Here’s the list of products reviewed. More details in the video description. Thank you! US Jack: amzn.to/3Bp1zA2 Hein-Werner: amzn.to/3Hm37yF Big Red: amzn.to/3BrqumG Arcan: amzn.to/3UM1BsO TCE: amzn.to/3W1RwJ4 Performance Tool: amzn.to/3HqAEHT Apextreme: amzn.to/3HuU9PA Pro-lift: amzn.to/3WbGQrz Pittsburgh: amzn.to/3YcyMIR Daytona: Available at Harbor Freight Husky: Available at Home Depot
Todd, yesterday I was checking out a few of your older reviews. One in particular was 3 years old. There were some comments on that video from the day before (from this Friday the 9th)...and you responded to those comments! I am actually quite impressed that even given the age of the review, you still took the time to acknowledge the commenter. As you say...Impressive!
Thank you! I spend a lot of time interacting with viewers. I'm just like everyone else. I have tremendous respect for your constructive feedback and greatly value future video ideas! Thanks again!
@@ProjectFarm A future jack stand test should include Wooden Cribbing. This is where pieces of wood are cut to short lengths and then nailed together to form a block that can be inserted underneath the object to be supported.
I just want to send a bit of praise your way. In this day and age it's almost impossible to find an actually objective, non-influenced reviewer and tester. Your content is always absolutely top notch, and personally I always look up if you have a video on anything I'm buying. And also, your content is so great and entertaining that I watch it regardless if I need the product or not. Keep up the great work!
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Interesting test, I've been using jackstands for 40 years and I've never had one break or tip a vehicle over. My biggest fear is the vehicle slipping off the jackstand. So placement is key for safety. I was very impressed with the amount of weight some of these could hold before breaking. Thank you for the hard work you put into your videos.
This ^^^^^^^? I’ve been using jack stands for many years and not once did one fail. Also, when you’re testing the tip over , you really should have set them further apart to balance the load. No one I know would place them that close together under an axle for example. Just another 6 inches further out on each would make a huge difference in tippability.
Considering it has to hold a critical load over a person I would have expected a safety factor of five, which for a 3 ton jackstand would mean 30,000 pounds before failure. At least jackstands don't have to deal with dynamic loading but honestly was hoping it would be a little higher.
@@alexnutcasio936 he needed to test the stands, not the quality of the placement. Placing them closer together reduced the load required and made the test safer while still offering a qualitative assessment.
@@alexnutcasio936 the distance between the jackstands has no bearing on how much tipping force is required. He's not testing how easy it is to tip the vehicle. The tip-over force for a jackstand is a factor of geometry, weight of the load, and surface stability, nothing else.
For anyone who turns wrenches this is a must see video. There were no blatant safety failures, but build quality and stability had some real disparities. Another great video sir!
I recently purchased and am using the Big Red jack stands. Being a Mechanical Engineer, I had some reservations with the aluminum construction and non-conventional design, but I bought them for a lighter vehicle and for the smaller footprint and weight. Your video validates that these stands are about as safe as the conventional stands. I particularly appreciate the lateral and forward force-to-tip comparisons. Well done! I appreciate all of your videos and the hard work that you do for all of our benefit and safety!
The issue with aluminum over steel isn't initial strength but that repeated stress (even in moderate amounts) will cause it to weaken substantially over time. It's why even aluminum bike frames can develop cracks after a few years despite regular city use. Most likely these stands won't be used enough that it's a problem, but can't say for sure from these tests.
I'd say they are the more conventional design, the cylinders with holes in them held up by pins used to be way more common than the ratcheting jackstands, pretty sure they were invented before the ratchet style.
I also have the Big Reds and like them for my smaller vehicles. Easier to move around and a smaller footprint when I'm rolling on a creeper. Watch out for look-alike brands with a round base (not a hex shaped base). The round base can "walk" if tipped slightly or used on uneven surfaces.
I use the Big Reds for swapping track wheels onto a 4,000lb Tesla and also taking some longterm stress off a ToyHaulers axles. They work very well but the red paint will fade if left in the sun.
Testing jack stands was a GREAT idea! One of the most basic and necessary shop tools that is often overlooked and taken for granted. I found some of those results (especially the tip over tests) very interesting. This has definitely changed my perseptive on jack stands and their use.
@@ProjectFarm Suggestion for a 2nd video, buy some used jackstands that look a little rusty and used, then redo some of these tests. Also test the spare jacks that come with cars, like a scissor jack! Thank you for all your efforts, been following you for years now! 🙂
Not knowing much about them, and by TOTAL coincidence, I ordered a set of the Husky stands not 20 minutes before this video was published. So naturally I'm very happy about their showing in this test! The Huskies are even on sale for $29.98 right now, and they'll even ship 'em free. So save yourself $5 per set and grab 'em quick. Thanks Todd, this test could not have been timed better!
You know, this series has really taught me to appreciate the Husky brand more. In a lot of these showings it's usually in the bottom 3 in terms of price, and yet will often show up brands twice as expensive or more, almost without effort.
Husky is cheap but typically performs middle of the pack in every application they make a product for. It isn't the best brand but for the price it is probably one of the most reliable, you often need to spend twice as much for a marginal improvement (for safety this is important but for ruggedness not so much).
Just got a husky set and thought I'd watch a video on them... went with husky over daytona as harbor freight was like 20 miles away vs your local home depot let's just say I'm happy with my purchase I think it's a weirder design for the locking mechanism but it's solid build overall
The tool I use most out of all the tools I've own is a Husky brand 4-in-1 screw driver I bought almost 15 years ago at Home Depot on sale for $5. I've had my Husky folding razor knife outlast most of the expensive brands too. They are definitely one of the most under appreciated brands despite being around for decades.
With 24 years of experience with Jack stands, I don't think I've ever seen one fail. Maybe because I use them properly, or learned correctly the first time, but no, I've never seen a failure. That's why this video rocks!
That's good! Considering these jack stands are rated for 6000lbs as a pair and that's only to lift half a vehicle, they will be well under their rated load for any typical vehicle. For the truck he was using in his tests, he would be better off with a bigger 6 ton model that doesn't have to be set to maximum height to get the tires off the ground.
I've been waiting for this video for a long time before buying another set of jack stands. HF recalled the jack stands and now I always think about the possibility of the jack stand failing. Thanks for the video.
@@DamplyDoo They're probably safe when used correctly, but too time consuming (assuming your vehicle manufacturer even gives you a Jack and a spare these days). For that reason, I keep a full size aluminum floor jack in the back of my truck along with a breaker bar (and a 1/2" cordless impact). I can change a flat in under 5 minutes with the breaker bar, and quicker with the impact gun. I can't always trust that the impact gun is going to be charged though. It's just a cheap Amazon impact.
@@DamplyDoo the only time I've seen a scissor jack failure was on an incline, any jack for that matter. The steeper the incline the more likely of failure. Which is extremely dangerous. Always lift a vehicle on a flat surface. The jack that comes with any vehicle is designed for use with that specific vehicle. Avoid using a stock jack from a different vehicle because of where and how the jack should be placed.
I made a set when I was 16 ( A LONG TIME AGO) and I still use them as a secondary set... The worst that happened was digging into asphalt and I had to get some plywood bases..
I would like to say thank you for making this video and the importance of using jackstands. I have personally known someone I worked with who lost their life, changing the oil in their car at home and their own garage because they're Jack failed. They did not have jackstands as an extra measure to protect them. This guy was hard-working, very friendly to everyone and had custody and was taking care of his daughter and worked all the time so he could provide a good life for him and his daughter, and was getting ready to help send her to college, and he's no longer with us simply because of a failed O-ring in a jack and not using jackstands as safety measure
Life doesn't always makes sense. Some people been changing their oil that way their whole life and die old. Others don't make it passed 30. As a full time mechanic, I started making sure my lift locks were always on after seeing one of the hydraulic cylinders fail. Luckily I made sure both lift locks worked that time. The last few cars before it, the locks didn't engage and I got under them. It was a sobering experience. I'm sorry for your loss and wish you and the family my best. Staying alive is the biggest priority for all living things. Safety doesn't kill.
@@ProjectFarm I did that once by accident. Fortunately,no one was under. Since that day,I take lifting a vehicle very seriously. Thank you for another great breakdown of the quality of products I often use.
Agreed, I won't even use a jack stand without the locking pin. Also when I'm working on cars I like to use 2ton jack stands and just keep em on the very bottom setting that way I don't have to jack the car up that high.
@@MrNiccholas I have hard stories of people getting killed when the brittle cinderblocks holding their car up broke. It makes sense considering the underside of a car can create concentrated loads that cannot be resisted by a brittle material.
One thing I would suggest. To be fair to all brands. I am a master tech, been in business for 32 years this month. I only say that to reinforce what i am going to say. As a professional if i were to use any jack stands they would as far to the outside as they could be. In other words if properly used they are to be placed against the wheel on the axle. or if used on the side they would be placed under the reinforced part of the pinch weld or a frame. doing that assures that even the cheapest pair of stands would fair better that where you placed them. Which is incredibly dangerous. Other than that your videos are always informative, unbiased, and on point.
I was wondering this too, because 170 pounds is easily enough to tip it getting in and out of the drivers seat on the stands. Or ratcheting down a high torque bolt.
Just want to thank you. People don't realize that a 10 minute video took you days or weeks to make. This is incredible. Thank you for showing real results.
