Every car enthusiast, both beginner and more experienced, must have a set with the necessary tools, the main one of which is a screw jack. This design allows you to change a wheel or lift the vehicle in order to carry out maintenance. Today there are many lifts, but the most popular is the mechanical screw jack.
Thanks to its small dimensions and simple design, the lifting mechanism can be transported even in the smallest cars. As for the cost of a finished jack, it is quite affordable, but you can make such a device yourself at home.
Mechanical jack
Types of screw mechanical jacks
There are many types of lifting devices for cars, the most popular is the diamond screw jack. A screw jack, the price of which is at an average level, is the most stable and compact.
Car jack
The main advantages are:
- The car is lifted along a vertical plane, without pushing in different directions.
- If the maximum permissible loads are observed, it is durable and does not break.
- It is characterized by increased stability.
- Repairable, folds compactly.
Repair of this type of mechanism occurs without difficulty; the screw part often fails, which can be replaced with a screw-type construction pin. If you have the necessary plumbing skills, it is enough to cut the stud in accordance with the size of the jack and weld a nut on the fastening side. It is possible to make the device yourself, but the time spent is not worth the savings, because the price of a screw mechanical jack starts from 400 rubles.
Mechanical jack
The mechanical jack of the lever-screw type is reliable during operation, thanks to the smallest number of moving elements. The price of such a device on the market is not high, but there are a number of disadvantages. The stability of the device is not at a high level; when lifted, it pushes the car body away from itself. Increased effort is required to lift equipment with such a device, which is not very convenient for women, as well as for long-term work.
In the domestic automobile industry, vertical screw jacks have been used for a long time. The design features a long stroke and smooth force applied to the handle. The lifting height, sufficient for any type of work, made the unit attractive to car enthusiasts.
Vertical screw jacks
Rack-mount screw mechanisms are used less and less due to the high cost and specific purpose of the work. They require the object to be lifted to have special holes for guides. If installed incorrectly, it is easy to damage the car's paintwork.
Bottle devices differ from competitors in having a greater load capacity. There are varieties that can lift up to 5 tons; this solution will help owners of SUVs or minibuses. The design consists of persistent threads with impressive internal elements, which allows you to not worry about durability. The price of the device is high, which makes it difficult to choose between a conventional design; such jacks will help for construction purposes and other purposes.
Bottle jacks
In households, special screw construction jacks are used, which allow you to hold the load at a certain height. Under conditions of frequent use and a larger mass of objects, an electric jack, also of a screw configuration, is used.
Difficulties in making a lift
The cost of a finished car lift is high, but a self-made version can damage a person working under it if the design is unreliable. The weight of the car should not exceed more than a ton; if the structure falls on a person, irreversible injuries can occur.
A homemade car lift is made according to prepared drawings, or versions of finished products are used. In the latter case, one has to rely on the author's high computational skills. Incorrect calculation of the base or one of the fastened units can lead to irreversible consequences, at best, damage to the lifted unit.
For a homemade kit, made with your own hands, you will need parts and components, without which assembly is impossible. You can find this type of component in large stores that sell construction equipment. If there are not enough funds for new parts, you need to go to scrap metal collection points and enterprises that write off old parts.
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For small spaces, garages, and auto repair shops, many install a hydraulic lifting mechanism. Now some craftsmen make scissor lifts with their own hands.
Screw jack device
Screw jacks are a simple design capable of lifting large masses of loads. The operating principle consists of converting torque into translational movement; the main structure consists of a screw, nut and gearbox.
A device with a loose nut must be used with extreme caution and monitor the level and quantity of its lubricant. Failure to comply with the maximum loads can damage the screw mechanism.
Increased safety during work is achieved by the presence of a self-braking function.
The device of a car screw jack
The gearbox transmits torque to the support nut, where it lifts the load. There is a more modified screw jack device, where lifting rollers are added to the screws and nuts. Modernization is carried out to improve service life, reduce the coefficient of friction for easier lifting of the car.
The best companies
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AE&T. This is one of the Russian companies that specialize in the production of car accessories. The Automotive Equipment & Tools brand was founded in 2005. Today its products can be purchased in almost all regions of Russia. It is almost impossible to find fault with the quality of this company’s products, since customer reviews are only good.
AIRLINE. This brand produces a huge number of different products intended for motorists: tool sets, luggage systems and, of course, jacks with a lifting capacity from 1 to 16 tons. All AIRLINE products are painted in the signature orange color.
Forsage. Mainly hydraulic jacks are produced under this brand. Their body is painted blue-gray. These products are manufactured in China, but this in no way affects their quality. Products can serve customers well for many years.
Main features of a rack and pinion jack
The list of works performed by jacks can be listed endlessly. The rack and pinion design mechanism stands out from its competitors, which is useful in conditions remote from service when repairing a car.
