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Homemade car stand. Thoughts?

2»

Comments

  • #52
    RobAMerc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,863 ✭✭✭RobAMerc


    looks good to me, great job !

    The Merc is a beaut by the way.


  • #53
    jmreire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,580 ✭✭✭jmreire


    MrCostington wrote: »
    Hi, just to update you all. After much faffing around, including a false economy of buying a really cheap jack, I finally finished the stands and got the car up on them.

    Myself and another guy tried to rock and push the car off them, everything was solid. If anybody can see any reason not to get under it, please let me know.

    Thanks!

    stand-3.jpg

    stand-4.jpg

    Personally, I'd have gone a bit higher, at least one but possibly two more layer's of wood,while I was at it. If you are trying to do a transmission ATF change and flush, you will need plenty of room to maneuver the large basin needed to catch all the oil underneath. Lovely Merc BTW.


  • #54
    kadman
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 5,124 Mod ✭✭✭✭kadman


    jmreire wrote: »
    Personally, I'd have gone a bit higher, at least one but possibly two more layer's of wood,while I was at it. If you are trying to do a transmission ATF change and flush, you will need plenty of room to maneuver the large basin needed to catch all the oil underneath. Lovely Merc BTW.

    Totally agree. You are only up an additional 4 1/2 " from no stands.

    How do you get under. Do you use a creeper, which surely raises your body
    another couple of inches.

    Its too low for me anyway, and too cramped for ease of working if you are not on a creeper. Apart from that the higher up it is, the more light is getting in under the car for working.

    Personally I would double the height, but of course that doubles the cost.


  • #55
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,790 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    kadman wrote: »

    Personally I would double the height, but of course that doubles the cost.

    Doubling the cost of that amount of timber could see you hit the - €20 ? - mark.
    Hardly a factor.......


    Check out the wooden supports holding this 45t lot up at:

    00:41
    01:41

    https://www.emining.ch/en/


    Cars really aren't going to test a wooden stand....

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #56
    MrCostington
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭MrCostington


    jmreire wrote: »
    Personally, I'd have gone a bit higher, at least one but possibly two more layer's of wood,while I was at it.
    kadman wrote: »
    Totally agree. You are only up an additional 4 1/2 " from no stands.

    How do you get under. Do you use a creeper, which surely raises your body another couple of inches.

    Thanks both. I agree is it a bit tight and uncomfortable, but I'll put up with it for maybe 5 hours a year under it. I just had a quick look under it (no creeper, just slid on the foil covered yoga/exercise mat you can see there). As I said before, I might go up one more layer, hopefully I'll do at least the engine oil this weekend and see how it goes.

    The thing about going higher, is getting it jacked. I used a 3 tonne jack that goes from 14cm to 43cm and even with that had to put a block of wood under the diff. I think trying to go too high increases the odds of an accident during the jacking process (don't forget I have to bottom out the suspension travel before the wheels start to raise).
    galwaytt wrote: »
    Doubling the cost of that amount of timber could see you hit the - €20 ? - mark.

    Actually, it took many lengths of 2x4 and 2 off 2x2 and a box of screws, over 50 quid so far (in Chadwicks)

    Anyway, any further thoughts re safety?


  • #57
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,790 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    MrCostington wrote: »

    Actually, it took many lengths of 2x4 and 2 off 2x2 and a box of screws, over 50 quid so far (in Chadwicks)

    Anyway, any further thoughts re safety?

    I suspect my timber buying price is better than what you pay Chadwicks ;)

    I think the safety is fine. Timber blocking is widely used: look at what holds up the keel of a ship in dry dock...........can't see a W123 testing it tbh....

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #58
    jmreire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,580 ✭✭✭jmreire


    MrCostington wrote: »
    Thanks both. I agree is it a bit tight and uncomfortable, but I'll put up with it for maybe 5 hours a year under it. I just had a quick look under it (no creeper, just slid on the foil covered yoga/exercise mat you can see there). As I said before, I might go up one more layer, hopefully I'll do at least the engine oil this weekend and see how it goes.