Last year I was actually trying to choose between the Husky, Arcan, a few other cheap ones on Amazon and the Big Reds. I got the Husky's but returned them after finding rust inside around the seams. Almost bought the Arcans but they increased the price and I then bought the Big Reds, they worked great on a 3500lb car and can be broken down very small to store. I'm happy they are actually at the top in these ratings too, I didn't expect that.
The amount of passion this man puts into these vids should be a lesson for kids.. you do hard work... you end up with great results. THANK YOU SIR.. you are a star in our home.
I bought two pair of Big Red and the small base makes it seem like it would be tippy. The lack of slop making them more stable makes sense. I feel very good about my purchase now.
@@infernaldaedra Big Red was nearly the best in tipping resistance in the video... Wood is softer than concrete so if you are working on concrete like you're meant to then putting wood underneath would only make it more tippy.
The big thing is to always chock the front and back of at least one wheel before doing anything. I usually sit my vehicles weight on the jack stands and then pump my jack back up to about half a pump once it contacts the vehicle. So there's a tiny bit of pressure but not enough to lift it from the jack stands. If I'm working on calipers or something I'll also throw the wheel under the A-arm behind the rotors I'm working on. You can't be to careful.
I know that you’re not sponsored by any of these companies but I truly hope your channel is monetized. You definitely deserve some in return for all the hard work you put in for us. Keep up the good work!!!!
@@underdog18036 Yeah, but at least he "earns" it by giving us free objective and thorough information on practical real-life items we are likely to be interested in. So we watch a few advertisements - for those of us who are not paying Patreons, we get a lot of value for the little amount of time we invest in watching his videos (especially when you compare him to the other RUclips tool reviewers who are more interested in building a "personality" following by trying to be too cute or clever for their own good, and padding their videos with useless blather).
I like the tube style like the Big Red used here, they fit in tighter places and it's pretty much impossible to screw up and leave them only half-installed.
I agree. They seem to take up less space while still stable. Problem with my car is limited lift points/access due to plastic trim pieces as well as low ground clearance. I also have to back on to ramps or wood blocks before i can even get a floor jack underneath.
Right? If you are new or just trusting you might not notice if the tooth is actually engaged, making the standard setup a real collapse hazard. I've only owned a few pairs of stands and have noticed poor tooth engagement several times, where the handle needed to be giggled down to fully seat. I dunno if the design would still likely work in the event of a slip but it seems sketchy as hell...
@@destrygriffith3972 ive always found a car balancing on some geared teeth a hazard. i was always like, why dont they just make it entirely on the pin idea which is how everything else is done when u need to lock something. and in the video i heard soft metal for teeth. whut. i feel like those shitty manual jacks that operate on a worm gear is safer interms of teeth failing
Yea, a lot of work and he has tons of investment in test equipment. BUT, he also has 2.7 million subscribers and probably his only job. It would probably shock you how much he makes in a month. Not that I'm downing him, that's awesome, but you have to put things in perspective.
A couple different channel analytics put his payment from YT at $5K-15k per month another one put it from $19k to as much as $60k PER MONTH ..... He ain't doin it for free.... It also opens the door for writing off TONS of expenses and improvements to his farm and new equipment purchases...depreciation etc, etc off any tax bills he may have. That being said, I appreciate his work and the results.
I just recently discovered Project Farm, and I'm highly impressed with the thoroughness of the testing. Sometimes there are clear winners that perform better than the competition in nearly every area, and other times, we find that a few brands are the best in certain situations. I really appreciate learning all about some of the things I never considered before with tools, lubricants, and everything else.
I've had the Big Red stands for over 10 years and while I don't use them that often, I'm glad they did so well in this test! As a mechanical engineer I appreciate the thoroughness of your comparisons.
Cool tip: I love bicycles and always have punctured inner tubes around. If you cut a length of tube about four inches, then cut an oval out of the inside diameter it will slip over each ear of the casting and serve as both car protector AND increased friction. Being curved, the rubber will distort to form a valley in the center of the contact point of the stand. Even a new inner tube is cheap and can make slip covers for 10 stands.
From happy to snappy - good one! My father was working late at night under a Triumph Tr3. The scissors jack fell over, the car was resting on his ribs. He managed to call out to my mother who was able to lift enough for him to crawl out with some broken ribs. Big believer in jack stands. Another story - driving into town, saw a guy doing brakes on his pickup, no jack stand. Stopped to share my father's story. He said he was fine. As he turned toward me, I saw he was missing an arm. Some people you can't tell them anything. Thanks PF!
I switched to Big Red a few years ago from HF recalled stands, so happy with these. Not surprised to see them come out on top for value and I don't notice the slightly lower lift. Thanks again for testing all of these! Looking forward to a 6 ton stand test at some point.
uhm, i didnt know about the recall, i have been using hf jack stands since about 2016. i bought 4 stands of each size that they had, from the little ones up to the biggest ones they have. i still use them from time to time. in fact i have one of my vehicles up on a set of their big stands at the moment lol. good times
Hey Todd! I was thinking about you yesterday at the auto parts store. I think a test of the various oil Absorbent sands/ litter would be a great video and a help to all us gearheads.. Thanks for all you do!
@@ProjectFarm Thanks! I saw O’reilley’s sold three different brands (at least at this store), so I’m sure it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a variety to test. Plus, you’ll have some genius way of testing them!
Love your videos! As someone who likes to balance price with quality (also known as value) I frequently come to Project Farm before making a tool purchase. It always makes me feel secure that I'm buying the right tool for me!
The biggest thing I learned from this is to not use a jackstand as a single point of failure, and that almost all of brands performed the same if you aren't doing some stupid.
I have a set of 4 US Jack stands, they are really stable and continue to serve me well. Mine are probably 10-15 years old now, I bought them because they were made in USA and I liked the design. Glad to see they did well in your tests!
This is a case where supporting the only company that is 100% USA manufactured is the way to go; the Hein-Warners have Chinese sourced components so don’t be fooled by USA made. For something that will last a lifetime and your life relies on the product, go with the US Jacks, I did!
Incredibly useful video!! I've got the Hein Werner's and have used them for about 9 years. They were $110 (for the set) back then and it was probably worth the price. Great to see them do well, with mainly their height hurting them. Nice to see the US Jack ones here too. I've considered getting them next time I need a new set.
I can't express how grateful I am for this video. As someone who doesn't like to go to my parents house use my dad's jack and jack stands all the time, I really wanted a reliable and safe set so I can work on my car (or friends' cars, since i'm the friend mechanic :D). I have an irrational fear of jack stands failing ever since I've been working on my car at 16 years old. This channel is a no BS, non-sponsored gold mine in find good value tools and equipment. Thanks man!!
Pipe wrenches are very diverse when you look at how they are manufactured and the way they preform. From the amount of slop to the durability of the teeth and even the amount of force it would take to make it slip or break the handle. I think this would be an awesome video. Also, I use them wayyy to much so it would be really cool to find the one to buy so I don't have to buy several different brands to find the one that works the best. Finally, I love the videos! You are definitely saving some lives and wallets out here!!
This Channel helped my house hold a lot, for one, my wife and I no longer run out to buy the inexpensive things, we buy high quality things now, because I figure, we only have one life to live, and its best to buy once and forget about it. This Channel, Scotty Kilmer, and RUclipss ( AvE ) all saved us money and increased our over all value, because the quality we now have in our things. Not only the quality and reliability, we also feel safe, and thats what I mean about one life to live.
@@dougjb7848 I go out of my way to restore a lot of older style pipe wrenches, alot of modern brands I've seen laying around the shot with snapped or bent handles or broken jaws.rigid seems to be the most common next to all the usual tool brands
Test idea: Cookware. Would love to see how a cheaper set/pan compares to an expensive brand. Possible things to test: non-skid/stickiness, even cooking temp, ease of cleanup/dishwasher test, handle temp, time to heat up, etc. Thanks for your hard work on this channel!
If you decide on a round two, may I suggest adding esco to your brands. I liked their tripod style construction for the base since I’m rural and often use my stands as safety backup when working on farm equipment. (A solid base depends on a flat surface for max stability whereas a tripod is somewhat less affected by irregular surfaces)
I think esco has one of the best designs (safety pin, flats on the feet, wide triangular base) but when I bought a set the quality control was just awful. Covered in weld spatter and the paint was done so poorly (looked worse than a rattle can sprayed by a blind man). I couldn't swallow paying their premium prices for such sloppy workmanship so I sent it back.
Excellent testing, Todd, thorough as always. 👍🏼 My one criticism would be the tests with the hydraulic press, specifically regarding the failure on the US brand stands. Weight is not meant to be supported on the ears, they’re meant more for stability (which of course most people know). If these stands were placed under a vehicle frame in a manner that caused the weight of the vehicle to be on the ears of the pedestal, this would constitute misuse by the user. I think it only fair that the press test be re-done, with the weight of the ram being properly on the pedestal. #mytwocents
This was an awesome video and I will be buying at least two of these brands from this! One call out, the Big Red-style stands are great for when you have a creeper under the car and you're able to roll around on more ground. The US Jack-style stands take up a huge footprint and can get cumbersome in some situations. Both can be useful in their own way!
