I have the 2-ton folding cherry picker from Harbor Freight and I like it, I have used it for pulling and replacing my engine and moving blocks around and installing my 4 speed transmission. It folds up nicely and is pretty stable. The only thing I wish it had were better casters which are easy to replace. It does need a leg lock in the up position to keep them from whacking you in the knee when you are moving it. I use a bungie cord to keep them up. You are going to want a load leveller with your cherry picker, going without one makes pulling and installing engines kind of tough. 235's don't balance well on a chain.

I have a cheap 4- wheel 1000 lb engine stand I got at Wheeler Dealer which is very similar to HF's stand. It is ok with my 235 on it but it seems a bit marginal so I don't stand with my feet under it when I am using it. I'm not worried about it tipping over but I don't like the way the bolts interface with the mounting plate. I used grade 8's but the adaptors that go from the plate to the engine aren't very well made. I think I will make my own. In the future I will fabricate my own stand if I need another.

I have an inexpensive upright air compressor that needs a ring job soon, but it was cheap and it works. The next compressor I buy will be a monster, but I don't have enough floor space in my shop right now to justify a big compressor. I'm tempted to find a V6 engine and make a compressor out of it, with one side running and the other side compressing.

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A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.