Buying Jacks & Stands : Need advice

Gautam · 02-21-2001, 12:44 PM

Hi,
I'm ready to buy a pair of stands and a jack, and I was wondering what I should look into (material, weight limit, safety stuff, etct.) when buying them.

I was at Wal-Mart the other day, and saw a jack and 2 stands for $50CDN ($35US). The weight limit on them were 4000lbs I think. I figured these things cost more, and was quite surprised when I saw them for $50. So, any advice for a first timer?

Also, should I look into something else for added security in case the jacks fail somehow? (yes, I'm paranoid, I know).

BTW, While I was at Wal-Mart, I found out they sell BOSCH OEM O2 sensors for $55CDN ($38US). I didn't get a part-number, but I'll find out. Does this sound right?

Bye!

------------------
Gautam N. Lad
http://www.cubicdesign.com
http://www.cubicdesign.com/mustang/

[This message has been edited by Gautam (edited 02-21-2001).]

Jaydee · 02-21-2001, 03:12 PM

IMO, this is not a good place to go cheap. Both my jack and jack stands are rated at 6,000 lbs. purchased my stuff at Sears and the jack has a decently large size saddle on it. I also invested on a set of soft lifting pads which I bought from Eastwood to prevent marking up the undercarrige. Don't remember exactly how much I spent on everything but was probably somewhere around $200 plus a little. More than the cheap stuff, but I do feel better when its my a** laying under the car

------------------
1965 K code coupe - numbers matching - restoration ongoing. 1987 LX notch, stock heads and intake, 3.55's and typical bolt on's 13.89@100.25

86GT · 02-21-2001, 03:17 PM

I'm still using a jack that's got to be 30 years old. It still works great, and holds around 8,000 lbs.

As for the sensors, that sounds about right. I didn't know that Wal-mart carried those though. I know Canadian Tire does, but they are the Neihoff (spl?) brand.

WADS56 · 02-22-2001, 03:33 AM

When buying tools you get what you pay for.

snapon and craftsman is what I try to get when buying tools.

------------------
Blown 347 W/Canfield heads, solid roller cam, track times this spring mid 10's or bust

93lx 5.0 daily driver

Mach 1 · 02-22-2001, 03:57 AM

Dont buy a cheap jack. It will break, you wont be able to get parts for it, and you will throw your money away. I know this from experience. Spend some money on a decent floor jack.

As far as jack stands, sure, get the wal-mart specials, all it is is a stand, nothing to break here. Its not going to colapse on your head or anything

Rev · 02-23-2001, 07:24 PM

Jack stands should be rated at 4 tons (8000 lbs). I once saw pictures of a dead guy bleeding out the mouth and nose after his Walmart drive on ramps collapsed while he was changing his oil. That's enough to keep me from buying Walmart jack stands.

Rev

------------------
'66 Coupe, 306, 300 HP, C-4, 13.97 e.t., 100.3 mph
1/4 mi.

02-21-2001, 12:44 PM	#1
Gautam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Posts: 298	Buying Jacks & Stands : Need advice Hi, I'm ready to buy a pair of stands and a jack, and I was wondering what I should look into (material, weight limit, safety stuff, etct.) when buying them. I was at Wal-Mart the other day, and saw a jack and 2 stands for $50CDN ($35US). The weight limit on them were 4000lbs I think. I figured these things cost more, and was quite surprised when I saw them for $50. So, any advice for a first timer? Also, should I look into something else for added security in case the jacks fail somehow? (yes, I'm paranoid, I know). BTW, While I was at Wal-Mart, I found out they sell BOSCH OEM O2 sensors for $55CDN ($38US). I didn't get a part-number, but I'll find out. Does this sound right? Bye! ------------------ Gautam N. Lad http://www.cubicdesign.com http://www.cubicdesign.com/mustang/ [This message has been edited by Gautam (edited 02-21-2001).]

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02-21-2001, 03:12 PM	#2
Jaydee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Conn. Posts: 220	IMO, this is not a good place to go cheap. Both my jack and jack stands are rated at 6,000 lbs. purchased my stuff at Sears and the jack has a decently large size saddle on it. I also invested on a set of soft lifting pads which I bought from Eastwood to prevent marking up the undercarrige. Don't remember exactly how much I spent on everything but was probably somewhere around $200 plus a little. More than the cheap stuff, but I do feel better when its my a** laying under the car ------------------ 1965 K code coupe - numbers matching - restoration ongoing. 1987 LX notch, stock heads and intake, 3.55's and typical bolt on's 13.89@100.25

02-21-2001, 03:17 PM	#3
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	I'm still using a jack that's got to be 30 years old. It still works great, and holds around 8,000 lbs. As for the sensors, that sounds about right. I didn't know that Wal-mart carried those though. I know Canadian Tire does, but they are the Neihoff (spl?) brand.

02-22-2001, 03:33 AM	#4
WADS56 gear banger Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 1,144	When buying tools you get what you pay for. snapon and craftsman is what I try to get when buying tools. ------------------ Blown 347 W/Canfield heads, solid roller cam, track times this spring mid 10's or bust 93lx 5.0 daily driver

02-22-2001, 03:57 AM	#5
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	Dont buy a cheap jack. It will break, you wont be able to get parts for it, and you will throw your money away. I know this from experience. Spend some money on a decent floor jack. As far as jack stands, sure, get the wal-mart specials, all it is is a stand, nothing to break here. Its not going to colapse on your head or anything

02-23-2001, 07:24 PM	#6
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Jack stands should be rated at 4 tons (8000 lbs). I once saw pictures of a dead guy bleeding out the mouth and nose after his Walmart drive on ramps collapsed while he was changing his oil. That's enough to keep me from buying Walmart jack stands. Rev ------------------ '66 Coupe, 306, 300 HP, C-4, 13.97 e.t., 100.3 mph 1/4 mi.