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Extra-tall Jack Stands?

19K views 36 replies 14 participants last post by  JRubin 
#1 ·
Just curious now, are these even available? I looked around on the 'net and didn't see anything but pipe jacks. Too late for me, as I've already started fabbing up a set that will adjust up to ~ 30" tall. I'm building a set that will work with standard HF jackstand bottoms using inverted scaffold jack bases, but will end up having over $120 in the four...

Russ
 
#34 ·
Had to add my 2 cents late as it is

Waaaay back some 50 odd years ago, the first metal shop project I was required to make was a pair of axle stands. We had to use pipe, slit one end into 3rds making 3 legged axle stands. The instructor would test them in the shop hydraulic press to 5 tons, if they failed so did we. Mine passed!! LOL
Back then we didn't have manufactured axle stands, engine hoists, engine stands, tow bars, and etc, that could be bought at the local auto parts store. If we wanted these items we had to have them made or make them ourselves. So I learned how to and made many in my life time.

Over the years I have built a dozen or so for myself and friends using square tubing that can go as high as 30". The metal supplier here sells slide in trailer hitch tubing that has the proper size and wall thickness to allow them to fit snugly making for a very stable axle stand. I actually have made 2 types, one with a 3/16ths flat bottom which is great on asphalt and dirt, the other is with spreaders between the legs allowing the legs to have something to dig in with on concrete. Personally I prefer the flat bottomed ones as I get 5 points of contact as the center tube sits on the flat bottom plate and has 4 angle iron legs to the corners of the of the plate. Word to the wise, tack weld the center post ONLY then weld on the outrigger legs before welding the center as it will warp the bottom plate so don't over weld it.
Square tube is great for making 4 legged axle stands as you only are cutting on the flat surfaces not having to divide round pipe into 1/3rds and try to make the cuts with a hand hacksaw without hitting the other side of the pipe. Not to mention drilling the lock pin holes on a round surface and getting them centered correctly.
We even used one of mine to support the keil at the bow on a 60 ton yacht I was working on in the yard once so the boot stripe could be painted on and it never failed.
 
#35 ·
You just reminded me my brother has a pair 18" or so jack stands (at the lowest setting) that he made in high school in 1972. I will bet you they don't make stuff like that anymore! With the lawyers, I'll bet they don't make them anymore.

Brian
 
#36 ·
Hi guys We have made jack stands in the past to hold up D8 dozers and 594 sidebooms. So that we could pull the track rails and replace the bottom rollers. We would use 6" 3/8" wall pipe Cut to about 38" tall. Then we would split the bottom half into Quarters about half way up. Heat them at the end of the cut and bend the legs out so that they would fit a 2' square of 1/4" inch plate. cut a miter to fit the plate and weld them down like your life depended on it! And holding 60 tons up in the air your life is really on the line. The point is if you did the same thing but on a smaller scale say use 2 1/2" schedual 80 pipe and maybe 1/8" plate you would have a set of jack stands that would last a lifetime and BE SAFE. I don't have any picts of the jacks we made, never thought to take any. But with the wide base they would be very stable. The only thing is to make sure the welds are good. If you don't feel like you can weld that good please take them to someone that can. I have made some sawhorses out of 3" square tube thats 1/4" wall thickness. that are about 30" high and they really work well. Those I can post picts of if anyone is interested. Hope this helps Bill
 
#37 ·
I agree with you Ironpony, stands are only as good as the welds that hold um together and its the same for supporting a D8 or the lightest go kart. I never planned on using any of mine to support 60 tons, we needed to and that was the quickest and closest thing on hand at the time. Even the 1/4" wall on box tube is an over kill to support a normal vehicle on but it's better to build on the side of safety and strength. The tallest stands I've make were 32" max height on a 14"x16" mase plate w/1 1/4"x1/4" angle on the support legs. My short ones are 20" max w/12"x14" base plates and just 1"x3/16" angle. Both use 1/2" stainless steel pins.
 
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