The main function of a jack is to lift a car wheel in order to replace it or a tire. The jack is used for self-replacement car wheels in the absence of repair services. Also, sometimes you have to climb under the bottom of the car in order to carry out repair work. The jack will come in handy in this case too.
Outside of the automotive field, jacks are often used to install structures at the required level during construction and repair work, when lifting loads in warehouses and spare parts in workshops.
You can read about how the crosspiece is replaced in detailed material from our author.
You may also be interested in information on how to choose and securely fasten with your own hands.
The important characteristics of the jack are listed below.
- Load capacity. Each of the jacks has limitations on this parameter. When manufacturing the device, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the vehicle. It is also necessary to take into account the weight of the cargo in the luggage compartment.
- Lifting height. This parameter is especially important for cars with low bottoms. In this case, the lifting height must be acceptable for the ability to climb under the car and carry out repair work.
- Pickup height. This is the height of the instrument. This parameter must be compatible with the vehicle's ground clearance (distance from the surface to the lowest point). This setting is different for each separate model. It is necessary to select the pick-up height so that it is comfortable to work.
There are jacks various types by drive type.
- Mechanical type, in which lifting occurs by pressing the handle. These jacks are intended for infrequent use. Such devices are compact, but require physical effort.
- Hydraulic type. Similar to the previous one, but requires less effort. The wheel rises due to the pressure created by the working fluid. Great for frequent use.
- Pneumatic type. The device operates using compressed gases. Gas cylinders are required for use. The gas creates pressure, the chamber increases in size, and the car begins to rise. No physical effort is required.
You will find detailed information on how to make it yourself in the material from our specialist.
Our expert will tell you in detail how to make a working one with your own hands step by step.
You can read information about making it yourself in the article by our specialist.
According to the operating principle, jacks are divided into screw, rack and pinion, pneumatic and hydraulic. Jacks can be stationary, mobile or portable. Homemade devices are most often portable, as they have small sizes. Stationary jacks are intended for large loads and are rarely of interest to car owners.
How to make a car jack with your own hands?
DIY hydraulic jack
Hydraulic jacks should be given special attention, since they have the highest load capacity, which is important when working with trucks or SUVs. It is possible to manufacture hydraulic jacks with different sizes and characteristics. Modern mechanisms They are used not only in service stations and auto repair shops, but even in the oil refining industry. The device can operate in both horizontal and vertical planes.
Basic load-bearing elements devices: housing, working fluid (most often its role is oil) and a retractable piston. The body can be short or elongated. At the same time, it is made of hardened steel so that the structure can withstand the required level of loads. The housing serves as a guide cylinder for the piston and a reservoir for the working fluid.
The lifting device and the retractable cylinder are located in the housing openings. The descent is carried out by turning the T-shaped handle. The equipment is equipped with polyamide wheels, ensuring maneuverability. The extended body is designed for heavy-duty vehicles.
Hydraulic lifting mechanisms are the most common and convenient, so let's start with them. The manufacture of a hydraulic jack is as follows. You will need welding machine, hacksaw, angular grinding machine with metal disc, steel profile for construction.
Hydraulic jacks come in standard, trolley, bottle, hybrid, toe and diamond jacks. The manufacturing process of a conventional hydraulic jack is described in detail below. There are many drawings on the Internet from which these mechanisms are assembled.
- First, a support platform for the mechanism is created. A steel rectangular profile measuring 50 by 50 millimeters is suitable. It is necessary to cut 4 parts 300 millimeters long from the profile. Lay these parts with the side walls facing each other and weld the joining seams from the bottom and top.
- Make stands and stops. Saw off 2 parts from the profiled pipe. The length of the parts is calculated relative to the maximum stroke of the rod, then the height of the jack and the support platform is added to this. The stop is made of the same material. Its length is equal to the width of the support platform. The stop and the posts are connected by a weld, and a U-shaped structure is welded to the base.
- Manufacturing a removable stop that can move along guides and apply pressure to the workpiece. It is made from several pieces of steel strip one centimeter thick. The length of the parts should be less than the distance formed between the posts. The resulting parts are connected in several places by welding. When installing the block on the press frame from a hydraulic jack, it is necessary to select 2 bolts with washers and nuts and connect the resulting plates to the block so that they are located on both sides of the racks. If necessary, you can reduce the distance between the moving stop and the upper beam of the structure when installing an intermediate square profile.
