What's your opinion on "lift" stands

[MattR]

Up to now, I have been using my perfect 17" height and low-priced plastic Rubbermaid 2-step stool that I bought at Lowe's for about $10 (See Below). I see all of these ads for "lift" stands costing anywhere from $50 to $100. Some are overpriced (ok most), while others are scary to be called a lift stand. I have held off buying one these because it is hard to justify the expense. However, lifting the bike up easily is very appealing for maintenance items.

Some examples that I have been looking at:
Motorsports P12 lift stand
FMF lift stand
MSR Pro-lift stand
Excel Moto-X Lift stand
Ocelot Pro lift II stand (from Chapparal)
Tusk lift stand (from RockyMountain)
Sears ATV/bike lift (heavy but ok for garage use)

Do you use a lift stand and what brand?
What are the pros/cons?
Any homemade ideas not requiring welding? It would have to be wood or metal bolted together.


Here is a pic of my Rubbermaid stand:



EDIT:
My plastic stand is made by Costco (not Rubbermaid). The height is 17" with a top surface of 12"x10" (12" is side-to-side width). Also, I riveted a small section of rubber mat to the top surface to keep my bike from slipping. They claim a max load limit of 250 lbs.

Here is a link to Lowe's. This is a newer version sold by them, but it is very similar.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-12&lpage=none

[eff]

I like your stand. The first time I saw that photo I thought I might get one too.

[Nick]

I use and sell these http://www.teamhawgracing.com/ Its great not having to bend over to work on things.

[Dave]

I use a fixed stand, somewhat like Matt's, for minor work. For bigger jobs I have one of the Sears atv/motorcycle lift stands. The Sears unit is quite solidly built and has two feet that can be screwed down to make contact with the floor - it is very stable. When not in use it fits under the bike.

[fury1]

this was my first stand,its the ash can for my fireplace

[RBD]

Dave,

For bigger jobs I have one of the Sears atv/motorcycle lift

Do you have any pictures of it? I would really like more information on this stand.

Thank you,
Ron

[moto9]

Originally Posted by Nick

I use and sell these http://www.teamhawgracing.com/ Its great not having to bend over to work on things.

I have the same stand and it's the sh*t!!!

[compmoto]

wait til your skippin thru the shop, and yer toe scoots under the lift pedal !! disclaimer:I never skip in the shop, never...

[GGRDR]

I have boughten lift stands from harborfreight and discountramps both work good. The one from harborfreight has a pin that hold the stand in the loocked postion. Hope this helps