Harbor Freight 3 Ton Daytona Jack Versus Snap On FJ300 Jack

[Hiball]

Hiball, how is that different from the FJ jacks? Curious if we could take the HF body and add the FJ pump, IIRC it was like $170 for a new pump that just bolted in. If they truly share the same frame it could be a way to get a decent jack for less than new Snap On price. Just another one of my hairbrain thoughts.

I didn't put a lot of thought when I looked at the schematics, as they are very generic in regards to the hydraulic pump components, but they both did only show 2 valve plugs on top for both models. Of course, since you have the snap on model you can verify by looking at the top of the block, if you only have 2 plugs, and they carry the "do not adjust" stickers. I'd confidently say that both jacks utilize the same "hydraulic valve system", Not necessarily the same Seals, but the delivery system.

 

[Strouty]

I will have to check the next time I am at the shop.

 

[Pipe]

FYI, Any Jack used repeatedly on uneven surfaces will eventually suffer the 3 legged dog syndrome, same goes for Jack stands used on uneven surfaces. I did spend some time at HF yesterday and gave the Jack a visual once over, I thing I didn't like was the lack of valves on top of the Jack. I'm not a big fan of the cartridge type valve, and since there where only 2 valve plugs, I'm wagering one is the safety overload and the other is the high side bypass.... Sigh, this tells me that more than likely Each pump carries a cartridge under it.

Fair enough but mine did it even on a 540i yesterday. The harbor freight unit has held up over 4 years of use/abuse as I am guilty of leaving it under loads. Anyways within the next month it will come down to a fj300, daytona, or my lawson rep is pushing this guy https://www.lawsonproducts.com/Omega/3-Ton-Hd-Hydraulic-Service-Jack/ZZ26880I92.lp I wish the snap on came in green btw.

 

[ptschram]

https://www.biztimes.com/2016/09/22/snap-on-suing-harbor-freight-over-floor-jacks/

 

[amorrow]

Ha, I just read that. I wish that article elaborated a bit to let us know whether there's merit to the thought they share the same supplier/manufacturer.

 

[ptschram]

Ha, I just read that. I wish that article elaborated a bit to let us know whether there's merit to the thought they share the same supplier/manufacturer.

I'm waiting to download the court filings.

As soon as I can see the formal filing I can comment. In the meantime, I'm gonna toe the party line and say Harbor Freight BAD, Snap-On GOOD-LOL

 

[lazer50]

That sure is interesting! Im glad i have good h/w and milwaukee jacks and dont have to worry about it.knock on wood!

 

[lightning02]

does that mean we all should go out and buy one at HF before they stop selling them? lol

 

[Loscaldazar]

So Snap On is suing HF over the discussion we've been having here? Lol, first time I think a manufacturer has ever sued over any of us speculating about if two products are the same.

Also shout out to the writer of that article for giving us side by side photos the two units. Very useful for us to see the differences, including what looks to be a heavier front axle on the Harbor Freight and thicker side saddle support bars.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Seems like we should buy one before they are gone, lol. On a different note, does anyone know where I can buy just those front jack wheels with the zerks?

 

[Burgerkong]

Holy ****. I'm definitely grabbing one now. If anything, HF is going to get a massive influx of sales from this because it's similar enough that SO would sue.

 

[Pipe]

does that mean we all should go out and buy one at HF before they stop selling them? lol

Ya I'm thinking so.. we still lose the customer support and resale value of a snap on though.

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[Corndoggeh]

Ah man I might have to go out and get one too just to own a piece of 'history'! Snap-on suing HF I wonder how that will turn out!

 

[hillbilly slim]

i know Harbor Freight is always improving their stuff! We have been using their tile saw now for 4 1/2 yrs and it works great!!! Sometimes some of their stuff is just plain ****... Have used some their air guns, and for the price are pretty damn awesome. There are just some tools that just don't compare and need to be in consideration for job being used for.

 

[MattVette89]

does that mean we all should go out and buy one at HF before they stop selling them? lol

I was just thinking that after reading the article!

 

[T45]

The IRL pics OK but jesus how similar is that parts diagram.

The real-kicker would be if rebuild kits interchange.

 

[T45]

That being said what is patented here? I doubt the jack design is overall original enough to be patentable. They would have to go over some form of trade dress.

Not sure how good snappy legal case is they basically selling outsourced designs anyways and wanting fasion industry protection for like designer clothes applied to hand tool market.

I'd much like to see them saying they actually did somethin original or unique that HF copied rather than they both went to the same place for outsouring and re-labeling

 

[90zcar]

Haha this is great!! Maybe I can sell my HF jack someday and retire off this sought after collectible.
I still think it's funny how some people on here still want to argue their $600+ jack getting **** hurt over this $200 jack that's almost identical and almost what appears to be built better in some areas.
We seen snap on numerous times slap their name on other products that are identical and charge 2-300% or more ....so what makes this any different.

At the end of the day they both have a 3 year warranty, 3ton lift and are made in China.


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[blown94conv]

It must have been different enough for them to get a patent on it. Why would they go through the time and effort to do that if it's just a rebadge of a third party design?

Or is this just another example of China shitting all over our companies, designs and intellectual property so they can make themselves rich because we as Americans want the cheapest **** we can buy just so we can say we have it.

 

[Pipe]

Again, paying for the name is part of the investment. Anything that says snap on will resell better than "daytona" or "pittsburgh". I honestly don't see an issue with paying 550 dollars for a jack that will last the rest of your life and service comes to you.

 

[Corndoggeh]

But the snapon one only has a 3 year warranty same as the daytona???

 

[WhiffySpark]

Well I asked a dealer. This is what he said

 

[Burgerkong]

Well I asked a dealer. This is what he said

Yeahhhhh, he's FOS. Good try, but I think at this point, anyone that read this thread can attest to the fact that there are a shitton more similarities than differences - for all intents and purposes it should be the other way round.

BTW, does anyone have a copy of the patent SO filed?

 

[Hiball]

Well I asked a dealer. This is what he said

Well... The HF is a dual stage, does carry a magnet in the reservoir, does have grease zerks, so he isn't 100% correct. I really think this lawsuit is aimed towards the frame design, this hydraulic unit isn't anything new, outside of the "premium seals" and inserting a magnet in the reservoir it's the same core design used in the $99 HF low profile. The only way SO would have a gripe in regards to the hydraulic unit if is "whomever" they are buying it from violated a exclusive agreement or another manufacturer copied the design changes.

 

[Strouty]

My driver told me about the lawsuit this afternoon.

 

[90zcar]

Yeahhhhh, he's FOS. Good try, but I think at this point, anyone that read this thread can attest to the fact that there are a shitton more similarities than differences - for all intents and purposes it should be the other way round.



BTW, does anyone have a copy of the patent SO filed?

Yeah exactly. And the cup is indeed removeable.....removable to stick other sweet harbor freight accessories on!! Lol
The fenders??? What is he talking about


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[L.Cheapo]

As much as I generally like Snap On tools, I love this. I think every company who offshores production deserves to end up with poo on their shoes.

 

[cashishift]

It takes more than a New color scheme to impress me, I won't make unfounded claims as I haven't been inside one, nor had experience using one. The 3 year warranty is a Solid selling point, I'm not really one of those guys who puts a lot of weight with warranties, but in regards to lift equipment, it's marketable. Outside of that, I would definitely be more apt to invest in the HF model versus the SO, IF I actually needed a Low profile Jack. I'm just glad it has a 3 year warranty, I didn't think I would ever recover from the Arcan introduction, Everyone and ther brother bought one and then the PM's/Email's started rolling in concerning leakage issues, handle feedback etc.... With all that said, HF won't be the last one to introduce this style, then again they might be the easiest to deal with in regards to warranty based off the local retailers available to the individual consumer.

I've had great luck with my Arcan.

