On Jul 13, 7:23*pm, Jon Anderson wrote:
On 7/13/2011 2:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote:

If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some
broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine
are 45 years old.

Some 25 years ago, I was out riding my motorcycle, and decided to stop
by a friend's house that I was passing by. He was sitting on the ground
next to his car, which had the right front wheel off, and the body just
behind the wheel well was resting directly on the wheel.
My first impression was that he was using that as a stand. Heh, nice and
stable!
But then I saw the look in his eyes and noticed some minor cuts and
scratches on his face. He'd been under the car while it was supported
solely by a jack. What type I don't recall. Anyway, wrenching a bolt
loose, the jack shifted and the car fell on him. The only reason I came
by to hear the tale, and not find him dead under his car, was the tire,
and he freely admitted it just happened to get shoved under the body,
that wasn't a safety backup.

I'm always very very cautious about working under any vehicle that's on
supports/stands. I've got a pair my grandfather made in the 40's, 12"
square base, they'd hold the front end of anything I'd ever own with no
worries. But few modern stands have a wide base for me.

Iggy's jack, I wouldn't trust even with my ex under the car...

Jon

You make a very good point about the narrow bases on modern stands.

I have added wider bases to all my stands and jacks...damn cheap life
insurance.

TMT