car ramps

sean1141

i would like to get some ramps to run my car up on when changing oil etc but these type http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_175876_langId_-1_categoryId_212549 wont do as the bumper hits off them before the wheel gets near them.. plus they are stupid money:P

is there any other type that can be got for small money or would i be as well off to make a set for myself??

biko

Entirely at your own risk




I just use two axle stands.

sean1141

not bad. i cant get a trolly jack under mine.. well i can but i end up having to take off the side skirts to get the jacking point covers to clip back in and thats a right pain lol

biko

Is it a modified car? What model?

Owen

Bear in mind, that people have been killed using home made stuff. In Ireland.

sean1141

mk1 seat leon fr+.. its not crazy low or anything its just the front bumper sticks out so far any steep angle catches it..

@ paintdoctor
no doubt there has but if i go about making a set i will make them as safe as possible. i wouldnt go under a car if i wasnt sure it was going to stay up

mickdw

biko wrote: »

Entirely at your own risk




I just use two axle stands.

Id climb under that car before one on any type of welded steel ramps. Thats 100% safe. Obviously common sense is needed when making up this stuff.

sean1141

few nice ones on here http://corvettec3.ca/ramps.htm but i dont think i would be going to that rounds as i would only need the front of the car raised

sean1141

not talking about something like this lol
http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://youidiot.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/car_jack.jpg&imgrefurl=http://youidiot.org/tag/danger&usg=__nJSKN9hHU8ekNXIwpkHi9WGEvJs=&h=340&w=560&sz=45&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=yb5qK4LsduFWmM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=175&ei=BI1-TeChFYmChQePneGyBw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstupid%2Bcar%2Bjack%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4ACAW_en___IE377%26biw%3D1287%26bih%3D556%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C109&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=828&vpy=121&dur=7457&hovh=175&hovw=288&tx=62&ty=77&oei=BI1-TeChFYmChQePneGyBw&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&biw=1287&bih=556
i could make my own spoiler while im at it
http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://amazingdata.com/mediadata35/Image/hot_weird_funny_amazing_cool8_stupid-car-spoilers-8_200907302148448954.jpg&imgrefurl=http://amazingdata.com/stupid-ugly-car-spoilers/&usg=__B1grMjHlftBKttljL5Yaj_t204Q=&h=315&w=500&sz=47&hl=en&start=19&zoom=1&tbnid=FYY_SX2gItd0uM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=192&ei=oIx-TfKQHciAhQeLif2uBw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstupid%2Bcar%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26rlz%3D1T4ACAW_en___IE377%26biw%3D1287%26bih%3D556%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C390&itbs=1&biw=1287&bih=556&iact=rc&dur=218&oei=l4x-TeSPOMawhQfChuWoBw&page=2&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:19&tx=52&ty=76

scoobymunster

This probably won't be much use but is there any old petrol stations/car washes near you? Theres two near me with concrete ramps that you can properly drive the car up on to work underneath(ones closed down but the other is still functioning as a shop). I probably should ask permission from someone(wouldn't have a clue who though esp as ones deserted) but I definitely feel safer using them than trying some homemade bodge job!

sean1141

scoobymunster wrote: »

This probably won't be much use but is there any old petrol stations/car washes near you? Theres two near me with concrete ramps that you can properly drive the car up on to work underneath(ones closed down but the other is still functioning as a shop). I probably should ask permission from someone(wouldn't have a clue who though esp as ones deserted) but I definitely feel safer using them than trying some homemade bodge job!

none like that anyway..

Owen

I've said it before, but I worked in a home about a year ago, and the guy told me I had a garage to work in if it rained. Couldn't believe the garage. Obviously turn of the century stuff, it had it's own tea room for the husband hiding from the wife, room for 3 cars, and a pit covered over with wood. Asked the guy about the pit, and he looked at me as if I had 2 heads - didn't know what it was for.

I'd kill for a house with a garage that's attached to it so you don't get wet if it's raining, and that can take a few cars and bikes in comfort.

-Corkie-

I have used railway sleepers before and they are OK. A mate has a lift now so I dont need them..

sean1141

a mate of mine has a lift but i still need to remove the side skirts to get it up on it

lomb

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Bear in mind, that people have been killed using home made stuff. In Ireland.

The wooden ones are one hundred percent safe made properly. Wood is very strong in compression. The best solution is 4 wooden ramps. A chain saw can be used to cut the wood at an angle to increase grip.

The steel ones are unsafe without axle stands as you cant be sure if the welds wont let go/metal fatigue.


Plans here http://www.tt-forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=678572

scoobymunster

sean1141 wrote: »

none like that anyway..

Sorry should of been clearer. What I meant was is there any car washes near you with something like this?

It's dead handy.

Bumpstop

I have used wooden home made ramps as shown. I tied each side together with wooden beams also, so it wouldn't tip sideways. I used it for years, it wood (pun) dismantle and stow away in very little space.

