Engine Stand Quality?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Canada
Engine Stand Quality?
Just wondering if anyone has dealt with Boss Tools (www.bosstoolsupply.com) or specifically the "GRIP" engine stands they sell. I've never heard of either, but these 1000lb GRIP engine stands go for $69.00 CAD with free shipping to Canada. I'm a little weary of quality for that price. If anyone has some good info please let me know. Thanks!
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I don't have an engine stand, yet. But here are my thoughts on this. I would be leary of any stand with a 1000lb rating. Yeah I know a fully dressed small block is a ways from 1000lbs but I also believe that ratings on cheap stuff are optimistic. Will this stand hold a 1000lb load, yeah I believe it would. Would I feel comfortable about working on the engine on that stand, nope. Spend the extra $, about $40-50 and get a 2000lb stand. Several comments a few threads back also highly recommended the use of the 4 caster stand as it has additional stability. More stability = greater comfort while using.
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From: Canada
I've read that forum, and worked with several different engine stands and I understand what you are saying. I just happen to come across this one, it is the U-shape design so it does have 4 casters (I like that style for putting a pan underneath), and I just wondered if the company or manufacturer are reputable. I think 2000lbs is way overkill for what I am going to use it for. I will probably end up buying a 1000 or 1250lb stand from NAPA.
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That stand looks exactly like the one I ordered from Jegs for about $79. It worked perfectly fine and was plenty stable. The only negative thing about it was it was hard to flip a near fully assembled engine, even after I replaced the 12" handle with a 36" one. That will be your biggest problem with any engine stand until you spend several hundred dollars.
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From: Indiana
Got mine from Mac Tools. I think I gave almost $200 for it. It is the u shaped kind rated at 1250lbs. It spins a complete engine very well and I couldn't be happier with it.
I am about the cheapest guy I know but the one thing I don't cheap out on is something that will get me hurt.
I am about the cheapest guy I know but the one thing I don't cheap out on is something that will get me hurt.
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From: Fleming Ga
Originally Posted by Bart99GT
A fully optioned 427 SOHC, which is one of the heaviest gasoline motors I can think of, was under 800 lbs. assembled. Why would you need a 2000 lb. stand unless you're working on large diesels? 
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From: Texas
It's my opinion that an engine stand is just that, a stand. You can assemble a short block on one and it helps out a great deal, but a fully assembled engine is just way too top heavy to move around and work on. I move the block to an engine cradle so setting heads and torquing them down doesn't put my feet at risk. Also, when torquing mains, rods, and heads down, you should have the engine firmly secure so as not to get false torque reads from a swaying stand.
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by BlueRanger94
That stand looks exactly like the one I ordered from Jegs for about $79. It worked perfectly fine and was plenty stable. The only negative thing about it was it was hard to flip a near fully assembled engine, even after I replaced the 12" handle with a 36" one. That will be your biggest problem with any engine stand until you spend several hundred dollars.
I bought a 2000lb engine stand from Harbor Frieght and rebuilt my 700lb FE on it. Worked fine, I fell on it one time and tipped the whole damn thing over, luckily there was no damage to the engine or stand. I found turning the engine with the bar they provided impossible, ended up just turning the engine by rotating the engine istself. My advice is too buy the 2000lb capacity stand because it looks much more stable then the little ones.
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From: Indiana
http://pages.ebay.ca/?ssPageName=h:h:home:CA
will have to copy and paste.
item number 3876204972
Buy it once own for life.
http://www.schoolbuspartsco.com/WebP...ne_stands.html
st-573a is just like the one I have same size and features posibly the same maker.
will have to copy and paste.
item number 3876204972
Buy it once own for life.
http://www.schoolbuspartsco.com/WebP...ne_stands.html
st-573a is just like the one I have same size and features posibly the same maker.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Canada
I'm not looking to get a 2000lb stand, thats just ridiculous for my needs. I actually think I will buy the 750lb stand from NAPA. Its the T-style, but I think I can live with that. If worse comes to worse, I'll weld pieces on to make it stronger, but I think it will be fine. Thanks for all your info though!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: rockville, md
Originally Posted by Chris_ce
http://pages.ebay.ca/?ssPageName=h:h:home:CA
will have to copy and paste.
item number 3876204972
Buy it once own for life.
http://www.schoolbuspartsco.com/WebPages/b_shoptools/engine_stands.html
st-573a is just like the one I have same size and features posibly the same maker.
will have to copy and paste.
item number 3876204972
Buy it once own for life.
http://www.schoolbuspartsco.com/WebPages/b_shoptools/engine_stands.html
st-573a is just like the one I have same size and features posibly the same maker.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
Originally Posted by jacque_strap
Just wondering if anyone has dealt with Boss Tools (www.bosstoolsupply.com) or specifically the "GRIP" engine stands they sell. I've never heard of either, but these 1000lb GRIP engine stands go for $69.00 CAD with free shipping to Canada. I'm a little weary of quality for that price. If anyone has some good info please let me know. Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
Originally Posted by stupidjet
they sell those at harbor freight...100 bux....i should pull this scam..buy things at harbor freight and just turn around and sell them on ebay...
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What about the crane/stand combinations they sell at Northern Tool? They look to be fairly solid. I wouldn't have to worry about the crane being out of commision while the block is on the stand since I can only work one project at a time.