What do you think of the AC stands?

[70SATMan]

I'm thinking of getting a set of AC stands and was wondering if any one out there has a set and what they think of them?

I'm torn between the height adjustment versus the base size of the 1500NH and the 3000N.

Any opinions?

[carmaneddy]

Excuse my inorance, but what are AC stands?

[carmaneddy]

Thats ignorance, although inorance is "ignunt"

[c2 rower]

I've seen the pictures and I think the design is top notch. Not your cheap asian import. For the guy that wants the best, period.

[Larry Harris]

I use the German 2500 KPTs and am delighted.

Larry

[Zeke]

Originally posted by carmaneddy
Excuse my inorance, but what are AC stands?

Here.

[ChrisBennet]

I have a pair of the small AC (Hydraulics) jack stands. They are top notch quality and the saddle on the top of the post is the right shape for putting under the control arms or torsion bar covers on 911's. However, the saddle is not that great for putting under the flat parts of a car. For example, if I want to work on the front suspension, I place a pair of my other jackstands under the flat part of the body just ahead of the gas tank with a piece of 2x4 on top. Putting a block of wood on top of my AC jackstands doesn't work very well in that situation.
-Chris

[Zeke]

Well, they ought to sell them with both kinds of stems. You think?

[TerryH]

What's so special about these stands? They are rated for 1.7T while most out there are 3T minimum. They also appear to have a rather large/wide stance which can limit work area, but provide a secure load. What's wrong with 3T Craftsman for $20 a pair?

[campbellcj]

They are really nice; I have a set of 4.

The "big" difference between the usual FLAPS type is twofold: (1) secure pin-style locking vs a wimpy little tab-in-groove style and (2) flat (horizontal) contact patches with the ground.

Some racetracks actually have rules saying that jackstands with triangulated or "flat" pads are required for use in their asphalt pits/paddocks.

I keep a pair of Craftsman ratchet-types around as well, because they do have a flatter jackpad profile, and also are a tad lower than the AC's which are are min. 11" IIRC.

[70SATMan]

Actually they are built and tested to double the rated capacity per their safety regs.

I have a 4 of the generic racheting type but, on two of them the set screws for connecting the release lever to the catch keep slipping . Plus they are only 3 ton so I don't get the height I want.

I like the AC idea of the pin securing the jack tube. What I'm interested in between the two models I listed is mainly the height and the number of adjustment slots versus the trade off of the size of the base.

So, for those that have the AC stands, do they get in the way due to the wider base?

They have started making the rubber topped flat jack tubes that can replace the saddle or you can order them that way new but only in select sizes so far.

[TerryH]

HAPPY EASTER!

I got some old orange pin type stands too. So old I cant read the tag on them except where they say "4000". Think I've had them since the 70's.

I should probably toss them, but they contain so many good memories.