A couple of years ago there was a guy near me who had his car up on cinder blocks by the side of his home. One summer day the neighbor heard a terrible scream and then nothing. He didn't get up to investigate, but later found that the guy had been crushed beneath his car. I don't know if the blocks gave way or shifted, but obviously bad idea. On another note, it seems like all of the jack stands I see are cast material. Someone should make some high-quality FORGED ones. I'd buy them. I think the wood idea has merit too.
There is nothing wrong with using wood blocks, as long as one uses them correctly. Go to any trucking company drop lot, and you will probably see loaded trailers with their landing gear sitting atop two pieces of wood. These are usually specially constructed by crisscrossing 2x4, or more commonly, 2x6 studs cut to about 15-18 inch lengths. I've even seen them constructed from particle board! Each block can easily support 10,000 or more pounds, as the weight is spread over a large area. I have successfully used such methods to safely drop a trailer with 45,000 pounds of freight in places that a jackstand would sink out of sight. There is no impact factor, just static weight.
Yes, just fill in the empty spots with more wood. The ones I've used to support trailers are seldom more than 3 layers thick, and usually just two layers.
WOW!!!!! My big azz has bent those chairs backwards and down before!!!!!!! ou: Not even a brace for the chair!?!?!?! :shock:
When I was younger I was stupid and climbed under to many cars without jack stands as a back up. When I started my present project the first thing I did was invest in some quality tall, wide foot print stands and two 10' 6x6's that I cut up and made stacking blocks. I would rather have to work around the blocking and take the time to move it around than end up crushed. Its a lot more relaxing sanding, cutting, welding or what ever under a body thats properly supported. Far to many of us climb under cars that are poorly supported, shakey, and without secondary backup. DONT DO IT!!!
I just watched the video again. The car starting falling before the sparks, you would think it would be the other way. Then, towards the end, the guys are getting near the car and one went under it to get a tool out. You would think if a car really fell like that you wouldn't get near it until you were sure it was safe. I wouldn't go near it that fast!
I'm scared to get under any car, even on jack stands or wheel cribs. I'm nervous the whole time because of these kind of stories.
Another version... <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OKfqjA6mhGo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96976 Sad story, keep the tissue handy. Brings to surface some very good points regardign the types of safety mechanisms on the jackstands in question and even proper use of a creeper. I just bought some "heavy duty" 4 ton jackstands to replace my two ton ones as a safety precaution. they've got the release lever that I believe may have been the demise of this poor young kid. Looks like I may need to buy a third pair next time I'm home. I'm thinking something like this!
Theres a group down the street from me in a duplex where the driveway is at a fairly steep incline. I have seen them working under cars this winter with them so precariously held up on this incline that I am surprised anyone has survived. Scary stuff! :eek2:
Just last week Taulbee2277 and I were changing the right rear leaf spring on my truck that sheared (ask how that happened:rant: ). Anyways, we had the right side of the truck in the air and supported by 2 four ton jackstands and left the jack engaged as well. When removing the spring, we supported the rearend with a smaller hydraulic jack. Once we were installing the new spring, Taulb was putting pressure on the rearend with the small jack to get things lined up as I was on my back wrestling things into position. Sure enough the rearend slipped off the jack with me partially underneath it:eek2: . Taulb had slid a jackstand under the rear for just such an incident, and it caught the rear before the brake disk could crush my shoulder that was directly beneath itray: !!! It probably wouldnt have killed me, but it sure woulda put a hurtin on me!! The moral is, always stand back and look at what your doing and try to anticipate these things. When in doubt, use more jackstands!!:TU:
That was a scary moment, luckily I am paranoid about heavy things falling on me and go 'jackstand crazy' on everything I lift or go under. Could have been a different story if it fell.
