Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: greenman on 13 February 2012, 20:30:46

Title: bottle jack
Post by: greenman on 13 February 2012, 20:30:46
Thinking of buying a bottle jack.Would 2 tonne be enough for lifting one corner at a time on the omega?
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Andy B on 13 February 2012, 20:34:41
Thinking of buying a bottle jack.Would 2 tonne be enough for lifting one corner at a time on the omega?

Your Omega weighs less than 2 tonne in total, so will easily lift one corner. Not sure where you'd locate it though.  :-\ Trolly jacks are easiest to use.  ;)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: aaronjb on 13 February 2012, 20:37:07
Bottle jacks have a tendency to fall over, too.. I have one that I've used a grand total of once, ever. The trolley jack, on the other hand..
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: feeutfo on 13 February 2012, 20:41:38
Get a trolley jack instead. 2.5 ton minimum if you want it to last generally.

Bottle jacks are too unstable and and have too narrow a saddle, need to spread the load.
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Lazydocker on 13 February 2012, 21:02:01
Get a trolley jack instead. 2.5 ton minimum if you want it to last generally.

Bottle jacks are too unstable and and have too narrow a saddle, need to spread the load.
Plus, you'll struggle to get a decent bottle jack under an Omega anyway ;)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: feeutfo on 13 February 2012, 21:03:49
Get a trolley jack instead. 2.5 ton minimum if you want it to last generally.

Bottle jacks are too unstable and and have too narrow a saddle, need to spread the load.
Plus, you'll struggle to get a decent bottle jack under an Omega anyway ;)
And that. In fact, some trolley jacks as well.
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: sticka_v8_init on 13 February 2012, 23:02:11
Thinking of buying a bottle jack.Would 2 tonne be enough for lifting one corner at a time on the omega?

They're the Devils toys!!
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: albitz on 13 February 2012, 23:15:27
They can be very useful for some things,but supporting a car isnt one of them. ;)
My new 3 ton Clarke trolley jack doesnt quite go under the sill of an Omega.Have to lift the car on its springs an inch or so and then push it under with my foot.Most annoying. ::)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Seth on 13 February 2012, 23:21:10
I use one of these with no problems:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43954633/020113030.jpg)

From here: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ctj3000g-3-tonne-professional-garage-j
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: albitz on 13 February 2012, 23:47:56
Mine isnt quite the same as that.Presumably a different model. :-\
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: feeutfo on 14 February 2012, 00:01:48
I use one of these with no problems:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43954633/020113030.jpg)

From here: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ctj3000g-3-tonne-professional-garage-j
They aren't bad for the money. But Daz had one of those at Newent. rather thing. Talk about hair trigger when lowering the car. It wasn't possible to drop it slowly, sliiiiiight twist on the haaaaandlllllle WHAMO! Car crashes to the floor. Jesus Christ.  :o. I reckon it was made of recycled bits from Arkwrights til.  ;D
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: tidla on 14 February 2012, 00:17:13
owning the clark high lift model jack i can confidently confirm arkwright still works for the costing dept. cheap shite.
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: feeutfo on 14 February 2012, 00:20:15
I have seen others that worked fairly well. Not sure what Daz had been doing with his tbh. It was a bit poorly, and had been threatened with lobbing over the fence, except it was the only jack we had.
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Vamps on 14 February 2012, 00:27:38
I have one that looks like that, had it years, also have a 'High Lift' one, not really been used, neither fit under the Mig with a flat tyre, well they do, but not in the right place so have to lift the car and then put another Jack in a more appropriate place......guess that is quite a common problem though...... ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: feeutfo on 14 February 2012, 00:30:32
I have one that looks like that, had it years, also have a 'High Lift' one, not really been used, neither fit under the Mig with a flat tyre, well they do, but not in the right place so have to lift the car and then put another Jack in a more appropriate place......guess that is quite a common problem though...... ::) ::) ::)
I guess if the Jack is only ever used in the case of a puncture then, well...

... How many punctures do you have Mike? :)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Vamps on 14 February 2012, 00:37:00
I have one that looks like that, had it years, also have a 'High Lift' one, not really been used, neither fit under the Mig with a flat tyre, well they do, but not in the right place so have to lift the car and then put another Jack in a more appropriate place......guess that is quite a common problem though...... ::) ::) ::)
I guess if the Jack is only ever used in the case of a puncture then, well...

... How many punctures do you have Mike? :)

One, but managed to get onto my drive, took two jacks to sort it, not really a problem and a Master Vamps to do the heavy work... :y :y

In 30+ years of motoring i can only recall having to change a wheel at the roadside, twice...... :)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: feeutfo on 14 February 2012, 00:43:00
In which case the jack in the tool kit is more suitable for lower access. :-\

Maybe sell your trolley jack to the op?
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Vamps on 14 February 2012, 01:07:41
In which case the jack in the tool kit is more suitable for lower access. :-\Maybe sell your trolley jack to the op?

Never even looked at it, we had a puncture, soon sorted, never even considered Vx Jack..... ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: feeutfo on 14 February 2012, 01:17:13
In which case the jack in the tool kit is more suitable for lower access. :-\Maybe sell your trolley jack to the op?

Never even looked at it, we had a puncture, soon sorted, never even considered Vx Jack..... ::) ::) ::)
;D oh well. "Jack unused" when you sell it then. :)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Vamps on 14 February 2012, 01:20:05
In which case the jack in the tool kit is more suitable for lower access. :-\Maybe sell your trolley jack to the op?

