Floor jack tech/recommendation

[rstrucks]

I am in need of a floor jack. My ~5 year old Craftsman aluminum floor jack has crapped out. It was never good to start with. The first one I got I returned under warranty due to leaking.......... the second leaked as well but didn't start until after the warranty expired. I have taken the jack apart and tried to replace the o-ring but there is a slight detent in the shaft preventing it from sealing. It leaks just like it did with the old 0-ring. I don't know much about hydraulics but shouldn't the tolerances be pretty damn tight and shouldn't they be using a squared off o-ring instead of a round one? Anybody think it's a good idea to try to fix this one, if so how?

If I do get a new one what do you guys like? I prefer the aluminum for obvious weight reasons, as I throw it in the truck when traveling with the trailer, but an iron jack would be alright too. I also need a strong jack that has a high max. lift height and I don't want to have to replace it within the next few years due to a leak or shit construction. I also don't want to spend more than about $200 if possible.

It seems like there are a lot of floor jack that I've used in different shops that have been around for decades - do they make 'em like they used to? I guess buying an American made jack is probably not even possible is it?

[SirFuego]

Here is a thread from our local forum asking a similar question:
http://www.wnyoffroad.org/forum/view...ght=floor+jack

I, too, have had issues with a Craftsman jack giving up. I'm happy with my Kobalt (Lowes store brand) jack, but I don't use it as frequently as perhaps you do.


My buddy (LowBudget) that had a couple posts in that thread is an auto mechanic, so he puts heavy use to whatever tools he gets and always seems to have issues with floor jacks. He has also looked into any "Made in USA" jacks and there isn't any available anymore.

EDIT: This is the Jack I have:
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1

A little off topic, but those jack stands included with the set are junk, though. I would normally bring them with me on wheeling trips, but I just noticed one of the welds broke at the base of the jack stand. I have two other sizes of jack stands I normally use, so these jack stands didn't get heavy use, either.

[ArloGuthroJeep]

For the past 5-6 years I have been using the cheapo Harbor Freight one. It has held up great so far. I hate buying tools from them because they break so freaking easily, but this jack has done just fine.

[Sporer65]

I've got a Husky SUV Floor Jack from Home Depot. Its pretty heavy but works great so far and a really high lift.

[paulkeith]

Ryan,

I have used a harbor freight long frame farm jack since 2007 on my own, and i bought one for use at my parent's shop in about 2003ish as well. Both are still going strong with little to zero maintenance. The one in SC has been used in dirt, left outside, left loaded for days at a time, etc.

Mine actually just puked the ball bearings out of a caster which really surprised me. Still works fine though, just doesn't roll quite as nice. I bought this jack because with the F-250, i needed a seriously high lift height to get anything done. Doesn't quite fit your requirement for low weight, but figured I'd offer my real experiences.

I actually don't even see it on their website anymore. It was $190 or something, has a 4" lowered height and like 36" max lift, 2 ton capacity, my favorite feature is the foot pump to cover ground quickly until it's loaded.

I bought my dad a craftsman aluminum 2 speed jack a few years ago for his 911, to replace an old chunk of iron he's had since the 70s....he's been really happy with that one too, but maybe that's just a few years away from the results you had with yours.

....for what its worth.

paul

edit: looks pretty identical to this one sold by northern for $220:



5" min 31" max

linky: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9257_200349257

[goodolboy71]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5429_200345429



I have been using this one for about 2 yrs now at the house. I had to get one that was big enough for the ZJ and low enough to go under the cars my wife drives that are usually low to the ground. Before I had a craftmans that sucked but it also wasn't as heavy duty as this one either. I like it alot.

[it usually runs fine]

Iv have had this puppy for bout 3 or 4 years. It has not had an easy life at all, Been left in rain for weeks, used in the dirt and mud and still works awsome. Got it at harbor freight for 79.99!! It's a 3 ton. It's a heavy beast tho.

