Blackhawk JS-18 Floor Jack

[Garry Carter]

Posted the de rigeur Newbie" intro yesterday ... and mentioned it there -- but a big reason for me to join this forum was an on-going search for some hard parts for what I think is a 1945 edition of Blackhawk's Model JS-18 2-ton floor jack.

The only thing I've been able to find is the seal kit, and the pump has been rebuilt. But it leaks due to pitting on both rams (or shafts if you prefer). Some pieces of the release mechanism are also missing/broken and the pump cover/light housing is missing.

If anyone here has hard parts (or a complete jack) they'd be willing to sell or barter, I'd be keenly interested. Best way to contact me is at my home e-mail addy [email protected] since it gets monitored regularly. Meanwhile, thanks for listening...

 

[rburke65]

Welcome aboard! Pictures are really appreciated here....A picture is worth a 1000 words!

 

[CRTDI]

Garry,

Welcome to the forum!! Glad to see another Blackhawk fan. I'm a little confused by your model no. designation, if you believe it had a light assembly, does it look more like the S-18 in the advertisement picture on post no. 131 here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278&page=7&highlight=show+jack

Or is this an SJ-18 which resembles a car with covered wheels? A clear picture would be helpful.

Hopefully, you'll be able to find what you need to get it going again.

 

[Garry Carter]

Sorry for the lack of pictures ... I simply hadn't taken any when I opened this thread. But I've been cleaning on it almost all day, and here's a photo of what it looks like -- at least in bare metal (more or less).

I'd love to find the missing/broken parts and put it back in showroom condition. But considering it's age (and obsolescence) that won't happen unless somebody on this board has what I'm looking for. Meanwhile it will get a cosmetic facelift -- new paint, etc., and will become what I think is an ultra-cool looking, functional piece of "shop art."

Anybody out there got one of these they're willing to part out ... or simply part with??

 

[Garry Carter]

A bit more information on my SJ 18: It's NOT an S 18 -- at least not according to the local jack repair guy, who helped me locate a seal kit. Instead it was a variant that was made deliberately quite long to enable a mechanic to reach under modern cars (late `40's) without having to crawl under the car to position the jack. The handle could be shifted into one of 3 different positions and there was a cover over the pump that contained a light -- powered by a couple of D-cell batteries. Absolutely cutting edge technology in it's day.

I love the "art deco" styling of the cast aluminum housing. Rather than simply paint it all one color, I'm thinking of painting the "fenders" or "wheel flares" some other color, tapering them to the rear, and giving the whole thing the look of a Bonneville streamliner.

 

[Hiball]

I have alot of old metal parts including Pump pistons, I know i dont have the cover for sure. I will need some measurements and pictures to identify the correct parts, I can check with some of my old school suppliers to see if they might have some NOS parts also. Just for curiousity how much did you rebuild kit cost? Yes and definitely a SJ series.

Steven

 

[Garry Carter]

CRTDI --

Thanks for the info and the link to a related thread. I've made a copy of that poster from 1940 already.

I did talk to some guy at www.blackhawkparts.com. He really only has the seal kit available but did send me a PDF file with a detail drawing and parts list for the S 18; I tried to upload a copy but it exceeds the file limit on this forum. If you'd like to have it, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] and I'll forward it to you.

In addition, the local jack repair shop (Sankey Equipment Co. in San Antonio) says they have the repair manual on the SJ 18 -- but it's been moved out of the shop to a warehouse out back since they never use it any more. The guy has promised to dig it out and give me a call the next time he goes out to the warehouse in search of something. If you like, I'd be happy to share that with you as well

 

[Garry Carter]

Steven --
The rebuild kit cost me $90-some-odd dollars; Sankey Equip Co charged me $50 bucks to install it and give the jack the once-over for other issues.

 

[Garry Carter]

And a P.S. for Steven (Hiball). You said you had some hard parts. Please let me know if you have the rear piston/ram for an SJ 18 ... and the portion of the release mechanism that attaches to the split shaft at the rear of the jack housing; I have the one that attaches to the rod in the handle.

 

[Hiball]

Steven --
The rebuild kit cost me $90-some-odd dollars; Sankey Equip Co charged me $50 bucks to install it and give the jack the once-over for other issues.

