Jack stands

[animalmover]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone near the Shreveport area has a set of jack stands that they would be willing to rent out or loan for my upcoming annual in February?

[smccray]

I have a set in my hangar you're welcome to borrow but it might be a challenge to get them in your plane.  They would definitely have to go through the front door- even then it will be tight.  They're home-made using harbor freight rams.

[N601RX]

Here is some I made for myself a couple of years ago. I think I ended up with about $150 in the pair.  My floor isn't very level, so I designed them with adjustable leveling bolts.  I used locking collars and machined a deep countersink in the top for the jackpoint to fit in.  I also used 4 legs instead of 3 like many of ones you see for sale for extra stability.

[fantom]

Almost exactly what I have...

 

+1 Very nice job!

[MB65E]

Some good friends have a maintenance shop at the down town airport. (KDTN) Tubreaux Aviation. Dax is the D.O.M. He can do your annual with ease, or possibly loan his jacks for a small fee. It's a good promising company that's been doing well over the last 3 years. I've know Dax for 10 years! Good guys!! http://tubreauxaviation.com

[mooniac15u]

Here is some I made for myself a couple of years ago. I think I ended up with about $150 in the pair.  My floor isn't very level, so I designed them with adjustable leveling bolts.  I used locking collars and machined a deep countersink in the top for the jackpoint to fit in.  I also used 4 legs instead of 3 like many of ones you see for sale for extra stability.

 

With a three-legged design you shouldn't need a leveling system.  I believe that's why most are made that way.

[N601RX]

With a three-legged design you shouldn't need a leveling system.  I believe that's why most are made that way.

Most of the cheaper 3 legged ones will actually have 4 points touching the surface because the butt of the ram is setting on the floor and will still rock if the surface is unlevel.  The more expensive production built models only have 3 points that are touching will not rock. All the 3 legged production units I have saw have leveling pads to make sure the ram is plum.  Imagine jacking up a plane higher than just to get the wheel off the ground with each ram angled outward slightly.   It will also take longer legs on a 3 legged one to achieve the same tip over arm as on a 4 legged one.

[animalmover]

I appreciate all the help and suggestions! Sounds like Harbor Freight it is.( Wouldn't mind having a set of my own anyway.)

Thanks All!

[mooniac15u]

Most of the cheaper 3 legged ones will actually have 4 points touching the surface because the butt of the ram is setting on the floor and will still rock if the surface is unlevel.  The more expensive production built models only have 3 points that are touching will not rock. All the 3 legged production units I have saw have leveling pads to make sure the ram is plum.  Imagine jacking up a plane higher than just to get the wheel off the ground with each ram angled outward slightly.   It will also take longer legs on a 3 legged one to achieve the same tip over arm as on a 4 legged one.

 

Regardless of whether the center pad touches, more legs equal more wobble.  I think you are overestimating the tipover risk of 120 deg spacing vs 90 deg unless you are doing something dangerous that applies significant lateral force while your plane is on jacks.

 

Are you actually leveling the jack or just adjusting the bolts to remove wobble?

[N601RX]

My floor is probably an extreme example of being unlevel, but for $65 month I can't complain. Without the leveling bolts the top of the jack will move around more than I'm comfortable with.  I take the time to level them up.

[markm20b]

Here is a cheap stand I use to take weight off my biscuits while the plane is parked.  They are trailer leveling jacks that cost around $45 for the set.  I welded a small piece of pipe to the top that holds the hard point under the wing.  Although they are rated to 7,500lbs, they feel a bit flimsy when extended far enough to get the wheels well off the ground – probably due to the small base.  They are perfect for taking weight off the biscuits or for working on a wheel though.