Never even looked at it, we had a puncture, soon sorted, never even considered Vx Jack..... ::) ::) ::)
;D oh well. "Jack unused" when you sell it then. :)

Scrap it...... :-\ :-\
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: TheBoy on 14 February 2012, 17:57:24
Hmmm, I might have to buy another jack soon...
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: mantahatch on 14 February 2012, 18:05:50
I use bottle jacks at work for some pretty fine positioning. They are excellant for that. If you really have to use one on a car it must be on very level, hard ground, preferably concrete floor. Also when jacking make sure car is in nuetral with handbrake off. This is a danger in itself and not to be recommended. The reason is so the car can move when being jacked, if it does not move then the jack will tend to "lean over"

Just my useless opinion based on 12 years of usng bottle jacks.
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: aaronjb on 14 February 2012, 18:07:58
That's what I used mine for, too - jacking a suspension upright up into position to meet a shock absorber. Much easier than man-handling it when there's only one of you around  :y

Though I could have done the same with the trolley jack to be fair - it's just that the trolley jack was under the back of the car.

Not that I'd work on a car without axle stands, you understand  :-[
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: tunnie on 14 February 2012, 18:46:39
I have a 3ton low jack, works really well, one of the best bits of kit I bought for the garage.

(http://topsaveguru.info/images/Weekly-Sales-Best-Today-Sales-Arcan-Quick-Lift_319lu40L-ML._477_415.jpg)

Its perfect for lowering diff ect too, as I find the Clarke ones have large "teeth" which does allow it to jam, the lift point on this is much flatter. Got a smaller jack for dual purpose jobs, used rarely.

Thing is with my main one though, is its too big when working inside the garage, especially getting between wall & car.

A bottle jack would be good for ease of use in confined spaces, if a decent one could be recommend, i'd be interested 
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: mantahatch on 14 February 2012, 20:05:45
That's what I used mine for, too - jacking a suspension upright up into position to meet a shock absorber. Much easier than man-handling it when there's only one of you around  :y

Though I could have done the same with the trolley jack to be fair - it's just that the trolley jack was under the back of the car.

Not that I'd work on a car without axle stands, you understand  :-[

I fully understand  :y I have on occasions bent the rules, I usually say to myself if the job does not warrant any part of my body going under the car then I will just rely on the trolley jack. I do however have a proffesional jack that even if it fell injuries would be limited. I know I have no excuse for my bad habits.  :-[
I have been considering something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR-LIFT-GREAT-HOME-WORK-USE-/330686678525?pt=UK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment&hash=item4cfe7645fd but also think it has limited use for doing any work under the car.
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: hotel21 on 14 February 2012, 20:39:48
Bottle jacks have their place.  I used one to keep a cheesecutter puzzle nut onto a locknut so that I could get the locking bolt removed.  Having a nearby wall to jam it against was a bonus....  :y
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: aaronjb on 14 February 2012, 21:23:58
I fully understand  :y I have on occasions bent the rules, I usually say to myself if the job does not warrant any part of my body going under the car then I will just rely on the trolley jack. I do however have a proffesional jack that even if it fell injuries would be limited. I know I have no excuse for my bad habits.  :-[
I have been considering something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR-LIFT-GREAT-HOME-WORK-USE-/330686678525?pt=UK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment&hash=item4cfe7645fd but also think it has limited use for doing any work under the car.

Ditto - I wasn't under the car and the chances of it falling far enough sideways to crush me against the wall were very slim indeed (plus I happen to know an MR2 will happily tripod on three wheels - because a friend had his drop off a scissor jack once).

I've looked at those lifts - they look awfully unstable at max height, not that I could ever get a car that high in my garage. But I've been tempted, it would compliment the pit nicely  :y
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Psychoca on 14 February 2012, 21:25:45
I keep one to use as a backup (with the trolley) and to use for emergency use (smaler in the boot than a trolley jack) as I have a passionate hatred of the stupid manufacturer jacks (since I had 1 snap)...
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: aaronjb on 14 February 2012, 21:28:08
I keep one to use as a backup (with the trolley) and to use for emergency use (smaler in the boot than a trolley jack) as I have a passionate hatred of the stupid manufacturer jacks (since I had 1 snap)...

Wasn't an Audi was it, by any chance (or VWAG group car)? I know someone else who had an Audi scissor jack fold up as if it was made from tissue paper, IIRC it crushed part of him under the car, too (while changing a wheel).
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: Lazydocker on 14 February 2012, 21:30:52
I keep one to use as a backup (with the trolley) and to use for emergency use (smaler in the boot than a trolley jack) as I have a passionate hatred of the stupid manufacturer jacks (since I had 1 snap)...

Wasn't an Audi was it, by any chance (or VWAG group car)? I know someone else who had an Audi scissor jack fold up as if it was made from tissue paper, IIRC it crushed part of him under the car, too (while changing a wheel).
I didn't have one fold up, but the Brother in Law managed to knock his old Passat off the jack onto my hand when I was changing a wheel :o :o

Fortunately I always get the bottom of the wheel under the disk straight away and that took the bulk of it ;)
Title: Re: bottle jack
Post by: hoofing it on 14 February 2012, 21:32:24
Best place for a bottle jack is on a landrover due to the need for a longer travel.Stick to a trolly jack for the mig much more stable :y