Jacks are usually used in the process of car repair, although such a device is also indispensable in the construction of bridges, as well as laying power lines. For such equipment to be as effective as possible, preference should be given to the rack and pinion model. If you have basic knowledge and experience, you can do it yourself.

Types and principle of operation

All rack and pinion jacks can be electric or with manual drive. Despite this difference, the principle of operation of the device remains the same. Thus, the ratchet mechanism interacts with the rack. The body is lifted and moved along the rail. There is a support and a lever here. There is also a mechanical casing that protects all parts from possible contamination.

Rack and pinion models are divided into two groups:

• gear – a handle with gears is provided here;
• Lever - these jacks are driven by a lever.

The simplest equipment lifts a weight not exceeding 8 tons. There are special models on sale designed to perform various construction work. Thanks to complex design they are able to withstand a weight of about 10 tons. This figure for single-stage varieties is 15 tons, and for three-stage varieties - 20 tons. Moreover, it will be possible to move the load horizontally and vertically.

The tool works when a certain force is applied to the corresponding mechanism. If necessary, it is even possible to lift the load directly from the ground. This is facilitated by a low pick-up.

The main disadvantage of all rack and pinion jacks is their impressive dimensions. Thus, equipment designed to work with loads of 5 tons, have a weight of about 40 kg. Accordingly, use them in living conditions not always convenient.

Important Specifications

To purchase or make a reliable jack with your own hands, you should take into account several basic parameters. They influence the efficiency and safety of various works.

Making your own jack

Almost anyone can make a jack with their own hands if they have the appropriate experience and all the necessary parts. It is worth noting that self-assembly in practice it always works out cheaper than buying ready-made equipment. When creating such a device, you can use various schemes , although in general the work performance remains the same.

It is worth noting that to create a jack with your own hands, it is better to take parts made of hardened steel. If we talk about the screw, then optimal solution the product will become trapezoidal thread. A properly manufactured device can be safely used in car repairs and carrying out construction work. If you connect a metal cable here, the jack can replace the winch. Such a device will lift a load weighing 5–20 tons.

Features of equipment operation

For a jack to be effective, reliable and durable, it must be used correctly. So, during the unfolding process, the supporting “heel” is carefully pushed deeper. Thanks to this, the device will be level and stable. Otherwise, it will tilt slightly, which means the load may move or fall out altogether.

Once the device is in the desired position, move the switch to top position and then pull the lever up so that the “heel” rests against the load. Only after this stage can you begin to climb.

When working with a jack, you should remember safety precautions. You should be on the left side of the tool and hold the lever right hand. It is additionally taken with the left hand, positioned on the side thumb. In this case, you should make sure that your fingers do not touch the racks, and your head is not between the lever and the rack. If these recommendations are not followed, finger injuries and concussions may occur.

The lever itself is gently swung up and down. If during operation it seems that the jack is slightly skewed, you should reinstall it and start all over again. After lifting the load, the lever is fixed in accordance with the diagram.

It is worth noting that lowering the load is considered a more traumatic procedure, so it is performed very carefully and slowly. Possible damage usually results key exit. To avoid this, it is important to hold the lever firmly until the load touches the ground.

A rack and pinion jack is indispensable for every motorist. Such equipment is easy to make with your own hands using several steel pipes, sheets and fasteners. Finished product need to be periodically cleaned of dirt by spraying with water from a hose. Such easy care sufficient for the proper functioning of the structure.

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.

1. 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.
2. Lifting height. This parameter is especially important for cars with low bottoms. In this case, the lifting height must be acceptable to allow one to climb under the car and carry out repair work.
3. 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 parameter is different for each individual 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 Not large 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 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. Manufacturing hydraulic jack happens 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 a truncated pyramid. Next is taken steel sheet 5 mm thick. 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. 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 an internal thread is made in the second. The clamp acts as a fastening of the shaft on the rotation side and transmits torque to the shaft.

The screw jack can be made in three various variations: with trapezoidal thread, diamond-shaped, lever-screw.

More detailed 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 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 that operate 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 an electric drive so that there is no 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.