PSA: Some of the prices on the Amazon links seemed to have dropped! So if you’re eyeing one, check them ASAP! Arcan: $28.66 TCE: $32.45 - The lower priced one is marked as “Wide Base” and still 3 Ton rating. If you opt for the normal 3 Ton, which is also Amzn Prime, it’s $45. Pro-Lift: $42.30 if you opt for Grey color vs Orange
I wonder how many advertisement firms get awarded for huge influxes of demand after his videos are released. Or confused business owners when their orders go from two a day to 2000.
Very informative as always! Enjoyed you included the Big Red aluminum. Was always leary about how stable they would be, but as I get older would appreciate the lighter weight. For the next round would love to see you test ESCO's 3 legged stands. Thanks!
I have the Big Reds and they’ve been great. There is a little play of the shaft in the base if they are not on a level surface. I like how the base is mostly flat so it spreads out the load - good for dirt or crumbling driveways.
I picked up a pair of US Jack 3 tons based on your video. I'm claustrophobic, but i feel much better under my car after watching your tests. Thank you for what you do.
I picked up a pair of the Big Red stands based on your testing. I appreciate your scientific, method for testing, trying to remove human factors etc. to ensure fairness. Well done!
I bought the Big Reds a few years back and they've been great! They're super lightweight for moving around and setting them up along with taking up much less garage space than traditional jacks when no longer needed. They look to have been proven to be sturdy, safe & strong based on all your testing data....thanks for the vid!
I always put the jack stands as close to the tires as possible, thinking a wider base is safer. If you do another test, try this and see if it makes a difference in the side push test. Car ramps, like many people use to change oil, would be a great test. Atv ramps would be another good one. Thanks for all the great and informative tests.
I think the jack stands were put where they were as a worse case scenario to facilitate testing. The devices under test did have to fail for there to be any results to compare.
I did see some that weren't placed in the same positions as the previous brand. Specifically a left one that was closer to the dif. So I wouldn't take it as a be all end all comparison. The general results won't change. But the ranking of the closer ones may have. I also would have tested them all at the same height. Or all around 70 percent of max lift. I don't know anyone that ever used them at max lift. Especially before the newer style ones got better.
I’m not a physician but I would think the position of the stands relative to the ease of the car being pushed off the jack stands isn’t really related, unless the stand gets caught by the side of the tire preventing the stand from tipping over. I can see The distance between the stand being relevant from stopping the vehicle from tipping like a teeter totter, though. If this is wrong I’d love to hear how.
@@Fhwgads11 a wider stance offers more stability. It's all about the center of gravity. Everything is stable until the center of gravity is no longer over support. Things further apart put that support further away too. Which means the center of gravity has to travel further itself to go beyond that support.
This is a real life saver (no pun intended). As someone who owns and uses US jacks, I' am glad to know they exceed their limits. Might be pricey but definitely worth the quality and craftsmanship. Thank You
I've always been weary of trusting jack stands. I've never experienced anything that would lead me to this fear. It's completely unjustified. This video has definitely proved just that. Thank you for this.
Still dont trust them. Odd world sometimes i think. Corruption. Every chinese guys welds aint the best. Thin metals. I think us jack is worth the cost. Because it has a wider base but also thicker metal bracing to help support its wider base while also providing a higher lift hight. I think the thicker metal will help it last longer before it rusts too much to be safe. These thin stamped sheet metal ones sketch me out compared to the big bar welded on the US jack
Wow! Never knew I was missing out on such a high quality review channel. I just bought some jack stands and am glad to see the performance of the entire selection used in the video!
I found the number on that part of the test revealing. But on the other hand, I found the numbers on the vertical-loading-to-failure part of the test very reassuring.
@@dboatright2497 Actually, 130-150 lbs of sideways force is not an insignificant amount of force. It's not the same as the amount of force needed to drag 130-150 lbs across pavement or even bare ground. Maybe avoid changing your oil during a hurricane
I really appreciate videos like this. Gives me a much more practical way to evaluate things without having to do a million tests myself. I thank your truck for its heroic sacrifice.
Would love to see a round 2 video to include some other jack stand designs. I use Esco tripod stands and would be curious how they stack up objectively.
Would like to see the Esco stands tested - they are a tripod design and can be had with either a rubber top or an axle tube (saddle) style top, in a couple different sizes. Harbor Freight has recently released their version as well.
@@trixter192 HF is in court or litigating full-time.. They beat Snap-On in court with the Daytona Jack.. Considering all the worthless JUNK I have bought from them,, They take their jacks very seriously.. I never heard why the stands were recalled,, but I'd bet it was an abundance of caution. They spent an astronomical amount of time and money getting respected for their jack's.. With their over-all reputation,, one little mistake, even if it's user error would be devastating. BUT, I agree,, I'd like to see how they stacked up in this show-down...
Excellent review, probably the most useful review I've seen here, I wish it existed when I was buying stands last year but I still made a great choice in Big Red. I saw them for $50 and couldn't pass up. I'm very surprised the were at the top since I was worried they wouldn't be as stable as pyramid ones. Just a great combo of usability & portability for people who are short on space & don't work on cars daily.
Hey Todd just wanna make sure you know how appreciated you are for making these videos I always reference everything that you post and try to make sure I get the best deal. maybe you could do automatic/ center punches I’ve been having trouble finding a good one for work
I’ve gotta say you’re definitely hands down one of my favorite RUclipsrs cause you STILL respond to our questions no matter how many subscribers you get and I respect you so much for that sir! I also love your high quality content you always make.
The big red jack looks like the best design, in my opinion. Having a pin go all the way through the metal on the centerline is really reassuring since there's no other mechanism that can fail
I love mine. They’re well made with no wobble, which is reassuring. The pin makes them a little slower to use, but I’ve never pinched my hand like I have with the traditional style release. I also thought the small base would allow them to tip easily, but this test from PF alleviates those concerns.
I agree, I also like being able to put it much nearer the jack since its not as wide and bulky near the foot as traditional designs. Also that large base surface might even work well on softer footing; I'm not always on asphalt!
If I was in the market for another set of stands I'd get those US Jack stands, second those Big Red. I'd put the side to side and frt/rear stability as one of the most important factors....I lost a very close friend( seasoned mechanic) when the stands tipped in sideways fashion as in your tests. The car fell on his chest and prevented him being able to breathe.
Only used a jack stand occasionally and fortunately, none have failed, so it was absolutely great to see your tests and what to look for when getting them.
In general, Husky really seems to sit right at the edge of the Value/Performance curve just before it shoots up, and this seems to be the case with all their tools. Cheap and simple, supplies the everyman with ample headroom. Just as your video shows, the only true overall upgrade from here is Professional/Industrial grade equipment.
Coupled with the lifetime warranty that Husky tools come with they are hard to beat for the average DIYer. Just walk into HD with the broken tool and walk out with a new one. Edit: The jack stands come with a 1yr warranty. It appears that Husky hand tools come with the lifetime warranty.
I knew it. I wanted to know which were the best jackstands, so all I put into the search bar was “Project Farm jackstands”. And there it was. Best review channel in history.
I love how you design & execute all your own texting methods to get real-world results that actually have meaning... it's not like there's established methodology to all the stuff you test! There is for some of course, but your scientific application of creativity is one of my favorite parts of your channel. And the results of course. Haha. Thanks for the content!
I feel better after watching this video working underneath my car!! But as others have said, it definitely matters that you use them properly! This includes the working surface being level, flat, & HARD. It also includes not using wood improperly, as it might split, or be positioned wrong. And it also includes knowing what parts on the vehicle are ok to jack! (Unsprung vs sprung, frame vs body, flat metal vs pinch welds, this rusty spot vs that rusty spot, etc)
Yeah if you can it is always a good idea to have a safety back up. Sure the jackstands will probably be fine. But accidents happen in those outside edge cases. So strategically sliding a tire under a car or something might help.
Very cool. I've never been a fan of the generic jack stand design, so I've owned "Big Red" (different brand, exact same material/design) jack stands for several years now. Glad to see they held up in your testing! I'm curious if they would simply slide along the floor instead of tipping over if placed in wider positions on the frame of the vehicle.
@@ProjectFarm Building off @John McCann's statement. I would love to see a test of the 2 ton stands as lots people with smaller cars would be using those for the lower profile in their vehicles. Plus seeing that comparison would just be down right cool!
Appreciate the review. Think its been mentioned, but the ESCO 10499/10498 are fan favorites at the track. They are technically 6T jacks since they're rated at 3 each, but priced competitively @ 60ea (100-120 a pair) and have a nice pad & pin system. Definitely should do a review with them given how popular they are.
Absolutely. I have a pair of each and would not get any others on the market. Much stronger design and stability. Jack stands are the absolute last place I would try to save money.
@@redneck4528 by track, I dont mean professional races. Race cars have completely different lifting requirements. They aren't using jack stands most of the time. I was referring to hobbyists at track.
I have the ESCOs as well and love them. I always feel safe under any vehicle with them. Fun fact, HF just ripped them off and made an almost exact clone.
