Floor Jack suggestions?

[YankeesFan]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum. Was doing a Search for a while as I am trying to decide on which floor jack to buy. Strange thing is they have such a huge price range from $59 to $2,500! I'm doing some basic auto repairs in my garage on a Civic and my wife's Sienna. Was wondering if anyone can suggest a good, durable floor jack? Any manufacturer better than another? i.e. Ranger, AC Hydralics, AF&F, Craftsman, etc.

Thanks,
Howard

 

[Junkman]

The jack just gets the car in the air, it is the jack stands that are important, because that is what you use to hold the car up after you remove the jack. I would buy the jack that is the best buy, and fits the weight class that you need. Just remember that you don't want to skimp on the quality of the jack stands, because they are your safety net while you are under the car.

 

[chavist93]

I love my AC hydraulics jack and jack stands. The are both top notch. Not cheap, but its definately not something to try to save pennies on.

 

[MAD]

I bought a full size Larin floor jack like this one around 12 years ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Larin-HNY-6000-Floor-Jack-Foot/dp/B00062YUXK/ref=sr_1_5/102-2105875-4843316?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1177810499&sr=1-5

It is still going strong after lots of heavy use. I would buy another one if this one dies. Here is a link to the company site as well.
http://www.larincorp.com/about.cfm

 

[eschoendorff]

I've been beating the **** out of a 3 ton that I got at Harbor Freight with no problems...

 

[Coach James]

I bought a Craftsman 3 ton last year for ~$90 on sale. It's worked fine so far. I'm not sure it's all that different from the Torin etc. that you get at Advance or Autozone.

My dad has a C-man 1.5 ton that he bought 32 or 33 years ago and it still works great. Back then he paid $100 for it so that was an expensive jack.
Coach

 

[MAD]

I've been beating the **** out of a 3 ton that I got at Harbor Freight with no problems...

It would not surprise me if the Larin 3 ton I have is the same as the similar jack sold by H.F.. It is hard to tell if these Chinese imports are all alike or if some importers impose better quality control or not. The Chinese copy the American then the Chinese copy each other.... It is hard to know If a product is good these days or if you just happened to "get a good one". The Larin web site states that their products meet ANSI standards for what that is worth. My general rule for this type of equipment is to buy stuff that is rated for a good deal more than you think you need. IE: Full size 3 ton jack instead of compact 2 ton etc... And as Junkman stated, do not skimp on the jack stands.

 

[YankeesFan]

It would not surprise me if the Larin 3 ton I have is the same as the similar jack sold by H.F.. It is hard to tell if these Chinese imports are all alike or if some importers impose better quality control or not. The Chinese copy the American then the Chinese copy each other.... It is hard to know If a product is good these days or if you just happened to "get a good one". The Larin web site states that their products meet ANSI standards for what that is worth. My general rule for this type of equipment is to buy stuff that is rated for a good deal more than you think you need. IE: Full size 3 ton jack instead of compact 2 ton etc... And as Junkman stated, do not skimp on the jack stands.

Yeah......I just started learning abouth this whole Chinese thing last night on the site. Sounds like the safest company to use, other than AC Hydralics, who are way out of my price range would be AF & F as they state USA made.

Thanks all for your input,
Howard

 

[john300k]

I have a Craftsman 3 ton for 20 years and it has never let me down...no pun intended...

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a Craftsman 3 ton for 20 years and it has never let me down...no pun intended...

Yeah, but does it get you up???







sorry... couldn't resist.

 

[chevy302dz]

The jack just gets the car in the air, it is the jack stands that are important, because that is what you use to hold the car up after you remove the jack. I would buy the jack that is the best buy, and fits the weight class that you need. Just remember that you don't want to skimp on the quality of the jack stands, because they are your safety net while you are under the car.

You do not want to buy a poor quality jack. Stands are important but the quality of the jack is just as important if not more so.