When manufacturing a rack jack, it is important to take into account that the stability of this structure is affected by the strength of fixation and the quality of the supporting platform. It is important to assemble the mechanism in such a way that the product does not move out during operation. The force applied when lifting loads depends on the maximum possible mass.
The process of making a rack jack is quite simple. You need to take 2 rack pipes and a welding machine. The pipes must be welded in such a way that they resemble truncated pyramid. Next, a steel sheet 5 millimeters thick is taken. The upper and lower bases of the mechanism are made. A hole is made in the upper part, into which a nut must subsequently be welded. A hole is also made in the lower base. Next, a mechanical rod is inserted there for rotation.
To make the mechanism, it is better to use parts made of hardened steel. If you additionally attach a metal cable, the rack and pinion jack can, if necessary, replace the winch. The average carrying capacity of such a product will be from 5 to 20 tons.
DIY rolling jack
A rolling jack is easy to make, using as a basis a bottle unit with a pick-up height of about 23 centimeters and a channel of 10 and 12 millimeters. The bottle jack is the simplest mechanism of this kind. Despite this, it is used for repairing freight vehicles. The operating principle of the jack is based on the use of several working rods. The mechanism is based on a piston.
Lifting occurs using a lever, which is driven by a hydraulic cylinder. A rack is created from a 12-millimeter channel, and a lifting lever and base are made from a ten-millimeter channel. Rollers from a regular one are installed in front washing machine. The cup is taken from a car bumper, and the braces are created from a 20 mm bar.
As a result, the operating principle of a rolling jack is similar to a bottle jack, but the axis of the working cylinder in this mechanism is located in the horizontal axis. The piston is not directly combined with the pickup. This mechanism received the name “rolling” due to the fact that in appearance it resembles a cart on wheels rolling on a flat surface.
When the lever is raised, the jack moves under the load (car). The mechanism is driven by touching the lever and lowered by turning the valve screw. If the car needs to be lowered, the tubular handle is mounted on the valve screw. The partition then fits into its groove. The screw rotates with the handle, relieving pressure in the working cylinder.
A screw jack consists of: a base, a lower and an upper arm, a stop and a screw mechanism. A metal base (assortment) is taken, having a cross-sectional area of 2.63 cm square. 4 through holes are drilled, with a diameter similar to the diameter of the pin. It is advisable to attach the base to a wider removable platform. Next, the upper and lower arms are made from a metal base.
The shaft is made of metal rod. The diameter of the rod is 12 millimeters. There should be a thread at one end, and a retainer at the other, attached to the shaft with a pin through through hole. An axis is made around which the shoulders rotate. The axles on both sides are pins with flat cylindrical heads, secured with cotter pins. A through hole with a diameter of 10 millimeters is drilled in one of the stops, and in the second internal thread. The clamp acts as a fastening of the shaft on the rotation side and transmits torque to the shaft.
The screw jack can be manufactured in three different variations: with trapezoidal thread, diamond-shaped, lever-screw.
More information about positive and negative aspects you can read in the article by our author.
It is relatively easy to make a jack from an air spring with your own hands, given that this type of unit is a very interesting device. Pneumatic jacks are indispensable when it comes to precise installation. When working on uneven or loose surfaces, such a lifting mechanism is indispensable. A rubber-cord flat shell made of reinforced fabric is the basis of the device. The shell expands when compressed air is supplied. The device is also quite complex in terms of design.
So, to make the mechanism you will need the following materials: old pillow from a truck, a bolt, a ball that can act as a bearing, a wheel bolt from a VAZ, a chamber fitting and a drill.
You need to screw a bolt into the hole of the pillow. Before this, you need to drill a hole in the bolt that will be occupied by the fitting. It is also necessary to make a hole in the VAZ wheel bolt. It will act as a valve. The elements are connected. A ball is placed in the existing outlet, blocking the passage of air during operation. A pump is required to use the device. The jack will be located under the bottom of the car. You will also need wooden block, resting against the car.
DIY electric jack
It is not difficult to make a homemade jack for a car with your own hands, if we are talking about mechanical devices, operating on the physical efforts of users, compressed air and working fluid. It is somewhat more difficult to make an electric jack with your own hands.
Electric lifting mechanisms are the result of the synthesis of mechanical moving components and an electric drive. Such a jack can be powered from the vehicle's electrical network. You can connect the device via the cigarette lighter.
