Recommend a floor jack?

[Ron Ward]

My trusty 30-year old Sears Craftsman (Made in USA) floor jack finally laid down. Sure, I could probably have it fixed, but this old gal has been on her last legs for a couple of years. So, with that being said, it is time for me to move upward and onward.

Here's what I am looking for. I would like a nice quality jack in the 2-3 ton range that is low, wide and stable with a raised height of 17"-20". I'd like a handle on it that is at least 36" long. I am looking for something in the $150-$300 range that will give me several years of good service. I am not looking for a $29.99 Harbor Freight special (or its equivalent) but rather a sturdy shop jack I can depend on.

Any suggestions? Any good experiences with the jacks you all are using?


Thanks,


Ron

[milner351]

From what shopping I've done in the last few years for replacements at work, you're not going to get an American made Jack for less than $500, and it's getting harder to find the ones that are in fact made here.

Here's one example -

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/2-Ton-Service-Jack-Made-in-the-USA-P15106.aspx

[Deaf Bob]

Bingo on the Harbor Freight (I'm afraid) ...
I got their $60 special... Never know if the damn thing will stay up long enough to change a tire at a derby... We like taking that to derbys because nobody borrows nor steals it..
I bought a NAPA brand years ago (20?) and worked great untill company's kid overjacked it empty..
My son bought the under $300 one for like $250 from them and we use the hell out of it... Holds cars up no bleed down..

[squirrel]

I have a 20+ year old chinese jack, it cost around $100 when it was new, and it's been working good all these years. The handle return spring broke a while back, that's the only issue with it.

I also have a newer sears jack that has the "quick take up" feature, it sucks. I dont know if you can get them without this feature now.

Every time I look at new floor jacks, I get get disgusted and don't buy one.

I wonder where these come from?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-1525/?rtype=10

[TC]

OTC??..... Oriental Trading Company??.......

I just picked up a new 3 1/2 ton low boy jack from Greg Smith Equipment, seems like a quality piece......

[squirrel]

Owatonna. Minnestoa.

[TC]

Owatonna. Minnestoa.

I know I'm just play'n.......

[oldsman496]

My no name $39.99 floor jack came from a warehouse sale 28 yrs ago.... no leaks, works like a new one. Can ya justify $500 for a floor jack when an $80.00 unit may well last as long... even if it only lasts one third the time....? my old girl is very heavy, she prolly weighs over 50lbs... aluminum would be better for the old back.... shop craigslist, take the money you save and put it into your current project car. But if'n ya want to ooh and aah your friends, well, those new one pump aluminum jobs sure are pretty!

[milner351]

I think the big deal we discussed last time jacks came up was who's were rebuildable and who's were disposable. I found out that my heavy duty old 3 ton craftsman - is not rebuildable. I think the avantage to the more expensive "industrial" brands is that with a rebuild kit - you can have essentially a new jack..... the trick of course being finding one of these gems at a garag sale. I'm still looking for a WW2 era big old bench vice. I try to stop at any garage sale that looks to have tools.

[bulletproof]

i have a harbor freight one as well. going on 10 years now,,,,no bleed down...

[Northeast Rod Run]

I have this one here. It's heavy but I never need to lift it and it rolls great, so the weight isn't an issue for me

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NLE7916402_0006396327

I don't know how true it is, but I've heard recently that this jack is the same one as a lot of other stores sell as their own, but they are all just marked and painted accordingly for their own purposes

[Deaf Bob]

i have a harbor freight one as well. going on 10 years now,,,,no bleed down...

Lucky you... Went to buy another to get the warrantee so I can take this one back.. They changed..
So I would not be too surprised your's is still good..
HF of old had better tools?

[squirrel]

Everyone of old had better tools.

[JOES66FURY]

I have a Craftsman my wife got me a few years back fro christmas...3 ton I think...good stuff.

[PatricksDad]

I got a HF aluminum special as a gift a few years back, when my old (ancient) jack died. Has worked fine, but it's max height isn't really enough and I have my doubts about its longevity.

Prior to that, I was looking at Hein-Werners. They might be a little more than you wanted to spend, but seemed to be pretty stout. I just checked, and sub<$100 repair kits are still available for the model I was looking at.