Jackstand mod for use in gravel?

Unfortunately, my current situation means that I do a LOT of my work (especially anything involving fluids) outside. My work area is covered in 'screenings' which is essentially 3/8- crush with sand filler. It packs down very well, and is a great surface for most things. One thing it is NOT great for is jackstands, as the bottoms often start to sink into it over a couple of hours, and there's the very real possibility of things becoming unstable.

I'm trying to come up with a jackstand mod that will be safer and more stable. A full bottom plate wont work because the gravel isn't completely flat, but I feel like some 1/4" steel "feet" welded to the bottom of the legs might be an idea, but if so, how big? Any other thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks!

 

How about some small plywood squares?

 

Exactly. On pavement or gravel/dirt, I put some scrap plywood pieces under my jackstands and it solves the sinking problem.

 

slap some traction boards under your jack stands

 

Hadn't actually thought of using wood; my concern was that if I welded some 1/4" plate to the bottom, then I would be dealing with a different type of instability when the gravel wasn't flat, but wood would actually 'bite' into the gravel. Sometimes simple really is better!

 

That would mean buying traction boards; other than the odd FSR or power-line trail, I don't do much in the way of off-roading.

 

you want/need something that is wide and will provide sufficient float, yet also have spikes that can dig in deep

 

some of the cheaper traction boards would work well in your situation

low recovery use, mostly as a jacking pad

 

I'd been toying with the idea of welding a 2x2 square to each leg and putting a spike on the bottom; I figured that would give me enough base that the stands couldn't be pressed in to the gravel, but would still allow for full contact if things weren't perfectly flat...

 

I have (3) 4x8 sheets of 1/2" plywood ready for just these scenario's at my place
(all gravel in my driveway)

lay down the 3 sheets shortways side by side & you get a nice 8'x12' pad to work on
find a fairly level spot in the gravel providing about 8'x12' to set the ply down on
you can set a jack stand anywhere on the 8'x12' plywood temp pad this way
& its real comfy for laying on while you work

me love plywood

 

Hmmm... interesting!!