This might be a silly question…
Why are jack stands preferred over cinder blocks?
Ive never known a cinder block to fail and to tell you the truth,,, jack stands scare me.. I know of 3 guys locally,, who were seriously injured or killed by a jack stands fail.
Again,,, just my own personal thoughts and opinions.
I never ever work on any vehicle while on a jack..unless I’m changing a tire in the middle of nowhere.
I use to carry a big ol section of oak set underneath. , until I thought the cinder block was a bit safer.

I normally use wood blocks. But right now I have a jeepster commando in the garage on jack stands. Its not heavy like my f350 and on concrete. Smack a concrete block with a hammer and then a wood block. I see alot of people use concrete block the wrong way, on their side or on end.

Never , never use cinder blocks. They can fail very easily.

Jack stands used properly are much safer. Large solid wood blocks also work.

Never use cinder blocks.

I like jackstands because they're so light and easy. I usually toss a tire under as a backup

Wood blocks for me also. Those jack stands that I have used have the trip lever exposed and would be easy to hit it and trigger the release of that jack.

I had a friend who was nearly killed when the jackstands "failed" he pulled the drive shaft and a suv rolled back off the stands, not really a jackstand fail, more of a brain fail

Easy question. Jack stands are way less likely to crumble and kill you. As said above, wood blocks are way better option than cinder blocks. Never trust a cinder block!

…….. I’ll add that most jack stand “failures” are usually operator error. Stand on a slope, in wrong spot or lock not fully engaged.

Cinder blocks were phased out in the 1940's because they crumbled on their own after a few decades. They were replaced by concrete blocks which is what we all use today.

Concrete blocks have very little lateral strength, lay one on it's side and put weight on it and it will break. They have lots of vertical load strength though.

I prefer 6 x 6 x 24" blocks of wood over concrete blocks or jack stands. As a contractor and deck builder, I have an unlimited supply of them.

Kid from school was killed when cinder blocks collapsed on him. Never ever use them to support a car!

Also had a co-worker killed when a jack holding up his lawn tractor leaked down while he was putting the blades on. It didn't crush him, he couldn't get it off him and it suffocated him from being on his chest.

Ive seen Cinder blocks fail very easily. Jack stand usually only fail because operator error, which means if u think cinder blocks are safe u probably shouldn't trust yourself to jack stands.

Snowy when u put weight on the jack stands its very difficult to move the lock leaver

Wood blocks

What he said.......misuse is almost always the problem that causes the failure.

That applies not only to jack stands but masonry blocks (cinder or concrete) or wood block supports. Used properly, they work, used haphazardly, they can fail. They all need to be used on a solid base that is reasonably level so they are stable.

But, I will agree that wood blocks in the typical application the OP is addressing would be my 1st choice. But I would not be afraid of jack stands on a level concrete floor either. If I used masonry blocks, they need a solid base under them and a solid cap on top like a wood or metal plate to distribute weight.

Hundreds of thousands of mobile homes set on stacked masonry block pillars. I have 40' freight containers that weigh 5 toms empty that set on stacked masonry block pillars that simply work.

Would I trust my life to a couple of stacked masonry blocks (typical 8" blocks with holes) setting on bare soft ground with a car frame setting directly on top (no solid top plate)? No, I would not.

Application makes all the difference.

Jack stands

I meant to say , my f350 on concrete level floor.

Good post. Lots of proper info.

foxkidd44 ,
Look at it this way , spend the time to jack the vehicle properly and place your supports with the greatest care and most securely for maximum safety.

You are betting your life on it.

Some more pointers -

Jack stands are primarily to be used on a very solid flat surface like a concrete floor. Using them outside on the dirt or gravel can cause them to shift as things settle. Even asphalt can be a concern especially on a hot day. If using them in this manner , place a piece of thick plywood under them to act like a snowshoe to prevent sinking.

Don't use a cheap jack stand. Get decent ones. Don't use a damaged/repaired jack stand.

I have 10 jack stands. Different sizes and heights. If I can , I use more than I need in different spots as a backup plan.

Jacking up anything , level ground is a must.

As Donnersurvivor stated , putting a tire under the vehicle is a good backup plan. I do this too.

I've been known to use hefty pieces of firewood rounds placed flat as a backup too. I have 2 pairs of drive up car ramps , I use them too as a backup.

I also use my jacks as a backup too after placing the vehicle on the jack stands with all the weight on the stands and the jack just barely holding the load.

If just lifting one end of a car , use big wheel chocks on both sides of the tires still on the ground. Set the E brake if applicable , make sure the vehicle is in park.



It's kinda like this , buy a cheap $50 motorcycle helmet and you get minimal protection. I like to buy a $300-$500 helmet as my head is worth more than $50

Don't get into the Darwin award books please.

Blocks on tires to keep all movement secured, first

CHOCKS, ALWAYS

I want one those garden tractor lifts.
But then, it owns its real estate.

Dang thing probably last lifetime outside.
But I have treated timbers

More good info.........

I don't completely trust jack stands , so I use them in combination with timber blocks when I'm underneath the vechile

I have a stack of 5”x 7”x 10” oak blocks in the garage. Also a bunch of 2”x 8” x 10” oak boards, and a lot of thick wooden wedges from the mine.

