Homemade Wing Jack Stands

[Skydancer2992]

With an annual in the foreseeable future, what are people using for jack stands? I was considering something like this: 

 

[N201MKTurbo]

I’ve seen worse.

[Fly Boomer]

9 minutes ago, Skydancer2992 said:

With an annual in the foreseeable future, what are people using for jack stands? I was considering something like this: 

Some people seem to get away with these DIY solutions, but you will be really unhappy if you end up with that jack protruding from the top of your wing (and this was a high-quality jack):

 

[Shadrach]

1 hour ago, Fly Boomer said:

Some people seem to get away with these DIY solutions, but you will be really unhappy if you end up with that jack protruding from the top of your wing (and this was a high-quality jack):

 

I mean yes, but an image of a purpose built jack stand sticking through the wing of a large part 129 turbine aircraft doesn’t really point to the jack stand as the problem. The message is more, be very careful with aircraft on jacks as things can go wrong for anyone not taking special care

[EricJ]

Jacks through the wings are usually not the fault of the jack.   The airplane falling off the jacks is sometimes the fault of the jacks, if they aren't stable or fall over or whatever.

So the main thing other than being able to support the weight (which is the easy part), is maintaining stability, not collapsing, etc.   If they have locks, collar or otherwise, that's a good thing, too.

I've also seen worse than what's shown in that vid.   Those are maybe a bit better than most of the DIY ones I've seen.

The purpose-built airplane jacks are probably the best you can do but are definitely pricey.   I wanted the stability and reliability so I bit the bullet and bought some purpose-built jacks.

 

[jetdriven]

They are not even all that expensive and if you use them for a couple of annuals, they will pay for themselves pretty quickly

[Fritz1]

looks pretty solid, a mechanical lock is definitely important, hydraulics can leak down, I bought a set of used Meyer jacks from a hangar neighbor, think they are 22" to fit under the Mooney wings, the Lasar combined jackpoints / tiedowns work very well, the Meyer Jacks have wheels so they move around easily, worthwhile to jack the bird up if it does not fly for a while to take the load off the rubber gear pucks, they last longer then

[N201MKTurbo]

Without mechanical locks, nothing bad happens. They creep down and the wheels land on the pavement or if the wheels are off, the axels won’t hit the ground. The worse thing that will happen is you have to pump them up again.

You just have make sure they are high enough before cycling the gear.

[GeeBee]

48 minutes ago, Fritz1 said:

looks pretty solid, a mechanical lock is definitely important, hydraulics can leak down, I bought a set of used Meyer jacks from a hangar neighbor, think they are 22" to fit under the Mooney wings, the Lasar combined jackpoints / tiedowns work very well, the Meyer Jacks have wheels so they move around easily, worthwhile to jack the bird up if it does not fly for a while to take the load off the rubber gear pucks, they last longer then

The Meyer 22" are muy bueno! You are lucky to find a used set. They are rare.

[Skydancer2992]

The Meyer jacks are a $1065 each at ATC. https://www.aircraft-tool.com/detail?id=A521

or slightly less at Spruce https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/meyershydra.php

There is a cheaper jack at Spruce $451 but it seems to have leakage issues after a few years.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/alphaJacks.php

 

[EricJ]

24 minutes ago, Skydancer2992 said:

The Meyer jacks are a $1065 each at ATC. https://www.aircraft-tool.com/detail?id=A521

or slightly less at Spruce https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/meyershydra.php

There is a cheaper jack at Spruce $451 but it seems to have leakage issues after a few years.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/alphaJacks.php

 

I have the alpha jacks and they're quite good.   The locks that came with them are effective.   In general bottle jacks are fairly straightforward to fix if they start leaking, so that shouldn't be too big of a deal.

 

[RoundTwo]

I just ordered a pair of the Alpha Aviation 324 jacks directly from Alpha Aviation, NOT Spruce. The prices are cheaper at Alpha and there is no tax to boot.

[Shadrach]

I used to have access to a set of ratcheting jacks. 3 legs with a large threaded jack shaft and a ratcheting threaded collar. They were dirt simple, easy to use and almost fail and fool proof. They were stamped Made in Poland. The owner foolishly gave them away when he sold his airplane. He was in  “I’m done with aviation mode”…2 months later he bought a PA28-180 now he’s in “why did I give those jacks away” mode.   If anyone is familiar with jacks as I’ve described them and knows what they are or how to source them, I would appreciate any info.

[N201MKTurbo]

You mean something like this?

[A64Pilot]

14 hours ago, GeeBee said:

The Meyer 22" are muy bueno! You are lucky to find a used set. They are rare.

They are on my wishlist, I have something home made that works, but I’d rather have the Meyers, but over $2k is tough, so I’m looking for used, but I suspect they are all spoken for and just about never come up for sale as I think many others have them on their list too.

Personally if I were buying new I’d spend the extra grand on the Meyers over say the Alpha, you can home build an Alpha. A Meyers is beyond most people’s ability to build. It’s just a much safer jack.

