dchasins
Well-known member
Total newbie, here, posting up my first thread to show you all my new (old) jack and see what I can do to track the process of fixing it up. Here's what happened: I've been browsing some great threads, enjoying myself and learning a lot, just lurking, mostly on garage builds, as I am planning a new garage/shop within a couple of years, wanting some ideas.
Then I fell in love. With a jack. More precisely with the early Walker hydraulic floor jacks, like the one so beautifully restored by BB767 in his amazing thread on the Restored 1930's Garage. I am a sucker for "art deco" type designs, and for quality, American built tools. I saw that jack, and it was an "I've got to look for one like that" experience. Currently for floor jacks I have a Hein Warner O'boy 1 1/4 ton and an import 3 ton, which I've never really liked.
...so, without really expecting anything at all, I took a little cruise through the local CL, and buried in the fine print of an ad from a guy cleaning out his garage, there was a listing for a Walker 882, which had belonged to his father. It was described as not working, price $30. When I called, without me asking he dropped the price to $20. I figured, too good to be true, must be an absolute basket case. But for $20, how wrong could I go, and it was close to me, so I went on over. Nice guy, just didn't need the jack or want to get into it. We had a nice chat about old cars, and I brought it home. It looked pretty tired, but intact, showing evidence of previous rebuild and a lot of hard use. But that's what it's for, right? I will say, it is a truly heavy duty piece of equipment, rated at 2 tons on the data plate. Makes my other jacks look like toys.
Here's progress so far. As bought, the jack was soft, would only raise a little, dripping fluid. I filled it with jack oil, bled it, and decided to try it out. And guess what? It works great. I couldn't believe it. I tried it out on my 3/4 ton pickup, and it lifted it easily. Left it under load for about 20 minutes and it didn't move. And get this, it didn't drip while loaded either. I wonder if seals were dry, and leaking due to lack of use. With fresh oil and some exercise, maybe they have softened up and started to work better...is that even possible? Over night, it dripped just a bit, looks like from the pump area. I am no expert on hydraulics, so feel free to give your advice/experience...
My original thought was to do a complete rebuild and restore the original paint scheme at the same time. Now I don't know about the rebuild part. I think I'll use it a bit and see how it does. I don't believe in rebuilding unless it's really needed. I will definitely want to clean it up well and repaint. I plan to reach out via PM to the local expert (Hiball) to seek advice. I've read the sticky on floor jacks, so I have a start.
Here are some shots of the jack which eventually will be the "before" photos:
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
Then I fell in love. With a jack. More precisely with the early Walker hydraulic floor jacks, like the one so beautifully restored by BB767 in his amazing thread on the Restored 1930's Garage. I am a sucker for "art deco" type designs, and for quality, American built tools. I saw that jack, and it was an "I've got to look for one like that" experience. Currently for floor jacks I have a Hein Warner O'boy 1 1/4 ton and an import 3 ton, which I've never really liked.
...so, without really expecting anything at all, I took a little cruise through the local CL, and buried in the fine print of an ad from a guy cleaning out his garage, there was a listing for a Walker 882, which had belonged to his father. It was described as not working, price $30. When I called, without me asking he dropped the price to $20. I figured, too good to be true, must be an absolute basket case. But for $20, how wrong could I go, and it was close to me, so I went on over. Nice guy, just didn't need the jack or want to get into it. We had a nice chat about old cars, and I brought it home. It looked pretty tired, but intact, showing evidence of previous rebuild and a lot of hard use. But that's what it's for, right? I will say, it is a truly heavy duty piece of equipment, rated at 2 tons on the data plate. Makes my other jacks look like toys.
Here's progress so far. As bought, the jack was soft, would only raise a little, dripping fluid. I filled it with jack oil, bled it, and decided to try it out. And guess what? It works great. I couldn't believe it. I tried it out on my 3/4 ton pickup, and it lifted it easily. Left it under load for about 20 minutes and it didn't move. And get this, it didn't drip while loaded either. I wonder if seals were dry, and leaking due to lack of use. With fresh oil and some exercise, maybe they have softened up and started to work better...is that even possible? Over night, it dripped just a bit, looks like from the pump area. I am no expert on hydraulics, so feel free to give your advice/experience...
My original thought was to do a complete rebuild and restore the original paint scheme at the same time. Now I don't know about the rebuild part. I think I'll use it a bit and see how it does. I don't believe in rebuilding unless it's really needed. I will definitely want to clean it up well and repaint. I plan to reach out via PM to the local expert (Hiball) to seek advice. I've read the sticky on floor jacks, so I have a start.
Here are some shots of the jack which eventually will be the "before" photos:

I'm envious. Enjoy it 

But someday I will!