Blackhawk SJ 18 -- Progress Report

[Garry Carter]

A week or so ago, I alerted you guys to my search for parts to do a rebuild on an old Blackhawk SJ-18 2-ton floor jack. Thanks to the great assistance I received from members of this Forum -- and against all odds -- I was able to locate the missing cover plate that fits over the pump.

Since my last post, the jack itself has been stripped to bare metal, and subjected to a light coat of body filler, sanding, and primer -- twice. At that point I used only finishing glaze to fix some small imperfections before sanding and primering it again -- twice. The final coat of primer is on, and the body is ready for finish paint.

Last nite, the cover plate arrived. It too has been stripped to bare metal, given a coat of body filler, and subjected to sanding and the first coat of primer. It still needs a couple of more passes to be ready for paint but I'm happy with the progress.

I still need to restore the release knob on the handle to full operability but have a plan for fabricating the missing broken parts. Thanks again to all those who assisted!

 

[tonydanzah]

That is one of the slickest jacks I have ever seen. So who helped you with a cover.

 

[Garry Carter]

Found the cover by going to "The Dark Side" AKA "Uncle Buck." Understand he's been banned from this forum, but he came thru for me!

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Garry,

Glad to see you got the cover. Looks like the hunt was successful and UB came thru with flying colors. The cover looks great and that jack will look incredible when completed. The days when style went hand in hand with function are long gone but that jack will serve as a reminder to all what this country was once capable of.

 

[TheGrooveking]

That is a classic, IMO the best looking jack made. I can't wait to see what it looks like once it's painted! Please post progress pics.

TheGrooveking

 

[alberto]

Beautiful jack. I would love to find one. How did you come across yours? A search on the internet came back empty.

 

[CRTDI]

Great progress on the cosmetics of your jack!!

I'm looking forward to the finished look. Obviously, you have a bit of experience in the paint department. I know you were thinking about a bit of a custom color scheme, but I think going back to a "factory" look would be nice also.

Was Hiball able to find some of the other parts you were looking for?

 

[Garry Carter]

Hiball has not -- to date -- located any of the broken pieces. But they're the kind of thing I think I can fabricate. If I can't make the pressure release mechanism work, I'm thinking of adapting a small steering U-joint -- something like a Borgeson.

Judging by the paint remnants, and pictures I've seen, the jack was originally a rather orangey shade of red all over. But I'm gonna go with a two-toned black and red paint scheme -- I can't resist the urge to make it look more like a Bonneville streamliner; it just seems to fit that art deco styling.

As for finding it -- my brother did that for me. He was a volunteer fireman for years in the small town in North Texas where I grew up. When they switched over to a full-time firefighting staff, they took all the old "junk" tools and equipment that the volunteers had been using and threw them out the back door. This jack was in the pile of discarded stuff. I then gave my bro a few bucks to let me haul it off.

 

[sk farmer]

Found the cover by going to "The Dark Side" AKA "Uncle Buck." Understand he's been banned from this forum, but he came thru for me!

one of the finest men to surf the net or hang in the garage. if you don't know him you should.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

one of the finest men to surf the net or hang in the garage. if you don't know him you should.

God help us, if you keep going, you might get the man started with a wire wheel on that jack....

 

[Bib Overalls]

Nice work Garry. Hopefully it will be all pretty when I come down for the Roundup next year. Will it be in a display case or actually out in the shop being used?

 

[jonlb]

That jack is beautiful. Glad you're bringing it back into service.

 

[Garry Carter]

B.O. (And I mean that in the nicest possible way),
The jack -- in truth -- will probably see limited use in the shop. There are other jacks there for common chores. But I do want it to work when called upon, and simply be a beautiful conversation piece in the meanwhile. So ... yes, it will definitely be available for use when you come back next year!

 

[jrshipper]

I've got an old Blackhawk SJ 18 that my grandfather used to have in his mechanic shop. I would like to find a place to get parts to rebuild the pump and refurbish the jack.

 

[CRTDI]

Please post some pics of your jack. We would really like to see it.

 

[38Chevy454]

Looking great Garry, that jack is just too cool.

 

[jrshipper]

Here are some pics of my Blackhawk SJ 18 floor jack.

 

[keflaman]

I have a feeling increased internet searches for "SJ 18 Blackhawk Floor Jack" are in progress!

 

[e-tek]

They DEFINITELY don't make em like that anymore!!!!

Hey jrshipper - never thought you could have a bidding war for the "junk" in your yard eh?!

 

[alberto]

I really need to find one of those. I never thought I would say this, but that's a beautiful jack.

 

[CRTDI]

Here are some pics of my Blackhawk SJ 18 floor jack.

Thanks for showing us your jack. Can you tell us why it was left outside in the elements? I really hope you get it working again.

This model jack just has a coolness factor about it that is way off the scale

 

[jrshipper]

I am going to try and get it working again. It was working before, then the pump just started to get weak and not hold up, and the knob on the handle to raise or lower feels like it is broke. It has only been outside for a few months because i didn't have room in my garage, but I think I will clean it up and make some room. This jack was my grandfather's. My dad said that my grandfather had it in 1956 when he opened his mechanic shop, and that he may have bought it used at that time. I am not sure how old this jack is.

