Cheap Jackstands Pitted Against Expensive Ones

Do You Really Know Jack About Jackstands?

Somewhere, sometime ago in an article that I cannot find at the moment, I’ve mentioned once or twice that many years ago I once found myself pinned underneath a car that had crumpled a pair of newly bought jackstands from K-Mart. Worse yet, one of those jackstands had punctured the gas tank necessitating a rescue by the fire department. I was lucky.

If memory serves correctly, I blamed the ordeal on buying cheap jackstands. But was I right? Or did I exceed the specs and the application of the stands with a 1972 Buick LeSabre and a full tank of gas?!

This bit of reverie was prompted by a recent Project Farm YouTube channel episode that asks the question of whether cheap jackstands are as safe as those that cost much more.

As it turns out, there is more to consider than price.

The Value of the Video

The value of the video is not only how jackstands compare by quality and price, but it also points to several features that a smart tool shopper should be looking for and considering when buying jackstands that goes beyond selecting a pair based their rated weight capacity. Aspects such as weld quality, width, build quality, where the brands are made, and why you should consider how the jackstands you need will be used and under what conditions.

That said, here is the video in its entirety that should help the budget conscious DIY mechanic decide whether paying 2-3 times less on the cheaper jackstands is such a bad idea after all.

Cheap Jack Stands Dangerous? Let’s find out! Daytona, Husky, Pittsburgh, Arcan, TCE, US Jack

And finally…

For additional related articles about being under your car safely, here are a few for your perusal:

• An Affordable Car Lift Solution for Your Home Garage

• Best Floor Jack Comparison Tests Reveal Which Harbor Freight Jack to Buy and Which to Probably Avoid

• How to Replace Your Entire Driveway for DIY Mechanics

COMING UP NEXT: Common Mistake Ford Truck Owners Make Upgrading Their Engine

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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