Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i

"Ignoramus23641" wrote in message
...
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i

I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of
steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all.
That's not for me.

If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I
would accept that, but not the narrow base.

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.

--
Ed Huntress

On Jul 13, 5:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

Those are only approved for liberal Democrats.

In article , Ignoramus23641 wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...AhN7B42H-ddOjx
hE?feat=directlink

It's never safe to work under a vehicle that is asymmetrically supported.
Supports should always be used in pairs if you're going to be underneath it.

Ignoramus23641 wrote:

Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i

Those are great jacks, but not a substitute for a pair of proper jack
stands. A pair of proper 6T jack stands is $50 generally if you shop
around.

A real vehicle lift can be had for around $2k used for us normal folks,
or $200 for Iggy...

On Jul 13, 4:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

The old advice is correct, NEVER work under a vehicle supported just
by a jack. Seals fail on hydraulics, mechaincal ones can twist or
tip. HF has jackstands so cheap, it's foolish not to have a pair or
two. I've personally had a car roll on me supported just by a jack, I
rolled out just before it came down or I would have been squished.
Jack it up, stick the jackstand under it and set it down on that.
Either that or get some heavy duty ramps. Have a set of those, too.
If you're working on the rear and want to jack that up, block the
fronts with wheel chocks. All this stuff costs peanuts compared with
what COULD happen if the thing rolls while you're under there.

Stan

On Jul 13, 6:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

NO WAY would I trust my precious self to that. My personal standard is
two ramps, two wide-based jack stands with feet added to protect the
asphalt, and try real hard to shake the vehicle off the stands before
crawling under. If at all possible I leave the tires on, otherwise
(hubs, ball joints etc) I add another stand or large wooden blocks.

jsw

Ignoramus23641 wrote:

Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i

I'd be happier if a nice chunk of firewood was backing that jack up.

I tend to use ramps, wood or metal but even with those, a blowout of a tire could ruin my
day.

Use the jacks if you want to but have something else to save you from a crushing injury if
the jack slips or fails.

I can't bench press my vehicle, I doubt you can either.

Wes

Rex wrote:
On Jul 13, 5:04 pm, Ignoramus23641ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

Those are only approved for liberal Democrats.

Or Red Army enlisted soldiers.

Ignoramus23641 wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Something that's kept me alive and with all my
limbs is the philosophy of always being at least
2 and ideally 3 mistakes away from an accident.

Jack up your car, one mistake away. Stick a
jack stand under it, two mistakes. Roll the wheel
under it as well, three mistakes.

On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote:
id wrote in message
...
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i

I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of
steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all.
That's not for me.

If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I
would accept that, but not the narrow base.

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.


I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed
up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that
goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a
jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around...

MikeB

--
Email is valid but not checked often

On Jul 13, 6:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

I think it is safe 29 times out of 30. Not a high enough number to
risk the results when it is not safe.

Dan

On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:04:00 -0500, Ignoramus23641
wrote:

Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Yes, if you use a jack stand with it (with any jack.)


If I'd had a jack stand on the tow truck 27 years ago, I wouldn't have
hurt my back by trying to life something at extension. sigh

--
Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.
-- Robert J. Sawyer

On 07/13/2011 03:30 PM, wrote:
On Jul 13, 4:04 pm, Ignoramus23641ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

The old advice is correct, NEVER work under a vehicle supported just
by a jack. Seals fail on hydraulics, mechaincal ones can twist or
tip. HF has jackstands so cheap, it's foolish not to have a pair or
two. I've personally had a car roll on me supported just by a jack, I
rolled out just before it came down or I would have been squished.
Jack it up, stick the jackstand under it and set it down on that.
Either that or get some heavy duty ramps. Have a set of those, too.
If you're working on the rear and want to jack that up, block the
fronts with wheel chocks. All this stuff costs peanuts compared with
what COULD happen if the thing rolls while you're under there.

Even if all your relatives have to pay for is a cheap funeral, that's
still more expensive.

And if it squishes you and leaves you brain-damaged but alive and needy
-- that's _way_ more expensive than jack stands.

Always use jack stands, and think about what's under them (the driveway
at my old place featured concrete that was only 1/2" thick in places --
I learned this one day when I stuck a jack under a car and jacked the
driveway down an inch or two. After that, jack stands always went onto
pads of thick plywood or sections of 2x12).