The starting materials for manufacturing may be different. Motors for window lifters are suitable (as an example, you can take a motor from the “ten”). The drive and cables must be removed, leaving only the motor and gearbox. You will need a head whose tetrahedral side is equipped with edges of 7 millimeters. The base can be a regular screw diamond jack.
Our task is to create electric drive so as not to exert effort when using it. The fastenings are made of steel strips. The fasteners must be trimmed and given the desired configuration, and then attached to the gearbox. The mount and the head on the gearbox are welded to the device. The device can be controlled using a button from the window lifter mechanism.
Device comparison
Screw jacks with trapezoidal threads maintain a simple design, low weight and ease of operation with a high load capacity. The rhombic design of such mechanisms is distinguished by the presence of a long drive handle, which reduces the required effort to lift the load. The design is also lightweight and has good stability.
- Lever-screw lifting mechanisms are distinguished by their large lifting heights and small dimensions.
- Post-screw jacks have high stability and rigidity.
- Rack-type structures are distinguished by their ability to be used in different directions and ease of operation, as well as a high lifting force.
- Bottle hydraulic jacks have the most simple design and high rigidity of the connection during operation. The effort required for lifting is minimal.
- Rolling jacks are stable, have a small initial installation height and considerable rigidity during operation.
- Electric jacks perform best in extreme conditions, do not require physical effort and are highly accurate and stable.
- Pneumatic lifting mechanisms provide convenience and reliability of use thanks to large supporting surfaces. They also stand out for their quietness and good operating speed, high efficiency and unpretentiousness. (6 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)
The problem of lifting large loads has been facing humanity for quite some time. IN recent years To solve this problem, jacks are increasingly being used. The hydraulic jack stands apart in this series. He is capable of lifting really heavy loads with a minimum of effort. Hydraulics, since the advent of science, has come to the aid of man. There are situations when a lift of this kind is simply necessary, but there is no way to purchase it. How to make a homemade jack?
Design and its features
Of course, before you start working, you definitely need to learn more about the design of a hydraulic jack. In fact, it is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. The main elements are a housing, a pump, a plunger, and a screw with a lifting heel. A hydraulic jack is most often made of hardened steel. In this case, the working fluid is a special oil with high viscosity. Normal motor oil will not work in this situation.
It is worth taking this into account when developing the device. Typically, the body is the main part of a hydraulic jack. It serves not only as a reservoir for the working fluid, but also as a real cylinder for the piston. The device of this design implies the presence of safety valves that ensure uninterrupted operation. It is equipped with a hand or foot pump.
The oil is drained using a special handle, which is part of the mechanism. Lifting mechanism at the same time, a special retractable hydraulic cylinder is capable of raising the working platform. A sufficiently high pressure is created, which allows you to lift loads of various masses. The body of such a device can be either short or elongated. The second option is most often used when carrying out repair work on heavy equipment. For example, it could be a bus or a heavy vehicle.
“From the presented material you will learn how to make a garage rolling jack for lifting a car with your own hands, and we will also look at drawings, photos and videos of the design. Car enthusiasts know very well that when operating a car, they often have to jack it up to change tires from summer to winter and vice versa, and there are also punctures in the inner tube and to repair it it is necessary to remove and disassemble the wheel. “Curious things” also happen with tubeless tires. Fiddling with a standard car jack is not always convenient, as they say, “bent to death))” For this reason, a rolling jack was invented, which is very easy to operate and maintain.
The design includes a hydraulic jack 2 t “bottle” base and a lifting lever with a rubber gasket “cushion”. For ease of moving the jack, support bearings are installed Attention! The wheels are installed in such a way that they touch the floor surface only in an inclined position, and in the working position they are raised - this is done to prevent slipping while jacking up the car.
Lever has a unique shape, all dimensions and angles are given in the drawings. The lift is carried out 50 cm from the floor level, which allows you to replace both wheels of the car without reloading the jack. There is a rubber cushion at the end of the lever
The lifting height of the lever is 50 cm.
General view of the structure.
The jack is placed on a movable platform.
Almost every person now has a car. For some, it acts as a source of income - taxis, buses, cargo transportation, etc. Some people just need it for transportation. But for true car enthusiasts, a car is the closest friend that helps out in difficult times and never lets you down. They take care of it, treat it with care, and repair it on time. Often such people are friends with technology in life and love the instrument. They like to do things with my own hands because it brings great pleasure. Often you end up with some useful and interesting things for your car.
