Last week I picked up a set of four "tire saver" jacks from John Danuser, they look and work great, thanks John!
They're adjustable for height, and once they're adjusted, it only takes one swing of the handle to lift the car 2 inches, which is plenty to get the tires off the ground for long-term storage. The linkage swings "over center" to hold the handle in the down position at the bottom of its stroke, but I added a little clip made from coat hanger wire for extra insurance.
WOW, those are way fancier than my tire savers. They look great!
They were made to under the outside hubs,on wood wheels, but they will work that way also .
Neat Mark.
I think you might need to peen those hub bolts on that wheel.
I have a set like that and I like your idea of adding a safety clip.
Mark,I like your jacks! Your post just made me realize I have a stack of them buried deep in the shed somewhere.
I second what Herb said, you need to tighten those hub bolts, cut the extra off, and stake them for safety sake.
Thanks for the tips on the hub bolts.
I tried putting the jacks on the outside under the hubs, but even with the jacks pushed as far as possible against the wheels, it looked like most of the weight was being supported by the hubcaps, so I moved the jacks under the axles.
You're probably aware of this:
Although you can use them under the axle, the jacks are designed to be put under the hubs on the outside of the wheels. That's one reason why they are so tall, the bracket is curved and lined with leather. The outside of the wheel is also a more convenient location for the person operating the jacks.
Also, your jacks can be used with the handles parallel or perpendicular to the wheel. That is why the bracket rotates.
Below are scans from accessory catalogs in my library:
Gemco 1916 Catalogue
Gemco 1916 Catalogue
Northwestern Automobile Co. (Minneapolis) 1913 Catalog of Ford Specialities - this is the same jack as the Gemco ad but badged Racine. Note that the description says "slip loop over hub." That describes a slightly different style of jack, not the one pictured.
Janney, Semple, Hill, Co. (Minneapolis) Automobile Tools and Accessories Special Catalog No. 183 (undated - circa 1913)
I always thought they were made for buggy tires to keep from getting flat spots. Those jacks are light weight and can go up quite high.
Sorry about being redundant regarding putting the jacks under the hubs.
I was pulling and scanning my catalogs and creating the post when others posted the same information.
You can see in the illustrations that they fit under the hubcaps. Not a big deal if you have heavy, cast brass hubcaps. Not so great with the thin, stamped Ford hubcaps.
Erik, Thanks for the ads.
Wow, thanks for the info! I guess the hubcaps are sturdier than I give them credit for, after my drive today I'll move the jacks to the outside like the ads show.
Since I'm on a roll.
I picked up this set of tire savers a few weeks ago at an estate sale. They they're very compact compared to the cast iron style. Approximately 14 inches in height and can be extended an additional 2.5 inches. They lay nice and flat and would fit nicely under the rear seat of a touring or in a roadster trunk if a person wished to carry them in their car when they traveled.
I had them for sale at Cameron's swap meet two weeks ago. I was surprised that most of the folks did not know what they were. Had a lot of fun explaining what they were, however.
I wish I knew what brand they were. I haven't found any markings on them.
You should not try to support the car with the hubcaps alone. They really are not strong enough. As long as you get under the bottom end of the cap where it is well supported by the threads in the hub inside, it should be fine.
I have had quite a few original hub caps that were squeezed in over the end of the hub and I think these are why.
Erik J,
What were you asking for those at the swap meet? (You did have them there to sell?) It looks like two are heavier to support the heavier end of the car?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Do drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Yep, after my drive today I tried putting the jacks under the hubs, and most of the weight is put on the hubcaps, especially at the rear. Plus, I only have a 3 car garage and I walk between the cars a lot, I worry about bumping the jacks when walking between cars.
So, I ended up putting the jacks under the axles like in my first picture, it keeps them out of the way and keeps the load off my hubcaps.
Now I need to get busy on those hub bolts!
Wayne:
The jacks are all the same size.
They are for sale. If you are interested, send me a private message for the price.
This one fits under the hub, not the cap.
Steve:
Is the cradle thin enough to clear the rear hubcap?
I have a set just like Steve's, and yes they fir just fine on the rear.
I would be highly interested in buying the style Mark Posted in his first picture. If anyone has any for sale in any condition could you PM me?
Pat I'll check and see what I have left danuser88@ktis.net
Thanks John