[Shop-talk] Jackstand PSA and request for trusted stand brand

[PJ McGarvey]

I'm glad you're OK.  I've never felt fully confident in the "toothed" stands
b/c when you lock it into place, it's hard to tell if you've got full
engagement because you can't see it.


Just spent about 1/2 of the total 6 hours under my car this weekend removing
the transaxle so you've got me a bit spooked.  My garage floor is a little
uneven in spots and I was jiggling and prying the trans and the car trying to
get it loose from the engine...  I will be using my rhino ramps like you did
from now on.   It's a funny thing, but I do always try to keep my cell phone
on me when under the car - b/c you NEVER know.


I have a cheap set of 4 toothed stands, but I've been using the old but stable
looking jack stands that my Dad gave me (or did I borrow them and never return
them?) and I like them better.  They are taller, wider and the pin locking
engagement is more positive.  They also go higher if need be.


Google images was some help here, they look very similar to this horrible
blurry
picture:http://www.google.com/imgres?start=94&sa=X&espvd=2&es_sm=121&biw=1280
&bih=688&tbm=isch&tbnid=Q8B1UbvfGPaUuM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.danoland
.com%2Fnsxgarage%2Ftools%2Ftools.htm&docid=hZ3qDSnO-2i8NM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.danoland.com%2Fnsxgarage%2Ftools%2Fjackstand.jpg&w=640&h=479&ei=VSsVU6-M
EMrA0gHYqoCwDA&zoom=1&ved=0CBUQhBwwBDhk&iact=rc&dur=911&page=6&ndsp=21


I'm thinking to myself now that a screw stand might be pretty infallible and
good for getting just the right amount of height you need and be able to cinch
it precisely up under the jack point with the car already in the air.


Interested to hear other opinions.


-PJ

> Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2014 18:36:40 -0500
> From: scott.hall.personal at gmail.com
> To: Shop-talk at autox.team.net
> Subject: [Shop-talk] Jackstand PSA and request for trusted stand brand
>
> So I used to read Griot's jackstand ad copy every few months, the one
> where he said, "DON'T TRUST YOUR LIFE TO INFERIOR STANDS!!! I'VE SEEN
> THEM COLLAPSE!!!"
>
> And snort to myself. I've never seen a jackstand collapse.
>
> Until this weekend, when one collapsed with me *under* *the* *car*.
>
> Three ton model, one at each corner of the car. Only thing that saved me
> was my paranoia: I usually stuff my Rhino Ramps under the car--as much
> to keep them out of the 'walkway' surrounding the car as for backup to
> the stands. Well, when the stand went, the car landed on the ramp  and
> only trapped my foot until I turned my whole leg sideways enough to get
> it out.
>
> I'm fine, except I'm still shaking a little and this happened twenty
> four hours ago.
>
> The stand let loose where the 'tooth' grabs the stand 'arm'. Whatever
> held the 'tooth' in place, it quit doing it.
>
> These were from Discount Auto Parts. I had four--they're all waiting to
> go to the landfill now. I figure I've seen my once-ever-in-a-lifetime
> stand failure, but I shudder at how stupid I'd feel if another one
> failed and my last thought was "you've got to be kidding me".
>
> So...just another reminder that nothing is infallible, I guess. I'll be
> using eight stands on any car I plan to roll under from now on.
>
> And on the subject of which eight I'll be using, anyone have a supremely
> over-engineered brand of stand they want to recommend? Given my recent
> experience, I'll be looking for something that could hold up a Mack truck.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott
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