Rack jack
Rack jack device
The design of the mechanism has increased dimensions; it can hardly fit into the trunk of a passenger vehicle. The technical characteristics and features of the rack jack correspond to the dimensions; the design allows you to lift a load weighing up to two tons to a height of more than 70 centimeters. The mechanism is also used in the form of a winch in rural areas; if you correctly adapt the device, it will help rescue the car from difficult conditions.
Bottom line
A jack is a necessary element of a car, which is selected as a useful thing. More than once he will save the owner on the road or help another person in trouble. Don't spare money on your purchase. A correctly selected jack will definitely please the owner.
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Hydraulic jacks
A common type of hydraulic jacks are bottle jacks. The main differences are in dimensions and working load capacity. The larger the jack body, the higher its characteristics and ability to lift loads, and, accordingly, the price. Durability and stability make this type of lifting equipment the most used in car repair shops. The design provides a safety valve that does not allow work to continue if the object weight exceeds 25% of the declared one.
Hydraulic jack and its structure
Repairing hydraulic devices is a simple process in which the main thing is to replace the seals and replenish the fluid level. The disadvantage is the increased initial height, heavy weight, and the ability to work only in a vertical position. A type of hydraulic device is a rolling one, which can often be found in auto repair shops.
Where to begin?
It’s not difficult to make a car lift for your garage with your own hands. This process consists of a number of interrelated works. The first thing you need to do is decide on the type of lift. After this, prepare a drawing of the future structure. You can do this yourself or contact a professional. Our specialists know the specifics of this process, so they will do the necessary work quickly and efficiently.
It is quite possible to prepare a drawing with your own hands. Examples are shown in the photo. The diagram will show how each part should be located, at what distance from each other.
To prepare the car lift drawings with your own hands, you will need to familiarize yourself with the necessary information, since any errors at this stage will certainly affect the finished product. It will be very difficult to fix them after all the work is completed. This will take additional time, effort and money.
Pneumatic jacks
Pneumatic jacks are also considered a common type of rolling jacks, often used in large auto repair shops. The device consists of a pneumatic cushion that is inflated with compressed air. Inflatable lifting devices are made independently using a tube from a truck, together with a ball valve to gradually release the air.
Pneumatic jack device
For ordinary car owners, a type of pneumatic design is used that can be inflated from a hand pump or exhaust pipe. Such a mechanism will easily lift even the heaviest car to a height of more than half a meter and allow you to replace a wheel or diagnose the chassis.
The simplest design option
If the lift is used in a garage to repair one car, then you shouldn’t bother and make a complex structure. The simplest version, which is shown in the photo below, is perfect for these purposes. It may consist of several parts. For example, a crowbar, a strong stick and a pry bar. The latter will act as an axis. To secure the installation, you will need to drive it into the ground. Then secure the pipes to the axle. They play the role of a drum. As a result, there will be a simple version of the lift.
You will also need to secure the cable to the pipe and insert a lever into it. The second part of it is fixed directly on the car. This way you can raise it. Moreover, it will be durable and reliable. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the car and your own.
Application of screw type jacks
The scope of application of screw-type mechanisms may vary depending on the type of work and purpose. A varied selection of mechanisms according to their characteristics allows the design to be used in various processes:
- Installation and dismantling of car wheels.
- Maintenance and diagnostics of machines.
- Compression of springs and related mechanisms.
- Laying pipes.
- Lifting loads to the required height and moving them.
Lifting system based on jacks
Screw jack as an adjustable shrinkage compensator
Screw-type lifting devices began to be used for lifting loads about two thousand years ago. At that time, the device featured a minimal number of parts in its design, but worked more efficiently than a lever. The main purpose of screw devices is to replace a broken wheel and provide car service. A screw jack is included in every motorist's kit.
Manufacturing cost
A lift is an expensive device not only when purchased ready-made, but also when manufactured on your own. And this is not surprising. After all, the parts that make it up cost a lot. As practice shows, the best solution to the problem is to purchase used buildings. The period of its operation is long, so it will easily serve more than one owner.
There are many options for making such an installation. This allows everyone to choose the option that will meet their wishes and requirements. It can be used any time you need it. He will help you perform a number of works: inspect the underbody, brake system, transmission parts, etc. At the same time, it will take much less money than if you contact a specialist.
Of course, the cost of manufacturing such an installation is quite high. But it pays for itself quite quickly, since all necessary repair work is carried out by the owner himself. There is no need to pay for the work of the craftsmen. You can watch the process of making a lift with your own hands in the video below.
