Free 186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook:  
Get 2,000+ tool plans, full site access, and more.

User Tag List

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: Axle stands

  1. #1
    Supporting Member thehomeengineer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Berkshire UK
    Posts
    705
    Thanks
    720
    Thanked 2,062 Times in 406 Posts

    thehomeengineer's Tools

    Axle stands

    Hi All
    I have made these stands after a tyre blowout on a motorway (see photo below).

    The standard jack broke when trying to lift my van, which was empty. This is the second Fiat jack that has failed on me. I always carry my hydraulic trolley jack, but on this occasion, this also failed but I was able to pump it up about halfway before running out of oil pressure and travel. I manged to find some blocks of wood to enable me to lift it high enough to change the wheel.

    However, with the van being propped up in a precarious position and being buffered by large lorries whizzing by and rocking the van I decided I needed a better stable solution for the future. If the van had fallen of the jack I would have been in all kinds of trouble let alone the safety of myself while changing the wheel.

    My solution was to service the trolley jack and build some stands based on the Safe Jack design that would work in conjunction with the jack. The van is then able to be lifted and support by the trolley jack and the stands together. The Stands are a second safety measure just in case the jack was to fail or creep with the weight of the van especially if loaded up. These will also be very useful if working on the van as these give great height when working under the vehicle.

    The box section I used was 50mm x 50mm x 5mm and 40mm x 40mm x 3mm and the pins are 12mm diameter

    The Safe Jack are very expensive (in my oppinion). To purchase a pair at £280 plus delivery is out of my budget range, so for about £40 of materials and a bit of effort this made for an enjoyable and interesting fabrication project.

    Damage to tyre
    Axle stands-20171002_081947461_ios.jpg

    Axle stands-20171002_081941952_ios.jpg

    Unpainted stands at the lowest and highest settings
    Axle stands-img_1676.jpg

    Axle stands-img_1675.jpg

    Completed and painted stands ready for test.
    Axle stands-img_1677.jpg

    Stand being used
    Axle stands-img_1678.jpg

    Axle stands-img_1679.jpg

    Axle stands-img_1680.jpg

    Stand in position.
    Axle stands-img_1681.jpg

    Thank you for viewing
    The Home Engineer

    186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook

  2. The Following 30 Users Say Thank You to thehomeengineer For This Useful Post:

    Andyt (Apr 24, 2018), billster (Aug 22, 2018), blkadder (Apr 23, 2018), EnginePaul (Dec 21, 2018), Gregraper33712 (Apr 28, 2018), Hopefuldave (May 27, 2019), jackhoying (Apr 23, 2018), jeanalvitre (Aug 25, 2018), jlrice54 (Apr 30, 2018), Jon (Apr 23, 2018), K Jackson (May 11, 2018), KustomsbyKent (Apr 24, 2018), Mi Tasol (Apr 23, 2018), olderdan (Apr 24, 2018), Papa Bill (Apr 25, 2018), Paul Jones (Apr 22, 2018), Peter Sanders (Jul 19, 2023), philipUsesWood&Brass (Aug 22, 2018), PJs (Apr 28, 2018), raceman61 (Apr 30, 2018), ranald (Apr 27, 2018), retiredmechanic (Apr 2, 2020), rlm98253 (Aug 21, 2018), Seedtick (Apr 24, 2018), sossol (Apr 23, 2018), Steved53 (Apr 24, 2018), Texf1 (Apr 24, 2018), Toolmaker51 (Apr 24, 2018), Tule (Apr 24, 2018), Tuomas (Apr 26, 2018)

  3. #2
    Supporting Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    55
    Thanks
    130
    Thanked 32 Times in 21 Posts

    Nicely done!

    That is a great solution, lifting the vehicle and stand directly. Excellent adaptation of the concept!

    congratulations

    Quote Originally Posted by thehomeengineer View Post
    Hi All
    I have made these stands after a tyre blowout on a motorway (see photo below).

    The standard jack broke when trying to lift my van, which was empty. This is the second Fiat jack that has failed on me. I always carry my hydraulic trolley jack, but on this occasion, this also failed but I was able to pump it up about halfway before running out of oil pressure and travel. I manged to find some blocks of wood to enable me to lift it high enough to change the wheel.

    However, with the van being propped up in a precarious position and being buffered by large lorries whizzing by and rocking the van I decided I needed a better stable solution for the future. If the van had fallen of the jack I would have been in all kinds of trouble let alone the safety of myself while changing the wheel.

    My solution was to service the trolley jack and build some stands based on the Safe Jack design that would work in conjunction with the jack. The van is then able to be lifted and support by the trolley jack and the stands together. The Stands are a second safety measure just in case the jack was to fail or creep with the weight of the van especially if loaded up. These will also be very useful if working on the van as these give great height when working under the vehicle.

    The box section I used was 50mm x 50mm x 5mm and 40mm x 40mm x 3mm and the pins are 12mm diameter

    The Safe Jack are very expensive (in my oppinion). To purchase a pair at £280 plus delivery is out of my budget range, so for about £40 of materials and a bit of effort this made for an enjoyable and interesting fabrication project.

