I'm looking for some new jack stands. I've had the standard steel ones over the years, but they tend to rust after awhile. They're cheap enough though that you can just throw em out and get new ones I guess. Instead of going that route though, I've been thinking about getting some Aluminum ones.

Torin makes a set that seem like they'd do the job. The only thing that worries me is that it looks like they might not be as stable as a 4 leg style. Does anyone have any experience with these or Aluminum jack stands in general?

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200313386.htm

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/144441_lg.gif

They also offer a combo jack/jack stands package...

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/144442_lg.gif

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200313355_200313355


Any other recommendations?

If I went with a standard steel 4 leg style jack stand... I was looking at the Craftsman due to the fairly flat support it would provide.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950182000P?filter=Lift+Equipment+T ype%7CJack+stands&vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Lift+Equipment

I would be leery of those jack stands unless you are using them on a very level surface 100% of the time and always having the car level as well. I really don't like how the base looks. I use Harbor Freight 3-ton steel jack stands and still don't trust them always.

I haven't used those before, just giving you my opinion.

I have used them for the last 2 years on multiple cars with no issues. They are light and the cradle at the top works better for many applications then a standard jack stand with a deep v cradle. I am actaully glad you posted this because I was getting ready to install my tile floor and it is not recommended to use standard jackstands and I was wanting another pair.

Glad to hear the postive feedback. I'm primarily interested in them because of the light weight, no rust, and unique tops (no deep V cut). My only concern is that they appear in pics like they could be tippy. Can you measure the base on one of them?

There's a local Northern Tool that I plan to make a trip to later in the week... hopefully they'll have them in stock so I can look at em and make a decision.

7 3/8 inches

i've got torin's steel 4 legged jack stands. 5 years strong, with no rust, and they've been used more times than i care to count. hell, they held my old 240 up in the air for ~ 6 months in the back yard. they were dirty, but after cleaning them up, they still work fine.

I don't trust the small based aluminums. it's like using a cheap bottle jack. touch it, and it goes over.

Thanks Bullfrg, that's what I wanted to know... it was good to see them in person too.

Dustin... that's good to hear about Torin's quality... after seeing them today, I belive you.


I went and looked at them today in person. I was really surprised. These Aluminum ones are VERY nice jack stands. I set one up along side a similar sized 4 legged jack stands. I placed both jack stands at their max height on the ground, put some of my weight on them, and then tried to see how easy it was to knock them over. Would you belive it was significantly harder to knock over the aluminum ones? Because of the base plate design, it really reduces the chance of tip over.

I would of purchased them there on the spot, but the online web deal is better than their instore deal (couldn't find the Jack/Jack stand combo... only the items individually).

Even the traditional Torin jack stands were better than normal as they had a peg then locked in the level.

You are welcome, anytime I can help. I actually bought the jack and jackstands combo and both have worked great for the past 2 years. I have no complaints about either item.

You are welcome, anytime I can help. I actually bought the jack and jackstands combo and both have worked great for the past 2 years. I have no complaints about either item.

i have one complaint about the jack..

Don't expect the jack to hold a car up in the air at max lift for more than 10 minutes. i jacked my civic up and used the jack to support it while i had to find my stands that i let someone borrow, by the time i got back, it was maybe an inch in the air, and the car was on the ground. they don't hold well at all, atleast not their little regular floor jack. it was rated at 4 tons, my car is barely one ton..

I have never had that happen. I used it as my autox jack when I had my evo and it had no issues holding up the car while I installed my race tires.

i have 2 sets a Craftsman and a set Of Mack like the truck ones.

both are good and 4 leg. cant complain

something I made for working in the tight space I was in before theft entered the picture...I think I ended up spending close to $150.

I snagged some hd car-wheel-dollies from american eagle, put my jack-stands on top, marked the dollie for the footprints of the stand, drilled the dollies (4holes each), and put a nut+bolt into the holes to keep the Jstand wedged into position.

..if that makes sense to you, then you have a car on jackstands that you can roll out of the way.....as long as you do it carefully.


found a pic of this method in use... linkylinky (http://www.dutchmanms.com/media/project_cars/new57stuff/skates.jpg)

The pics dont really give much of a reference of size. but that base has me kinda meh. i know i dont work in a garage all that often with nice concrete. so something like those wouldnt really do me well i dont think. now if i was in a pro race shop with operating room cleanlyness maybe.

but hey, what do i know

I have used them for the last 2 years on multiple cars with no issues. They are light and the cradle at the top works better for many applications then a standard jack stand with a deep v cradle. I am actaully glad you posted this because I was getting ready to install my tile floor and it is not recommended to use standard jackstands and I was wanting another pair.

if you are getting tile floors you can also have any machine shop or a buddy that welds put a flat base on the 4 leg stands.;)