Anybody know anything about floorjacks?

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obamanation

Banned
Mar 22, 2010
265
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I've been reading up on floorjacks because I need one and I kind of want to make this a one time purchase. I've been reading that crapsman jacks made in the last few years or so are complete garbage and should be avoided. So now I'm wondering, assuming if you people are particularly familiar with higher end floor jacks, what are some of the top brands? The only brands of jacks that I'm aware of that deserve me attention are Arcan (sold at costco, has its own line), Hein-werner, some off brand Harbor Freight jack, Norco and Milwaukee Hydraulics... I keep seeing this "OTC" brand a lot on the sears website but prompts me the question as to whether or not sears' house brand of jacks and jackstands are just a rebranding of OTC's stuff.


Also I found these http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/champ-floor-jack-height-extenders-p-11539.aspx Jack height extenders which should allow me to jack my vehicle higher than I'd otherwise would be able to but was wondering about how safe or unsafe they are.
 
T

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,030
123
106
I haven't had any problems with my off brand harbor freight jack other than it being heavy as hell and not a low profile which would be nice with my miata. Have to drive it up on some wood planks to get under it. I'd like to have one of their low profile aluminum jacks but can't justify it as long as my old one keeps working.

I use a left over 4x4 block of wood when I need a little extra height.
 
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
I've had a 3 ton Craftsman jack for..maybe six or seven years now? It has been great.
 
L

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
14
81
you can find someone to tell you that anything is garbage, with that said, my craftsman floor jack is very niiiiiiice.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
I like my craftsman stuff. My jack isn't a two pumper...I don't expect it to work like one.
 
slag

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
I'm on my 2nd crapsman jack. Both were yellow/black and are 3 ton. The first one stopped working after about 4 months. This one has started a slow leak (drops about an inch or two over a couple hours), but still.. they dont make them like they used to.

Best bet would be to get one at an auction and rebuild it.
 
herm0016

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,507
1,122
126
i have an aluminum torrin jack from northern industrial tool. it has worked great for me, gets under my TransAm without a problem, just use blocks of wood to get a higer clearence.
 
F

fbrdphreak

Lifer
Apr 17, 2004
17,555
1
0
I had the same dilemma a while back. I did as much research as possible, but of course there's not exactly any long-term comprehensive reviews of floor jacks.

The Harbor Freight & Sears jacks were out for me, as they've shown to be unreliable in numerous circumstances.

I needed something with a low minimum height and tall max height. Weight wasn't an issue as it wouldn't be moved around much, so no need for a pricey aluminum jack.

I ended up with this one: http://www.autobarn.net/2-ton-low-rider-floor-jack.html

From what I found, American Forge & Foundry has a number of authorized service partners and it seems as though the jacks can be rebuilt. It is expensive, but I am happy with the build quality and it has performed well. The saddle has a rubber "cap" of sorts over it, which has also held up well.

I've had this for coming up on a year now.
 
SooperDave

SooperDave

Senior member
Nov 18, 2009
615
0
0
I wouldn't doubt the Craftsman is a rebranded OTC. Their toolboxes used to be rebranded Waterloo's. I think they still are. I've had many OTC tools and been happy with them. I don't like a Harbor Frieght (Central Hydraulic) jack I've got. It is rated at 3 ton but at even half that it drops the load like a hot rock when the valve is barely opened. Terrible control. My Norco is great and has a super low wide profile but it is a heavy bastard So I only get it out for big stuff. That brings me back to Craftsman. I've had my 2.5 ton for twenty five years and it has worked out very well for me. Never a single problem. You might want to check the tools section of Craigslist too. I've seen quite a few on there for cheap.
 
thescreensavers

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Northern tool has a 3.5 ton Jack from Like Arcan it has great reviews, and I my self am going to get it.
 
Raduque

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
I have one of those smaller "portable" floorjacks that come in a black plastic case from Walmart. Have had it for like 5 years and it hasn't failed to lift something yet. I've used it to lift everything from a 2500lb coupe to a 5000lb truck. I think it was a "Mack" or "Big Mack" brand?
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
Costco by far. Lifetime warranty FTW, particularly on a floorjack

FWIW they cycle through a few different models at my costco (aluminum, steel, low profile).. It might be worth buying whatever they have right now and swapping it if they carry a better one later.


Edit:

I have the blue steel one (Arcan, I think) and it is heavy and awkward as a mofo. Getting it into the back of my truck is a PITA. However, it's very sturdy and stable (I use it to lift and move motorcycles and crap)
 
halik

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
0
Excelsior said:
Are you pleased with that one?

