If you have Harbor Freight jack stands, stop using them

[Fitz73Chrgr]

...and check the part number
https://www.thedrive.com/news/33572/harbor-freight-recalls-jack-stands-that-could-suddenly-collapse

[70charger_boy]

Wow! I've been using my stands for 6 months straight. Thanks for the post

[Gold Rush]

Guess I was lucky!  Both my 3 Ton and 6 Ton Harbor Freight jack stands are in the time frame window but neither are included in the recall.   

I really was not looking forward to taking my '74 off the stands to return them so discovering this was a real nice start to my day.   I don't think there is any panic needed even it you do have the effected numbers.  Just the hassle of going through the motions...   Better safe than sorry!!!!! 

[Todd Wilson]

That's a bad deal.  I have made it a rule over the years that I always have at least 2 and prefer 3 methods of keeping a vehicle up when I am under it.


Todd

[Chargen69]

I'm sorry, is it me? 

I watched a car fall off a jack right before my dad was to get under it, and worked in the news business where we shot footage of a guy that was crushed under a car.  maybe it is me then, but I determined a long time ago that I was never going to die under a car, seems like discount jack stands are a quick way to do it.

[Mike DC]

                      
           
IMO the newer designs need to bring back some kind of locking pin so you know they're in a safe position.  That was much more idiot-proof on the old ones.  

[tan top]

                     
           
IMO the newer designs need to bring back some kind of locking pin so you know they're in a safe position.  That was much more idiot-proof on the old ones.  

 never liked the ratchet thingy type ! always thought they were a accident waiting to happen.

all of my 10 pairs jack stands are the pin type !  & were bought mid 80s  & early 90s , & are really over engineered !  & would never consider using any other type 
 the 2 &  6 ton stands i have ,  look like they are  6  & 10 ton stands compared to todays  computer design ones ,  ive seen the red ones in the picture above &  they were 2 ton, would not like to risk putting the charger on those  


that ratchet type jack stand is not that new,  sure they had them in  80s  early 90s  

[billssuperbird]

Use them 2 Winners to have my car up in the air returned them yesterday

[krops cars]

Dam problems with quality tools.

[Mopar Nut]

 

[Chargen69]

 

[Aero426]

That's a bad deal.  I have made it a rule over the years that I always have at least 2 and prefer 3 methods of keeping a vehicle up when I am under it.


Todd

Even when the stands are in place,  I rarely pull the jack all the way out. 

[krops cars]

I don't like pulling out either.

[70 sublime]

I don't like pulling out either.

And how many kids do you have ?   

I could not resist

But anyways I like to leave the hydraulic jack under the car even with the weight sitting on the jack stands just in case

[Todd Wilson]

That's a bad deal.  I have made it a rule over the years that I always have at least 2 and prefer 3 methods of keeping a vehicle up when I am under it.


Todd

Even when the stands are in place,  I rarely pull the jack all the way out. 

Same here!  I work for the railroad and sometimes the MofW track guys will have to trim a brand new railroad tie with a chain saw. I have gathered several 1-2 foot pieces of tie over the years and some oak planks that I use for safety blocks.  I don't put weight on them but will stack under the car in case something bad happens with the jack and jack stands.


Todd

[odcics2]

Best ones around. AUSCO.

[odcics2]

                     
           
IMO the newer designs need to bring back some kind of locking pin so you know they're in a safe position.  That was much more idiot-proof on the old ones.  

NEVER use a stand with the tube split to act as the legs of the stand. I have personally seen the welds fail at the bottom strap, leading the stand to mushroom as it collapsed...on my buddy.    Jacked it up, pulled him out.     This was back in the 70s.

[krops cars]

70 sublime I missed the how many kids do you have. That was good.

[b5blue]

H.F. chainsaws were recalled a while back, I happened to be looking for a new chain for mine and ended up with a free new saw! 

[Mike DC]

NEVER use a stand with the tube split to act as the legs of the stand. I have personally seen the welds fail at the bottom strap, leading the stand to mushroom as it collapsed...on my buddy.    Jacked it up, pulled him out.     This was back in the 70s.

Yikes!  That sounds scary.


But, that said . . .  if we're worrying about major welds failing out of the blue, then most of the big tools/stands in the garage don't look safe anymore.  At some point we have to trust the manufacturers to do SOMETHING right.    

The failing HF ones are clearly just bad quality control.  IMO the modern design isn't bad, but it could use a separate locking pin deal to shore it up.  It would guarantee that the user doesn't have the ratchet against the top of a 'tooth' on the shaft piece instead of in between two teeth.  I've done that accidentally more than once.  

The upside of the modern design (over the old tube ones) is that the spacing between each tooth is pretty tight.  Finer adjustment of the height.  

[odcics2]

Check all your 'newer' imported stuff.  Hard to see a cold weld under paint, though.  
Is your life insurance paid up?  

Seriously, vintage USA brand names are the way to go, IMO.
I don't think a 50 year old  jack stand will suddenly fail.   A 10 year old Chinese built one??  Who knows!!

I also have some 50 year old stands with the pin style.
Uses angle iron for the legs and 'strap' part.  No rolled sheetmetal like the red ones pictured above.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Took my Harbor Freight stands back to the store the other day.  They gave me a gift card for $43.

[375instroke]

Replacement Harbor Freight jack stand reportedly fails on first use

[375instroke]

[krops cars]

That's funny right there.