[ATL ZJ]

I have a blue something or other floor jack that a friend bought and I have been using since 2002. He got out of wheeling so I only feel partly guilty about the extended period of time I've been "borrowing" it for. You know you're earned your reputation as a tool stealer when your friends won't even hardly let you borrow a wrench on the trail

But on topic, get one that's one stroke to chassis. "Mine" is and when I go help friends work on their rigs, it's painful to have to slowly raise their slow as molasses jacks up quarter inch by quarter inch.

[rstrucks]

Thanks for the recommend's guys. I figured getting anything but a cheap ass, China made jack would be out of the question. I have heard decent things about the HF jack so I'll check them out along with Northern Tool.

I will probably just use my little MVP floor jack as my "travel" jack and leave the new one in the shop.

I'd like to have one of these bad boys - ought of my budget though!
http://www.acjacks.com/acjacks_003.htm

I actually don't even see it on their website anymore. It was $190 or something, has a 4" lowered height and like 36" max lift, 2 ton capacity, my favorite feature is the foot pump to cover ground quickly until it's loaded.

I bought my dad a craftsman aluminum 2 speed jack a few years ago for his 911, to replace an old chunk of iron he's had since the 70s....he's been really happy with that one too, but maybe that's just a few years away from the results you had with yours.

edit: looks pretty identical to this one sold by northern for $220:



5" min 31" max

linky: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9257_200349257

I'll take a look at that one as we use a similar Jack here at the shop - we call it the school bus jack. Shop space at home is at a premium though.

On the Craftsmen jack - mine did ok but had a ever worsening leak and I had to refill mine all the time - and clean up the mess too. Your dad may have gotten lucky - even the ratings on the Sears site them horrible reviews. I like Craftmen stuff but will never buy another jack from them.

I have a blue something or other floor jack that a friend bought and I have been using since 2002. He got out of wheeling so I only feel partly guilty about the extended period of time I've been "borrowing" it for. You know you're earned your reputation as a tool stealer when your friends won't even hardly let you borrow a wrench on the trail

But on topic, get one that's one stroke to chassis. "Mine" is and when I go help friends work on their rigs, it's painful to have to slowly raise their slow as molasses jacks up quarter inch by quarter inch.

My Craftmen was a "quick to load" jack....... I'll never go back to a normal pump version.

On the borrowed tool topic, do you remember a year and a half ago at Windrock when I broke your breaker bar? Since then I have put about 800 miles (GSSE-W and GSSE)on a replacement for you. I keep forgetting to give it to you. Next time, I swear!

EDIT - has anyone successfully repaired a leaking jack?

[ATL ZJ]

On the borrowed tool topic, do you remember a year and a half ago at Windrock when I broke your breaker bar? Since then I have put about 800 miles (GSSE-W and GSSE)on a replacement for you. I keep forgetting to give it to you. Next time, I swear!

Hahah that is hilarious that you are actually carting one around for me... Yes I remember quite well. The old one is still sitting on the corner of my workbench and every time someone grabs it to use it and says wtf I have to tell them who broke it and how

[Poser 5.9]

FWIW, I have a HF long frame jack like the Northern pictured above and it works real well. Esp. the foot pump part. As far as repairing a jack, I had an american made Bluepoint jack that I got from the Snap-On man that I tried to repair. I changed the O-rings and topped off the fluid, it never lifted all the way up after that and it only lasted a little longer before it crapped out again. Operator error?? Just replaced it with the HF cheapy, I've had it for 4-5 years.

[95lumberwagon]

I also have a HF only because of the price. For right around $200 Ranger or American Forge and Foundary make 2 or 3 ton low profile jacks that I have heard are really good maybe someone else knows more about them.

[ZJ TINS]

Got mine at Sam Club no name brand. All steel so it is very heavy but three pumps to top of the throw. I beat it to death and it still works 6 years later. Around $60 at the time on sale.