1. Lever-screw lifting mechanisms are distinguished by their large lifting heights and small dimensions.
2. Post-screw jacks have high stability and rigidity.
3. Constructions rack type They are distinguished by the possibility of use in different directions and ease of operation, as well as a high lifting force.
4. Bottle hydraulic jacks have the most simple design and high rigidity of the connection during operation. The effort required for lifting is minimal.
5. Rolling jacks are stable, have a small initial installation height and considerable rigidity during operation.
6. Electric jacks perform best in extreme conditions, do not require physical effort and have high accuracy and sustainability.
7. Pneumatic lifting mechanisms provide ease of use and reliability due to their large bearing 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. Enough is being created high blood pressure, 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.

Before you get to work and make a pneumatic jack with your own hands, you should know more about such an auxiliary tool.

An inflatable jack is the most basic option of all analogues. The convenience of such a tool is that it is unpretentious to use; it does not require a flat surface. Having such a jack in the trunk and getting into a marshy, loose area, you can not be afraid to use it. In addition, with the help of it you can not only replace a problem wheel, but also get out of the mud. When working with it, no special physical effort is required, which is why it is even used in rigging work.

Working principle of pneumatic lift

The main working element of this jack is a rubberized cushion. It is made from a special durable material so that the unit can withstand loads within 4-5 tons.

To operate such a tool, it is placed under the bottom of the car and connected to a pump or other air source, for example, a compressor or a compressed gas cylinder. There are models that are especially popular, since their work can be carried out, you just need to connect such a jack to the exhaust gases of the car. There is no need for them to acquire additional equipment. Such designs are called air jacks or pneumatic jacks.

For such a device, a hose is enough to connect the exhaust pipe and the jack itself, and then turn on the engine. Literally 2 minutes are enough for the tool to do its job. In this version of the device there are no complex mechanisms that operate using pneumatics.

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Technical characteristics of pneumatic jacks

There are three main points by which such a device is assessed:

1. Load capacity. For the tool to be safe to use, this figure must exceed the weight of the vehicle itself. If the car is a passenger car, then the load capacity should be 1.5-2 tons, and if the car is of the Gazelle type - 2.5-3 tons.
2. Pickup height. You should pay special attention to this parameter if the car has low ground clearance. You should also be interested in this point if the car often gets stuck in the mud. It is best if this characteristic is within 10 cm.
3. Lifting height. For pneumatic models this indicator does not exceed 50 cm. But in fact, this is enough to cope with changing wheels. If you use a jack, which is used to perform rigging work, and it, in turn, is connected to compressors, then this characteristic will be greater - up to 70 cm.

In any case, when choosing a jack, you should focus on your personal car and the conditions in which it is most often found.

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How to make a jack with your own hands

You will need the following items:

• an old truck cushion;
• bolt of the appropriate diameter;
• a ball that can be freely located in the bolt;
• wheel bolt from Zhiguli;
• chamber fitting;
• drill.

The structure is assembled from these components. A bolt is screwed into the hole of the pillow, focusing on the existing thread. You should drill a hole in it in advance into which the chamber fitting will be inserted.

The role of the valve will be performed by a wheel bolt from a Zhiguli, in which a hole should be made. Now these elements need to be connected. But before this is done, a ball is placed in the existing outlet so that during operation it can close the hole, then air will not escape.

To use such a device, you will need a special pump. The jack is installed under the bottom of the car. In such a device you will need to use a small wooden block, which will rest against the machine. If desired, you can attach a trolley with wheels to the bottom part, then it will be a rolling jack.

There is one inconvenience of this homemade device. The truck cushion is quite large. Therefore, if the car is low-slung, then it will have to be constantly raised in order to place a jack.

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Lifting Strength: Key Points

There are several options for how a jack can lift a car:

1. Pneumatics. In this option, the load is lifted using the power of compressed air. Such models operate both from the equipment and from the vehicle exhaust gases themselves. Air enters the chamber, and it, in turn, begins to increase in volume, due to which the transport rises. The convenience of using such models is that special effort is not included, and if you have a compressor, the process takes only a few seconds.
2. Mechanical. To use this analogue, you need to make twisting movements with the handle or use another similar method. Such jacks are quite affordable and also have small dimensions.
3. Hydraulic. The principle is similar to the previous option, the only difference is that in this case less effort will be expended. This is due to the fact that the device has a liquid in its design, which ensures that the plunger with a load is pushed out due to the pressure generated. This option has a long service life.
4. Mechanical with electric drive. In this option, electricity does all the work for a person. The conveniences here are undeniable, but only as long as there is food. As soon as the lights are turned off, you will have to work in the same way as ordinary mechanical ones, the only difference being that more effort will be required.