I had a lowered Merc, I had to drive it onto two one inch planks, then get a small trolley jack under one side, so I could get a larger trolley jack under the front sub frame, what a nuisance.

I don't mind welded ramps, but I always bring a loada stuff under there with me, axle stands, wheels, old beer keg, I love cars, but i don't want to die under one. In one at speed will do me.:D

sean1141

scoobymunster wrote: »

Sorry should of been clearer. What I meant was is there any car washes near you with something like this?

It's dead handy.

defo nothing like that:p

Antiquo

[Embedded Image Removed]

This provides great access but I prefer to use a couple of axle stands

Compton

^^^
oh dear!

Stealthirl

been looking for some ramps my self lately.

1 of the lads on a trip to santapod a few years ago used a kerb to get under his



need to be skiny for it to work tho

sean1141

^^^ well im fooked there!!
made up a pair of these.. loads of glue screws and nails..

mullingar

:eek::eek:

Far too much fresh air inside those wooden ramps for my taste! :eek:

If I had to go under ramps made of wood, they would be 100% solid, air free

sean1141

they wont come down trust me!

Turner

Sean do not climb under a car supported by those!!

sean1141

why not?

mullingar

+1, the are Stupidly dangerous.

If you must make up a set of ramps, make them like this:



Wood is extremely hard to compress, but VERY easy to snap in half with the weight of a car.

Honestly from one petrol-head to another, destroy those death traps!!

sean1141

:cool:

mullingar

Is there a counter-weigh in the bucket at the back of that tractor?

Im sure the Health & Safety crowd would love to talk to you!

sean1141

no its an empty transport box.. jesus ye must think they are made out of laminated floor boards or something!! its two inch thick planks.. why would the health and safety want to talk to me..

mullingar

FFS, Wood does NOT have the strength to hold weights like that.

There is also a hugh risk of the screws snapping with the sheer transverse forces

DO NOT USE THOSE RAMPS, THEY WILL FAIL AND CRUSH YOU

Conchurl

sean1141 wrote: »

:cool:

why would you need ramps for the tractor it looks high enough to get under without ramps

Dilbert75

mullingar wrote: »

FFS, Wood does NOT have the strength to hold weights like that.

There is also a hugh risk of the screws snapping with the sheer transverse forces

DO NOT USE THOSE RAMPS, THEY WILL FAIL AND CRUSH YOU

He's right. You're risking your life. Zero fresh air. You're talking the best part of 2 tonnes over two patches maybe 4" square. That's serious pressure and serious bending moments. Don't do it. Please.

mullingar

[IMG][/img]Funny Pictures

mickdw

As an Engineer, those ramps look borderline. Sure, if you can guarantee that the both struts are secure, a car would be safe positioned directly over that point, however any failure of one of those strut fixings would immediately cause collapse of the ramp. I would go for solid timber at least at the location where the car is going to be positioned when working under it. Some fresh air under the initial ramp section would not be an issue if designed in a way that the ramp cannot fold. Stiill solid construction is best option.

DublinDilbert

As others have said I wouldn't risk it.

That said, if you are going to risk it, put half inch ply on each side and glue/screw it in to every up right, top & bottom. This will make these infinitely more stronger.

Shane732

Absolutely gutted by this thread... I thought we were going to have a bitching session about the ramps around Ireland....

mickdw

DublinDilbert wrote: »

As others have said I wouldn't risk it.

That said, if you are going to risk it, put half inch ply on each side and glue/screw it in to every up right, top & bottom. This will make these infinitely more stronger.

100% agree. Added to this, if the angled struts were also made full width of the ramp and again side ply screwed into those as well, the ramps would be pretty safe.

Pulsating Star

As well as the ply on the sides maybe something to prevent them falling side to side if someone was to lean /knock against the car. Not trying to put a downer on things but a little paronia is good sometimes.

Buffman

sean1141 wrote: »

Pulsating Star wrote: »

As well as the ply on the sides maybe something to prevent them falling side to side if someone was to lean /knock against the car. Not trying to put a downer on things but a little paronia is good sometimes.

That's the main problem I see too, they are about twice as high as they are wide, which could lead to sideways stability issues. If it was me I'd put a few more struts in the middle and last segment, and wouldn't go past the middle 'post' with the front wheel. And use axle stands.

E39MSport

A few pieces of wood between me and up to 3 tonnes - not to mention torqueing stuff up at well over 200 Nm in some cases? Not a chance.

Steel ramps --> Trolley jack under cross member --> ramps out --> axle stands with backup sleepers and chocks at rear.

I spend more time securing the vehicle than applying the fix in some cases.

edit: - I can't get the jack under some of the cars, hence the ramps in the first instance. If I can jack up the entire front or rear then I don't use ramps.