I cant decide on which jack stand to get. Suggestions anyone? I'm looking at the Harbor Freight - Pittsburgh Alum Floor Jack 1 1/2 ton (35 lbs) vs. the Costco, Arcan 3 ton jack (56 lbs). Thoughts?

 

I have had good luck with the 3 ton and 6 ton Pittsburgh stands from SS (Harbor Freight). Both stands must be used to achieve 3 ton or both for the 6 ton version. Home Depot sometimes has sales that beat Harbor Fright ;-)

 

Jackstands are jackstands. As long as they have decent welds on the flanges and locking mechanisms are secured properly, they'll work fine.

With that said, I still prefer jackstands with height adjustment and locking using cotter pins. It is dummy proof and it is damn sure to lock at the height, which I can't say the same for toothed styled adjustments,

 

I used 3 ton jack stand and 2 ton jack for brake job. It's lighter to carry around.

And 6 ton jack stand(15" minimum lift) and 3 ton garage jack if i crawl under.

 

I have the HF aluminum "racing" jack stands and like them quite a lot. They are lighter than steel and don't do as much damage to the frame rails on my cars. I have had a lot of different jack stands over the years, and they have all been fine, however. I don't think there is a "best" jack stand.