I just traded in my old Pittsburgh 3 ton +20 year old jack stands for new Daytona 3 tons. 2 sets, I always double jack stand. They were on the voluntary recall list. Since the Daytonas are on sale right now at half normal price, it was an even swap. Never had a problem with the Pittsburgh ones, but wanted a locking pin, which the Daytonas have. 2 thumbs up to Harbor Freight. No questions asked, seems they want to make sure no jack stands fail, no matter warranty, recall, or whatever. Also, last year I bought some Northern Tool "Iron Ton" 3 tons as a backup, I would NEVER trust them for rated capacity. Good for holding up an engine or tranny maybe, but pretty thin steel. They do have a locking pin though, only reason I bought em, and on sale. Thanks Project Farm for all your hard work making us safe and informed: VERY Impressive 🎉🎉
For guys and gals that crawl under their trucks this is a great video. Trust that jackstand with your life? Know what you have and be safe out there. It's a lot of fun testing jack stands unless your under them. Another great video, Todd.
They don’t “wear out” and as long as you don’t leave them outside 24/7, jack stands should last you for your life, so it’s definitely a good idea to get the best.
What is "the best"? You want jackstands made for open-pit mining trucks to work on your Camry? When I began working in construction I went by that rule, and ended up with heavy clumsy tools that couldn't fit into tight spaces. If you have an F-350, get heavy-duty stands that are adequate, but if you drive a Ranger, you don't need anything that rugged. And if you need to torque anything around 100 lb/ft on a vehicle on stands, arrange the torque wrench so you're applying force vertically, not horizontally, or at least diagonally. I avoid the bottom end, but shoot for the bottom of the midrange in price, and avoid the bells, whistles, and novelties that add more to the price than they return in value.
After years of using various other jack stands I finally invested in US Jack. Wish I had bought them sooner! High quality tools are just so nice to use.
Great project! I originally had the Pittsburgh stands and returned them due to the recall a few years back even though mine worked perfectly fine but could not find any replacements of any kind at retail. So I bit the bullet and got the US Jacks and the build quality comparison is off the charts. Totally worth the inflated price for something so well made and durable.
A great set of tests, and love PF and his enthusiasm for his work! A couple of observations I made while watching. At 8:01 the U.S. Jack has the pawls facing away from us and after tipping over, we see the bottom bracing rod is bent on the side opposite the pawl when struck by the tire. Later when testing on the rubber mat at 10:00 , the pawls are facing us so assuming this was done after the first test, I MIGHT see a slight bend in the bracing rod, so either it was straightened or a new one used, as not visually discernable. His placement of the stands was consistent across all brands and tests. The rod material of the braces would have an advantage when straightened out over flat steel as flat likely to crease in the first place based on material cross section but any stand that tipped under load should be replaced anyway.
Just ONE thing I (myself) would NEVER do.... place the jack stands near the "pumpkin" on the rear axle = Minimum Stability & very dangerous. Always place them at the widest point for maximum stability, if at all possible. Other than that.... Absolutely Fabulous Content, quality, and Unbiased HONESTY.... as per usual, with you! Another Great video and potential life saver!! Well Done!
Nice to know that even the really cheap ones can handle more than 3x listed SWL, even with the load on the extremities of the support pad instead of being centered. As note, for those who don't know, 3x SWL is a common test load for a lot of lifting and support equipment.
I can’t thank you enough for this video, I would be interested in a 6 ton follow up as well as the tri-leg style stands thrown in. You are the best RUclipsr and make a huge positive impact in the quality of my garage life!
A superb stand used in the (many) thousands by self-service and other salvage yards is made of two steel rims. Lay one flat, place the other vertically inside the cup formed by the first then firmly tack weld (for handling convenience, the welds are not weight bearing) then repeat for as many as you desire. They're especially good for trucks and farm equipment. Project Farm's carbide recip saw blade reviews are why I just bought Freud carbide blades to cut off about 20 tire carcasses to make a batch (it was time to clean my back yard....) and the first blade is still in good condition with only modest wear.
Another great video Todd! I'd love to see a behind he scenes video on how you test products. Things like how you come up with test procedures, where you buy the products, cameras and camera set up, editing, etc. Oh, and what you do with the products after you're done.
Great vid and very informative as always. I never go up more than 4 notches on any jack stand. One back up measure I always do (some people may think is ridiculous) I use a back up set of stands just in case something happens. Just put them in a different position so if something happens they will catch the car and, give you a few seconds extra to get the hell from under the car.
Great video! Others have said this, but i agree that testing the Esco would be VERY interesting considering their unique design. Keep up the good work!
Here’s the list of products reviewed. More details in the video description. Thank you!
US Jack: amzn.to/3Bp1zA2
Hein-Werner: amzn.to/3Hm37yF
Big Red: amzn.to/3BrqumG
Arcan: amzn.to/3UM1BsO
TCE: amzn.to/3W1RwJ4
Performance Tool: amzn.to/3HqAEHT
Apextreme: amzn.to/3HuU9PA
Pro-lift: amzn.to/3WbGQrz
Pittsburgh: amzn.to/3YcyMIR
Daytona: Available at Harbor Freight
Husky: Available at Home Depot
Test idea: Surge protector power strips - I’ve taken quite a few apart and they vary widely in protection and construction quality.
I second this
Yes please!
Fourthed!
Fithed
The best surge protection is unplugged.
Todd, yesterday I was checking out a few of your older reviews. One in particular was 3 years old. There were some comments on that video from the day before (from this Friday the 9th)...and you responded to those comments! I am actually quite impressed that even given the age of the review, you still took the time to acknowledge the commenter. As you say...Impressive!
Thank you! I spend a lot of time interacting with viewers. I'm just like everyone else. I have tremendous respect for your constructive feedback and greatly value future video ideas! Thanks again!
@@ProjectFarm Out STAND ing!
Emails from yt
@@ProjectFarm A future jack stand test should include Wooden Cribbing. This is where pieces of wood are cut to short lengths and then nailed together to form a block that can be inserted underneath the object to be supported.
@@animejanai4657
I use lengths cut from a straight pine log -- no nailing necessary.
I just want to send a bit of praise your way. In this day and age it's almost impossible to find an actually objective, non-influenced reviewer and tester. Your content is always absolutely top notch, and personally I always look up if you have a video on anything I'm buying.
And also, your content is so great and entertaining that I watch it regardless if I need the product or not. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, will do!
Even with the current dip in crypto currency's I'm glad I can smile 🙂back at my portfolio of $78,160 built from my weekly trading I have received my sixth withdrawal which is every 14 business days per trade all thanks to my Advisor fergus Waylen
I have also been trading with him and the profits are secured and over a 100% return on investment directly sent to your wallet.
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@@Kristenshwan Same here, started with $3,000 now earning $28,300 bi-weekly profits with his trading program.
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What an absolute legend pushing his own truck off the stands a hundred times just to show us the difference. Thanks for what you do!
You are welcome!
He even dressed it up in it’s tire chains
Apparently you didn't see the episode where he tests pickups to see which bounces highest. It's all writeoffs.
@Amarissimus I sure didnt!
@Tobias Saibot He also doesnt take sponsors like the other chumps. That isn't cheap
Interesting test, I've been using jackstands for 40 years and I've never had one break or tip a vehicle over. My biggest fear is the vehicle slipping off the jackstand. So placement is key for safety. I was very impressed with the amount of weight some of these could hold before breaking. Thank you for the hard work you put into your videos.
Thanks and you are welcome!
This ^^^^^^^? I’ve been using jack stands for many years and not once did one fail. Also, when you’re testing the tip over , you really should have set them further apart to balance the load. No one I know would place them that close together under an axle for example. Just another 6 inches further out on each would make a huge difference in tippability.
Considering it has to hold a critical load over a person I would have expected a safety factor of five, which for a 3 ton jackstand would mean 30,000 pounds before failure. At least jackstands don't have to deal with dynamic loading but honestly was hoping it would be a little higher.
@@alexnutcasio936 he needed to test the stands, not the quality of the placement. Placing them closer together reduced the load required and made the test safer while still offering a qualitative assessment.
@@alexnutcasio936 the distance between the jackstands has no bearing on how much tipping force is required. He's not testing how easy it is to tip the vehicle. The tip-over force for a jackstand is a factor of geometry, weight of the load, and surface stability, nothing else.
For anyone who turns wrenches this is a must see video. There were no blatant safety failures, but build quality and stability had some real disparities. Another great video sir!
Thanks!
Absolutely!!!
I recently purchased and am using the Big Red jack stands. Being a Mechanical Engineer, I had some reservations with the aluminum construction and non-conventional design, but I bought them for a lighter vehicle and for the smaller footprint and weight. Your video validates that these stands are about as safe as the conventional stands. I particularly appreciate the lateral and forward force-to-tip comparisons. Well done! I appreciate all of your videos and the hard work that you do for all of our benefit and safety!
The issue with aluminum over steel isn't initial strength but that repeated stress (even in moderate amounts) will cause it to weaken substantially over time. It's why even aluminum bike frames can develop cracks after a few years despite regular city use. Most likely these stands won't be used enough that it's a problem, but can't say for sure from these tests.
I'd say they are the more conventional design, the cylinders with holes in them held up by pins used to be way more common than the ratcheting jackstands, pretty sure they were invented before the ratchet style.
I also have the Big Reds and like them for my smaller vehicles. Easier to move around and a smaller footprint when I'm rolling on a creeper.
Watch out for look-alike brands with a round base (not a hex shaped base). The round base can "walk" if tipped slightly or used on uneven surfaces.
I use the Big Reds for swapping track wheels onto a 4,000lb Tesla and also taking some longterm stress off a ToyHaulers axles. They work very well but the red paint will fade if left in the sun.
I have had the Big Red jacks for years and love them. No issues ever but I do use them properly and on a flat concrete garage floor or my driveway.
