit my jack stand thinking based on the unanimous feedback I received regarding the Big Red aluminum jacks I bought because they were pretty. The more I thought about them the more visions I had of being crushed underneath the car without being able to take a breath or call out. It's unpleasant conversation so enough is enough.

I took the problem to task today and would appreciate more feedback. I really want to get that #@$%@ Stillen cbe installed and start driving the car again.

2 x 8's, then 2 x 6's, then a 1 1/2" piece of solid maple on top. Each layer gorilla glued and screwed
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/...8a51fe84_b.jpg

A nice hard rubber top out of respect for the pinch rail.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/...823c53f6_b.jpg

I feel better already but what do you think?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/...3da5d939_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/...cb91e356_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/...8d4a2559_b.jpg

I do feel like it is safe now. Do you?

Bruce

I wouldn't, but then again, I'm not there.

I used a pair of craftsman jackstands, and a craftsman jack...which if you read the reviews of my jack, it's prone to "let go"...and my jackstands aren't the greatest, but they hold just fine.

This is what I have: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...3&blockType=G3

I put them in places that probably wouldn't be "correct" however, the car didn't move, and nothing else did as I let it down after using the differential as a jacking point.

Here's my crappy jack too - http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...4&blockType=G4

I'm trying to for-see, figure out, what could go wrong, with wooden jack stands!

How did you get the car that high, to place it on the stands?

If you look at pic 6, you'll see that he has a magnetic crane in the background.


























































hahah just kidding! :icon17: :tup: That's a good question. I was going to ask that. I think it's a little scary but if you feel it's safe, then it's upto you. It def looks better than your previous setup (this one has wider base). I personally the the 3 or 4 legged type jack stand.

I've been under cars with alot less protection that this... I'd say it's fine.

Why not ramps? Better yet, it takes about an hour for any garage to install it. That's about $100.

Where are you Modshack?

You'll prolly be fine.. All depends on the type of wood used..

itll be fine. we use wood blocks on our lifts at my shop, never had a problem. multiple pieces like that will be fine.

Take a firm grasp at the side of the car and push back and forth firmly. If the car stays on your jacks then I'd consider it safe.

hope that's not balsa wood? :D

Rep point for sheer tenacity.

Ak you failed!

When our fearless leader fails we're in trouble... :bowrofl:


And i Like the jackstand idea. :tup:

Okay fellows out of sheer curiosity I contacted a materials testing lab that used to be in the office next door to us and asked them what they would charge to load test to failure one of the Big Red aluminum jack stands. To my amazement (charm?) they agreed to "slip it in" for free during concrete testing with the caveat that I leave the failed unit with them. I'll get to take photographs but will not get any official paperwork. I'll report back on the results.

One of my neighbors stopped by my garage yesterday to chat; he’s the head of flight testing at Boeing and an aeronautical engineer. He walked in the garage, saw the Big Reds and said "nice jacks". Ha ha I relayed the previous few days and he seemed surprised as he felt the pin in the jack was quite substantial. What he or any of us would not know is the manufacturing standard behind the Torin pin but I'm guessing it's not quite the same as a Boeing part.

I'm not defending the Big Red, and I'm sure as hell not getting under the car with them in place, but I am curious, very curious, as to the load a single stand will take before failure.


Thanks! But seriously, how are rep points accumulated?

I think the only thing I'd be worried about is side to side play in those stands.. have you given the car a good shake from the side? does it wobble any? if not I'd say you are ok.

Only thing though.. much did you spend on wood? I've got these jackstands (3 ton high lift ones) and its plenty high enough to get my big *** under the car.. 25 bux a pair.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G11