I need to get one soon and I am looking at Harbor Freight or the Arcan at Costco for $69. It is heavier and larger than the HF one though. I don't need it for much and would prefer a slightly smaller one (have a relaively small garage).
Click to expand...

Yeah, definitely solid. Though i will be returning it and exchanging for thee display model - it looks like HF cheaped out and stopped anodizing them.
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
obamanation said:
Also I found these http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/champ-floor-jack-height-extenders-p-11539.aspx Jack height extenders which should allow me to jack my vehicle higher than I'd otherwise would be able to but was wondering about how safe or unsafe they are.
Click to expand...


Use this instead:

DSC04661WlfSpideyon4x4beampost.JPG
 
H

Homer Simpson

Senior member
Oct 10, 1999
584
0
0
ive got a 1.5ton torin i got from pepboys years ago. its a smallish aluminum "racing" jack. it has served me well. it has trouble going down after the vehicle weight is off of it now though. ive since relegated it to secondary duties like under the a-pillar to get my car high enough for a larger jack to fit under the front. that larger jack is now a 3.5ton craftsman aluminum jack. its the red&silver one. i really like it. its lower than standard jacks but still not low enough for my vehicles (nothing really is to be honest) but has been working great for over a year now. bleed-off when lowering is very controllable which i like. and of course, being a 3.5ton, its huge and the light weight is a huge plus. i can actually pick it up and move it when needed without giving myself a hernia. i think its still 68lbs or something but a steel version of a 3.5ton, is way heavier.
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
Homer Simpson said:
ive got a 1.5ton torin i got from pepboys years ago. its a smallish aluminum "racing" jack. it has served me well. it has trouble going down after the vehicle weight is off of it now though. ive since relegated it to secondary duties like under the a-pillar to get my car high enough for a larger jack to fit under the front. that larger jack is now a 3.5ton craftsman aluminum jack. its the red&silver one. i really like it. its lower than standard jacks but still not low enough for my vehicles (nothing really is to be honest) but has been working great for over a year now. bleed-off when lowering is very controllable which i like. and of course, being a 3.5ton, its huge and the light weight is a huge plus. i can actually pick it up and move it when needed without giving myself a hernia. i think its still 68lbs or something but a steel version of a 3.5ton, is way heavier.
Click to expand...

Costco's 'low profile' jack is only a few inches tall when completely lowered.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
SpatiallyAware said:
Costco by far. Lifetime warranty FTW, particularly on a floorjack

snip

It might be worth buying whatever they have right now and swapping it if they carry a better one later.


LIFETIME WARRANTY IS NOT ABOUT UPGRADING AT ANYTIME!!!!!!
Click to expand...
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
alkemyst said:
SpatiallyAware said:
Costco by far. Lifetime warranty FTW, particularly on a floorjack

snip

It might be worth buying whatever they have right now and swapping it if they carry a better one later.


LIFETIME WARRANTY IS NOT ABOUT UPGRADING AT ANYTIME!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Ruh Roh, I've attracted the most powerful ebully on anandtech, rofl.. ;p



FWIW, I've had no problem doing this (and am 100% totally honest with them about it). I swapped out my super low profile aluminum for a heavier duty steel "because it didn't suit my needs".

YMMV, IANAL, etc etc etc to appease good 'ole Alky.
Click to expand...
 
B

basslover1

Golden Member
Aug 4, 2004
1,921
0
76
I picked up a Kobalt (Lowes brand) Floor Jack/Jack Stand combo a few years back for about 80 bucks.

2.25 Ton weight capacity, works great the few times I use the floor jack. To be honest I use the stands more than the jack it self. I use the widow maker (cheap scissor jack) to lift the car and then use the stands to hold it in place. The floor jack was very helpful when swapping motor mounts to hold my engine in place, but otherwise I pretty much leave it alone.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
SpatiallyAware said:
alkemyst said:
Ruh Roh, I've attracted the most powerful ebully on anandtech, rofl.. ;p



FWIW, I've had no problem doing this (and am 100% totally honest with them about it). I swapped out my super low profile aluminum for a heavier duty steel "because it didn't suit my needs".

YMMV, IANAL, etc etc etc to appease good 'ole Alky.
Click to expand...

not e-bullying...people like you are why they changed their policy on electronics.

Buying something today knowing you are going to simply return it for a better model tomorrow is fraud and not in the spirit of the warranty.

nuff said.
Click to expand...
 
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