Modify Jack?

EdGasket

AdrianC wrote: »

Stupid people have killed themselves with the aid of jacks of ALL types used inappropriately.

Yes but the point is that the widow-maker (dog-leg) style is an especially poor and dangerous design because it lifts from one side and easily slips towards the centre of the car. At least a scissor jack lifts from both sides and therefore the possibility of slipping inwards / outwards is almost eliminated entirely.

AdrianC

EdGasket wrote: »

Yes but the point is that the widow-maker (dog-leg) style is an especially poor and dangerous design because it lifts from one side and easily slips towards the centre of the car. At least a scissor jack lifts from both sides and therefore the possibility of slipping inwards / outwards is almost eliminated entirely.

Actually, no. Because lifting one corner of a car is not a straight vertical lift. The assymetric dog-leg, if designed with the vehicle specifically in mind, actually lifts in a more appropriate arc.

Andy_L

EdGasket wrote: »

Yes but the point is that the widow-maker (dog-leg) style is an especially poor and dangerous design because it lifts from one side and easily slips towards the centre of the car. At least a scissor jack lifts from both sides and therefore the possibility of slipping inwards / outwards is almost eliminated entirely.

If there that intrinsically dangerous then, considering the litigious nature of the US market, why are they still OEM equipment?

EdGasket

AdrianC wrote: »

Actually, no. Because lifting one corner of a car is not a straight vertical lift. The assymetric dog-leg, if designed with the vehicle specifically in mind, actually lifts in a more appropriate arc.

Well in practice I've never had a scissor jack cause any problems whereas I have had the dog-leg ones slip. It just seems obvious to me that it is a poor design and to most other peeps too, hence it's nickname.