Looking for some screw-type Jack Stands
I’m hoping one of you guys can help me here. I’m looking for some screw-type jack stands, but I can’t seem to find the right search term to find them through Google!
They look something like this:
…except the center post would be a coarse-threaded solid steel rod instead of a pipe with holes through it (so that the height adjustment was virtually infinite.) A big nut on the threaded rod would bear against the top of the “pyramid” base. Cranking on the nut would raise or lower the top part (which would NOT turn.) They were maybe 10″ tall (when closed), and would expand 8″ or 9″. The base was maybe 12″ square at the bottom, for stability.
I’ve SEEN these things before. A fellow I knew years ago used them for lifting sagging foundation walls prior to pouring a reinforcing “foot”. They were relatively cheap, and he would use 3 or 4 (or more) to lift the foundation wall, and then just leave them in place and pour concrete right over top of them. But I’ve lost touch with that fellow, and now I can’t remember where he got them. I think I’ve tried all the automotive and trailer-supply places.
Anybody know what the hell I’m talking about, or (better yet) where to buy them??
Thanks,
G
Replies
They're called screw jacks.
I always called them "jack stands". Google "car parts" or "automobile accessories" and I'm sure you'll find something. Northern Tool probably has them. There's a famous place in Chicago that sends out catalogs--I got them for years and years, any automotive guy knows the name (but of course it escapes me right now)--they would definitely have them (used to be able to get them for under ten dollars each, but that was many years ago).
Edited 1/2/2006 5:33 pm ET by Danno
J.C. Whitney I would guess. Not sure of the lifting power of basic jack stands. Trailer stabilizer jacks look about the same.
J. C. Whitney
"there's enough for everyone"
Manual hydraulic jacks used with a piece of 4x4 work easier and are less than 1/2 the price.
There is a 2 Ton screw one ($74.99) right next to the one you showed at
http://www.northerntool.com
That was interesting. Hadn't seen one before.
What I have is considerably simpler and shorter, likely RR issue. The reason I use non-hydraulic is I have to go under, and don't fully trust my hydraulic jacks. Nor do I have jack stands sufficient for the tractor. But the screw jack works extremely well.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
"Manual hydraulic jacks used with a piece of 4x4 work easier and are less than 1/2 the price. "
I don't want to use a hydraulic, because they will have to stay in place for along time (see "Modular homes", below)
"There is a 2 Ton screw one ($74.99) right next to the one you showed at"
Yes, but it's HUGE!! And expensive, for what I need (I'll need 9 of them).
But thanks!
You use the jack just for lifting.Then you crib. Or you put in the jackstands.Never crawl under anything whatever that you have lifted with a hydraulic jack, if the jack is the only thing holding it up.I'm certain Junkhound didn't intend anything different.
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer
I have been jonesing for one for my science classroom, the best price for new ones I found was at
http://www.southern-tool.com/store/screw_jacks.html
Screw Jack
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Features:
Ideal for construction, structural moving, supporting machinery and general maintenance
Corrugated-topped steel screws turn easily under load
Semi-steel base is built to sit firmly in place without slipping
Easy to carry with built-in handle
Acme type threads
Turning bars not included, however they are available as an option
Manufactured to ANSI/AMSE B30.1 standards
Not bad, but still a little overkill for MY application, and a little expensive at ~$30.00 each. I'm still hoping for something more like this:
http://www.northerntool.com/
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.... except with threads! $16.99 for a PAIR is a price I can LIVE with!! I might have to wind up using these anyway, but I'm not sure if their ratchet action will give me the precision I want in height adjustment. I guess there's always "shims"... (sighhhh...)
G
If your ground is hard, I would just elevate it on concrete blocks and shim as necessary. Save your money on jack stands, or screw jacks etc. If you feel like spending money, buy a laser level to help set it right. Lasers are fun, and they make nice dog and cat toys.
Not to split hairs but in case it matters for your use, I have a pair of those and they don't ratchet. You set the pawl to lock in a specific height, but they don't do any raising on their own...
PaulB
Around here, screw jacks are a staple at farm sales.
Never turn your back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!" [Winston Churchill]
ya, but you know how that works - they are 6 for a dollar until you figure out you need some, then the single beat up rusty unit goes for more than new....
"there's enough for everyone"
You're right, but.......Auctions are more than just sales - They're important social events. (As I'm sure you well know)Even if you dont get what you went there after, there's always SOMETHING you need in the sale.
Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. [Thomas Jefferson]
Or something you get but don't need.
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
Did I hear something about doors? <G>PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Real funny.