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

"Jon Anderson" wrote in message
...
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

Yes, the base on most consumer-grade jacks is not up to the job. It gives me
the creeps just to look at them and imagine someone coming up and leaning on
a fender while I'm underneath...

--
Ed Huntress

On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:17:02 -0700 (PDT), the renowned
" wrote:

On Jul 13, 6:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

I think it is safe 29 times out of 30. Not a high enough number to
risk the results when it is not safe.

Dan

Roughly as safe as the space shuttle.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

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

wrote:
On Jul 13, 4:04 pm, Ignoramus23641ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

The old advice is correct, NEVER work under a vehicle supported just
by a jack. Seals fail on hydraulics, mechaincal ones can twist or
tip. HF has jackstands so cheap, it's foolish not to have a pair or
two. I've personally had a car roll on me supported just by a jack, I
rolled out just before it came down or I would have been squished.
Jack it up, stick the jackstand under it and set it down on that.
Either that or get some heavy duty ramps. Have a set of those, too.
If you're working on the rear and want to jack that up, block the
fronts with wheel chocks. All this stuff costs peanuts compared with
what COULD happen if the thing rolls while you're under there.

I've been using a pair of these for the last few years:
http://www.raceramps.com/race-ramps-56.aspx

They are the cat's pajamas. Very strong and lightweight.

--Winston

On 2011-07-14, Ed Huntress wrote:

"Jon Anderson" wrote in message
...
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

Yes, the base on most consumer-grade jacks is not up to the job. It gives me
the creeps just to look at them and imagine someone coming up and leaning on
a fender while I'm underneath...


I think that I got it. Thanks guys.

i

"Ignoramus23641" wrote in message
...
On 2011-07-14, Ed Huntress wrote:

"Jon Anderson" wrote in message
...
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

Yes, the base on most consumer-grade jacks is not up to the job. It gives
me
the creeps just to look at them and imagine someone coming up and leaning
on
a fender while I'm underneath...


I think that I got it. Thanks guys.

i

Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for
changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the
corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be
unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles.

Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo.
In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one.
But I expect to every time I do it.

--
Ed Huntress

On Jul 13, 5:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

NO..NO..NO!!!!

ALWAYS have another support in place if the primary lift device fails.

NO EXCEPTIONS!

In an earlier life, I spent many hours under heavy objects supported
by mechanical and hydraulic jacks.

After seeing repeated failures in those lifting devices, I can speak
from personal experience..ALWAYS have a backup support device in place
before you place any part of your body that you value.

TMT

On Jul 13, 6:15*pm, BQ340 wrote:
On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote:





id *wrote in message
m...
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7....

i

I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of
steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all.
That's not for me.

If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I
would accept that, but not the narrow base.

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.

I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed
up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that
goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a
jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around....

MikeB

--
Email is valid but not checked often- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have seen so many hydraulic jacks blow their seals I have lost
count.

I remember one which had a car up on it...I was walking past it when
*BANG* the car hit the ground.

The seal on the jack had just blown.

If someone had been under it..they would have been DEAD.

It happened in less than a second..no time to react.

Except for me to jump when the car hit the ground.

TMT

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

On Jul 13, 7:12*pm, Tim Wescott wrote:
On 07/13/2011 03:30 PM, wrote:





On Jul 13, 4:04 pm, Ignoramus23641ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid *wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7....

i

The old advice is correct, NEVER work under a vehicle supported just
by a jack. *Seals fail on hydraulics, mechaincal ones can twist or
tip. * HF has jackstands so cheap, it's foolish not to have a pair or
two. *I've personally had a car roll on me supported just by a jack, I
rolled out just before it came down or I would have been squished.
Jack it up, stick the jackstand under it and set it down on that.
Either that or get some heavy duty ramps. *Have a set of those, too.
If you're working on the rear and want to jack that up, block the
fronts with wheel chocks. *All this stuff costs peanuts compared with
what COULD happen if the thing rolls while you're under there.

Even if all your relatives have to pay for is a cheap funeral, that's
still more expensive.

And if it squishes you and leaves you brain-damaged but alive and needy
-- that's _way_ more expensive than jack stands.

Always use jack stands, and think about what's under them (the driveway
at my old place featured concrete that was only 1/2" thick in places --
I learned this one day when I stuck a jack under a car and jacked the
driveway down an inch or two. *After that, jack stands always went onto
pads of thick plywood or sections of 2x12).

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Serviceshttp://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details athttp://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Another very good point.