For example, it is a good idea to make a jack. Indeed, not a single motorist can do without this device. Many, of course, will now say that it is easier to go and buy it in a store. But for a true mechanic, building such a thing, especially for his car, will not be difficult. It is only important to know how to make a jack and what it will consist of.
Before you start making a car jack with your own hands, you need to decide what design it will be. To do this, you need to know the main types of these devices that can be found in stores:
- Rack and pinion. This type has been used for a very long time. It is based on a long metal strip with holes, a lever and a ratchet with a perpendicular end. By pulling the lever down, the ratchet lifts the weight along with it. Pulling upwards, it is triggered, locking itself into one of the nearest holes on the rail along with the load. Then the cycle repeats again;
Rack jack
- Screw. The most common jack among domestic car enthusiasts. It can be presented in different ways, but the principle of operation is the same - by rotating, the screw raises or lowers the dynamic part. It is often made in the form of a durable lever attached to a movable mechanism, which in turn moves along brackets in the housing. There is also a diamond jack. It is much more practical and is a diamond-shaped case, which is made of four moving parts. There is a stand attached at the bottom and a lifting platform at the top. There is a long screw going through the side mounts. If you twist it, the figure will either fold or stretch upward, lifting the load;
Screw jack
- Hydraulic. Most often, such devices can be found among truck drivers who lift heavy truck axles when changing wheels. They can be presented in different ways and have different principle work, but the meaning is the same for all - there is a hand pump that creates oil pressure in the main cylinder. Under its influence, the platform begins to climb out with heaviness. These jacks are characterized by high load capacity, as well as large weight and height;
Hydraulic jack
- Pneumatic. Somewhat reminiscent of an air cylinder, which are installed on the air suspension of a car. Simply put, this is a small platform on wheels (maybe without them), on which a hollow, thick-walled rubber cushion is attached. Air from a compressor or cylinder is supplied through the fitting. Pressure is created and the pillow begins to rise.
Pneumatic jack
These are the main types of jacks that are used most often. They are classified precisely by the type of force used (mechanical, hydraulic, etc.), but there are many varieties of them. For example, hydraulic devices can be haulage, cylindrical, trailed, or two-level. That is, there is only one type of jack, but there are several types. Therefore there is large selection in order to independently make your own model using a prototype.
Skills required when making a jack
It’s worth saying right away that needlework is not an easy task and requires certain skills. In our case, these are almost all the abilities that a novice mechanic should have:
- welding- the most basic thing required when working with metal. Since the structure will be assembled from scratch, it will only need to be welded. Moreover, this must be done with high quality so that the end result is a durable product;
- cutting- it is enough to be able to cut iron with a grinder. It’s good if you have the skill of cutting with an oxygen torch;
- processing- without the ability to use a file or grinder it will be difficult;
- turning case- in principle, you can do without it, but if you are into it, it will be much easier when manufacturing and processing some parts;
- painting- a handmade item must be painted.
If you have the above skills, then no problems should arise in the process of making a jack. The higher the level of mastery of the tool, the better the product will be.
In order to make a jack, you must have the right tool. The first step is welding, since with its help the assembly will take place. It is desirable that this be semi-automatic device with carbon dioxide. Then the seams will be much smoother and there will be no excess slag. Second, and no less important, is Bulgarian. It’s good if the assortment includes both small and large. With their help you will cut blanks from steel. You will also need drill, because you will have to make more than one hole. To easily process iron parts, you definitely need electric sharpener. It is key in the fitting process. In addition, it is advisable to have hand tools : files, needle files, whetstones, hammers, screwdrivers, rasps, handles with a set of taps, sledgehammers, vices, etc. The more devices you have at hand, the easier the manufacturing process will seem.
The more tools you have, the easier and better the jack will be.
Lathe in any business it is an excellent assistant, but not everyone has it. In principle, you can do it without it, but if you have such a unit in your garage or workshop, it will work out much faster. After all, with the help of a milling unit it is easy to turn or process any part. For example, a bolt or rod. In general, your own machine will be very useful.
It's also worth talking about the material. You can buy it at the market or at a scrap metal collection point. The second option is much cheaper, since at scrap yards all the metal is rusty and broken. It is not suitable for use, but it is perfect as a donor. It is advisable, of course, to purchase more of everything. After all, depending on what kind of jack you want, you may need additional mechanisms or fasteners that you cannot make yourself. Therefore, be prepared to purchase some components from the market.