I beg to differ on nothing happens if a jack blows an O-ring or leaks down, it’s possible if one let’s go that the airplane could fall off of the other jack, especially if the wheels are up or the actuator or other parts are removed for repair or replacement, then it’s likely it will.

[Shadrach]

14 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

You mean something like this?

Same system of actuation but a steel tripod base. Plenty beefy but not as beefy as the one pictured. 
 

No maintenance other than occasional grease. Do you know where they can be procured?

[A64Pilot]

Many “house jacks” are mechanical screw type of mechanisms.

I considered using one as aircraft jacks, if they can lift a house they certainly can support a Mooney.

‘Google House jack

[N201MKTurbo]

13 minutes ago, Shadrach said:

Same system of actuation but a steel tripod base. Plenty beefy but not as beefy as the one pictured. 
 

No maintenance other than occasional grease. Do you know where they can be procured?

Just search for screw jack.

 

[N201MKTurbo]

I was watching TCM the other day and they had a story about this movie star demanding Warner Brothers make one of their sound stages taller. They said NO, so she said her husband would pay for it, so they raised the whole studio 30 feet. They showed it being done. They used a boat load of those screw jacks and shoring timbers to jack it up and then they build new walls under it. It is still there BTW. 

FWIW I highly recommend the Warner Brothers tour. It is worth the money. Way more access than I imagined. And I got to hold an Oscar!

[Shadrach]

2 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Just search for screw jack.

 

I have. None really come close to the units I was using. They either have a good platform but no ratchet or the have a ratchet but a lousy platform. They were made by PZL, the manufacturer of the Wilga as well as other aircraft. 

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Shadrach said:

I have. None really come close to the units I was using. They either have a good platform but no ratchet or the have a ratchet but a lousy platform. They were made by PZL, the manufacturer of the Wilga as well as other aircraft. 

You may have to make some.

[Shadrach]

34 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

You may have to make some.

My list of things to fix and fabricate is already longer than I’m expected to live…

[Skydancer2992]

Looking at screw type jack stands now. For $61, a screw pipe jack. Quite the bargain.  Modify two of them by cutting off the V.

https://www.vevor.com/roller-head-pipe-stand-c_10836/pipe-stand-fold-a-jack-v-head-pipe-capacity-12-height-20-37-2500-lb-steel-p_010585290868
"

About this item

• Heavy Duty V-Head: The pipe stand with a durable V-head is suitable for the pipe size of 1/8 to 12 inches (0.32 to 30.48 cm). The steel structure of the pipe jack stands is more durable resistant to rusk and corrosion. Lifting weight can be up to 2500lbs/1134kg.
• Adjustable Construction: The height of this pipe jack stand can be adjustable from 20"-37"/51-94cm to meet different needs. The locking ring allows for quick vertical height adjustments.
• Folding & Portable Design: The whole jack stand with a folding design makes storage won't take much space. The slip-proof rubber handle allows you to carry it easily.
• Great Stability: The pipe stand shows excellent stability because of its tripod structure. The rounded footpads of this stand are widened. And the strut tension plate for superior lateral support.
• Wide Application: Widely used in the welding of heavy pipes, shapes, solids, and rounds. Support pipe during pipe threading, hole cutting, roll grooving, etc."
  
  

[Shadrach]

2 minutes ago, Skydancer2992 said:

Looking at screw type jack stands now. For $61, a screw pipe jack. Quite the bargain.  Modify two of them by cutting off the V.

https://www.vevor.com/roller-head-pipe-stand-c_10836/pipe-stand-fold-a-jack-v-head-pipe-capacity-12-height-20-37-2500-lb-steel-p_010585290868
"

About this item

• Heavy Duty V-Head: The pipe stand with a durable V-head is suitable for the pipe size of 1/8 to 12 inches (0.32 to 30.48 cm). The steel structure of the pipe jack stands is more durable resistant to rusk and corrosion. Lifting weight can be up to 2500lbs/1134kg.
• Adjustable Construction: The height of this pipe jack stand can be adjustable from 20"-37"/51-94cm to meet different needs. The locking ring allows for quick vertical height adjustments.
• Folding & Portable Design: The whole jack stand with a folding design makes storage won't take much space. The slip-proof rubber handle allows you to carry it easily.
• Great Stability: The pipe stand shows excellent stability because of its tripod structure. The rounded footpads of this stand are widened. And the strut tension plate for superior lateral support.
• Wide Application: Widely used in the welding of heavy pipes, shapes, solids, and rounds. Support pipe during pipe threading, hole cutting, roll grooving, etc."
  
  

I don’t think you need to cut it off. It’s likely an insert.  The bidder concern for me is actuating the screw. I think those are designed to be turned with a piece of pipe. Not ideal. 

[Hank]

15 hours ago, Shadrach said:

I don’t think you need to cut it off. It’s likely an insert.  The bidder concern for me is actuating the screw. I think those are designed to be turned with a piece of pipe. Not ideal. 

Looked to me like the horizontal bars with round knobs below the V are the handles to spin the screw up and down. A quick inspection will verify.