Jack stands on cement is the only way to go. Buy a good set. I shack the $$$%$ out of my truck once they are on the jack stands. JMO

Absolutely appreciate everyone’s input on this topic.

I use jack stands...and as Yessir stated, always let weight down on to them so the lever cant be pulled.

I'm totally down with that. Good work practice. Having 2 forms of safety measures is better than one.


foxkidd44 ,
Some more thoughts -

One of my practices is to set the vehicle up with all the windows down , hood latch popped or hood open , keys left in the ignition.
The reason being is you don't want to open the doors or get into the vehicle if at all possible. Get anything you need out of the car before you jack it up. Opening the doors while lifted is bad for the structure of the car. Fun fact , convertible cars weigh just slightly more than a hardtop. The convertible has extra steel under the floor to make up for the loss of strength from the roof.

Look up in your owner's manual or look online for the proper 'lifting points' of your vehicle. A lot of times they are on the running boards/rocker panel. Some manufacturers even have little dimples or notches to help you locate them. This is the spots you would use with the manufacturer supplied jack. Generally , but not always is the preferred place to put jack stands too. The manufacturer knows exactly the center of gravity of your car and the safest way to lift it.

Careful removing large heavy parts. This can throw off the center of gravity quickly. Plan ahead , if you know you have to remove something very heavy , use additional jack stands or supports that will balance the change in weight.

I know you may not have access to jack stands like me , but cheap and safe alternative -

Find a pair or 4 BIG firewood rounds. Tough part is finding ones exactly the same height , at the proper level you want to work at , having your own chainsaw and being able to cut them exactly is a huge help. Look for a good solid wood like Oak. Green wood preferred over seasoned. The biggest diameter ones you can handle. Big diameter ones hold lots more weight , are resistant to moving , very hard to split.

Some interesting stuff I did not know!!
The convertible weight being more than a hardtop.

I will definitely use your suggestion on cutting some firewood rounds,, I do own a chainsaw.
I have access to oak,, big ol chunks,,

I prefer jack stands, has anyone tried the plastic blocks that tie together, they seem pretty sturdy.

I would never use concrete blocks they are to brittle . If I dont have jack stands i always have hard wood blocks.

I say use the concrete blocks. What is the worst thing that can happen? Live life on the edge.

Iam undah cars every day...and work by myself.

I use Jack stands ..AND I put my floor jack up...where iam at under the car ...

As a back up ....safety type of thing.

Cinder blocks can.occasionally just crumble. I would not trust one.

I know a guy, Fred, who worked at a pipe manufacturing plant. A leg on one of the machines got damaged by a tow motor. They replaced it with cinder blocks. One of the cinder blocks crumbled and the pipe being fed into the machine glanced off of the side and went through Fred's head. Many feet of the pipe went through his head. It held him up until the paramedics cut it short enough to fly him to the hospital. He lived, but had a hellish life afterwards, until he died. It blinded him almost entirely, took away his ability to walk and made him struggle to speak. It also left him terribly disfigured and in constant pain.

Keith

Here is my lil collection -




Almost all decent quality , safe , no crazy over priced premium stuff.
With the exception of the small pair of blue painted Duralast (AutoZone) ones. The only reason I have them is because someone gave them to me for free. I would not feel comfortable using them alone and being under a car with them. Cheaper construction , probably re-branded Chinese made. I only use them to support part of a car like a lower A frame or one side of a rear axle on a pickup.

Yeah , probably a couple bucks there , but like the anthology I stated about buying A $50 motorcycle helmet VS a $300-$500 helmet , spend the money on safe gear. Good investment. Well worth it.


foxkidd44 ,
A couple of points to hammer home , I've lifted , jacked up , put on stands , used professional hoists to lift thousands of cars/trucks over the years. I have seen it go bad when I was still learning. I've made mistakes , luckily with no injuries. One day a guy in the bay next to me at a dealership just after lifting a car on the hoist had it slip quickly and without warning list 30° to the driver's side while fully lifted into the air. He was a big ole strapping country boy and ran to the side pushing the car back. I jumped into action manning the controls for the old school two post in ground lift as he pushed back on the car. Other guys in the shop jumped in and we got the car down safely.

That has a profound psychological effect on you. Serious pucker factor for all involved. You do not afterwards laugh at how you cheated death. Instead all you can think about is how you will never let that happen again.



As stated by many on this thread , safe and proper use of lifting/securing is 100% on you. The best equipment in the world will not save you if you use it wrong. Stop. Take your time. Ask yourself if there is a better placement or usage of your equipment. Do not be afraid to ask for help or guidance. There is NO SHAME in asking for help/constructive criticism from friends , family , neighbors or anyone else in the know. I still ask/refer to my colleagues for their opinion on something I jacked up/supported. Maybe they see something I missed.

I use stacks of back issue Playboys for cars and Penthouse for trucks. For obvious reasons.

use wood blocks and the jack stands to be on the safe side of any catastrophic event.

Not saying to use them but pre-cast concrete blocks are a lot stronger that a cinder block. I have used concrete blocks in a pinch with the holes up and a wood block on top. Over the years I have collected enough wood blocks and have six jack stands.