Technical Tech Week - Old Skool Jack Stands

[Bib Overalls]

There was a time in America when every mechanic's garage had a set or two of jack stands made out of old "banjo" axle tubes. Most were simple torch jobs. Some with a rounded notch and others with a "V". Most are gone now. Victims of scrap drives, OSHA, and cheap, adjustable Chinese imports.

While they may be gone in the commercial world a set looks "right" in a traditional hot rodder's garage and they are really useful. I have three pair.

In this Tech Week submission I am going to show you how I make mine using tools that you most likely have access too. My technique is simple, accurate and repeatable. This means you can make one set today and another next week and both will have the same height.

Any Ford "banjo" axle tube from 1928 to 1948 will work. I'm not suggesting you go out and tear up a "Primo" rear end. But axle tubes, for one reason or another, are frequently discarded as scrap. In this case, I am using 1946 Lincoln bells. They look like Fords but there is almost no demand for them. Perfect jack stand material.

The first thing you have to decide is "how tall". I am making these 14". Just right for a rear axle with a 30" tire.

Start by cutting the axle bell a couple of inches longer than your desired height. This can be a rough cut and even be on a bit of an angle.

With the axle cut to rough length secure it to a work surface, like the WorkMate I am using, put on your safety glasses, pick up your angle grinder, and remove the lip around the sealing surface. This will improve the stability of you jack stand.


Jack Stand 1 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr


Jack Stand 2 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

The next step requires a drill press and a mandrel with a cut off disc. I got mine at Harbor Freight for less than five bucks.


Jack Stand 3 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

Chuck the arbor and cut off wheel into your drill press and set the belts for the highest speed. Level the table and set it so the cut off wheel contacts the axle tube at the desired height less the thickness of your top cap.


Jack Stand 4 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

With your safety glasses on, turn on the drill press and start cutting. Rotate the axle tube into the the cutting disc using light pressure. It will thake several rotations to make a clean cut.


Jack Stand 5 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr


Jack Stand 6 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

Finish the jack stand by welding on a square of "C" channel. 4" works good on tall stands. Because of the short height of these stands I used 5" and narrowed it to 4.5". I like the wider width because I can lay 2"x 4" and 4" x 4" nominal lumber across two stands to form a bridge. Useful in some fabrication situations.


Jack Stand 7 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

Paint or leave naked, whatever looks right to you.

Miller time.

[JeffreyJames]

Nice! I always wanted a set of those...but I would have to have mine CHromed

[TexasSpeed]

Thanks! I had been wondering about how to make mine but wasn't sure how to make them both identical.

[KWashburn]

We're starting off Tech Week with a bang. Excellent write up.

[fifTsix]

Good stuff Thanks!

[william.ali.kay]

Very cool info here.

[cederholm]

Nice!!!

[Noland]

cool. real good Idea with the drill press. Like JJ said it would be awesome to have a chrome set.

[RuFFDaWG]

Good tech story! I have got to get a set - they just look the part! I remember seeing them all the time....

[slobroy]

Chrome would be nice, but to costly for me.

[garcoal]

sorry i will stick with my store bought set. adjustable height and wider base. still nice work

[D-man313]

Nice work. Dont let your wife see that last picture. Unless you have a kitchen counter and family room furniture in your shop.

[Rex Stallion]

While I like adjustable jack stands, I thought the drill press idea was pure genius. Well done!

[The37Kid]

Nice! For the Historical Record early Model T rear axles were cut down for milking stools on farms. The 1909-14's used to turn up at Hershey many years ago, I'm sure they are under todays show cars.

[rancid737]

cut-off wheel in a drill press? why have i never thought of that?

[redroaddog]

nice!!!! i use my drill press like a lathe making small stuff but never to cut! a cool idea!!! thanks

[Lowrders]

Originally Posted by redroaddog

nice!!!! i use my drill press like a lathe making small stuff but never to cut! a cool idea!!! thanks

Agree'd! awesome info!

[Sweepspear]

Originally Posted by D-man313

Nice work. Dont let your wife see that last picture. Unless you have a kitchen counter and family room furniture in your shop.

Maybe he was going to run them through a dishwasher cycle.

The drill press trick is genius.

[porknbeaner]

Ha, I just finished up a pair Friday. Mine are not as fancy I am afraid. my first jackstands were model A axle bells.

Good tech

[falcongeorge]

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

Nice! I always wanted a set of those...but I would have to have mine CHromed

Yea baby!!