Jackstands: HF vs Esco

[bmwstephen]

Okay gang, need some input. Debating at buying the esco flat top jack stands cause they seem to accommodate the hockey puck of the e36 the best buy have heard mix results on quality; considering the price. Specifically the welds are a hit or miss on the three point legs.

I have tried the cheepo HF ones and the jack adapter on top seems to grab the puck just fine too but not the entire surface area.

Thoughts and ppl with experience on both?

[bluptgm3]

I trust my ACS flat tops more than I test any other JS.
ACS are now NLA, the ESCO seem very similar IF not the same. I have not heard of any quality issues.


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[JitteryJoe]

The HF are fine. I have a set of 6 ton. Get the red plastic caps that snap on to the top. They cradle the pucks just fine and they have a lot of height. They are almost always on sale and, I'll bet, quite a bit cheaper than Esco.

Pic of the HF top:

[Twistytee]

I have both. The Esco are far better from a build quality and stability standpoint. I don’t recall where I bought them from but I use them almost exclusively now and I can get my SUV high enough for full brake and suspension service too. Very satisfied with purchase.

[bmwstephen]

With the ESCOs, could you remove the rubber pad and just rest the e36 Hockey pucks on the cup of the stands?

[bluptgm3]

Yes the pad could be removed. However I have been using the ACS FT JS w/rubber pad for ~20yrs now, NPs.
The Esco JS have one variant that has a saddle in lieu of the flat top w/rubber pad.


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[jmo69]

I have a pair of Schwaben stands that I've never been able to use. They have been holding up my son's Talon for at least 5 years with no end in site. I've got stamped steel and cast iron stands I've been using years with no flaws showing yet. Some are well over 20 years old so unless you overload them even the Harbor Freight ones should be fine.

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[Braymond141]

Harbor Freight 6-ton > any 3-ton stand, don’t care what quality.