 

[Hiball]

As much as I generally like Snap On tools, I love this. I think every company who offshores production deserves to end up with poo on their shoes.

Ehh... Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" Only goes so far in today's marketplace, I think it's great SO is taking a stand regardless of how it turns out. I know there are a lot of members here who view snap on as the devil and feel HF is warranted to copy another design as long as they can use a coupon to purchase it.

I've had great luck with my Arcan.

I know... I know.... It's just like all HF jacks are awesome, but some how end up stacked 10 high on pallets and sold via wholesale/return auctions by th trailer load on a weekly basis. I've said it before ... They are extremely hit or miss, not because the hydraulic design is bad, it's the seals/QC involved. Today's Hydraulic manufacturers aren't interested in producing a 20 year hydraulic product anymore, it's not as profitable. There is a reason the Yasui design with fat Orings/Ucup's/wipers from the 70-80's are just now starting to break down for numerous members. You have to ask yourself? Why did manufacturers cheap out with Oring/retainers on the main ram? Utilize Smaller series orings? Removed wipers? It wasn't because technology went backwards... Hmmm

Btw... I'm not insinuating your Jack will fail tomorrow, but I'd be willing to bet I fielded 40+ PM's in regards to valve issues/handle feedback and leakage issues. I'm not claiming it's a large percentage based off the units sold annually to GJ members, but it was ridiculous on my end.

 

[General Geoff]

Picked up a Daytona jack today, the local HF had three in stock. The manager vehemently denied the allegations that it's the same design as Snap-On's jack, but he was probably told to say that by corporate. He did say that HF will not be pulling it from shelves, so I guess they're gonna stand their ground against Snap-On.

 

[spoolgarage]

I have two of these snap on jacks lol. I should buy a harbor freight one to see if it can keep up with the demands of my shop.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I don't see Snap On winning this lawsuit. The pictures in that article show enough of a difference in my opinion that the suit won't hold up. This reminds me of Yeti suing Wally World over the stainless steel cups. If they are in fact functionally the same jack, consumers are winning. I'll gladly drink from my Ozark Trail cup while using a Daytona jack.

 

[Burgerkong]

I don't see Snap On winning this lawsuit. The pictures in that article show enough of a difference in my opinion that the suit won't hold up. This reminds me of Yeti suing Wally World over the stainless steel cups. If they are in fact functionally the same jack, consumers are winning. I'll gladly drink from my Ozark Trail cup while using a Daytona jack.

That's as GJ as you can get.

 

[blown94conv]

That's as GJ as you can get.

QFT?

 

[90zcar]

Haha and what's funny about that is the ozark cup kills the yeti cup in ratings and is a fifth of the price lol


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[JimH74]

Well, thanks to this thread I picked up a Daytona tonight. Funny, the guy at HF brought it up and was saying that it was reverse engineered from SO and a few things were changed...In any event I needed a jack with a higher lift than the one I currently have. I'm just a DIY'er and hope this is the last jack I'll need.

 

[Hiball]

Well, thanks to this thread I picked up a Daytona tonight. Funny, the guy at HF brought it up and was saying that it was reverse engineered from SO and a few things were changed...In any event I needed a jack with a higher lift than the one I currently have. I'm just a DIY'er and hope this is the last jack I'll need.

Exhibit B....

 

[90zcar]

Well Jim......If the snap on one is as great as lifetime lasting with the support that some people claim it has.....you will be able to order a part from snap on 25 years from now and put It on yours.

That's the wonderful thing tho. Even if you get 15 years out of it you sure will of had your money's worth. I bought a craftsman jack that was China made and I only recently go my rid of it because this Daytona came out and I wanted something a little faster and lower profile.


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[oldtools]

It is like Apple sueing Samsung over a rectangle with four round corners.

 

[Strouty]

Hiball, if you bought a dayton jack, would you take it apart and check everything before using it? I mean could you hone any imperfections and add better seals? I am curious to see if we can make a decent long lasting jack out of it.