Drednaut Floor Jack

[Tarnished]

Evening all,
Picked up this jack at a local auction today and thought I would share a few pics and ask if anyone is familiar with this old jack. Can anyone shed some light on the Drednaut name? Looks to be part of Ausco now? Anyone know what size this would be? Guessing #3000? Other than the Drednaut name, there doesn't appear to be any further markings on the jack. Haven't had any luck searching for similar, so hope someone here will fill me in.

 

[Hiball]

Not real familiar with the jack, but I do know Ausco had a version also, here is a link to a GJ thread which includes the cover plate rated at 1 1/2 Ton.

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Hiball,
Appreciate the link. That Ausco looks near identical to mine. Only difference I can see is the way the rear wheels are attached. Any idea if Drednaut and Ausco merged, or ??? Best guess for a year?
Mine may have a label in the same place covered with paint. Will have to check out what is under paint.

 

[Hiball]

Thanks Hiball,
Appreciate the link. That Ausco looks near identical to mine. Only difference I can see is the way the rear wheels are attached. Any idea if Drednaut and Ausco merged, or ??? Best guess for a year?
Mine may have a label in the same place covered with paint. Will have to check out what is under paint.

I'm really not 100% sure if they merged or just shared parts under different divisions etc. I do know that drednaut, Ausco and Us Jack shared a lot of designs in various platforms and in the end Us Jack was all that was left. Based off the design I'm guessing 50's-60's for era, strictly a guess though.

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks for the info Hiball,
What oil would you recommend for this jack? Or any hydraulic jack for that matter?

 

[Hiball]

Thanks for the info Hiball,
What oil would you recommend for this jack? Or any hydraulic jack for that matter?

Any of today's hydraulic Jack oil will be fine, or ISO 32 in bulk.

 

[chrismenke]

I have that jack as well...does your jack only engage when the handle is at a pretty shallow angle to the floor?

I think mine still has the data plate...will look next time I'm in the garage.

 

[EDGAR]

At least 1947 based on an ad posted by CRTDI, where he states it is from 1947.

 

[2oolhound]

Here's a n expired ebay ad for a small jack named dreadnaut:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Dreadnaut-Twin-Lift-Screw-Car-Jack-Old-Antique-/331217931379?

Then this query on another forum:

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=150765

But this thread has some history and references to other similar dreadnaut jacks:

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2009/06/05/auto-specialties-mfg-co/

Just was googling it. I know Gray tools of Canada made a number of tools with the "Dreadnaught" name but your jack had a different spelling so I doubt there was any connection to Gray.

It's a very cool jack, good score!

 

[Tarnished]

Any of today's hydraulic Jack oil will be fine, or ISO 32 in bulk.

Thanks Hiball.

I have that jack as well...does your jack only engage when the handle is at a pretty shallow angle to the floor?

I think mine still has the data plate...will look next time I'm in the garage.

Yes Chris, seems to have a very short throw starting when it is almost completly lowered. Thought this was because it needed oil???

At least 1947 based on an ad posted by CRTDI, where he states it is from 1947.

Edgar, I missed that, thanks.

Here's a n expired ebay ad for a small jack named dreadnaut:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Dreadnaut-Twin-Lift-Screw-Car-Jack-Old-Antique-/331217931379?

Then this query on another forum:

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=150765

But this thread has some history and references to other similar dreadnaut jacks:

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2009/06/05/auto-specialties-mfg-co/

Just was googling it. I know Gray tools of Canada made a number of tools with the "Dreadnaught" name but your jack had a different spelling so I doubt there was any connection to Gray.

It's a very cool jack, good score!

Thanks Hound, Looks like Drednaut made many type of jacks, but not much info on this floor model. Would like to find a parts list of something similar. Not much info available on the "Ausco" version either.

 

[chrismenke]

Yes Chris, seems to have a very short throw starting when it is almost completly lowered. Thought this was because it needed oil???

I will try and get some shots of mine today and check the oil while I'm in there. The pump piston does not seem to make it out very far and it looks as though the return spring is fully extended, so the handle doesn't engage the piston until it is well through its travel.

 

[chrismenke]

Here's a shot of my build plate. Indicates my model is a D1951B.

 

[Jarhead0408]

That thing looks like some kind of predatory bug off of "Starship-Tropers".

I like it though!

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Chris for the build plate pic. I did some light scraping on the spot where my build plate should be, and did not find any brass showing thru. Guess I will check again and look for aluminum plate instead. At least now I have a model number and MFG. Will see if the cylinder can be rebuilt.

 

[bluebolt]

Looking a the plate I see Auto Specialties Mfg. Co which I assume is "AUSCO".

 

[Tarnished]

Looking a the plate I see Auto Specialties Mfg. Co which I assume is "AUSCO".

Blue, I think your correct about ausco. Looks like Dreadnaut was early, then became part of Ausco at some point. Still very little out there on either. Think this can be rebuilt if I can find the correct seals

 

[jabberwoki]

That's a nice old unit mate.

 

[zkling]

That is really a cool looking jack, with an interesting design. I wouldn't be too concerned about the low handle engagement. Seems like quite a few of the short body jack from back then had that "feature" to help with clearance. I have a small walker/O'boy and it has the same deal as well as a milwaukee I think. :

 

[Tarnished]

That's a nice old unit mate.

Thanks Jaberwoki. Anouther old piece of history saved from the scrapper... for now.

That is really a cool looking jack, with an interesting design. I wouldn't be too concerned about the low handle engagement. Seems like quite a few of the short body jack from back then had that "feature" to help with clearance. I have a small walker/O'boy and it has the same deal as well as a milwaukee I think. :

Zkling, Possable that it was for clearance, as the jack is built sitting almost right on the floor. Can't really tell from the pic, but there isn't 1/4 inch clearance under the jack. Will have to be used on smooth pebble free floors that's for sure.

 

[Hiball]

FYI.. OP While I was going thru some of my Late Grandfathers Literature I found a Exploded View Diagram for this Jack with a Parts breakdown, If you would like a copy send me a PM with your email address.

 

[Tarnished]

Evening again all,
Finally got this old Dreadnaut 1.5 ton jack cleaned up and painted. Thought I would post couple pictures to let ya see how it turned out.


I am pretty sure that along with its 2 Blackhawk brothers, they will be the last jack I will ever need.

 

[Beefbuzz]

Love those, I need to find me one!

 

[EDGAR]

Off the subject, but could you show some pictures of the vise in the background, the one with the circular base? Or, if you have already, could you post a link to the thread and the post #?

 

[Tarnished]

Off the subject, but could you show some pictures of the vise in the background, the one with the circular base? Or, if you have already, could you post a link to the thread and the post #?

Edgar,
I have posted the little Jacobson a number of times, and you can find it in the The Vises of GJ thread, post #6147. Those pics are "as found", and here are a couple after I cleaned it up.

Not sure of the age of the Jacobson, but been around a little longer than I have, and that makes it OLD!

 

[michiganman18]

Nice job on the cleanup looks good

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Mi.

 

[CRTDI]

Very nice looking jacks...

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks CRTDI. Wouldn't know anything about any of them if it weren't for this site.