Thats a Fair Price for the kit and Install, Again i have alot of Older Jack parts. Some NOS and some used but all in good working order. If you can let me know what you need i can do some checking.

 

[Hiball]

And a P.S. for Steven (Hiball). You said you had some hard parts. Please let me know if you have the rear piston/ram for an SJ 18 ... and the portion of the release mechanism that attaches to the split shaft at the rear of the jack housing; I have the one that attaches to the rod in the handle.

Ill do some looking around.

 

[Garry Carter]

Hiball -
I'm out of soap for today ... and have an appt tomorrow morning that will keep me ******* until after lunch.

But I'll be back in the shop then and take some more pictures of EXACTLY what I need and post them here. If the cover isn't going to be available, I have a plan for hammering one of of a sheet of aluminum -- that began life as a road sign. Making a pattern, building a form, etc., will only add to my skill set. I haven't done that before but this will be a good learning experience.

Meanwhile, thanks mucho for all the assistance. And if you just happened to have a more-or-less complete SJ 18 for sale, just let me know. I'm probably a buyer.

 

[CRTDI]

See post #5, Uncle Buck may have a cover for your jack.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31746&highlight=blackhawk+jack

 

[Garry Carter]

CRTDI --
Great catch ... THANKS!

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

You will need to contact the dark side to reach UB.....

 

[Garry Carter]

Made contact with "that" person ... and I think we've come to mutually agreeable terms on the cover plate. Thanks to all who provided me with the hot leads.

For Hiball: I've taken a few more pictures (attached) of the broken parts I still need to complete my rebuild/restoration. First of all there is the rear pump piston/ram. If you look at the pic closely you'll see it's pretty darned pitted and it leaks despite fresh seals, etc. Secondly, most of the mechanism that actuates the pressure relief valve is in need of replacement. When the "gear" mechanism broke, a previous owner simply welded a bolt on to the actuating rod -- as you'll see -- and called it good enough. I can probably fabricate that rod since it appears to simply be threaded on one end and slotted on the other, but if you have one (or know someone who does), I'm a buyer. Thirdly, please note that the forward portion of the pressure release "gear" is missing most of it's little teeth. Making that work is possible as well, but if you have that component, let me know. Finally, there's the long rod inside the handle -- and slotted on the lower end -- that engages the forward half of the release gear. If you have that rod, let me know as well; it will save me the trouble of having to fabricate one from stock. Finally, there's a photo of the second (rearward) half of the release "gear"; it appears to be in good shape and I don't think I'll be needing that ... unless you just want to sell them as a pair.

Thanks again to all who've chimed in with tips, advice, photo's, and such. Pictures of the SJ-18 (once completed) and my gratitude may be your only reward, but the gratitude part is heart-felt. This forum has been a lifesaver for me!

 

[Hiball]

Is the rod pitted from top to bottom? I can see some pitting near the rear which is common for older jacks because they are always towards the elements. Normally if a jack had any oil inside it will keep th actual pump zone clean. Ill do some looking when i get to the shop as im out of town currently.

Steven

 

[Jim1863]

Hello I happen to have 2 Blackhawk Jacks I don't know much about them other than collectors want them. I'm wanting to sell the 2 I have to get me a newer floor jack thats a bit more beefy than what I have. would this be the right place ? If not could anyone start me in a direction to go.

The first Jack is a floor model 2 Ton SJ-18
second is a ONE END LIFT 1-1/2 Ton Model 67430

I tried uploading some pics but it said a security code was missing

 

[LutzTD]

very cool, I love that jack. If I had one id put up a hand winch to hang it on the wall as art and yet still be able to pull it down and use it. Good luck with the restore

Hello I happen to have 2 Blackhawk Jacks I don't know much about them other than collectors want them. I'm wanting to sell the 2 I have to get me a newer floor jack thats a bit more beefy than what I have. would this be the right place ? If not could anyone start me in a direction to go.

The first Jack is a floor model 2 Ton SJ-18
second is a ONE END LIFT 1-1/2 Ton Model 67430

I tried uploading some pics but it said a security code was missing

Jim1863 can you IM me a price and location?