Featured Technical Skip The Jack Stands, make Riser Blocks

These were great, and just a lot safer than regular jack stands. In earthquake country you worry about a quake starting while you are under the car. I made them from wood s****s left over from roof construction of my shop.

 

Jack stands have their place, but I prefer wheel cribs because they're rock solid. I made a set a few years ago using new 10' 2x4's and deck screws, total cost was $88. I just stack them in a corner when not in use...

20" L x 12"W x11"H

 

With 2.4's laid on their side in the pattern shown in post one you would have 4 corners with 12.25 sq-in of contact at each corner. Each 12.25 sq-in would take 55,125 lbs (~27.5 tons) to induce a crush of the lumber. With four corners your talking about a total of 220,500 lbs, theoretically. That's over 110 tons. Wood is way stronger in compression than many realize. If you twist it or side load it at the same time things change. But if the load is straight up and down, it takes enormous weighs to induce the wood into deforming. It's why multi story buildings can be built with just wood and not collapse.

Ever drive by a bridge needing repair and see cribbing holding it up? They do it all the time. They did it for a couple of years locally a few years ago.

The only problem with my "poor mans lift" is getting the car high enough to use all my crib height. I've considered a crib for my jack to get the final 3.5" of height my cribs offer.

 

Yes for 6500 lb truck..if in doubt you can make the stands solid, we make pads with 2x4 to set under landing gearing of loaded semi trailer in some sketchy parts of the yard to keep em from sinking.

 

Just a joke, but I hate working with wood. The mess that saw dust makes, you that to have nails or screws.

There is nothing about carpentry I like or want any part of doing.

I have always felt going from working with metal to working with wood is a downgrade.

Just my two cents.

 

Is that compression parallel to the grain or perpendicular to the grain?

 

I disagree good craftsmanship is good good craftsmanship no matter the medium. I would say Marty’s stuff is top shelf every which way.
Dan

 

OMG! The Topper is tops!

 

I am going to build these for my 40 Merc project. Thanx!

 

I have never been very good with wood, when you cut it too short, you can't weld it back together. I have been looking on Temu for a wood welder ! We are going to use shortened axle housings to hold up the Mockup/Buck of the Top Banana beside the car at displays.

 

Note that the 2x4 variety prevents the tire from rolling off the riser block.

 

Now how about thread on making a riser block for your floor jack so you can lift your car high enough to get the wheels onto these riser blocks.

 

My floor jack picked up the '29 just far enough to slide them under. You could also leave off one layer of 2X4's and they will still be high enough, depending on one's girth diameter !

 

I resemble that statement! I need an extra row… Didn’t see Bob, the neighbor, today. Maybe tomorrow. Got to raid his wood storage shed yet

 

I fabricated my risers a few years ago using 4x4’s and 3/4” plywood. They are screwed and glued so they will never come apart. I made them about 12” high which is an ideal height for working under the car and still having easy access to the engine and interior. There are tapered wheel stops that cradle the tires so the car cannot roll, they also nest together for storage. The only time I use jack stands is when I remove the wheels and tires.