I have one, and it is great,... but there's one significant risk unique to this type of jack: because the air exhausts more and more slowly as the jack lowers, there's a temptation to put your hand on it to push it down faster (as you see done in this video). (And if you have a lowered / sports car, you might need to manually squash it to get it down the last half inch needed to fit it under your side sill.) So long as you have pulled the jack out from under the car first, before putting your hand on it, there's no problem... but if it is still under the car, and you put your hand on top, now there's a risk that if you accidentally bump the green valve and admit compressed air, it will suddenly, unexpectedly, and QUICKLY, rise up and crush your hand between the jack and the car. I did exactly this (except the jack wasn't under the car at the time, so it was a near miss with no injury) and it is REALLY easy to do. All you have to do is focus your attention where you're pushing rather than on the control you are reaching for, and there's a 50-50 chance you are badly injured. Because when you reach for the controls (if you're looking elsewhere), both valves feel the same to the touch, so no tactile feedback to give warning ... and then if you're impatient for it to come down, and decide to open the valve quickly, it will rise equally quickly and injure you before you've had a chance to realise the error or react. I plan to put a different grip on one valve so they feel different, and I also (1) take the approach that i NEVER put my hand on top of the air jack and (2) always open the valve slowly, so i can confirm i am getting the intended operation before opening it wider to go faster. It is a great tool, both fast and compact... but it is very different in operation to a hydraulic jack, and that means that there are some new risks to manage ... Be warned.
Really really good advice- thanks for taking the time to share that near miss there- crazy, but it makes sense. I'll remember that moving forward and I think it may be worth a follow up CZcams Shorts video to call that out. Glad nothing came of your realization that that could happen- guess I haven't stumbled over that yet, but I know plenty well what it feels like to be tired and working on a vehicle and some of the sloppiness that comes with being exhausted and not always crossing your Ts like you normally would. I appreciate the heads up!
I've been using one for about a month. Works very well, and capable of pretty precise adjustment as a secondary lift device for certain purposes. I do question the ultimate longevity of the rubber bladders, because rubber always eventually deteriorates. I keep it out of sunlight and I'll start giving it annual rubber treatments.
That's an awesome jack, I think I'll invest in one. Although while I'm at home, a regular floor jack might do the trick a little better but I like that this jack gives you more room to place a jack stand. I've had it several times where I couldn't place a jack stand safely because I placed the jack in a weird spot, causing me to have to let the vehicle down and reposition. I can see that benefit of having this over a conventional floor jack. I wonder how the rubber holds up over the years, since it is under pretty high pressure. 115 psi is already 3.5 times the pressure of a car tire, so it makes me curious what happens if it is slightly punctured.
Haha we talked about that in the video- its not a road side emergency jack- it needs 115 to 145 psi and around 5 to 6 gal of compressed air to lift. It will work with a pancake compressor at the minimum for one shot. Larger volume compressors work better of course, but yes- most cars won't have an onboard compressor so its a garage or shop tool like your roll around floor jack.
It will work with any tire inflator. Be it molasses slow. You'll need to make an adapter for the vevor to accept a tire Schrader valve. Your inflator will need to be able to reach the 115psi required from the vevor to reach maximum height. And patience. Lots of patience waiting for your 12v inflator to pump it all the way up.
I have 2 of these and they're bloody brilliant.
Oh man I'm late to the party I guess- I am thrilled at how simple it is once you know the ins and outs with it- I agree with you!
I have one, and it is great,... but there's one significant risk unique to this type of jack: because the air exhausts more and more slowly as the jack lowers, there's a temptation to put your hand on it to push it down faster (as you see done in this video).
(And if you have a lowered / sports car, you might need to manually squash it to get it down the last half inch needed to fit it under your side sill.)
So long as you have pulled the jack out from under the car first, before putting your hand on it, there's no problem... but if it is still under the car, and you put your hand on top, now there's a risk that if you accidentally bump the green valve and admit compressed air, it will suddenly, unexpectedly, and QUICKLY, rise up and crush your hand between the jack and the car.
I did exactly this (except the jack wasn't under the car at the time, so it was a near miss with no injury) and it is REALLY easy to do. All you have to do is focus your attention where you're pushing rather than on the control you are reaching for, and there's a 50-50 chance you are badly injured. Because when you reach for the controls (if you're looking elsewhere), both valves feel the same to the touch, so no tactile feedback to give warning ... and then if you're impatient for it to come down, and decide to open the valve quickly, it will rise equally quickly and injure you before you've had a chance to realise the error or react.
I plan to put a different grip on one valve so they feel different, and I also (1) take the approach that i NEVER put my hand on top of the air jack and (2) always open the valve slowly, so i can confirm i am getting the intended operation before opening it wider to go faster.
It is a great tool, both fast and compact... but it is very different in operation to a hydraulic jack, and that means that there are some new risks to manage ...
Be warned.
Really really good advice- thanks for taking the time to share that near miss there- crazy, but it makes sense. I'll remember that moving forward and I think it may be worth a follow up CZcams Shorts video to call that out. Glad nothing came of your realization that that could happen- guess I haven't stumbled over that yet, but I know plenty well what it feels like to be tired and working on a vehicle and some of the sloppiness that comes with being exhausted and not always crossing your Ts like you normally would. I appreciate the heads up!
I've been using one for about a month. Works very well, and capable of pretty precise adjustment as a secondary lift device for certain purposes. I do question the ultimate longevity of the rubber bladders, because rubber always eventually deteriorates. I keep it out of sunlight and I'll start giving it annual rubber treatments.
That's an awesome jack, I think I'll invest in one. Although while I'm at home, a regular floor jack might do the trick a little better but I like that this jack gives you more room to place a jack stand. I've had it several times where I couldn't place a jack stand safely because I placed the jack in a weird spot, causing me to have to let the vehicle down and reposition. I can see that benefit of having this over a conventional floor jack. I wonder how the rubber holds up over the years, since it is under pretty high pressure. 115 psi is already 3.5 times the pressure of a car tire, so it makes me curious what happens if it is slightly punctured.
hmm i wonder if that will fit under my cars i will have to measure
What vehicle do you have? It should fit under a good range of vehicles unless you have a sportier or modified suspension vehicle.
@@HowToEscapeDIYTipsandReviews 4 vehicles i work on civic. legacy, camry and, sienna all low but not terribly so
Gotcha- well I can say it fits under an 04 Sienna easily. Just used it on ours a week ago with room to spare. Not 100% on the others
Are you going to inflate it with your azz or how are you planning on using it out on the road?
Haha we talked about that in the video- its not a road side emergency jack- it needs 115 to 145 psi and around 5 to 6 gal of compressed air to lift. It will work with a pancake compressor at the minimum for one shot. Larger volume compressors work better of course, but yes- most cars won't have an onboard compressor so its a garage or shop tool like your roll around floor jack.
It will work with any tire inflator. Be it molasses slow. You'll need to make an adapter for the vevor to accept a tire Schrader valve. Your inflator will need to be able to reach the 115psi required from the vevor to reach maximum height.
And patience. Lots of patience waiting for your 12v inflator to pump it all the way up.