Good set of Tools for -- underside Car work (jack stand, hydralic jack, etc etc)

[tussey]

Looking for a good set of tools to work under cars. I saw this at the store but it seems kinda cheap and I don't want to buy cheap tools that are holding a 4ton over my head. Should I get jackstands or drive up ramps? Tell me your thoughts. I found the first one for $64 but can't find reviews of it on the internet or I could get the second one for $66. I would loose the chocks (who cares) and the 36" folding creeper (I want that) though. If these set of tools suck, where can I get a good hydralic jack, stand and/or ramp, and creeper?

[calamari]

dude, I saw that too at my local wartmart.. I was about to grab it and then the low price made me think twice... I don't know man, remnds me when I bought some pliers at radioshags with lifetime warranty, only to have them break within the week. I got a new set for free, but broke in days.. got another set for free and I told the attendant 'look dude, the lifetmie warranty and free tools is nice, but I rather have something that wont break instead of coming here every freakin week! '

in any case, tha ast new replacement I got is sitting there like a trophy. im afraid to use it because I don't want to spend some gas getting a free replacement. 

[jserio]

my father told me you get what you pay for. sometimes it pays to pay the higher price.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

what kinda car? My personal preference is jack stands. Especially because with some lower cars (like the corvette I used to work on), you can't get up the drive up ramps, cuz your front fascia hits em first and pushes em outta the way.

[trumpetguy]

I have had a creeper for 25 years and have used it maybe twice.  I've moved it four or five times cross country for that!

Get a jack, jackstands, and some good hand tools including a 36" break-over or at least a pipe you can use for a cheater bar.  Leverage rules when you can't yet afford air tools.

Oh, and goggles.  Nothing sucks worse than dirt under the car falling in your eyes, which causes you to reflexively slam your head back into the concrete, which causes you to reflexively slam your head forward into the car, etc., until you pass out or get smart enough to stop.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

HAHAHAHAHA... I thought I was the only one who smashed his face into the bottom of the car (friend kicked my legs sticking out from under the car on accident).... then smashed the back of his head into the pavement...

[trumpetguy]

My brother (16 mos. younger than me) is famous for reaching over and honking the horn when I'm under the hood.  We're 48 and 50 right now and he has gotten me so many times it's ridiculous.  One would think I'd learn...

[Jarrett]

Check for a Harbor Freight in your area, or buy from them online.  They have the cheapest tools on the market.

[manofthefield]

I personally got a jack and stands just for the fact that I can take the wheels off for whatever reason.  I may get some ramps someday when i have a garage, but don't need them to get under my truck for oil changes, etc

I got a cheapo set.  They are branded Larin, which I've heard of, but I think they are the same as the cheap stuff you find anywhere.  The structural materials are fine and so are the welds, that's all that matters to me.  It was $40 or $50 at Fleet Farm.  Works well for me, other than the jack being a little short for my Tacoma... so I cheat an put 2x4's between the jack and the frame.  The stands are tall enough.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Check for a Harbor Freight in your area, or buy from them online.  They have the cheapest tools on the market.

ehh cheap yeah  , not always  good tho

[Kasumi]

You have to do your research, some cheap tools on the market if you research into them are built in the same bloody factory that the big boys had them made in, made from the same materials same designs, the same tool just rebranded. Its like going to the your local shoe shop, you want a pair of decent running shoes, the nikes are going to cost you twice the price of any other trainer that can do the same job just because of the brand name. All tools have to pass saftey inspections, if your using them under the car they will have been tested and be strong enough. If you have the cash buy the best you can but don't neccesarily turn down a great tool deal because you havn't head much of them.

[Dan02GS]

Jackstands way more versitile for working under the car. I got some before I started an auto shop class, first day of class I got kicked out...I am 39 hahaa, seems the bilingual shop class was really only in spanish and since my spanish is abit limited I got booted esp when I got alittle heated abbout it. Anyways I did learn that jackstands allow you to get the tires off, ramps might be fine for changing the oil. Just make sure that what ever you get is safe, just imagine the consequences of cheap tools.

[OctaneMotorsports]

I have that Powerbuilt set, got it as a gift (thanks, mom ).

The creeper is decent, the chocks are TINY (useless), but jack and jack stands work quite well for lighter stuff. That said, I had to lift the tongue of a 28' enclosed trailer FULL of parts, tools, and equipment and it did the job. I don't use these as my main jack and jack stands, but they have done everything I have needed them to do. Only downside with the jack is you need a large flathead screwdriver to release it and let the vehicle down.

I also have the Rhino Ramps pictured in the second picture (damn, they are a lot cheaper in the USA than in Canada! Although the Powerbuilt set is cheaper here...hmmm) and they are awesome. When I need to do a quick oil change on anything I pull into the garage and right up onto the ramps. Lifts the front of the car a good foot. As long as the car doesn't sit too low it's fine. Just go slow.

[OctaneMotorsports]

...because with some lower cars (like the corvette I used to work on), you can't get up the drive up ramps, cuz your front fascia hits em first and pushes em outta the way.

...and you wonder why you used to work on that car!

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

...because with some lower cars (like the corvette I used to work on), you can't get up the drive up ramps, cuz your front fascia hits em first and pushes em outta the way.

...and you wonder why you used to work on that car!

lol, it was a '78 vette that me and a friend were restoring. It was also his daily driver.. fun to drive, but killer on gas! (3 spd auto tranny... roughly 6mpg city.. )