The base (both the lifting arm and the lifting platform) of a hydraulic jack can be made from a channel. A conventional hydraulic bottle jack is used for lifting force. To move the jack, you can attach wheels (can be replaced with bearings, rollers or something similar).
Construction of a homemade hydraulic rolling jack
It is recommended to install the bottle jack on a movable “swing” platform, since during operation the jack slightly changes its angle, and some compensation for movements is required. The platform should sway slightly from side to side. It can be made from the same channel by drilling a through hole in the lifting base and placing the “swing” on the bolt so that there is a small gap of 0.5-1 cm between the base and the platform.
Movable platform for bottle jack
To increase the strength of the structure, it is advisable to make braces from rods on both sides of the base. The thicker the rods, the better. They are welded to the base.
The device operates from a bottle jack. When it is moved by a special handle-rod, it rises, which moves the lifting arm upward.
The process of working a homemade hydraulic rolling jack
A drawing of such a hydraulic jack for making it yourself is shown in the image below:
Drawing of a hydraulic rolling jack that you can make yourself
Also check out a few video, where you can learn more about how to make a hydraulic jack with your own hands:
As an example, we also consider a pneumatic device that easiest way to do. So, you will need:
Basically, like this homemade device you can easily lift any car. It is enough to place the pneumatic cylinder under the platform on the bottom and connect the hose high pressure to the fitting. Serving compressed air, the cushion will begin to rise with the car.
The principle of operation of a homemade pneumatic jack
For convenience, such a jack can be completed by inventing a reliable platform with wheels. Thus, if the cylinder is taken apart, then the device self-made comes out for almost pennies.
Improved air jack on wheels
You can also look at a few video how to make a pneumatic jack with your own hands:
The most important question. Is it even worth making the jack yourself? The answers to this may be different, however, after weighing all the nuances, you can come to a final conclusion. First, it’s worth understanding the cost. It is clear that no one will buy a tool for manufacturing, however, you will need material and some parts that will still have to be purchased. It is quite possible to buy a new factory jack for 5,000 rubles. The expenses for a homemade one will depend on what kind and type it is. So, making a hydraulic one will be the most expensive, but the pneumatic one discussed above is the cheapest.
In general, the cost of a jack is not so much that you have to rack your brains and make it yourself. If you don't care about it, then it's better not to bother with it and buy a new one at the store. But, if the process itself is interesting and you want to make something, then this is a great idea to test your skills. You might even be able to save 1-2 thousand rubles. That is, when there is a desire to do it, try, be smart and achieve results. But if the process of making a jack is not interesting to you, then it is better to postpone this matter.
The main thing to remember is safety measures. Any tool in inexperienced hands can cause serious injury. Also remember to wear safety glasses when working on metal and when welding to protect your eyes.
How to make a jack with your own hands: instructions with photos and videos
5 (100%) 5 votedHaving a drawing at hand - a screw jack, we make it with our own hands from equal-flange bent steel channels GOST 8278-83.
The types of sizes of the used assortment are highlighted in blue rectangles in the figure.
The screw jack consists of the following parts:
Base
Lower shoulder
Upper shoulder
Emphasis
Screw mechanism
BASE
We will make it from assortment with a cross-sectional area of 2.63 (cm²). We drill four through holes with a diameter equal to the diameter of the pin. When drilling, strictly maintain the center distance between them. If necessary, the base can be attached to a wider removable platform.
LOWER SHOULDER
We will make it from a range of sections with a cross-sectional area of 1.99 (cm²) by analogy with the base.
UPPER SHOULDER
We will make it from a range with a cross-sectional area of 2.28 (cm²) by analogy with the lower arm.
UPOR
We will make it from a range with a cross-sectional area of 1.99 (cm²) by analogy with the upper arm.
We attach a rubber gasket on top.
SCREW MECHANISM
1. Shaft - screw. Let's make it from a metal rod with a diameter of twelve millimeters. On one side there is an M12 thread, on the other there is a retainer, which is attached to the shaft using a cotter pin through a through hole on the shaft.
2. Axis - stop. Relative to which the rotation of the lower and upper shoulders occurs.
The axles on both sides are pins with cylindrical flat heads, which are attached to the axle using cotter pins.
A through hole with a diameter of ten millimeters is drilled in one stop, and an M12 internal thread is cut in the other.
3. Latch. Fixes the shaft on the side of its rotation and provides the ability to transmit torque to the shaft.
Performance characteristics of a self-made screw jack.