This channel is an absolute gem. For something as critical as a jack stand, you're potentially saving lives.
Thank you!
Testing jack stands was a GREAT idea! One of the most basic and necessary shop tools that is often overlooked and taken for granted. I found some of those results (especially the tip over tests) very interesting. This has definitely changed my perseptive on jack stands and their use.
Thanks!
@@ProjectFarm Suggestion for a 2nd video, buy some used jackstands that look a little rusty and used, then redo some of these tests. Also test the spare jacks that come with cars, like a scissor jack! Thank you for all your efforts, been following you for years now! 🙂
I'll never stop being amazed by how thorough your testing is, as well as the incredible amount to time that goes into making these videos. Thank you!
Very impressive!
Thanks and you are welcome!
I think he tests tougher than the companies themselves. 🤦♂️🤪
In all reality you don’t need to be on the highest setting…
Not knowing much about them, and by TOTAL coincidence, I ordered a set of the Husky stands not 20 minutes before this video was published. So naturally I'm very happy about their showing in this test! The Huskies are even on sale for $29.98 right now, and they'll even ship 'em free. So save yourself $5 per set and grab 'em quick. Thanks Todd, this test could not have been timed better!
You know, this series has really taught me to appreciate the Husky brand more. In a lot of these showings it's usually in the bottom 3 in terms of price, and yet will often show up brands twice as expensive or more, almost without effort.
Thanks for the feedback.
Husky is cheap but typically performs middle of the pack in every application they make a product for. It isn't the best brand but for the price it is probably one of the most reliable, you often need to spend twice as much for a marginal improvement (for safety this is important but for ruggedness not so much).
Just got a husky set and thought I'd watch a video on them... went with husky over daytona as harbor freight was like 20 miles away vs your local home depot let's just say I'm happy with my purchase I think it's a weirder design for the locking mechanism but it's solid build overall
what is the part number for the Husky? Seems its a little different on HD's website
The tool I use most out of all the tools I've own is a Husky brand 4-in-1 screw driver I bought almost 15 years ago at Home Depot on sale for $5. I've had my Husky folding razor knife outlast most of the expensive brands too. They are definitely one of the most under appreciated brands despite being around for decades.
With 24 years of experience with Jack stands, I don't think I've ever seen one fail. Maybe because I use them properly, or learned correctly the first time, but no, I've never seen a failure. That's why this video rocks!
That's good! Considering these jack stands are rated for 6000lbs as a pair and that's only to lift half a vehicle, they will be well under their rated load for any typical vehicle. For the truck he was using in his tests, he would be better off with a bigger 6 ton model that doesn't have to be set to maximum height to get the tires off the ground.
I've been waiting for this video for a long time before buying another set of jack stands. HF recalled the jack stands and now I always think about the possibility of the jack stand failing. Thanks for the video.
@@DamplyDoo They're probably safe when used correctly, but too time consuming (assuming your vehicle manufacturer even gives you a Jack and a spare these days). For that reason, I keep a full size aluminum floor jack in the back of my truck along with a breaker bar (and a 1/2" cordless impact). I can change a flat in under 5 minutes with the breaker bar, and quicker with the impact gun.
I can't always trust that the impact gun is going to be charged though. It's just a cheap Amazon impact.
@@DamplyDoo the only time I've seen a scissor jack failure was on an incline, any jack for that matter. The steeper the incline the more likely of failure. Which is extremely dangerous. Always lift a vehicle on a flat surface. The jack that comes with any vehicle is designed for use with that specific vehicle. Avoid using a stock jack from a different vehicle because of where and how the jack should be placed.
I made a set when I was 16 ( A LONG TIME AGO) and I still use them as a secondary set... The worst that happened was digging into asphalt and I had to get some plywood bases..
I would like to say thank you for making this video and the importance of using jackstands. I have personally known someone I worked with who lost their life, changing the oil in their car at home and their own garage because they're Jack failed. They did not have jackstands as an extra measure to protect them. This guy was hard-working, very friendly to everyone and had custody and was taking care of his daughter and worked all the time so he could provide a good life for him and his daughter, and was getting ready to help send her to college, and he's no longer with us simply because of a failed O-ring in a jack and not using jackstands as safety measure
You are welcome! So sorry to hear! I certainly hope this video will make an impact on the importance of safety!
Life doesn't always makes sense. Some people been changing their oil that way their whole life and die old. Others don't make it passed 30. As a full time mechanic, I started making sure my lift locks were always on after seeing one of the hydraulic cylinders fail. Luckily I made sure both lift locks worked that time. The last few cars before it, the locks didn't engage and I got under them. It was a sobering experience. I'm sorry for your loss and wish you and the family my best. Staying alive is the biggest priority for all living things. Safety doesn't kill.
That's horrible. I drive my car onto ramps, using Jack stands as a precaution. I also had a friend that was injured using only a Jack.
I think any jack stands are better then no jack stands. Some knuckleheads still don't use any
Great point! I hope this video helps motivate everyone to use them. I was really surprised by how easily I pushed the vehicle off of the stands
@@ProjectFarm I did that once by accident. Fortunately,no one was under. Since that day,I take lifting a vehicle very seriously. Thank you for another great breakdown of the quality of products I often use.
I suggest a cinder block or 8x8 piece of wood. I know I've used either of those.
Agreed, I won't even use a jack stand without the locking pin. Also when I'm working on cars I like to use 2ton jack stands and just keep em on the very bottom setting that way I don't have to jack the car up that high.
@@MrNiccholas I have hard stories of people getting killed when the brittle cinderblocks holding their car up broke. It makes sense considering the underside of a car can create concentrated loads that cannot be resisted by a brittle material.
One thing I would suggest. To be fair to all brands. I am a master tech, been in business for 32 years this month. I only say that to reinforce what i am going to say. As a professional if i were to use any jack stands they would as far to the outside as they could be. In other words if properly used they are to be placed against the wheel on the axle. or if used on the side they would be placed under the reinforced part of the pinch weld or a frame. doing that assures that even the cheapest pair of stands would fair better that where you placed them. Which is incredibly dangerous. Other than that your videos are always informative, unbiased, and on point.
It was likely to be for a worst case scenario, as well to not have his tires land on the jacks each time and crush them
I was wondering this too, because 170 pounds is easily enough to tip it getting in and out of the drivers seat on the stands. Or ratcheting down a high torque bolt.
I swear jack stands are designed in a way to increase anxiety
We are going to test that
Great point!
My anxiety watching this was through the roof !
I agree. This was, by far, not the most comfortable video to watch 😂
Lol. Soooo right.
Just want to thank you. People don't realize that a 10 minute video took you days or weeks to make. This is incredible. Thank you for showing real results.
Thanks and you are welcome!
This guy has to be the best product tester on YT, bar none.
Kudos to you, Project Farm!
Thanks so much!
@@ProjectFarm when are we gonna see "Project Farm approved" on product packaging?? A QR code leading to the video showing the testing!?
PROJECT FARM IS THE TEST GOD
Check out AVE or BOLTR. He tests different stuff, differently. I enjoy PF too.
Last year I was actually trying to choose between the Husky, Arcan, a few other cheap ones on Amazon and the Big Reds. I got the Husky's but returned them after finding rust inside around the seams. Almost bought the Arcans but they increased the price and I then bought the Big Reds, they worked great on a 3500lb car and can be broken down very small to store. I'm happy they are actually at the top in these ratings too, I didn't expect that.
Thanks for sharing.
The amount of passion this man puts into these vids should be a lesson for kids.. you do hard work... you end up with great results. THANK YOU SIR.. you are a star in our home.
x1000~! An Entrepreneur, the American way
Thanks and you are welcome!
Please! don't EVER stop making these wonderful reviews!
Thank you very much!
We're going to test that!
We,re going to test that!
@@markusmeinhard9472 but I don't want to test him.
@@aaronfield7899 I have faith that he'll pass the test 😊
I bought two pair of Big Red and the small base makes it seem like it would be tippy. The lack of slop making them more stable makes sense. I feel very good about my purchase now.
I'd put a piece of wood under them
Thank you for the feedback!
@@infernaldaedra Big Red was nearly the best in tipping resistance in the video... Wood is softer than concrete so if you are working on concrete like you're meant to then putting wood underneath would only make it more tippy.
The big thing is to always chock the front and back of at least one wheel before doing anything.
I usually sit my vehicles weight on the jack stands and then pump my jack back up to about half a pump once it contacts the vehicle. So there's a tiny bit of pressure but not enough to lift it from the jack stands. If I'm working on calipers or something I'll also throw the wheel under the A-arm behind the rotors I'm working on. You can't be to careful.
@@Robmancan1987 Sliding a milk crate under there is good, too. They're surprisingly strong
This guy knows how to make a good video! No time wasted, quick and informative. I'm in love
Thanks!
I know that you’re not sponsored by any of these companies but I truly hope your channel is monetized. You definitely deserve some in return for all the hard work you put in for us. Keep up the good work!!!!
Thanks, will do!
RUclips pays him to make these videos, as well as his patreons.
@Underdog umm ok
@@aaronfield7899 Not to mention the affiliate links crammed into the description box.
@@underdog18036 Yeah, but at least he "earns" it by giving us free objective and thorough information on practical real-life items we are likely to be interested in.
