Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

[bigdee]

I needed a set of car ramps today so I went out looking and all I could find were ramps made out of plasic and fairly expensive considering the material. While I was there I remembered (common for an old man) that I threw away a pair of steel ramps over 30 years ago. When I got home I went into the woods looking for them and when I found them they were rusty as he!! but I kept thinking about the plasic ones,so I dug these out and the only thing I was unsure of was the strength of the spot welds on the braces. I drilled and bolted the braces and painted with a rust converter. I now have a pair of renovated black ramps that I trust more than those chinese plast ones.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

They are still out there;
http://www.amazon.com/Pair-Steel-Tr..._3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1327429499&sr=1-3
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-solid-steel-auto-ramp-set-68365.html
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200339033_200339033

I've never been a fan of using them, and I think many share my sentiments. There is just something about sheet metal holding what could be several thousand lbs above you that gives me the heeebeee jeeebeee's....

While I'm fortunate enough to have access to a 10K lb car lift, if I need to do work at home, I stick with a floor jack, and jack stands....

 

[bigdee]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

They are still out there;
http://www.amazon.com/Pair-Steel-Tr..._3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1327429499&sr=1-3
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-solid-steel-auto-ramp-set-68365.html
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200339033_200339033

I've never been a fan of using them, and I think many share my sentiments. There is just something about sheet metal holding what could be several thousand lbs above you that gives me the heeebeee jeeebeee's....

While I'm fortunate enough to have access to a 10K lb car lift, if I need to do work at home, I stick with a floor jack, and jack stands....

The ones I dug out of the woods look alot safer than those!! I am pulling the oil pan to check/replace bearing so I will use ramps for clearance then jack a little more to make the suspension hang then put jackstands in place.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I use solid 4 inch concreat block stacked stepping up to them with another and a 2x6 works great.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I use solid 4 inch concreat block stacked stepping up to them with another and a 2x6 works great.

Here in redneck country I know all about concrete blocks. I actually trust them more than the jackstands......stay clear of cinder blocks though!

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I have a set of steel ramps I haven't used in 20 years - I always love how the vehicle gets about 1" from the top and the ramps come shooting out from under it. Good times, Good times.

LK

 

[stackz]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I've got two pair of the old style 70's metal ramps that I got through family that I guard with my life and dont loan out to even my best friends or even my brother.

I know they would just go poof to never be seen again. I've come up on them sideways, used them as pivot points, etc, etc. they dont bend, twist, tweak, etc. just unbelievably well built and thick. very nice.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I've never been a fan of using them, and I think many share my sentiments. There is just something about sheet metal holding what could be several thousand lbs above you that gives me the heeebeee jeeebeee's....

While I'm fortunate enough to have access to a 10K lb car lift, if I need to do work at home, I stick with a floor jack, and jack stands....

Ayuh,... I have alota resources available to Me, too....

I know that puttin' bends in tin, creates structure, 'n it'll hold alota stresses,...
But, I use jacks, jack stands, or blockin', preferably Wood blockin'...
'course, I'm usually liftin' alot more than the average Diyer...

'n personally,... I never like concrete blocks, unless there's Nothin' else available...
Even when used the "Right" way...

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I have folded steel ramps, I have never done that with a composite ramp and I can leave the composites out all winter in the bad weather and they are good to go in the spring, just saw to many of those steel ramps fold up if you someone hit the gas when you should have hit the brake!

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I made mine out of 2x12's and 3/4 plywood, but they are a lot heavier than metal ramps.They look like this but mine are extremely used and soaked in grease and oil after 15 years.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I can leave the composites out all winter in the bad weather and they are good to go in the spring

UV is plastic's worst enemy

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

UV is plastic's worst enemy

I agree bigdee, mine are not plastic, they are a UV resistant composite material, they have shown no signs of deterioration in the 10 years that I have had them, and the vehicle they hold up most of the time has been a 1 ton Dodge Dually with a Cummins in it, the farm truck. Of course now, I will admit, during the winter around here, most of the time, they never see any UV, as they are covered by snow for 6 months of the year!

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

UV is plastic's worst enemy

Needs a UV additive

 

[bigdee]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

Needs a UV additive

Yup, but UV additives have a temporary life.....but then again,so does paint.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I had a friend(not overly intelligent so I let him go so as to not be an accomplice to his stupidity) that was helping a neighbor move to California, he pulled her car up on a set of ramps but could not get the car on top of the ramps because the car was to low, then proceeded to remove the driveshaft so he could put the car on the car dolly.



He spent the rest of the day in the hospital but luckily survived, he spent an hour+ under the car because she thought he left to go to the store and he couldn't yell since he was pinned, I bet he has no idea how close he came to dieing that day....

I'll take a jack and stands thank you!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Don't that make anything out of steel anymore?

I had to buy a set of the new plastic ramps. They're light and easy to use. My old metal ramps crumbled when I pulled my 7500 lb. diesel crewcab up on them.

The plastic ramps hold the truck just fine. But, I always use a set of cast iron jack stands anytime I get under any vehicle.