Blackhawk S4 jack ... what did i get myself into?

erimille · Mar 16, 2020

For a while i've been looking for a low profile jack that can give me ~22" lift. I'd been thinking new, but, as fate would have it, old seemed to be in the cards.

A few weeks ago, a Blackhawk S4 jack crossed my path. I knew nothing of the Blackhawk line, nor of this specific jack's history. But, the specs looks right and the art deco lines just hit me like a ton of bricks. Plus, a light!?! Who does that?! The price was crazy reasonable and I thought, what the hell... what's the worst that could happen?

Fast forward a week to when my back finally felt a bit better...

A few hours cleaning left me with a better understanding of what I had.

But, also, what I was missing.

Does anyone know where to obtain a replacement knob? Barring that, any suggestions / experiences with fabricating a replacement? I'm out of my depth here, but pretty much feel the same way before every worthwhile project

Thanks in advance,

--e

Roberts210 · Mar 16, 2020

That jack will lift a lot! Do you have a buddy who has a lathe? A knob could be knocked out pretty easily on a lathe. First, take the welded knob off and see how it attaches.

Rick B. · Mar 17, 2020

Nice piece, I want one. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

fl18guy · Mar 17, 2020

I might have the knob will check when I get home.

erimille · Mar 17, 2020

More few more pics of this unit are available here

- http://potlach.org/2020/blackhawk/

Anyone by chance have a detailed parts diagram for this unit? Google helps me find (which I suspect came from a different thread here)

- https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/v708/2ManyCars/Tools/IMG_1887.jpg

But I can't quite get enough detail from this image to see what parts i'd need to fabricate to make this work.

I can take an educated guess, but if a more detailed parts diagram is handy (or better yet, someone has a parts cabinet with a knob to spare) that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

--e

larry_g · Mar 17, 2020

https://www.hcrcnow.com/shop/seal-kits/product/4743

Click the manual PDF at the above web page for drawings and parts. I don't have your knob but do have the original lift pad, I think, if your going that far in the restore.

lg
no neat sig line

erimille · Mar 17, 2020

larry_g said:
https://www.hcrcnow.com/shop/seal-kits/product/4743

Click the manual PDF at the above web page for drawings and parts.

Brilliant. Thanks! That level of detail is exactly what I was looking for!

larry_g said:
I don't have your knob but do have the original lift pad, I think, if your going that far in the restore.

I'm interested.

I didn't realize until you mentioned this that someone adapted the original lift pad. This modification provides more surface area to lift, but at the cost of lifting off parallel to the floor below 10". And as I'm looking for a low profile jack, I really need this to be parallel.

Err.. is this a common mod for this sort of jack?

--e

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Mar 17, 2020

Very nice!

erimille · Mar 17, 2020

Roberts210 said:
That jack will lift a lot! Do you have a buddy who has a lathe? A knob could be knocked out pretty easily on a lathe. First, take the welded knob off and see how it attaches.

The welded knob looks to be part number #74 found in the PDF @larry_g suggested.

If i can find a knob (thanks in advance @fl18guy for checking) I may be able to grind / file this down in an attempt to reuse it. If not, I'll try and use this as a template and fabricate some sort of hack of a replacement.

I'm much better at turning wood than metal... go figure

--e

thehorse13 · Mar 18, 2020

A few of us have restored S4 jacks, including myself. You've got a good amount of info already but if you run into trouble during the tear down, just throw your questions in here.

Yours is the deluxe model which has the light and it used to have a locking cap which was replaced with some sort of welded nightmare. You can still source parts for these jacks relatively easily. Keep your eye on the usual online markets. Sometimes you can buy two of these things for less than 100 bucks.

Here is the end result of my restoration adventure.

JoCoSawdust · Mar 18, 2020

You'll enjoy that jack but if you're looking for a low profile one, this may or may not work out for you. Mine is great for lifting my truck, not so much for my wife's Hyundai. As horse said, parts are out there. There's one on MP now in my area for 50 bucks (but a bit further than I'd care to drive for it). I see yours has the lens for the light! Too many of these are missing the lens. If you're handy with 3D printing you'd probably find a ready market for a few of those around here.

thehorse13 · Mar 18, 2020

If you're looking for a good home use low profile jack, go get the Daytona at Harbor Freight. It's the same jack that Snap-On sells for 10x more.

erimille · Mar 18, 2020

JoCoSawdust said:
You'll enjoy that jack but if you're looking for a low profile one, this may or may not work out for you. Mine is great for lifting my truck, not so much for my wife's Hyundai.

Yeah. This all started with me trying to help my father in law work on his car, so I need to keep reminding myself of that

.

thehorse13 said:
If you're looking for a good home use low profile jack, go get the Daytona at Harbor Freight. It's the same jack that Snap-On sells for 10x more.

Wow. Is this what you're referring to?

- https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-low-profile-super-duty-rapid-pump-floor-jack-63183.html

It sure looks like it meets my requirements. Now if only it had these art deco lines, and a little lamp

If i can find a knob and a lift pad for this blackhawk from the folks in this thread that are looking (thanks again!) i'll keep going down the path i've started. Else, I may reconsider along the lines you've suggested.