So we watch a few advertisements - for those of us who are not paying Patreons, we get a lot of value for the little amount of time we invest in watching his videos (especially when you compare him to the other RUclips tool reviewers who are more interested in building a "personality" following by trying to be too cute or clever for their own good, and padding their videos with useless blather).
I like the tube style like the Big Red used here, they fit in tighter places and it's pretty much impossible to screw up and leave them only half-installed.
I agree. They seem to take up less space while still stable. Problem with my car is limited lift points/access due to plastic trim pieces as well as low ground clearance. I also have to back on to ramps or wood blocks before i can even get a floor jack underneath.
Right? If you are new or just trusting you might not notice if the tooth is actually engaged, making the standard setup a real collapse hazard. I've only owned a few pairs of stands and have noticed poor tooth engagement several times, where the handle needed to be giggled down to fully seat. I dunno if the design would still likely work in the event of a slip but it seems sketchy as hell...
I made tube type , years ago , real heavy can hold a tank
@@destrygriffith3972 ive always found a car balancing on some geared teeth a hazard. i was always like, why dont they just make it entirely on the pin idea which is how everything else is done when u need to lock something. and in the video i heard soft metal for teeth. whut. i feel like those shitty manual jacks that operate on a worm gear is safer interms of teeth failing
Can we all take a moment to think about the amount of work , time and money this man puts into a video ? Legend .....
Lets not forget his truck's suspension for this one too, lol
But he's cutting corners. He left out putting bacon grease on the feet to see which ones slides the most.
Was thinking this as well. How many times did he crawl under the truck to place jack stands.... That's a lot of work.
Yea, a lot of work and he has tons of investment in test equipment. BUT, he also has 2.7 million subscribers and probably his only job. It would probably shock you how much he makes in a month. Not that I'm downing him, that's awesome, but you have to put things in perspective.
A couple different channel analytics put his payment from YT at $5K-15k per month another one put it from $19k to as much as $60k PER MONTH ..... He ain't doin it for free.... It also opens the door for writing off TONS of expenses and improvements to his farm and new equipment purchases...depreciation etc, etc off any tax bills he may have. That being said, I appreciate his work and the results.
I just recently discovered Project Farm, and I'm highly impressed with the thoroughness of the testing. Sometimes there are clear winners that perform better than the competition in nearly every area, and other times, we find that a few brands are the best in certain situations. I really appreciate learning all about some of the things I never considered before with tools, lubricants, and everything else.
Welcome! Thanks for watching!
I've had the Big Red stands for over 10 years and while I don't use them that often, I'm glad they did so well in this test! As a mechanical engineer I appreciate the thoroughness of your comparisons.
Thanks so much!
I have those as well and am relieved that they performed well.
Same. Really love the flat base.
Yeah, I took 1 look, and assumed that they'd tip the most easily, but I'm glad to see that I was wrong.
Do you find yours sway a lot under load? I don't use mine often for that reason
Cool tip: I love bicycles and always have punctured inner tubes around. If you cut a length of tube about four inches, then cut an oval out of the inside diameter it will slip over each ear of the casting and serve as both car protector AND increased friction. Being curved, the rubber will distort to form a valley in the center of the contact point of the stand. Even a new inner tube is cheap and can make slip covers for 10 stands.
Thanks for sharing.
"My niguh" 💪
From happy to snappy - good one! My father was working late at night under a Triumph Tr3. The scissors jack fell over, the car was resting on his ribs. He managed to call out to my mother who was able to lift enough for him to crawl out with some broken ribs. Big believer in jack stands. Another story - driving into town, saw a guy doing brakes on his pickup, no jack stand. Stopped to share my father's story. He said he was fine. As he turned toward me, I saw he was missing an arm. Some people you can't tell them anything. Thanks PF!
I switched to Big Red a few years ago from HF recalled stands, so happy with these. Not surprised to see them come out on top for value and I don't notice the slightly lower lift. Thanks again for testing all of these! Looking forward to a 6 ton stand test at some point.
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
uhm, i didnt know about the recall, i have been using hf jack stands since about 2016. i bought 4 stands of each size that they had, from the little ones up to the biggest ones they have. i still use them from time to time. in fact i have one of my vehicles up on a set of their big stands at the moment lol. good times
Daytona has some similar to big reds
I love my big red. It's strong and yet light enough weight to easily move around the garage--a big plus for a petite woman.
@@jasonbrown467 your experience doesn't mean anything
I would love a high lift version. As I recently heard, you test things the way we actually want things tested. Thank you very much
Thank you for the feedback!
Yes! Round two! Fight!
Hey Todd! I was thinking about you yesterday at the auto parts store. I think a test of the various oil Absorbent sands/ litter would be a great video and a help to all us gearheads.. Thanks for all you do!
GREAT IDEA FRIEND!
Great video idea! Thank you
@@STAY-GOLD-VINYL thanks! I figured this would be right up his alley!
@@ProjectFarm Thanks! I saw O’reilley’s sold three different brands (at least at this store), so I’m sure it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a variety to test. Plus, you’ll have some genius way of testing them!
I have used regular old johnny cat to absorb puddles and stains of moisture and oils. Works great.
Love your videos! As someone who likes to balance price with quality (also known as value) I frequently come to Project Farm before making a tool purchase. It always makes me feel secure that I'm buying the right tool for me!
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
The biggest thing I learned from this is to not use a jackstand as a single point of failure, and that almost all of brands performed the same if you aren't doing some stupid.
I have a set of 4 US Jack stands, they are really stable and continue to serve me well. Mine are probably 10-15 years old now, I bought them because they were made in USA and I liked the design. Glad to see they did well in your tests!
Thanks for sharing.
u got fleeced couldve bought 4 husky and had money left over for just one
@@takoflame4948 then your vehicle falls off the stands and kills you but at least you saved some money!
Esco 3 ton
This is a case where supporting the only company that is 100% USA manufactured is the way to go; the Hein-Warners have Chinese sourced components so don’t be fooled by USA made. For something that will last a lifetime and your life relies on the product, go with the US Jacks, I did!
Incredibly useful video!! I've got the Hein Werner's and have used them for about 9 years. They were $110 (for the set) back then and it was probably worth the price. Great to see them do well, with mainly their height hurting them. Nice to see the US Jack ones here too. I've considered getting them next time I need a new set.
Thanks!
I can't express how grateful I am for this video. As someone who doesn't like to go to my parents house use my dad's jack and jack stands all the time, I really wanted a reliable and safe set so I can work on my car (or friends' cars, since i'm the friend mechanic :D). I have an irrational fear of jack stands failing ever since I've been working on my car at 16 years old. This channel is a no BS, non-sponsored gold mine in find good value tools and equipment. Thanks man!!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Pipe wrenches are very diverse when you look at how they are manufactured and the way they preform. From the amount of slop to the durability of the teeth and even the amount of force it would take to make it slip or break the handle. I think this would be an awesome video. Also, I use them wayyy to much so it would be really cool to find the one to buy so I don't have to buy several different brands to find the one that works the best. Finally, I love the videos! You are definitely saving some lives and wallets out here!!
Yes pipe wrenches would be a great test.
-Max grip force
-How many turns of the nut to widen the jaws by 1/2”
Etc.
This Channel helped my house hold a lot, for one, my wife and I no longer run out to buy the inexpensive things, we buy high quality things now, because I figure, we only have one life to live, and its best to buy once and forget about it. This Channel, Scotty Kilmer, and RUclipss ( AvE ) all saved us money and increased our over all value, because the quality we now have in our things. Not only the quality and reliability, we also feel safe, and thats what I mean about one life to live.
@@dougjb7848 I go out of my way to restore a lot of older style pipe wrenches, alot of modern brands I've seen laying around the shot with snapped or bent handles or broken jaws.rigid seems to be the most common next to all the usual tool brands
@@infernaldaedra Ridgid being the most common to break? Or most commonly used?
Test idea: Cookware. Would love to see how a cheaper set/pan compares to an expensive brand. Possible things to test: non-skid/stickiness, even cooking temp, ease of cleanup/dishwasher test, handle temp, time to heat up, etc. Thanks for your hard work on this channel!
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Ooh, I like this one!
If you decide on a round two, may I suggest adding esco to your brands. I liked their tripod style construction for the base since I’m rural and often use my stands as safety backup when working on farm equipment. (A solid base depends on a flat surface for max stability whereas a tripod is somewhat less affected by irregular surfaces)
Thanks for the suggestion.
I second the request for Esco.
I’ll third that. I have a set and I don’t think there is a better design out there.
That would be an interesting test.
I think esco has one of the best designs (safety pin, flats on the feet, wide triangular base) but when I bought a set the quality control was just awful. Covered in weld spatter and the paint was done so poorly (looked worse than a rattle can sprayed by a blind man). I couldn't swallow paying their premium prices for such sloppy workmanship so I sent it back.
Excellent testing, Todd, thorough as always. 👍🏼
My one criticism would be the tests with the hydraulic press, specifically regarding the failure on the US brand stands. Weight is not meant to be supported on the ears, they’re meant more for stability (which of course most people know). If these stands were placed under a vehicle frame in a manner that caused the weight of the vehicle to be on the ears of the pedestal, this would constitute misuse by the user.
I think it only fair that the press test be re-done, with the weight of the ram being properly on the pedestal. #mytwocents
This was an awesome video and I will be buying at least two of these brands from this! One call out, the Big Red-style stands are great for when you have a creeper under the car and you're able to roll around on more ground. The US Jack-style stands take up a huge footprint and can get cumbersome in some situations. Both can be useful in their own way!
Thanks for the feedback.
Railroad ties, tree stumps and old wheels do pretty good too
PSA: Some of the prices on the Amazon links seemed to have dropped! So if you’re eyeing one, check them ASAP!
Arcan: $28.66
TCE: $32.45 - The lower priced one is marked as “Wide Base” and still 3 Ton rating. If you opt for the normal 3 Ton, which is also Amzn Prime, it’s $45.
Pro-Lift: $42.30 if you opt for Grey color vs Orange
I try to avoid Amazon whenever I can. Owned by an America-hater.
Thanks for sharing.
Husky is just 29.00 at Home Depot. And the Craftsman is $31 at Tyler tool [Not tested but nice build]
I wonder how many advertisement firms get awarded for huge influxes of demand after his videos are released. Or confused business owners when their orders go from two a day to 2000.
@grizzlygrizzle Wait, you talking about Bezos or Jassy? I need more insight into such an assertion.
Very informative as always! Enjoyed you included the Big Red aluminum. Was always leary about how stable they would be, but as I get older would appreciate the lighter weight. For the next round would love to see you test ESCO's 3 legged stands. Thanks!
Thank you for the video idea!
I have the Big Reds and they’ve been great. There is a little play of the shaft in the base if they are not on a level surface. I like how the base is mostly flat so it spreads out the load - good for dirt or crumbling driveways.
I picked up a pair of US Jack 3 tons based on your video. I'm claustrophobic, but i feel much better under my car after watching your tests. Thank you for what you do.
You are welcome!
Thank you for all your content and your integrity. I was going to buy your coffee but I decided to support you more directly. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for supporting the channel! I really appreciate it!
I picked up a pair of the Big Red stands based on your testing. I appreciate your scientific, method for testing, trying to remove human factors etc. to ensure fairness. Well done!
Thanks and you are welcome!
I bought the Big Reds a few years back and they've been great! They're super lightweight for moving around and setting them up along with taking up much less garage space than traditional jacks when no longer needed.
They look to have been proven to be sturdy, safe & strong based on all your testing data....thanks for the vid!
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
I got nothing but respect for this map. No BS videos which actually help people save money.
Thanks!
I always put the jack stands as close to the tires as possible, thinking a wider base is safer. If you do another test, try this and see if it makes a difference in the side push test. Car ramps, like many people use to change oil, would be a great test. Atv ramps would be another good one. Thanks for all the great and informative tests.
I think the jack stands were put where they were as a worse case scenario to facilitate testing. The devices under test did have to fail for there to be any results to compare.
I did see some that weren't placed in the same positions as the previous brand. Specifically a left one that was closer to the dif. So I wouldn't take it as a be all end all comparison. The general results won't change. But the ranking of the closer ones may have. I also would have tested them all at the same height. Or all around 70 percent of max lift. I don't know anyone that ever used them at max lift. Especially before the newer style ones got better.
I’m not a physician but I would think the position of the stands relative to the ease of the car being pushed off the jack stands isn’t really related, unless the stand gets caught by the side of the tire preventing the stand from tipping over. I can see The distance between the stand being relevant from stopping the vehicle from tipping like a teeter totter, though. If this is wrong I’d love to hear how.
@@Fhwgads11 You're correct. It won't change since it's a straight push.
@@Fhwgads11 a wider stance offers more stability. It's all about the center of gravity. Everything is stable until the center of gravity is no longer over support. Things further apart put that support further away too. Which means the center of gravity has to travel further itself to go beyond that support.
This is a real life saver (no pun intended). As someone who owns and uses US jacks, I' am glad to know they exceed their limits. Might be pricey but definitely worth the quality and craftsmanship.
Thank You
You are welcome!
I've always been weary of trusting jack stands. I've never experienced anything that would lead me to this fear. It's completely unjustified. This video has definitely proved just that. Thank you for this.
Thanks for suggesting dm me on nicegram for your reward ☝️☝️☝️
Still dont trust them. Odd world sometimes i think. Corruption. Every chinese guys welds aint the best. Thin metals. I think us jack is worth the cost. Because it has a wider base but also thicker metal bracing to help support its wider base while also providing a higher lift hight. I think the thicker metal will help it last longer before it rusts too much to be safe. These thin stamped sheet metal ones sketch me out compared to the big bar welded on the US jack
Trust them more than a jack alone.
Make those ppl who roll the removed wheels under the rotors for extra safety, not seem so "crazy" or excessive anymore.
@@DanCocoDotComI've got first hand experience with that one
Wow! Never knew I was missing out on such a high quality review channel. I just bought some jack stands and am glad to see the performance of the entire selection used in the video!
Thanks for the feedback.
Husky was quite impressive, especially since they are on sale right now for $29.00 with free shipping.
Thanks for the feedback.
They're on their way to my house right now.
On sale where???
@@odiarroyo6144 Home Depot.
@@odiarroyo6144
Husky is a home depot brand.
Even if it's just a test, seeing that huge truck tip off those cheap stands the first time was absolutely terrifying.
I found the number on that part of the test revealing. But on the other hand, I found the numbers on the vertical-loading-to-failure part of the test very reassuring.
Thanks for the feedback.
Especially considering how little force it took to make it happen
@@dboatright2497 Actually, 130-150 lbs of sideways force is not an insignificant amount of force. It's not the same as the amount of force needed to drag 130-150 lbs across pavement or even bare ground. Maybe avoid changing your oil during a hurricane
Or maybe put your Jack stands closer to the wheels, instead of touching the banjo like his test
Every Sunday I say Project Farm is on. Every Saturday night I wonder what exciting comparison will be done tomorrow? As always. Well done Todd
Thank you very much!
I really appreciate videos like this. Gives me a much more practical way to evaluate things without having to do a million tests myself. I thank your truck for its heroic sacrifice.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Would love to see a round 2 video to include some other jack stand designs. I use Esco tripod stands and would be curious how they stack up objectively.
Bro, I bought some Esco tripods and they are absolutely awesome! Very well worth the price!
Would like to see the Esco stands tested - they are a tripod design and can be had with either a rubber top or an axle tube (saddle) style top, in a couple different sizes. Harbor Freight has recently released their version as well.
Please do a round 2! I hope the manufacturers watch this video and further improve their jacks.
Thanks for the feedback!
Yes I would love to see the one that's a bottle jack built directly into the jack stand.
This would be interesting if he got a hold on one of those recalled stands from HF
@@trixter192 HF is in court or litigating full-time.. They beat Snap-On in court with the Daytona Jack.. Considering all the worthless JUNK I have bought from them,, They take their jacks very seriously.. I never heard why the stands were recalled,, but I'd bet it was an abundance of caution. They spent an astronomical amount of time and money getting respected for their jack's.. With their over-all reputation,, one little mistake, even if it's user error would be devastating. BUT, I agree,, I'd like to see how they stacked up in this show-down...
@@twistedhillbilly6157 from what I saw the welds were failing and the whole thing splits in 2.
Excellent review, probably the most useful review I've seen here, I wish it existed when I was buying stands last year but I still made a great choice in Big Red. I saw them for $50 and couldn't pass up. I'm very surprised the were at the top since I was worried they wouldn't be as stable as pyramid ones. Just a great combo of usability & portability for people who are short on space & don't work on cars daily.
Thanks! Glad to hear!
Hey Todd just wanna make sure you know how appreciated you are for making these videos I always reference everything that you post and try to make sure I get the best deal.
maybe you could do automatic/ center punches I’ve been having trouble finding a good one for work
Thank you for the positive feedback and for the video idea!
As someone who wants to go into roadside assistance, your test videos and insight are incredibly helpful
Thanks!
I’ve gotta say you’re definitely hands down one of my favorite RUclipsrs cause you STILL respond to our questions no matter how many subscribers you get and I respect you so much for that sir! I also love your high quality content you always make.
Thanks and you are welcome!
I've always liked Husky products. Glad they performed very well here. I happen to be in the market for Jack stands so I think I'll go with them
Thanks for the feedback.
This man's love for his work is only out shined by the quality of his work. VERY impressive!!!
Thanks!
The big red jack looks like the best design, in my opinion. Having a pin go all the way through the metal on the centerline is really reassuring since there's no other mechanism that can fail
I usually just use pieces of wood as stands, nothing can critically fail there :|
I love mine. They’re well made with no wobble, which is reassuring. The pin makes them a little slower to use, but I’ve never pinched my hand like I have with the traditional style release. I also thought the small base would allow them to tip easily, but this test from PF alleviates those concerns.
I agree, I also like being able to put it much nearer the jack since its not as wide and bulky near the foot as traditional designs. Also that large base surface might even work well on softer footing; I'm not always on asphalt!
if you knew how to weld you could easily weld on a metal base for even more push resistance
You know the test results are legit when you see rust coming down from the truck each time when it lands. I love this channel
Thanks!
Just used my aluminum daytona similar to big red. Very satisfied
Thanks for the feedback.
If I was in the market for another set of stands I'd get those US Jack stands, second those Big Red. I'd put the side to side and frt/rear stability as one of the most important factors....I lost a very close friend( seasoned mechanic) when the stands tipped in sideways fashion as in your tests. The car fell on his chest and prevented him being able to breathe.