    Damage to tyre
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20171002_081947461_iOS.jpg 
Views:	1142 
Size:	451.4 KB 
ID:	23402

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20171002_081941952_iOS.jpg 
Views:	977 
Size:	487.1 KB 
ID:	23403

    Unpainted stands at the lowest and highest settings
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1676.jpg 
Views:	2156 
Size:	503.0 KB 
ID:	23404

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1675.jpg 
Views:	1559 
Size:	517.3 KB 
ID:	23405

    Completed and painted stands ready for test.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1677.jpg 
Views:	2767 
Size:	516.5 KB 
ID:	23397

    Stand being used
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1678.jpg 
Views:	2050 
Size:	517.1 KB 
ID:	23398

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1679.jpg 
Views:	1461 
Size:	227.3 KB 
ID:	23399

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1680.jpg 
Views:	1646 
Size:	385.4 KB 
ID:	23400

    Stand in position.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1681.jpg 
Views:	1787 
Size:	502.9 KB 
ID:	23401

    Thank you for viewing
    The Home Engineer

    2000 Tool Plans

  4. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to rebuilder1954 For This Useful Post:

    EnginePaul (Dec 3, 2018), K Jackson (May 11, 2018), thehomeengineer (Apr 24, 2018)

  5. #3
    Hammer1963's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Bourbon capital USA
    Posts
    13
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
    Fantastic idea! I like the fact that you can securely adjust the height while lifting the car

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Hammer1963 For This Useful Post:

    thehomeengineer (Apr 24, 2018)

  7. #4
    Supporting Member suther51's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    380
    Thanks
    210
    Thanked 150 Times in 115 Posts
    This is an answer to an irritation that I have faced at times. On my truck the best place for the jack and the stand is often the same place, makes some sense but not practical. Your stands solves this issue most nicely! Thank you for the post and the idea.
    Eric

  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to suther51 For This Useful Post:

    BigBand (Mar 17, 2020), thehomeengineer (Apr 24, 2018)

  9. #5
    Supporting Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    119
    Thanks
    9
    Thanked 106 Times in 40 Posts

    Rorschach's Tools
    That's a clever idea, I like that. Would be a good solution for jacking my car. It has 4 jacking points on the rim weld, but of course, once jacked, where do you put an axle stand, the jack is in the way. Most of the time I have to suffice with putting on other areas of the rim weld which is not ideal, rarely do I have the car jacked up enough to actually get the stands under the axle.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to Rorschach For This Useful Post:

    thehomeengineer (Apr 24, 2018)

  11. #6
    Jon
    Jon is online now Jon has agreed the Seller's Terms of Service
    Administrator
    Supporting Member
    Jon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Colorado, USA
    Posts
    25,451
    Thanks
    7,928
    Thanked 38,621 Times in 11,284 Posts
    Clever. I am also reminded of ruxu's Tire Lift and Aligner.

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jon For This Useful Post:

    mhfcell (Oct 20, 2019), thehomeengineer (Apr 24, 2018)

  13. #7
    Supporting Member thehomeengineer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Berkshire UK
    Posts
    705
    Thanks
    720
    Thanked 2,062 Times in 406 Posts

    thehomeengineer's Tools
    Quote Originally Posted by Jon View Post
    Clever. I am also reminded of ruxu's Tire Lift and Aligner.
    That is a really nice build and nicely finished. If changing wheels regular that is a must have tool.

  14. #8
    Content Editor
    Supporting Member
    DIYer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    3,056
    Thanks
    772
    Thanked 1,850 Times in 1,652 Posts


    Thanks thehomeengineer! We've added your Axle Stands to our Stands and Dollies category,
    as well as to your builder page: thehomeengineer's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:




  15. #9
    Papa Bill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    7
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts
    I really like the idea of the round disc that fits into the cup on the jack AND the pin on the jack stand that fits into a hole on the vehicle frame thus eliminating the threat of "slipping off the jack". Exellent job!!!!


    oops... double post...
    Last edited by Papa Bill; Apr 25, 2018 at 06:41 AM. Reason: double post

  16. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Papa Bill For This Useful Post:

    haz (May 9, 2018), thehomeengineer (Apr 25, 2018)

  17. #10
    Jon
    Jon is online now Jon has agreed the Seller's Terms of Service
    Administrator
    Supporting Member
    Jon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Colorado, USA
    Posts
    25,451
    Thanks
    7,928
    Thanked 38,621 Times in 11,284 Posts
    Congratulations thehomeengineer - your Axle Stands are the Homemade Tool of the Week!

    After last week's winning Ring Roller, that's two in a row for thehomeengineer!

    Like the Superbowl, nobody has ever won three Homemade Tool of the Week awards in a row. Two-in-a-row winners include Brendon in 2015 (Marking Gauge and Dovetailing Bench), mklotz in 2016 (Bench Block Enhancements and Model Cement Mixer), tonyfoale in 2016 (Horizontal Milling Machine and Drum Brake Grinder) and rossbotics in 2017 (once for Tilting Dividing Fixture and Dial Indicator Attachment, and again for Center Punch Guide and Deburrer).

    Some good picks from this past week:

    Tower Sander by Bellevue Woodshop
    Handheld Power Sander by th62
    Ball Head DRO Stand by jjr2001
    Milling Machine Vise by Vyacheslav.Nevolya
    Scribe by Canobi
    Rifle Casing Tumbler by garage nut
    Portable Bandsaw Table by Downeast Thunder
    Overhead Pneumatic Hose Connection by Tuomas
    Mill Tramming Tool by TomBuildsStuff
    LED Holder by rendoman
    Long Boring Head by Canobi
    Circuit Board Vise by Don42


    thehomeengineer - we've added your tool entry to our All Homemade Tool of the Week winners post.

    You'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

    Here are all of your winning tools:



Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •