Who makes a good floor jack?

[deadken]

I am an ex-mechanic and figure that I have been doing enough work on my cars that I might as well make the investment. Please understand that I have thousands of dollars worth of mostly Snap-On tools and I don't mind paying for quality. I went to Sears.com and looked at the floor jacks they carry. Look here for the search and please check the reviews.

There are places that I will spend good money for good quality and a floor jack would certainly be one of them. Unfortunately after reading how most people don't get more then a year out of their jacks, I am tempted to get a cheap jack and a decent set of stands and just plan on buying a new jack every year or so.

I realize that a PC website might not be the best place to ask, but hey, this is the OT section and I certainly have seen my fair share of 'car guy' signatures around here to make me think that someone would have some good info.

This topic is being moved to the Garage forum.
esquared
Senior Moderator

 

[biggestmuff]

After reading a lot about jacks a few months back, I bought the Craftsman 1.5 ton aluminum jack (red and silver one). It's low-profile. The jack pad can be removed and replaced. The oil can also be refilled if it leaks. I bought this jack for work on my '01 VW GTI. If you have a larger vehicle, then you'll need a bigger jack. Also, buy some jack stands. Jacks are for lifting weight, not holding it.

Most of the cheap jacks have non-removable jack pads and cannot be refilled or even fixed should they break.

 

[Sluggo]

I bought this one last summer.

For the most part I like it, although when its not under load going down its slow as crap. Its also a heavy sum beetch, I loath having to pick it up and load it in the truck.

Now that i think about it, one other thing I hate. The handle will not store a full 90 degrees up. Its at a slight angle, which makes storing it in the garage a slight hassle.

 

[CrackRabbit]

I had this one http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...ent&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Had no issues with it until someone stole it, very heavy, must weight 60lbs.

 

[BoomerD]

I have a 3 or 3-1/2 ton Craftsman that I've used for MANY years with no problem.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
I had this one http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...ent&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Had no issues with it.

That's the exact same one I have. I've had it for 3-4 years, IIRC.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I have a Craftsman too, had a Harbor Freight for years, got tired of fixing it all the time and got this one: Craftsman

Oh, and WRONG FORUM :laugh:

 

[Maiora]

As long as it has a round saddle and 3 tons you should be good. NEVER trust just the jack though! ALWAYS use a pair of good stands.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I have the Craftsman 3 ton model that everyone on the Sears site seems to hate in the reviews but it's been working fine for me for the last 5 years.

Remember that online reviews are not random samples and that the results tend to skew towards people who hate the product (and, to a lesser extent, people who think the product is the greatest thing in the world). People who think the product is fine and have no complaints aren't going to bother with putting a review on a company's site.

ZV

 

[boomerang]

I've been using a Hein-Werner for over two decades and its never let me down. I got it used and it was older than dirt when I got it.

Edit: For my usual spelling errors that I never catch the first time! :|

 

[Gillbot]

I'm still in search of a good one myself. I had a craftsman high lift but it's failed on me about 4 times. The last one I got replaced I gave away. Not I know one from the father-in-law that seems to be holding up for the last year but I don't know who made it.

 

[Zorba]

I bought a cheap Wal-mart one 7 years ago that has never given me a single problem. The only thing I don't like is the handle is really short, so I have to get on the ground to use it. I always put the car on stands as soon as it is up and take the weight off the jack.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Zorba
I bought a cheap Wal-mart one 7 years ago that has never given me a single problem. The only thing I don't like is the handle is really short, so I have to get on the ground to use it. I always put the car on stands as soon as it is up and take the weight off the jack.

As should anyone. Jack stands are meant to hold a car, a jack was only meant to lift it.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: Zorba
I bought a cheap Wal-mart one 7 years ago that has never given me a single problem. The only thing I don't like is the handle is really short, so I have to get on the ground to use it. I always put the car on stands as soon as it is up and take the weight off the jack.

As should anyone. Jack stands are meant to hold a car, a jack was only meant to lift it.

Is there an echo in here?

 

[Arkaign]

Another nod to the cheapo wal-mart floor jacks. Had a couple for years and years, no problems, of course the heaviest vehicle they have lifted is an '81 F250 longbed 4door.

I hate to send that money to China, but brand-name floor jacks are several times more expensive.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

A C Hydraulics

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: Zorba
I bought a cheap Wal-mart one 7 years ago that has never given me a single problem. The only thing I don't like is the handle is really short, so I have to get on the ground to use it. I always put the car on stands as soon as it is up and take the weight off the jack.

As should anyone. Jack stands are meant to hold a car, a jack was only meant to lift it.

Is there an echo in here?

No but there are people who don't fully read everything!

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I have the Craftsman 3 ton model that everyone on the Sears site seems to hate in the reviews but it's been working fine for me for the last 5 years.

Remember that online reviews are not random samples and that the results tend to skew towards people who hate the product (and, to a lesser extent, people who think the product is the greatest thing in the world). People who think the product is fine and have no complaints aren't going to bother with putting a review on a company's site.

ZV

I have a craftsman 3 ton jack as well. That floor jack works great.

 

[davesaudio]

general consensus in my crowd is to buy cheap and replace frequently.
bottle jacks seem to exhibit the same behavior

 

[Evadman]

I have some torin 6000 lb jacks. Never ever had a problem. I also have some of the $10 2 ton jaccks and they are fine too. But I only trust my life to jackstands.

 

[deadken]

Thanks for the input. It ends up that I would have most likely bought a 'BlackHawk', 'Lincoln', or some other quality name brand. I don't mind spending $200-$250 if need be. I did like these American Forge + Foundry Jacks (the 200T or 350), but it no longer matters...

As it ends up, I called up my brother and he has one I can have. He has (2) jacks one is a Lincoln and one is a Snap-On. One is a 1.5 Ton and one is a 2 Ton. It really doesn't matter which one I get, either will be more then fine.

Thanks for all of the input.