I have had several jacks fall through the driveway/garage floors over
the years.

Driveways have hollow spots under the pavement where trees rot out and
animals dig.

Garage floors can be just as devious.

The wider the base the jack/stand sits on, the safer it is.

And ALWAYS have at least one backup support in place before you put
yourself in harm's way.

TMT

On 2011-07-13, Ignoramus23641 wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

With no jack stands set to take the load if this one starts to
topple -- I would say *no*. It does not seem to have a wide enough base
to be stable -- assuming that it is small enough to fit under the
vehicle to start with. This looks like a railroad jack to me, which is
typically too large to fit under most vehicles which you would need a
jack to get yourself and a creeper under.

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

Ed Huntress wrote:

(...)

Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for
changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the
corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be
unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles.

Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo.
In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one.
But I expect to every time I do it.

That's the beauty of the Race Ramps:
http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg

The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop'
feature.

The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature
has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp,
giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end.

http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg

OH! And another thing.
The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway!
Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt
forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them
into the driveway to prevent that. Feh.

--Winston

On Jul 13, 8:21*pm, Spehro Pefhany
wrote:

I think it is safe 29 times out of 30. *Not a high enough number to
risk the results when it is not safe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dan

Roughly as safe as the space shuttle.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

I would not sign up to be an astronaut either.

Dan

On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:11:13 -0400, "Ed Huntress"
wrote:


"Ignoramus23641" wrote in message
m...
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i

I wouldn't.

ABSOLUTELY NOT safe for working under a vehicle with that jack.
Dave

"Winston" wrote in message
...
Ed Huntress wrote:

(...)

Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for
changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the
corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to
be
unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles.

Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep
doo-doo.
In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of
one.
But I expect to every time I do it.

That's the beauty of the Race Ramps:
http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg

The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop'
feature.

Yeah, they look nice. A little pricey, though.

I built my first set out of wood. Strong, with a big stop at the end, but
they weighed maybe 50 pounds each. d8-)

Now I use a substantial pair made out of steel. They're not as nice as
yours.

--
Ed Huntress


The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature
has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp,
giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end.

http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg

OH! And another thing.
The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway!
Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt
forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them
into the driveway to prevent that. Feh.

--Winston

On Jul 14, 8:04*am, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

Iggy, I sometimes wonder about you. You propose some strange,
dangerous things, seemingly unaware of the blatantly obvious. The
Traditional, devil-may-care vehicle support here is piles of bricks
stacked up - blocks of wood if available too - works OK, sort of. And
I think it would work better than whatever it is in the picture you
linked too. If you thought about it real hard, you could probably
wedge it in there somewhere, after you do the bricks. Remember, put
the bricks down with the right side up.

Andrew VK3BFA.

On Jul 14, 8:25*am, Andrew VK3BFA wrote:
On Jul 14, 8:04*am, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.

23641.invalid wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

Iggy, I sometimes wonder about you. You propose some strange,
dangerous things, seemingly unaware of the blatantly obvious. The
Traditional, devil-may-care vehicle support here is piles of bricks
stacked up - blocks of wood if available too - *works OK, sort of. And
I think it would work better than whatever it is in the picture you
linked too. If you thought about it real hard, you could probably
wedge it in there somewhere, after you do the bricks. Remember, put
the bricks down with the right side up.

Andrew VK3BFA.

"Blatantly obvious" is only obvious to those of us with previous
experience.

In Ig's past, using one jack may be a very acceptable..and very
dangerous..practice.

If it works, you live another day..if it does not..well dead men don't
talk.

When I grew up, we used gasoline to wash parts...only much later did I
find out how freaking dangerous it is.

I think quite highly of Ig...when he doesn't know..he asks.

That is a sign of an inquistive and inquiring mind...something I
highly admire.

TMT

Ed Huntress wrote:
wrote in message
...

(...)

The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop'
feature.

http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...etail/RR56.png

Yeah, they look nice. A little pricey, though.

I built my first set out of wood. Strong, with a big stop at the end, but
they weighed maybe 50 pounds each. d8-)

That highly resembles the set I borrowed from dear old Dad
Every !@#$%^ weekend.

They were made from solid, diagonally-cut 12 x 12 lumber.
We didn't have any wussy "travel stops" on the ends.
I came close to driving off the end, a couple times.

Now I use a substantial pair made out of steel. They're not as nice as
yours.