 

[bazzateer]

http://www.blackhawkparts.com/store/page2.html

 

[Garry Carter]

jrshipper,
Although Bazzateer has already noted as much ... about the ONLY aftermarket part available for the SJ 18 is the pump rebuild kit which you can get from www.blackhawkparts.com. And I have a friend who is now "queer" for the SJ 18 after having seen mine. If you'd be interested in selling out, shoot me a PM. This guy is willing and able to pay unreasonable prices.

 

[Garry Carter]

P.S. for Bazzateer: I had an e-mail from Andrew Wiltford in London recently in which he offered to sell me some SJ 18 parts. But all my e-mails to him keep bouncing back as undeliverable with a note that the e-mail address he provided has been "disabled." You don't happen to know this guy, or how to get in touch with him, do you?? After all -- you're both in the same country?

 

[bsquinn]

I really love this sj-18. I've never ever called a tool beautiful....... Until now. Anyway, by the sounds of it, you folks on here are the perfect ones to help me out. I recently bought a vintage jack at a yard sale. It's made by Blackhawk and it very faintly says "Jeep-Jack SJ-11" on the bottom and even more faintly says "saginaw screw bearing?" on the top. Obviosly it's a screw jack. It's got a couple of slider pads on the bottom so it's somewhat adjustable. I paid five dollars for it and I'm sure it's got some value to it. I'm not looking to sell it but I'm looking to restore it. It's in excellent working order but it's extremely rusty. I'd like to media blast it and get it painted. My problem is the decals are very faintly visible. And since I can't find any info or pictures to replicate them then I'm hesitant to blast it. Can ANYONE help me? I need a picture or something to go by. The current Blackhawk company is of no use to me. The just bought the name a while back and have no archives or records that will help me. Thanks in advance.

Brandon

 

[bazzateer]

P.S. for Bazzateer: I had an e-mail from Andrew Wiltford in London recently in which he offered to sell me some SJ 18 parts. But all my e-mails to him keep bouncing back as undeliverable with a note that the e-mail address he provided has been "disabled." You don't happen to know this guy, or how to get in touch with him, do you?? After all -- you're both in the same country?

Garry,

Sorry for the delayed response but I'm afraid I don't know him! i know the other 10 million or so people in London, but not him!

 

[Sick Puppy]

P.S. for Bazzateer: I had an e-mail from Andrew Wiltford in London recently in which he offered to sell me some SJ 18 parts. But all my e-mails to him keep bouncing back as undeliverable with a note that the e-mail address he provided has been "disabled." You don't happen to know this guy, or how to get in touch with him, do you?? After all -- you're both in the same country?

Internet might help, although google and pipl searches have come up blank. How did he come to e-mail you about the jack, did he provide any personal/professional information about himself/his life, and I note you've posted a separate thread in GJ trying to contact him - is he a member here (Sorry, haven't looked).

 

[Plombob]

That jack is the most beautiful I've ever seen! Post some pics after you've painted it.

The only thing you should raise with that jack is a Delage, or a Delahaye.

 

[bgarrett]

I got this one a week ago, no cover

 

[bgarrett]

Anyone know what special tools are need to work on this jack or what they look like? I havent been able to get a response from Hiball

 

[Hiball]

Anyone know what special tools are need to work on this jack or what they look like? I havent been able to get a response from Hiball

Outside of General Hand tools, Face spanner's you will need a way to turn the Internal Compression nut on the Main Ram. Its a special tool that fits around the Ram and allows you tighten the Vee Packing to the Proper tension. It can be done with a Punch.. But.. You "Will" damage the slots, You Also take a chance on damaging the Sealing surface of the Ram and the Nut. Its not something you can buy, You have to have one made.

 

[bgarrett]

Hey, Thanks Hiball! I am good at making stuff

 

[Hiball]

Hey, Thanks Hiball! I am good at making stuff

Its not difficult to Make, When you get to the Ram there is a Outer compression nut that tightens down the packing Against the Inner compression Nut and beneath the Inner compression nut there is Vee packing.

EDIT.. You need to make the tool so it slips over the Ram and you can adjust the Vee's with the Ram inserted. If you tighten the vee's and then try to install the Ram it will damage the Seals.

 

[bgarrett]

All Right! Is there any pictures of the tool?

 

[Provincial]

I know where there is a SJ18 jack, but it is missing one of the caster wheels on the handle end. It tries to pump up, but only moves a little way. I think the packing is worn and the fluid level is low.

Anyone know if I can get a caster wheel? If so, what it might cost.

If I can get the caster wheel, what should I offer for the jack?

 

[signcrafter]

I know where there is a SJ18 jack, but it is missing one of the caster wheels on the handle end. It tries to pump up, but only moves a little way. I think the packing is worn and the fluid level is low.

Anyone know if I can get a caster wheel? If so, what it might cost.

If I can get the caster wheel, what should I offer for the jack?

The caster is probably a lost cause unless you can find someone that is parting out another jack. There was a guy on here not to long ago that said he had some casters specially machined and if I'm not mistaking he said something like 75 dollars plus shipping for a caster. Hiball is the guy to talk to about getting the jack working again.

I would offer up to 50 bucks for it knowing it needs a rebuild and have to come up with something for a caster.

 

[OldNeons]

any chance this Uncle Buck can work two miracles? I too am short an SJ18 cover plate. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[MartyMcGiver]

I just acquired a Blackhawk SJ-18 that belonged to my uncle in Sault Set. Marie, MI. The jack is in pretty good shape but missing a BLACKHAWK frame cover that goes over the pump. If anyone has a lead o one, let me know.