For years I've saved pix of wooden car stands, metal car stands, and car ramps. Most of these came from the H.A.M.B. but not all. Where I could I've used the original poster's hamb name in the file name. Some of them I saved so long ago that I have no way of knowing whose they are. Also for the most part they were constructed by the original poster. The wooden stands are mostly in the style of cribbing but some are of box construction and a couple are just plain old weird. The ones labeled metal are mostly steel but not all. The ramps are self explanatory. I am not endorsing, criticizing, or even critiquing any of these; just posting. At least one is for display only and not intended to hold up a car. I will say, however, that over the years I've seen some that I deemed (at least in my mind) to be so unsafe that I didn't save the pix. Some of the ones I'll post I would not use myself but that's not to say that the original poster didn't feel safe under a car that was held up by the posted example. When it comes to crawling under a car I'm a real pussy about what's holding said car up and off of me. If I thought it wouldn't hold up a loaded dump truck I probably won't be using it under a 2,500 pound hot rod. I have done many searches to find these pix and the threads that they came from. I'm sure that I've missed many more. You'll notice that I've not included jack stands. That's a whole other ball of wax and most are manufactured and commercially available. I'm focusing on stuff that any of us could build in our own shop. Or in some cases that a competent welder could construct (and I'll be the first to admit that this leaves me out). So here's the point: if you have any photos of stands or ramps would you please post them here so as to have one consolidated reference thread. Please give credit to builders if you know who they are. I'll respond first with wood stands, then a response with steel stands, and lastly a response with ramps.
I have worked under 600 ton steam generators sitting on proper wooden cribbing. Most of the examples displayed here look adequate as far as strength capabilities. The vehicles shown sitting on their own wheels with no visible or very little chocking systems is a different issue altogether. I would not care to be under a vehicle in this position. The fellow under the deuce sedan is in a very precarious position in my opinion. It appears to me that perhaps some zealous working efforts could induce catastrophic results if the vehicle were to roll and come off the stands. Just my opinion.
Here's a shot of both styles, I fabricobbled the wooden ones with scrap lumber and the metal ones were garage sale purchases with removable ramps. Sixty plus years ago I used concrete blocks Now I am afraid to get under a car with jack stands unless I have two sets of them or something else under it "just in case"! ramps.
I loved these. They were part of out frame equipment. After the body dimensions were corrected, these stands were nice for welding in rockers and other sheet metal while holding the car in its natural position on its wheels.
I did the ramp/stands like one of the pics shown. I used 2x10s cut off at a 45. 4 steps. Easy to drive up on. Mainly used for my kids little import cars so I can scurry under to change the oil. I too don’t feel safe under Jack stands, even the ones I built with heavy walled pipe.
Threw these together for my last project. A piece of scrap 6 x 12 beam and 2 x 4's. I made them this height so that I don't have to reach up too high to wrench on stuff while under my heap. I like the open space under them, good for snaking a cord or air hose under to keep my creeper runway clear. Still haven't gotten around to making them prettier.
I have no pics right now, but I use short sections of railroad ties for extra stands. I call them my hillbilly jack stands! They can’t collapse or roll. Very safe
No kidding, middle of last summer bought a sheet of 1-1/8th plywood. Right around 40 bucks. HW store, all good. Same store for 1/2in sheet two weeks ago came to 52 bucks!
Some good ideas here but I have to agree the cost of lumber is kind of crazy. Going to a lot of garage sales and swap meets most of the time I can't swing a dead cat without hitting a set of steel ones. I can usually find them for anywhere from 5 to 15 bucks a set. The last set I got someone had thrown them out by the road for the scrap guy. I checked them out, made sure they were good and safe, and gave them to the kid down the road who was working on an old Fury.
We used wood blocks and cribbing all the time to support heavy equipment (bulldozers, graders, scrapers, loaders, etc), as well as steel supports at times. But even when using steel stands it was common to use some wood between the stand the machine to prevent slipping, steel on steel can be slippery. But, all wood we used was hard wood, not pine or fir. But those 2 x 4 & 4 x 4 blocks used in most of those pics look fine for that use, especially for lighter cars. This one bothered me, the missing piece in the middle of the bottom and middle layers makes no sense. Also, if the car starts to move I don't think those little 2 x 2's are going to stop it. Not a fan of these. Also, some steel straps holding things together would make me feel more confident.
Sure it is... you want come over and change your oil? Naw,... I never even saw this rig, I got the picture off the net! I have had a lot of fun with this picture! But......over the years I have seen a few things almost as bad around my area! Really! I can thank my Dad for never building or using anything like that. He taught me to never put myself under anything heavy unless it was supported properly and then only if necessary. For years we used a set of ramps like the faded red ones, “ atch” posted. Later we moved them from next to shop to out front and added about two feet to the legs. Then we built up a dirt approach to the incline. They are still there on the ranch, but we don’t use them anymore. But back in the day a ton of work was done on them. I plan on living a long time and not going out that way..... I have a preferred way I want to check out! Bones
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