Only used a jack stand occasionally and fortunately, none have failed, so it was absolutely great to see your tests and what to look for when getting them.
Thanks!
In general, Husky really seems to sit right at the edge of the Value/Performance curve just before it shoots up, and this seems to be the case with all their tools. Cheap and simple, supplies the everyman with ample headroom. Just as your video shows, the only true overall upgrade from here is Professional/Industrial grade equipment.
Thanks for watching!
Coupled with the lifetime warranty that Husky tools come with they are hard to beat for the average DIYer. Just walk into HD with the broken tool and walk out with a new one.
Edit: The jack stands come with a 1yr warranty. It appears that Husky hand tools come with the lifetime warranty.
I knew it. I wanted to know which were the best jackstands, so all I put into the search bar was “Project Farm jackstands”. And there it was.
Best review channel in history.
Thanks!
I love how you design & execute all your own texting methods to get real-world results that actually have meaning... it's not like there's established methodology to all the stuff you test! There is for some of course, but your scientific application of creativity is one of my favorite parts of your channel. And the results of course. Haha. Thanks for the content!
You're welcome!
Love to see you test jack stands that have three legs and a round top and use a safety pin. Esco, Daytona, and Ame makes them among others
Thanks for the suggestion.
I feel better after watching this video working underneath my car!!
But as others have said, it definitely matters that you use them properly!
This includes the working surface being level, flat, & HARD. It also includes not using wood improperly, as it might split, or be positioned wrong. And it also includes knowing what parts on the vehicle are ok to jack! (Unsprung vs sprung, frame vs body, flat metal vs pinch welds, this rusty spot vs that rusty spot, etc)
Yeah if you can it is always a good idea to have a safety back up. Sure the jackstands will probably be fine. But accidents happen in those outside edge cases. So strategically sliding a tire under a car or something might help.
Very cool. I've never been a fan of the generic jack stand design, so I've owned "Big Red" (different brand, exact same material/design) jack stands for several years now. Glad to see they held up in your testing! I'm curious if they would simply slide along the floor instead of tipping over if placed in wider positions on the frame of the vehicle.
Thanks for the suggestion.
For round 2, please test the ESCO jack stands, either model # 10497 or 10498. They have a 3-leg, tripod-like design, and seem pretty sturdy.
Thanks for the suggestion.
This was a great idea since it is a safety concern. I think these 3 ton ones are probably the most popular, but I’d definitely like to see more.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Check out Eskos, I have never been so happy with them, very good design, and they are absolutely worth the price
@@ProjectFarm Building off @John McCann's statement. I would love to see a test of the 2 ton stands as lots people with smaller cars would be using those for the lower profile in their vehicles. Plus seeing that comparison would just be down right cool!
Esco $$ vs harbor freight clones just as good and much cheaper $ 99.95 for a pair
Appreciate the review. Think its been mentioned, but the ESCO 10499/10498 are fan favorites at the track. They are technically 6T jacks since they're rated at 3 each, but priced competitively @ 60ea (100-120 a pair) and have a nice pad & pin system. Definitely should do a review with them given how popular they are.
Thanks Thanks for the suggestions.
Absolutely. I have a pair of each and would not get any others on the market. Much stronger design and stability. Jack stands are the absolute last place I would try to save money.
Wouldn't they be pit crew favorites as the fans usually come to see the race?
@@redneck4528 by track, I dont mean professional races. Race cars have completely different lifting requirements. They aren't using jack stands most of the time. I was referring to hobbyists at track.
I have the ESCOs as well and love them. I always feel safe under any vehicle with them. Fun fact, HF just ripped them off and made an almost exact clone.
I just traded in my old Pittsburgh 3 ton +20 year old jack stands for new Daytona 3 tons. 2 sets, I always double jack stand. They were on the voluntary recall list. Since the Daytonas are on sale right now at half normal price, it was an even swap. Never had a problem with the Pittsburgh ones, but wanted a locking pin, which the Daytonas have. 2 thumbs up to Harbor Freight. No questions asked, seems they want to make sure no jack stands fail, no matter warranty, recall, or whatever.
Also, last year I bought some Northern Tool "Iron Ton" 3 tons as a backup, I would NEVER trust them for rated capacity. Good for holding up an engine or tranny maybe, but pretty thin steel. They do have a locking pin though, only reason I bought em, and on sale.
Thanks Project Farm for all your hard work making us safe and informed: VERY Impressive 🎉🎉
For guys and gals that crawl under their trucks this is a great video. Trust that jackstand with your life? Know what you have and be safe out there. It's a lot of fun testing jack stands unless your under them. Another great video, Todd.
They don’t “wear out” and as long as you don’t leave them outside 24/7, jack stands should last you for your life, so it’s definitely a good idea to get the best.
Thanks for the feedback.
The cheap ones will last you a second or two less than a lifetime.
@@carlmccoy662 ahh gotta read the fine print.. that's how they get you lol
What is "the best"? You want jackstands made for open-pit mining trucks to work on your Camry? When I began working in construction I went by that rule, and ended up with heavy clumsy tools that couldn't fit into tight spaces. If you have an F-350, get heavy-duty stands that are adequate, but if you drive a Ranger, you don't need anything that rugged. And if you need to torque anything around 100 lb/ft on a vehicle on stands, arrange the torque wrench so you're applying force vertically, not horizontally, or at least diagonally. I avoid the bottom end, but shoot for the bottom of the midrange in price, and avoid the bells, whistles, and novelties that add more to the price than they return in value.
@@carlmccoy662 XD
Thanks for this. I’d love to see Esco jack stands included in the next test, partially because they use a slightly different design.
Agreed. Wider and potentially safer than ratcheting design. But I've seen some inconsistent welding, unfortunately.
Love my set of ESCO, & had hoped to see them tested here. Maybe next time!
One of the best reviews I've ever seen in my life involving anything, not just tools. This is what we call thorough.
Thanks!
After years of using various other jack stands I finally invested in US Jack. Wish I had bought them sooner! High quality tools are just so nice to use.
$35 Husky outperformed them all
@@JedemPoKucama but it’s made in CHINA
Great project! I originally had the Pittsburgh stands and returned them due to the recall a few years back even though mine worked perfectly fine but could not find any replacements of any kind at retail. So I bit the bullet and got the US Jacks and the build quality comparison is off the charts. Totally worth the inflated price for something so well made and durable.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
A great set of tests, and love PF and his enthusiasm for his work! A couple of observations I made while watching. At 8:01 the U.S. Jack has the pawls facing away from us and after tipping over, we see the bottom bracing rod is bent on the side opposite the pawl when struck by the tire. Later when testing on the rubber mat at 10:00 , the pawls are facing us so assuming this was done after the first test, I MIGHT see a slight bend in the bracing rod, so either it was straightened or a new one used, as not visually discernable. His placement of the stands was consistent across all brands and tests. The rod material of the braces would have an advantage when straightened out over flat steel as flat likely to crease in the first place based on material cross section but any stand that tipped under load should be replaced anyway.
I too noticed the U.S.Jack deform @8:00 but was surprised that Todd didn't even mention it.
Just ONE thing I (myself) would NEVER do.... place the jack stands near the "pumpkin" on the rear axle = Minimum Stability & very dangerous. Always place them at the widest point for maximum stability, if at all possible. Other than that.... Absolutely Fabulous Content, quality, and Unbiased HONESTY.... as per usual, with you! Another Great video and potential life saver!! Well Done!
Thanks!
@@ProjectFarm ... You're Very Welcome!! Have a Blessed Week.
Agree
Mine are probably 10-15 years old now, I bought them because they were made in USA and I liked the design. Glad to see they did well in your tests!
Thanks for sharing.
Nice to know that even the really cheap ones can handle more than 3x listed SWL, even with the load on the extremities of the support pad instead of being centered.
As note, for those who don't know, 3x SWL is a common test load for a lot of lifting and support equipment.
Thanks for sharing.
I can’t thank you enough for this video, I would be interested in a 6 ton follow up as well as the tri-leg style stands thrown in. You are the best RUclipsr and make a huge positive impact in the quality of my garage life!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
A superb stand used in the (many) thousands by self-service and other salvage yards is made of two steel rims. Lay one flat, place the other vertically inside the cup formed by the first then firmly tack weld (for handling convenience, the welds are not weight bearing) then repeat for as many as you desire. They're especially good for trucks and farm equipment.
Project Farm's carbide recip saw blade reviews are why I just bought Freud carbide blades to cut off about 20 tire carcasses to make a batch (it was time to clean my back yard....) and the first blade is still in good condition with only modest wear.
Another great video Todd! I'd love to see a behind he scenes video on how you test products. Things like how you come up with test procedures, where you buy the products, cameras and camera set up, editing, etc. Oh, and what you do with the products after you're done.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I like this video suggestion also.
As a quality engineer, I love your content. The testing and presentation is top notch.
Thank you very much!
Ok now I can't trust any of this, hearing from an engineer
@@teelee8760 touché
Great vid and very informative as always. I never go up more than 4 notches on any jack stand. One back up measure I always do (some people may think is ridiculous) I use a back up set of stands just in case something happens. Just put them in a different position so if something happens they will catch the car and, give you a few seconds extra to get the hell from under the car.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Been known to lay a second set of stands on their sides under the tires. Takes less space than the old wheel/tire trick.
Great video! Others have said this, but i agree that testing the Esco would be VERY interesting considering their unique design. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!