OK I admit it I'm a wimp when it comes to crawling under a car with jack stands. HELP

This is what I do......

I Take the jack stands and set them at their lowest height and then get some 2"x12" and cut them about 2" longer then the length of the jackstand and then stack them on top of each othe and nail or screw them together and put them under the base of the jackstand, I have stacked them 4 high and along with the height of the stand I have found that I have plenty of room to work! I have a friend who uses 12"x12" and does the same thing and the are rock steady!
Just my 2 cents........that I don't have:grin:
Don

 

SAM's Club has some very rugged looking 6 ton stands for a reasonable price. Huge chrome bases!

 

Thanks
A huge base is what I'm looking for. I will check it out

 

Found my four 5 ton stands at the swap meet. They are quite old but are in very good condition. I paid $50 for them and use them quite frequently.

I also have a set of stands made from a set of Model A axle tubes. They are about 3" on one end with a V cut into it. They flare out on the other to about 12". I use them for putting my rearends on. They're neat, but I'd never use them under a car.

 

Ther was a man killed here tuesday when his car feel off the lift

 

God Bless!

My Prayers go out to his Family! Thats why I try to live life like it is my last day! Because you never when God is going to call ya home !
People BE SMART AND SAFE!.....:TU:

 

I too am spooked about getting under a jack-standed car, even after months of working under my 64 impala in the evenings after work. I used big blocks of wood made up like railroad ties, about 10 inches in every direction. I know the jack stands will work, I just feel better seeing all theat mass under the car with me.

I've been accused of redneckism more than once, so don't let up.

 

Oh, by the way for years I only had trucks due to this fear of being under a car. You are not alone. Do what makes you happy, it's a short life on this earth. My 2 cents.

 

I spent a bit of time under my other car in the garage, which is a Mazda and naturally sits lower than the Buick. I kept as many tires on the car as I could, put the spare tires under the rear, 2 jackstands, and the jack (not supporting weight, just as a backup).

I changed the fuel pump on the Buick, I was able to slide right under the car without lifting it at all.

Once you get under there and are swapping sockets, flailing for the flashlight, wiping sweat, and swatting mosquitos, you won't even think about the car itself being over you.

 

Don't forget the crap falling in your face, stuck bolt, smashed knucles. You are right you do forget about the 4000lbs of weight.

 

I use 4 6 ton jackstands on a solid concrete floor.

I then use 6"x6" timbers cut about 16" long that I use as a secondary safety under the frame at 4 points.

If the jackstand fails (which is unlikely), the timbers will hold the car up.

Unless there is an eathquake, this is about as safe as can be.

NEVER EVER go under any part of a car with just a floor jack. A local guy was killed a year ago when the jack failed and pinned him under the car.

 

Paul do you lay the 6x6's on there side and stack them on each other?

 

I stack the 6"x6" on top of each other.

A good safety precaution to be sure!

 

Even happens to the pros! Careful under there...

http://www.ehowa.com/features/bmwfall.shtml

 

Hahaha...

:shock:

 

Or you could do like this guy...

http://www.priceless420.com/Pr091304brilliant.jpg

 

I would love to talk to that guy. What the hell is he thinking?
Brave, stupid or both? Stupid for sure

 

What was he thinkin

Hey that looks like my truck when my Mother in law sits in the passenger seat :jd: :laugh: ou:

 

You have just opened the door to get BLACK MAILED.

 

there is really nothing to be worried about when youre under a (properly) jackstanded car.
Im 15 years old and ive been going under cars on stands since i was 5 (and working on them since i was 12).

As long as you buy a good set of stands and put them in a place where they cant slide out ( like on a tapered surface ) it wont just fall on you.

My dad is a mechanic and we have had the same set of stands for atleast 15 years...never once has a car fallen or a jackstand failed