adding height to axle stands

[badabec]

Hello, what does the brain's trust think of extending the legs of axle stands with more angle iron?

My stands are made from angle iron. I wanted to add longer lengths of angle. Place them over the original legs and then weld. My angle is 1.5 inch, the stands are 1.25 inch. So plenty of room for a weld. I would also weld straps on the three sides at the feet to stop them spreading.

Reasonable idea or am I looking at half a day out with an undertaker?

 

[the snooper]

Hello, what does the brain's trust think of extending the legs of axle stands with more angle iron?

My stands are made from angle iron. I wanted to add longer lengths of angle. Place them over the original legs and then weld. My angle is 1.5 inch, the stands are 1.25 inch. So plenty of room for a weld. I would also weld straps on the three sides at the feet to stop them spreading.

Reasonable idea or am I looking at half a day out with an undertaker?

All depends how good your welding is

 

[brightspark]

and have the height clearance for them to fit under on there minimum setting

 

[Barking Mat]

Wouldn't it be easier to put wooden blocks under them, saving the risk, failing that I wouldn't extend them, replace the whole vertical with something longer and more suitable.

Height, though, more unstable?

 

[cheb]

Could you get the new angle on the inside of the leg, the forces wouldn't be trying to peel the weld apart.

 

[zzr1200]

Axle stands are cheap enough not to bother trying to alter them just buy new ones...

Injury is just not worth the chance.

 

[Wallace]

^^^ What John says, I looked at altering a set then the prices and bought new. I have 14 now though!

 

[badabec]

Hello, thank you everyone. I did post about me stopping being a cheapskate.
I shall take your collective advice and just buy a bigger set. That will make it 5 pairs.
Sometimes (sometimes?) I just get carried away with bright ideas that make no sense

 

[W.olly]

I have done it a few times, if you can weld good then IMO its safe. just use good size iron and as you say cross bars. last ones i did for this extended. solid enough and it was sat there being worked. I am not suggesting you do the same

 

[W.olly]

cross post

 

[pedrobedro]

^^^ What John says, I looked at altering a set then the prices and bought new. I have 14 now though!

I bet it's like a maze under your car I got some pretty hefty stands with my jack from SGS

 

[Shedendman]

Mind you,through out the years have you seen some of the so called factory welding on stands,some skinny little bead just about covering the joint,bit iike car ramps,pair i got i had to go over a few welds,just didnt trust the look of them

 

[Morrisman]

Axle stands are cheap enough not to bother trying to alter them just buy new ones...

Injury is just not worth the chance.

Like wheel dollies, a friend of mine started to make some like mine, but pricing up the castor wheels alone came to more than I paid for my complete units.

 

[nickk]

Mind you,through out the years have you seen some of the so called factory welding on stands,some skinny little bead just about covering the joint,bit iike car ramps,pair i got i had to go over a few welds,just didnt trust the look of them

Here here.China has struck!

 

[colnerov]

Hi, When I want extra height I stand them on steel wheels laid flat, if you think that's still a bit sketchy then weld the feet to the wheel. If you use a largish wheel you get a broader base. I do the same thing when on softer ground.

Colin

 

[jimbo84]

Mind you,through out the years have you seen some of the so called factory welding on stands,some skinny little bead just about covering the joint,bit iike car ramps,pair i got i had to go over a few welds,just didnt trust the look of them

I was looking at the drive up ramps in our local parts place the other month, cheap enough but very thin angle iron used and not the most confidence inspiring welds on it either.

 

[the snooper]

If your good enough at welding, you've got the steel and stuck in with time on your hands go for it

 

[the snooper]

I will add, we've all made stuff we can go out and buy, why do we do it ? , Because we can

 

[brightspark]

If your good enough at welding, you've got the steel and stuck in with time on your hands go for it

no different than making your own if your proficient at welding what's the problem ive always made my own stands and ramps built my own stockcar and welded it all together and built 4 trailers and 5 shotblasting pots and comp tanks

 

[the snooper]

no different than making your own if your proficient at welding what's the problem ive always made my own stands and ramps built my own stockcar and welded it all together

And you get the satisfaction of doing it