Lots to think about ... thanks!

--e

Roberts210 · Mar 18, 2020

thehorse13 said:
If you're looking for a good home use low profile jack, go get the Daytona at Harbor Freight. It's the same jack that Snap-On sells for 10x more.

Sorry, but as GJ hydraulic jack expert HiBall has stated, after he took a Daytona apart, the seals are not very good quality. It's true the Daytona looks just like the Snap On--it was designed to look the same, but the internals tell a different story. My understanding is Harbor Freight got sued by S.O. because of this, but I haven't heard of an outcome yet.

erimille · Mar 19, 2020

FWIW, It looks like that law suit was dismissed

- https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/

But regardless, i'm not willing to give up on this Blackhawk just yet. I'm still looking for knob and lift pad unit.

In the meantime, i'm looking into ways of returning this welded nightmare back to some sort of reusable washer. But for any that have taken this handle assembly apart in the past, if you have pictures to share of how it's supposed to go together that would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not after a complete knob restoration per se, just something, well, a heck of a lot better than what's currently there

Thanks again,

--e

thehorse13 · Mar 20, 2020

Roberts210 said:
Sorry, but as GJ hydraulic jack expert HiBall has stated, after he took a Daytona apart, the seals are not very good quality. It's true the Daytona looks just like the Snap On--it was designed to look the same, but the internals tell a different story. My understanding is Harbor Freight got sued by S.O. because of this, but I haven't heard of an outcome yet.

Snap-On got smacked in the mouth pretty hard on this. The jacks are claimed to be made in the same factory in China, which was part of the HF defense.

I remember when the HiBall thread dropped and we got a first hand look at where Daytona trimmed their cost on this jack. While beyond the need of many, you can remedy that seal issue pretty easily. For the home user the Daytona is good choice at a fraction of the cost. I've even seen these Daytonas being dragged around the local Firestone.

Roberts210 · Mar 20, 2020

thehorse13 said:
.............you can remedy that seal issue pretty easily. For the home user the Daytona is good choice at a fraction of the cost. I've even seen these Daytonas being dragged around the local Firestone.

You can remedy that seal issue pretty easily. Easily?

I'm not defending Snap On... to my thinking their stuff is overpriced, BUT, generally S.O. tools are very, very well built. Can the same be said of Harbor Freight tools?

I have rebuilt hydraulic jacks--two Hein Werners and a Green (Japanese) Craftsman. Helped do my first jack--a Milwaukee 20.

1.5-ton H-W

1.25 Ton H-W O'Boy

Green Japanese Craftsman

Helped a buddy rebuild my first jack--Milwaukee Model 20.

The Milwaukee 20 I've owned since 1993, and have used hard and often.

Now take a look at this piece of excrement sitting in my scrap shed:
It's a Larin aluminum "racing jack".
(Larin used to be owned by the Chinese military--don't know if it still is.)

My buddy dropped off this "Racing Jack" at my place--we were restoring his dad's '49 Studebaker truck. I tried it out on my '53 Chevy one day, and it FRIGGIN' FAILED while I was using it. I did have jack stands in place.

Call me old-fashioned... call me Boomer, but I'll never use anything from Horror Freight when my life or my legs depend on the strength of Chinese metallurgy or soundness of Chinese manufacturing.

There are some good tools made in China, but in my experience they are few and far between, and aren't from H.F.

thehorse13 · Mar 20, 2020

Roberts210 said:
You can remedy that seal issue pretty easily. Easily?

I'm not defending Snap On... to my thinking their stuff is overpriced, BUT, generally S.O. tools are very, very well built. Can the same be said of Harbor Freight tools?

I have rebuilt hydraulic jacks--two Hein Werners and a Green (Japanese) Craftsman. Helped do my first jack--a Milwaukee 20.

The Milwaukee 20 I've owned since 1993, and have used hard and often.

Now take a look at this piece of excrement sitting in my scrap shed:
It's a Larin aluminum "racing jack".
(Larin used to be owned by the Chinese military--don't know if it still is.)

My buddy dropped off this "Racing Jack" at my place--we were restoring his dad's '49 Studebaker truck. I tried it out on my '53 Chevy one day, and it FRIGGIN' FAILED while I was using it. I did have jack stands in place.

Call me old-fashioned... call me Boomer, but I'll never use anything from Horror Freight when my life or my legs depend on the strength of Chinese metallurgy or soundness of Chinese manufacturing.

There are some good tools made in China, but in my experience they are few and far between, and aren't from H.F.

I know you're not a SO fan boy or anything. I'm also not arguing about quality and manufacturing standards. I know where you're coming from.

My unfortunate reality is that I have to keep a low profile jack around. My Blackhawk S4 can't get under two of my vehicles. Most of the time, I just use race ramps for whatever I'm doing anyway. I don't care much for modern jacks or jack stands. You already know that though.