How to choose a screw jack
The choice of jack is made for each type of specific work. It is necessary to accurately determine whether it is possible to use a manual mechanism, or whether it is necessary to use an electric drive. Manual devices do not require preliminary calculations; when working with electromechanical devices, the mass of loads lifted by a jack is accurately measured. The calculation is made to calculate the power of the structure, taking into account the factors of maximum lifting height, working stroke and initial height. Hydraulic mechanisms will require calculation of the force exerted on the handle and the power of the electric motor.
Basic requirements for mechanisms:
- The load capacity is selected according to the type of car; if the design is used as a universal device, it is important to pay attention to more powerful models.
- The lifting height varies, so it’s worth looking at the numbers; the higher, the better.
- The presence of special grooves or cells for lifting on a car requires the use of a device of the appropriate type, otherwise stability is lost.
The most popular type of lifting equipment is mechanical screw designs, which are characterized by low cost and ease of operation. The rhombic type of mechanisms comes complete with almost every modern car, but there are times when you have to select a device for certain jobs.
When purchasing a jack, you should refer to the technical documentation of the car, where the curb weight is precisely indicated. A power reserve is necessary, but you should not be overly insured, because... more lifting devices have increased weight and dimensions.
Which is better: assemble the lift yourself or buy it?
People often assemble the lift themselves because a new factory design is expensive. It should be borne in mind that making a homemade lift is not always an easy task. In addition, if the structure is assembled incorrectly, its use can be dangerous.
The installed car falls from the device if:
- the weight of the car shows the load that a homemade lifting unit cannot support;
- The locking mechanism does not work well;
- the supporting device cannot withstand the existing load;
- The homemade device has incorrectly installed supports or they are loosely secured.
Also, difficulties in creating a device arise because some design elements cannot be completed without special equipment. For example, it is difficult to produce long-length lead screws. Therefore, it is quite difficult to carry out this design on your own. Many craftsmen make a tipper for a car instead of this device, since it is easier to manufacture.
When creating a device, most of the parts will need to be purchased in stores, so the final cost of the finished device can be considerable.
In addition, you will need an accurate calculation of all components, which can only be done by an engineer with experience in performing such work. If you do not have such knowledge, you will have to order a project with all the calculations from a special organization, which will require financial costs. If an error is made in the calculations, the device will not be able to withstand a large load.
Therefore, if you are not confident that you can make such a complex project a reality, it is better to create a vehicle tipper that is safer.
Once you own a car, be prepared for the fact that it will require proper care. Only in this case will the vehicle serve reliably and for a long time. An excellent place to store it during periods of rest is the garage. Here the car is reliably protected from bad weather and intruders.
As soon as you bought or built it, you should think about having a viewing hole. After all, during the operation of a car, various problems may arise with its individual parts and systems. To determine what the reason is, you can go to a specialist. But sometimes this is not necessary. Many craftsmen cope with the task on their own. And successfully.
It is quite difficult to do this without a viewing hole. She is an indispensable assistant in carrying out such work. Proof of this is its presence at any service station. But not all garages allow you to equip such a pit. In such a situation, you can use a lift. It is perfect for repair work.
DIY screw jack
Assembling a screw jack with your own hands is cost-effective if you save on budget or have specific operating conditions. Self-production will cost less than a ready-made version if you have basic plumbing experience, guided by certain schemes.
For manufacturing you will need several rack pipes, a sheet of metal 4-6 mm thick, and a mechanical rod. The pipes are welded in parallel, the base and top are fastened with a piece of metal. Then a nut is welded and connected to a rod at the bottom of the future jack. Next, you need to complete the structure by attaching fastening mechanisms and a handle.
When making lifting devices yourself, it is important to be guided by the purpose of the mechanism. For basic wheel replacement, a compact screw-type device is suitable, which can easily fit in the trunk of a car.
Correct installation is associated with safe work; the process must be monitored to avoid injury or property damage. When working, it is possible to use a static stand as the main support, for example a large stump.
Creating a lift
Before making a scissor lift with your own hands, drawings and design diagrams must be drawn up. The drawing must indicate the dimensions of all parts and show the welding locations of components and systems of the structure being created.
Instructions for making your own car scissor lift design:
- First, they create supports using steel corners, which are driven into a solid wall.
- A 1 cm thick plate is installed on these corners and secured with bolts.
- Load transfer will be carried out through a system of hydraulic cylinders. Nowadays you can easily find such mechanisms, as they are used in different devices.
- Holes are made in the plate for the chain, then it is threaded and closed.
- A key is installed on the gearbox shaft.
- Then a sprocket is installed on the output shaft, which is suitable for working with the chain.
- There are 2 holes made in the plate for passing a chain, at the end of which a steel hook is installed.
The resulting structure can be used in a private garage to lift a small car. The lifting device will allow you to independently inspect and repair the vehicle’s chassis and other mechanisms and systems.