The other day when I was finishing up the removal of the last of the hardware I found out that I had miscounted and there are 60 doors instead of 40.
be floored with doors
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
WanyeL's correct. They work very well. I currently have one supporting one corner of my 23k lb loader to take this wheel off:
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Here they put them in 2 rows under modular homes to adjust for level.
Joe H
"Here they put them in 2 rows under modular homes to adjust for level."
That's almost exactly what I'm trying to do!
I built up one of those ~ 10' x 12' plastic storage sheds from Royal (Home Depot), on a decent foundation of 4x6s and 1 3/8" subfloor. However, we are renting here, the ground is very hard and rocky, and I didn't want to try to grade out or pour a level surface (plus I wanted to elevate the shed floor above the snow). I used some "screw jacks" (if that's what they're called) that had a plastic base. They were supposed to hold 5000 lbs, but one of them has completely collapsed and another couple are cracked. Ergo, the need for metal ones.
I have already tried both Northern Tool (which is where I originally got the plastic ones) and Southern Tool (!!), but I'll try JC Whtney. JoeH, any idea where the jacks you saw came from?
Thanks,
GB
Why not just put some blocks under it as suggested?
You can make shims to get the final fit, some of those concrete paving blocks and cinder blocks should be cheaper than anything else.
You can buy a lot of blocks for the price of a jackstand.
No idea where to buy those leveling stands here in Utah, but I could find out.
Joe H
I am not sure if this is what you are thinking of, but I used these and one of them is still in place since it was too hard to remove.
http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/J-JP.html
john
Colony Hardware
New Haven, CT
They ship
1 800 698 0781
Edited 1/3/2006 6:53 am ET by notagain
Believe it or not, I had a reason for liking the "tripod"-type supports (even though these had four legs). Being that this is California, we do get earthquakes around here. My physics tells me that it's harder to knock something off a pyramidal support than a block, especially a block that's not solid (i.e. a pile of cinderblocks and shims.) My little plastic jacks have weathered at least two groundshakers, and the shed hasn't toppled off its "foundation" (although one jack DID collapse and a couple more were damaged.) Plus, I liked the idea of retaining easy adjustability. I have had to adjust the jacks in the front a couple times, when the doors to the shed started sticking. Ground settling? I don't know, but it was easy to adjust!
The jacks from Colony Hardware look like just the right thing! I haven't checked the pricing yet; that might ruin my day...
Thanks to all for your help and suggestions! JoeH, if you ever get the opportunity to find out where the jacks you mentioned come from, I'd love to know.
Thanks,
George
This website might help with what you're looking for. http://www.hyjacks.com/ I've used a combination of screw jacks and lally columns on foundations we put under old barns in the past. Leave them in place and weld rebar between the columns, tying it in with the vertical rebar in the new footings- layout is critical. Installed the anchor bolts and hung rebar from them and poured the foundation up to the sill. May not work for your application- the building is unstable up in the air and the walls have to be tied together and considerable bracing is required to stabilize the building. Not an issue in this case, the barns were open inside and the sills were replaced and the lower walls were open and it was easy to install bracing. One alternative is leave openings in the wall for support beams to pass through and block them in afterwards.
As some have said it sounds like what you want is a jack stand used for mobile homes. Any mobile home parts place or installer will have them. they come in various heights so I am sure they will be able to help you.
Believe it or not, I'm having a hard time finding the Mobile Home supports! I'm pretty good with Google, so it must be that I'm not using the right terminology (I've tried things like "mobile home" jack stand ). The jacks at Colony Supply LOOK like the right thing, but they're (a) too tall and (b) too expensive.
If anybody can help out with a manufacturer's name, or website that carries the Mobile Home supports, I'd be very grateful. I'll continue to search through Google.
George
*** I FOUND IT!! ***
The magic search terms are "mobile home" "metal PIER" !!!
The right height(s), and the right price (about $6 each.) I only wish they had a longer "Stroke" for adjustment, but I might just decide to modify that myself.
Sample:
http://www.mobilehomepartsstore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=PAP
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Thanks again for all your help, everybody,
George
glad to see you found it george. those look pretty good. nice price!For the sake of screw jack discussion, here's an image where i've got a shoring jack and a Simplex screw jack. There's an American Tool Rental in Chicago where i rented a bunch of the Simplex jacks when I needed to do some lifting. They've got a lot of tools you'll need once or twice for rent: http://www.rentalhq.com/MemSiteNav3.asp?alt=AMERICANRENTS&pg=PLSimplex is my favorite brand of screw jack. http://www.tksimplex.com/screw_jacks.html. I found the shoring jacks online... don't know the brand, they're staying in the wall.