jack stand recommendations

[expat]

Any recommendations or comments before I purchase a set of jack stands?
I've searched and read threads about being wary of Taiwan and China made stands, but anything else worth looking for?
For example which is better, stands with a base plate or ones with small legs. How about adjustment and locking mechanisms - any consideration to safety/simplicity?
What more useful/safe etc, Y shape arms at the top or flat top?
Brand names you would/would not recommend?
What carrying weight would you recommend I look for?

Thanks,
Mark

[makaio]

Mark, I purchased mine at sears. 3 ton dudes, with the ratchet style release ( I think thats what it is called). Anyways, it lets you raise them just by pulling up. I think for the pair they were $30. work great, and look plenty stout.

[URY914]

You need to look very closely at the type that rachets. Make sure the locking "tooth" that fits in the sliding "rack" fits deep into and fully engages the rack's teeth. There are stands which look very heavy duty and are made of cast iron and weigh alot but if the moving parts don't fit right don't buy them. I've seen some where the teeth only engage 1/16th of an inch. It is not a good thing to be under someones car, pulling on a bolt with all your might that is moving the whole car and see your life depending on 1/16th of an inch. Stay away from the stuff at the discount warehouses (Costco, Sams Club, etc,)- go with name brand stuff- Snap-on, Sears. Cheap also doesn't work for floor jacks too.

[Oldporsche]

If you are shopping for a brand, Lincoln is a good name. Either 3 or 6 Ton units work well.

I got mine at K-Mart. They look just like the Lincolns. I believe that they all are now made in China anyway. (Like many of the auto lifts that are made in Mexico). I have both the 3 and 6 ton models. It just depends upon how high I have to raise the car.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[ChrisBennet]

I have some tall Lincoln jackstands and a Lincoln jack that were made in the US and they are very good. I needed some small stands so I got some normal/short Lincolns. They were made in China but I thought hey, maybe they'd be OK. When I took them out of the box the paint was already falling off to expose the rust underneath. (I returned them.) In short, Lincoln quality is a thing of the past.
-Chris

[expat]

Its frustrating living in Hong Kong. As part of China there's so many brands of questionable quality here that inveriably I have to order from overseas, purchasing brands made overseas eg US, Aust. just so I know I'm getting something that works well, look good, lasts and is safe (like URY914 posted about...this makes my nerves tingle!).

Thanks for the posts so far...any other thoughts appreciated.

Happy New Year all.

Mark

[Tacoma911]

In addition to the rachet engagement, check the weld quality. I recently was shown a 6 ton racheting-type jack stand that had a visibly cracked weld at the side support to upright joint.