I never raised but I have supported the front end with a pad-less stand on the pinch weld of my old LS400 without issue. I put the stands at the location specified in the FSM.
I wouldn't lift the vehicle with any kind of jack directly on the pinch weld, unless the lifting pad had some kind of pad that straddled the pinch weld.
IMO, the pinch weld pretty strong; if you look at it's location it's typically right below the A and C pillar panels. It's more prone to impact damage than lifting. Provided you're using an approved manner to lift.
I wouldn't lift the vehicle with any kind of jack directly on the pinch weld, unless the lifting pad had some kind of pad that straddled the pinch weld.
IMO, the pinch weld pretty strong; if you look at it's location it's typically right below the A and C pillar panels. It's more prone to impact damage than lifting. Provided you're using an approved manner to lift.