That said, for a home user that requires a low profile jack, the Daytona is a solid choice.

Roberts210 · Mar 20, 2020

My unfortunate reality is that I have to keep a low profile jack around.
I hear ya Horse.

Hey, I'll trade ya the dead, low-profile, Larin "racing jack" for the Blackhawk S4. ;-)
Somehow I don't think you'll take me up on that.

Kensico · Mar 26, 2020

I got one off of CL , a member here ,Mbeaty did a great step by step restoration that I used to do mine

erimille · Mar 27, 2020

Kensico ... thanks for sharing. Your rebuild is inspiring and makes little effort to lift that truck. If you find Mbeaty's rebuild which inspired yours, pls leave bread crumbs for me / others to follow.

I'm still looking for a replacement knob, but hopeful that I'll find (or fabricate) one and be able to make this work.

--e

paulsomlo · Mar 27, 2020

erimille said:
Kensico ... thanks for sharing. Your rebuild is inspiring and makes little effort to lift that truck. If you find Mbeaty's rebuild which inspired yours, pls leave bread crumbs for me / others to follow.

I'm still looking for a replacement knob, but hopeful that I'll find (or fabricate) one and be able to make this work.

--e

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101999&highlight=jack

Kensico · Mar 27, 2020

Thanks , I couldn’t post the link, I didn’t have enough posts

erimille · May 27, 2020

I fabricated a temporary knob, as a stop gap solution, until I can find a proper one. That said, i'm happy with the results ...

And while not the low profile jack i'm looking for, it lifted my car +20" with ease.

whateg01 · May 28, 2020

I've been slowwwwwly working on the stuff to cold cast the lens for the light as most of us are missing it. Your handle is missing the side that had the switch for the light. I wish it was cost effective to repro the parts for old stuff like this! I could be happy doing that for the rest of my life!

anyway, PM sent.

Dave

whateg01 · Jun 6, 2020

Need to cut a bar to go through the release valve control rod, and it's not an exact match for the original, but I like the look.

Dave

whateg01 · Jun 7, 2020

The new knob will be on its way on Monday. Here's what it should look like installed.

Dave

erimille · Jun 11, 2020

Wow. Just, wow. I don't get the chance enough to run across an artist / engineer that is willing to take on lost causes. Respect.

It took me a while to get the knob finally secure, but it's now definitely the most impressive part of this jack.

The securing design is simple and perfect. The centering washing was definitely required. What is the material? Whatever it is, it's exactly the right solution to irregular / abused old equipment.

Every issue I ran into in mating this knob up with the connecting rod was due to damage done to via the previous attempt. A small manner of filing, rounding, sanding and reaming the securing hole on the jack handle inner rod ... in short, the knob and pin fit perfectly.

The knob design is just wonderful. I so appreciate the extra grooves. With grease on my hands, I was still perfectly in control when using the knob to tighten or loosen lift / release.

Absolutely brilliant. I'm not sure how many others are suffering from similar missing knob issues, but this design is far more than I would have thought possible. And while I can't compare, I suspect far better than the original

Well done.

And thank you!

--e

paulsomlo · Jun 11, 2020

whateg01 said:
The new knob will be on its way on Monday. Here's what it should look like installed.
Dave

How did you cut the flutes? Mill with indexer, CNC, or shaper?

whateg01 · Jun 12, 2020

paulsomlo said:
How did you cut the flutes? Mill with indexer, CNC, or shaper?

I just plunged a 3/4" EM in 12 places. Way faster than getting the rotab up on the table. And it's too big for my little CNC mill.

Dave

whateg01 · Jun 12, 2020

erimille said:
Wow. Just, wow. I don't get the chance enough to run across an artist / engineer that is willing to take on lost causes. Respect.
...

It took me a while to get the knob finally secure, but it's now definitely the most impressive part of this jack.

The securing design is simple and perfect. The centering washing was definitely required. What is the material? Whatever it is, it's exactly the right solution to irregular / abused old equipment.

Every issue I ran into in mating this knob up with the connecting rod was due to damage done to via the previous attempt. A small manner of filing, rounding, sanding and reaming the securing hole on the jack handle inner rod ... in short, the knob and pin fit perfectly.

The knob design is just wonderful. I so appreciate the extra grooves. With grease on my hands, I was still perfectly in control when using the knob to tighten or loosen lift / release.

Absolutely brilliant. I'm not sure how many others are suffering from similar missing knob issues, but this design is far more than I would have thought possible. And while I can't compare, I suspect far better than the original

Well done.

And thank you!

--e

You're welcome! I'm glad it worked out as intended. I'm happy to see old iron kept around. The spacer was 3D printed in PLA. It wouldn't last in the sun, but for this application, it's a fine material. And really, it's only needed during installation. I suppose a guy could get by without it by removing the rod from the handle at the u-joint, but that seems a lot of effort when this worked out well.

Dave

930dreamer · Jun 12, 2020

Nice work on the Blackhawk knob.

Blackhawk S4 jack ... what did i get myself into?

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