What do you think about this jack for a toe board lift?

[A.O.]

So I'm trying to upgrade the jack I'm using for a toeboard jack on my manual mill. Currently I'm just using a small hydraulic floor jack which can be a pain to operate under the mill. Was looking at a scissor jack but with the screw in the middle, it goes up with the jack making its use limited. This one, actually a motorcycle lift, has the screw at the top so it would start above the rails (and below the bunks) and go up from there, giving it more room to move. The only problem I see is the 1100 pound rating... BUT... I don't do monster logs as I don't have the peripheral equipment to move them anyway and I'm just a one old man wrecking crew.. AND... even on some of my larger logs, they may get to that 2000 pound range, but I'm only picking up one end, so half (ish) the weight right??? The little crank handle comes off so you can use a ratchet and socket, or maybe a impact driver.
So what do you think??

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1100-LB-Dirt-Bike-ATV-Scissor-Jack-Mini-Motorcycle-Lift-Crank-Floor-Stand-Red/202163207021?epid=25012170773&hash=item2f11ddbb6d:g:iQsAAOSwmK9dQklF:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!29067!US!-1

[Savannahdan]

Another option with a greater weight capacity and higher lift at Harbor Freight and you can use a 20% off coupon.  Not sure if you have one close to you.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half-ton-trailer-stabilizer-jack-96406.html?_br_psugg_q=scissor+jack

I do like that the one you linked to has larger top and bottom plates for mounting.

[A.O.]

Another option with a greater weight capacity and higher lift at Harbor Freight and you can use a 20% off coupon.  Not sure if you have one close to you.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half-ton-trailer-stabilizer-jack-96406.html?_br_psugg_q=scissor+jack

I do like that the one you linked to has larger top and bottom plates for mounting.

Thanks..
That was my first thought, bought that exact one. It would not fit between the rails on my saw, its 24" wide and I have about 21" between the rails, had to take it back. I just ordered the one I listed above, should be here next week, we'll see how it does.

[Ox]

It'll likely work fine as long as it fits in your mill.

For the last 4 years I've been using a little scissors jack out of a Toyota Corolla.  Most of my red pine is so straight there's hardly any taper to it anyway, so adjusting for log taper before milling rarely occurs for me.  Just once in a great while.  Crank it up, set clamps and saw away.

[Crusarius]

If you use an impact driver on it make sure it is lubed extremely well. But minimize the use. It will strip the threaded rod and make the jack unusable.

[Crusarius]

When you get that can you tell me what they used for the threaded rod? I want to make a pair of those for my mill. But the crank will be on the bottom and I will extend it out both sides so I can raise and lower it from both sides of the mill.

[A.O.]

When you get that can you tell me what they used for the threaded rod? I want to make a pair of those for my mill. But the crank will be on the bottom and I will extend it out both sides so I can raise and lower it from both sides of the mill.

I can do that.
 I kind of like the crank on top, it'll start out above the side rails, and it will keep junk off the threaded rod some.

[A.O.]

If you use an impact driver on it make sure it is lubed extremely well. But minimize the use. It will strip the threaded rod and make the jack unusable.

I'll probably just use a ratchet and a socket or a speed bar depending on how hard it is to turn.

[Crusarius]

Speed bar probably work great till the log starts to lift. If you use a drill that will probably work fine just do not use something with hammer action thats what kills the threads.

[A.O.]

When you get that can you tell me what they used for the threaded rod? I want to make a pair of those for my mill. But the crank will be on the bottom and I will extend it out both sides so I can raise and lower it from both sides of the mill.

So, what exact info are you looking for on that threaded rod?

Not sure how to post pics here anymore...

[Crusarius]

Diameter and thread pitch.


Is it acme thread? or is it like a 1/2" x 16?


If it is only 1/2 x 16 you could probably increase the capacity by just upgrading the threaded rod.

[A.O.]

Diameter and thread pitch.


Is it acme thread? or is it like a 1/2" x 16?


If it is only 1/2 x 16 you could probably increase the capacity by just upgrading the threaded rod.

Ok, I'm not a machinist type so you lost me a little.. I'm thinking an acme thread I'll go look closer here in a bit. I can get dia easy, how to measure thread "pitch" or are you just talking TPI?
The thread is a larger diameter than the rod is I know that as the last couple inches have no threads.

[Crusarius]

yes, TPI. aka thread pitch.

[A.O.]

Shaft is 1/2" , threaded part of it is a touch over 9/16 (thinking metric) , definitely acme type threads, and best I can figure about 12 TPI.