Depending on the scope of application of the jack, the required model is selected.

Despite the fact that a pneumatic jack is the easiest to use, there are also some nuances in its use. To avoid the tool flying out from under the machine, it should be stowed correctly. Therefore, before using a new device, it is better to empty it once, after which it deflates and folds properly on its own. While working, it would be a good idea to cover the surface of the floor and jack with some kind of rugs. This will protect the instrument from damage.

The materials for making the camera are based on PVC, and it, in turn, becomes quite rough as soon as frost appears outside. It is optimal to use until the thermometer shows -10, then operation becomes difficult.

The convenience of such a jack is that with its help you can lift the car with almost minimum height. And if you don’t want to spend money, you can always make it yourself.

The most necessary things that every motorist should have are a jack, a cable and a balloon. Fortunately, now all this can be bought at any auto store. We are simple ways don't look for it and let's talk about how to make a homemade jack for a car.

and their features

First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that there are several current designs of jacks. The most popular are hydraulic, rolling and mechanical. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Mechanical jacks are very reliable, but most models are not designed for heavy loads. Hydraulic ones lift large masses, but very often oil leaks from under the gaskets at the seals. As for pneumatic ones, this is one of the most optimal options. Making a homemade car jack is not that difficult, let’s see exactly how. Let's start with the simplest.

DIY rolling jack

One of the most popular types of car lifting devices is a rolling one. It is called that not because it can be transported on wheels from one corner of the garage to another. The principle of operation is that while lifting the car, the jack moves under the car. This happens due to the displacement of the lever relative to the fulcrum.

A channel, as well as a pair of corners, can be taken as the basis for the upper and lower arms. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the jack itself can be hydraulic or pneumatic. The first option is more load-bearing, the second is less problematic in terms of maintenance. Displacement of the rolling jack is possible if there are two pairs of wheels, and this is the main condition.

About the advantages and disadvantages of the design

This drawing of a homemade rolling jack shows that in terms of the necessary tool and the construction material is quite expensive. Unless, of course, you have half the material sitting in your garage as unwanted junk.

The material you will need is a channel with walls 4.5 mm and shelves 7.5 mm thick. You also need a welding machine and an old bottle hydraulic or regular one. Do not make the levers too long, 400-500 mm each. But if this is how it was done, it’s worth thinking about making an additional support. The advantage of such a jack is that it is convenient to use. But at the same time, carrying it with you in the trunk is not the best best solution. Ideal for use as a stationary “garage” tool.

Hydraulic homemade jack

This is one of the simplest, but at the same time effective designs. For manufacturing you will need a support platform. Its strength and rigidity should be as great as possible. This can be achieved using additional stiffeners.

An important step is supporting structure, which is made from profiled pipe square section. It is desirable that its thickness be at least 10 mm. We use the old hydraulic type as a basis. It is worth noting that even in this case you will need quite a lot metal profile, welding, and effort.

With a responsible approach to work, you will receive a high-quality and reliable design. However, it is worth calculating the costs in advance. If the amount turns out to be more than 2,000 rubles, then it hardly makes sense to bother with this matter.

Buy or make?

Of course, you can make a homemade jack for a car. But it is worth doing this if this procedure is advisable. Now there is huge selection jacks in stores at an affordable price. For example, for 1,500 rubles you can get a good quality diamond jack. It is reliable, stable and does not take up much space, making it easy to transport.

Good quality rolling jacks are sold for 2,500-3,000 rubles. They have good load capacity and are reliable, although they are extremely bulky and heavy. It is possible to make a rolling one. But this will require a lot of tools and material, which will ultimately result in serious costs.

A homemade car jack, made by you personally, will also have its advantages. If you approach the matter correctly, the result will be reliable design, the resource of which will clearly be higher than the purchased device. But it’s easy to make a mistake here. For example, some welding seams, especially at the bend of the lever, can burst, and this, in turn, will lead to dire consequences. In any case, it's up to you. The drawings presented in this article will help you make your own jack. But this can take a whole weekend and a lot of nerves and materials. But if you have a tool and there’s a lot of metal in the garage, then it’s definitely worth a try. Moreover, you know how to make a jack with your own hands.