I gulped when I saw the price but I was *so* tired of nailing the
'low' edge of the ramps into the driveway so they wouldn't squirt
out from under the car. (When that happened once, a neighbor across
the street yelled out "Hey! Are YOU OK?") Heh.

I'm philosophical about the cost of safety-related gear.
The cost of one ER visit can buy *lots* of high tech ramps and
jack stands.

--Winston

On 7/14/2011 8:47 AM, Winston wrote:

The cost of one ER visit can buy *lots* of high tech ramps and
jack stands.

Isn't that the truth! Applies to all manner of gear related to safety...


Jon

Ignoramus23641 on Wed, 13 Jul
2011 17:04:00 -0500 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


Safer than what?

The problem with jacks is that they are meant to move, under a
load, and lower vehicles. Mechanical jacks are _less_ likely to do
that than a hydraulic jack, if only because there is less possibility
of a seal failing.
--
pyotr filipivich
We will drink no whiskey before its nine.
It's eight fifty eight. Close enough!

On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:07:12 -0700, Winston
wrote:

Ed Huntress wrote:

(...)

Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for
changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the
corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be
unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles.

Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo.
In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one.
But I expect to every time I do it.

That's the beauty of the Race Ramps:
http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg

The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop'
feature.

The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature
has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp,
giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end.

http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg

OH! And another thing.
The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway!
Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt
forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them
into the driveway to prevent that. Feh.

--Winston
unfortunately, I need a 12" length of 2x4 to get my Toy Car onto my
ramps, but I only do that about once every ten years. The ramps are
here for the use of "others".
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

On Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:25:02 -0700, pyotr filipivich
wrote:

Ignoramus23641 on Wed, 13 Jul
2011 17:04:00 -0500 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


Safer than what?

The problem with jacks is that they are meant to move, under a
load, and lower vehicles. Mechanical jacks are _less_ likely to do
that than a hydraulic jack, if only because there is less possibility
of a seal failing.
First jack I ever bought consisted of a 4 inch square base plate with
a dimple in the centre, a 30inch length of 3/4" acme threaded rod, a
hook shaped nut to engage the bumper and an "L" shaped rod to fit the
hole in the upper end of thet threaded rod. Greatest gadget for
getting the car to move sidewise from a stuck position in soft ground,
just pick up the end of the car and push side.ways. Of course you
needed a couple people to steady the car until it was time to move it
sideways
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

"Gerald Miller" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:07:12 -0700, Winston
wrote:

Ed Huntress wrote:

(...)

Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for
changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on
the
corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to
be
unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles.

Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep
doo-doo.
In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of
one.
But I expect to every time I do it.

That's the beauty of the Race Ramps:
http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg

The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop'
feature.

The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature
has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp,
giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end.

http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg

OH! And another thing.
The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway!
Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt
forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them
into the driveway to prevent that. Feh.

--Winston
unfortunately, I need a 12" length of 2x4 to get my Toy Car onto my
ramps,....

Same here, for my Hyundai Sonata. My Ford Focus goes right up. So, I have
two short lengths of 2x4 stored with my ramps.

Winston's ramps are looking awfully good, though.

--
Ed Huntress

but I only do that about once every ten years. The ramps are
here for the use of "others".
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:04:00 -0500, Ignoramus23641
wrote:

Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i
No.

On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:15:40 -0400, BQ340 wrote:

On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote:
id wrote in message
...
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

i

I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of
steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all.
That's not for me.

If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I
would accept that, but not the narrow base.

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.


I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed
up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that
goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a
jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around...

MikeB

I NEVER do the final torquing while on the jack. Pull the nuts snug,
drop the car, and torque.

On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:30:20 -0700 (PDT), Too_Many_Tools
wrote:

On Jul 13, 6:15Â*pm, BQ340 wrote:
On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote:





id Â*wrote in message
m...
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7...

i

I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of
steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all.
That's not for me.

If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I
would accept that, but not the narrow base.

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.

I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed
up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that
goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a
jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around...

MikeB

--
Email is valid but not checked often- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have seen so many hydraulic jacks blow their seals I have lost
count.

I remember one which had a car up on it...I was walking past it when
*BANG* the car hit the ground.

The seal on the jack had just blown.

If someone had been under it..they would have been DEAD.

It happened in less than a second..no time to react.

Except for me to jump when the car hit the ground.

TMT
My brother had a hydraulic HOIST come down - a two-poster. just about
dumped the mini-bus off, while he was working on it.