[Crusarius]

Sounds a little heavier than a standard scissor jack. Thanks for the info. I may end up buying one or maybe 2 so I can have one on each end. otherwise I get one and make a tray I can set them in and move it as needed. Only issue with that is trying to shift the log, the jack will fall over.

[A.O.]

Sounds a little heavier than a standard scissor jack. Thanks for the info. I may end up buying one or maybe 2 so I can have one on each end. otherwise I get one and make a tray I can set them in and move it as needed. Only issue with that is trying to shift the log, the jack will fall over.

Yes the jack does seem pretty heavy duty, way more so than your normal scissors jack, and at 50 bucks I think not a bad deal.. now if it will cool off a bit I'll go give it a try!

[Crusarius]

I finally got some time to work on my log arch yesterday.

Whats funny is every time I see the forecast and say "Man its gonna be hot. Looks like a great video game and AC weekend" I always get more done outside on those weekends. but nobody ever accused me of being very bright

[A.O.]

I finally got some time to work on my log arch yesterday.

Whats funny is every time I see the forecast and say "Man its gonna be hot. Looks like a great video game and AC weekend" I always get more done outside on those weekends. but nobody ever accused me of being very bright

Supposed to be 90 today, not bad, but the humidity was at 98% when I woke up... that's the killer, not so much the heat. These are the days I have to alter my plans a bit.. real hot days I like to mow.. just driving around instead of manual labor! seems to work for me.

[Crusarius]

A.O. get a chance to try the jack yet? They look really nice in the pictures. I am always leary buying something I can build myself. But that sure looks nice. Be great to put a set of rollers on top for shifting the log.

What do you think of them?

[Crusarius]

Hopefully it is good. I just ordered one. I did see some reviews though. About having to fix it to make it work. Oh well the $45 it is costing me will more than pay for the materials if I were to build it.

[Ox]

That's common with Harbor Freight, and that's probably nothing new to any of us.  One must be ready to fit, fix and polish what is provided to you as a rough draft.  Is what it is!

[Crusarius]

I should have clarified. I bought the ebay one.

[A.O.]

I have not used mine for its intended purpose as of yet, hopefully later this week. My only concern really is its rated weight capacity. I'm thinking I'll leave the dogs on the top spread all the way to the ends and the log can sit between them and keep it captive somewhat.
Let me know what you think when you get it.

[Crusarius]

Definitely. Since we are getting close to the interim season between summer and snow called mud, I will be needing to find something to entertain myself. So hopefully I can get around to actually doing a real writeup on some of my projects and getting them posted on my website.

Be nice to get my site updated and get my hits back up where they used to be.

[A.O.]

Definitely. Since we are getting close to the interim season between summer and snow called mud, I will be needing to find something to entertain myself. So hopefully I can get around to actually doing a real writeup on some of my projects and getting them posted on my website.

Be nice to get my site updated and get my hits back up where they used to be.

Yeah, I still have at least another month of 90's and humidity before it ever even thinks of cooling off here in SC!

[A.O.]

So I got a chance to mount and use this jack today. Only one log but it seemed to work real well!! Easy to crank up with weight on it and I was even able to turn the log with it still up on the jack instead of having to lower it, roll log, and re-raise the jack. the top is slippery enough to roll that log just like it was on one of the bunks. If it holds up, I think it will work out fine on my little manual mill.

[Crusarius]

I got mine on friday. I like it just need to get time to mount it and test it for real.

[A.O.]

So I've used this a bunch (for me anyway) and it works very well. Have not had a log it wouldn't pick up with just the speedbar so it has plenty of leverage. Gave it a pretty good test a couple weeks ago, took the tops of 9 trees 16 feet long with a pretty good taper and milled them into 6x6s. Worked very well using this jack as a toeboard! Yes , happy with the application!

[Crusarius]

I forgot about this thread. I meant to comment on the same jack that I had purchased. I rigged up my mill with a couple of ratchet straps  to set the jack on. worked very well. Even with the cheezy little handle they give you.

After the testing on the mill I ended up using the jack to help me get a 12' long x 22" diameter walnut log off the trailer. This log was fresh cut and still had water running out of it. I only have a 28hp Kubota and the tractor was unable to lift the log. I wrapped a chain around each end of the log and hooked to my chain loops on my bucket. I lifted as far as the tractor would go. I managed to get just enough space under the log I could jam the scissor jack under it.

Once the scissor jack was centered under the log I began to crank it up using the cheezy little handle that came with it. I was actually quite impressed with how easy it was to raise the log. I would raise the log then lift the bucket, then raise the log, then lift the bucket. I did this until I was just high enough to clear the fender. Then I was able to get the log off the trailer.

Of course now I did not want to put the log down knowing I could not pick it back up again so onto the mill it went. Made some real nice 2" slabs.