    The thing about going higher, is getting it jacked. I used a 3 tonne jack that goes from 14cm to 43cm and even with that had to put a block of wood under the diff. I think trying to go too high increases the odds of an accident during the jacking process (don't forget I have to bottom out the suspension travel before the wheels start to raise).



    Actually, it took many lengths of 2x4 and 2 off 2x2 and a box of screws, over 50 quid so far (in Chadwicks)

    Anyway, any further thoughts re safety?

    I'd have no qualms about getting under the car with that kind of a set-up safety wise....but as already mentioned, its a little bit on the low side for comfortable working conditions. 18" between the ground ( or better ) would be fine for me. That's not saying that the boards would have to raise the wheels 18" though...the suspension's will also lift the car up.


  • #59
    MrCostington
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭MrCostington


    Thanks for everyone for your help.

    jmreire wrote: »
    I'd have no qualms about getting under the car with that kind of a set-up safety wise....but as already mentioned, its a little bit on the low side for comfortable working conditions. 18" between the ground ( or better ) would be fine for me. That's not saying that the boards would have to raise the wheels 18" though...the suspension's will also lift the car up.


    I hope to try them out this weekend, so will see how I get on and report back!


  • #60
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,105 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    kadman wrote: »
    I personaly think your fears about axle stands used properly are unfounded.

    I have used these axle stands for years, and fully extended under beetles I have worked on. And if you can topple these from below, then you can topple your blocks too.

    And these are not the el cheapo versions that come from lidl/aldi.

    Support stands are all about the base of the stand, the wider the better..
    You would have to be the hulk to push a car, PROPERLY set up on these stands
    524068.jpg

    I have these, https://ige.ie/3-ton-axle-stands-pair/

    And i still dont like getting under the car. Have been known to throw wheels underneath just in case something goes wrong. Awful fear and rightly so around working underneath vehicles. Theres been enough poor soles have a vehicle drop on them.


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  • #61
    jmreire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,580 ✭✭✭jmreire


    And thats the right attitude to have,,I've been under many vehicles, either jacked up, as in this post, or in a pit, under 4 post or 2 post lift's...and I well remember many years ago working under a 2 post lift that was operated by compressed air,, and it had an alarming habit of unexpectedly dropping several inches. It was like this until a visiting German Engineer ( perhaps not too happy about working under it) decided to investigate why it was dropping, it turned out that when it had been installed, a pipe was incorrectly placed. But I know of one case where a car came off a 2 post lift, and badly injured a mechanic. So take care, check twice ( or more) that the car is secure before getting under it.


  • #62
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,790 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    jmreire wrote: »
    And thats the right attitude to have,,I've been under many vehicles, either jacked up, as in this post, or in a pit, under 4 post or 2 post lift's...and I well remember many years ago working under a 2 post lift that was operated by compressed air,, and it had an alarming habit of unexpectedly dropping several inches. It was like this until a visiting German Engineer ( perhaps not too happy about working under it) decided to investigate why it was dropping, it turned out that when it had been installed, a pipe was incorrectly placed. But I know of one case where a car came off a 2 post lift, and badly injured a mechanic. So take care, check twice ( or more) that the car is secure before getting under it.

    Yeah, and garage pit is another thing I wouldn't go near with a barge pole either, for fire reasons alone. When I worked in the UK many years ago, 2 young lads died in one in a garage not far from me and it put me off them for life.

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #63
    kadman
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 5,124 Mod ✭✭✭✭kadman


    Garage is a dangerous place and there are many accidents waiting to happen, if you
    are not careful.
    So is a building site, so is a manufacturing plant, so is driving.

    If you are not going to participate in these activities because of impending danger, then maybe just stay at home.
    Avoiding them because you may have an accident is illogical.

    Appreciate the dangers, and take every precaution.

    Tens of thousands die or are injured every year from driving cars. But that doesn't stop us driving them.

    Safety first, everything else second.


  • #64
    MrCostington
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭MrCostington


    Finally did an oil change yesterday, https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=114598578&postcount=9173 .

    While of course I'd love to have a lift, it was grand working away with the wood stands, I don't think I'll need to go any higher. Obviously a small job but I had a look under the gearbox and and diff to check what tools I'll need for those jobs and it should be fine for that too.

    Thanks everyone for all your help!


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