 

[MAD]

The recent crop of Craftsman floor jacks do not seem to be rated well by the looks of the online reviews. Check out this dog. 1.1 stars out of 5 with 26 reviews.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Mechanics+Tools&pid=00950240000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Lift+Equipment&BV_SessionID=@@@@2131253151.1177881201@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgfaddkkhkmelkcefecemldffidfni.0

This one seems to be about the same:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Mechanics+Tools&pid=00950156000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Lift+Equipment&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

And this one... What is the world coming to?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00950143000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[Chris94L]

I as well need a new floor jack. Something low enough to get under my lowered Lightning and lowered Mustang. I have a Craftman 3 ton and a US General alum. race jack and neither one of them will lift anymore if I can even get them under the vehicle

 

[Dodgepu360]

has anybody had any experiance good or bad with Hein Werner jacks?

http://65.61.28.224/prodList.asp?strSearch=hein-werner%2C+hein+werner%2C+hein+warner%2C+hein-warner

 

[Junkman]

Hein Warner were all the jacks that I used to use when I had my shop. They were good rugged units, and like all jacks back then, they were made in the USA. I don't know where they are made now, but if they are the same quality as they were 40 years ago, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one.

 

[ImportTuner]

Hein Warner were all the jacks that I used to use when I had my shop. They were good rugged units, and like all jacks back then, they were made in the USA. I don't know where they are made now, but if they are the same quality as they were 40 years ago, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one.

I'm pretty sure the Hein Warner's are still being made in the US ... mine is 3 years old and it says made in USA ... I also have the Craftsman 2 ton aluminum racing jack; says Made in China, but I've had no problems with it ...

 

[MustangRick]

I bought an $80 Allied jack from Sams Club about 7 years ago. It is made from thick steel and the welds look good so I bought it. Never had any problems of any kind with it. I saw a Craftsman one today that looks almost identical.

From what I have been told, most jack issues require a 10 cent O ring to fix, not that I want to fix a jack a year after I buy it.

 

[Jeeper]

I'm pretty sure the Hein Warner's are still being made in the US ... mine is 3 years old and it says made in USA ... I also have the Craftsman 2 ton aluminum racing jack; says Made in China, but I've had no problems with it ...

You can get them at northern tools and according to N.T. website they are still made in USA.

 

[Junkman]

I bought an $80 Allied jack from Sams Club about 7 years ago. It is made from thick steel and the welds look good so I bought it. Never had any problems of any kind with it. I saw a Craftsman one today that looks almost identical.

From what I have been told, most jack issues require a 10 cent O ring to fix, not that I want to fix a jack a year after I buy it.

I only wish that it was that simple. Back when I was buying the Hein Warner jacks, if they went bad, you could send them out to get them repaired, but usually the repair didn't last very long. I would just throw away the hydraulic unit and purchase a replacement hydraulic unit and in less than 15 minutes, the jack was like new. I have no idea why, but it seems that once the jacks go bad, there is no fixing them with any reliability for future use. I know that dirt and grime are the biggest problems with the hydraulics. It gets past the seals and then it just causes lots of problems. We got used to pressure washing the jacks and keeping them greased, and they lasted a lot longer than those that were "abused" and ignored.

 

[bmwpower]

I love my AC hydraulics jack and jack stands. The are both top notch. Not cheap, but its definately not something to try to save pennies on.

+1 for AC Hydraulics.

 

[Chezelle]

Try these very helpful and interesting links. This guy has over 30 years of working with jacks. He is also very helpful and responds quickly to your questions.

Some Floor Jack History

Which jack should I buy?

I just went through all of this too after having one of those Green Craftsman Floor Jacks from the 80's quit working and not being able to find a seal kit for it. I didn't mind paying more for a USA made higher quality jack and ended up going with the Milwaukee for $410 direct from the company. The shipping wasn't too bad through FedEx Ground either. Its also one of the few jacks left thats Made in the USA.

I still have that old Craftman. Anyone have or know where I can find a seal kit or at least the main piston seal for the Sears 1 1/2 ton model no. 328.12001 jack?

 

[ImportTuner]

Try these very helpful and interesting links. This guy has over 30 years of working with jacks. He is also very helpful and responds quickly to your questions.

Some Floor Jack History

Which jack should I buy?

I just went through all of this too after having one of those Green Craftsman Floor Jacks from the 80's quit working and not being able to find a seal kit for it. I didn't mind paying more for a USA made higher quality jack and ended up going with the Milwaukee for $410 direct from the company. The shipping wasn't too bad through FedEx Ground either. Its also one of the few jacks left thats Made in the USA.

I still have that old Craftman. Anyone have or know where I can find a seal kit or at least the main piston seal for the Sears 1 1/2 ton model no. 328.12001 jack?

Good articles ... Thanks

 

[daveinwestland]

Man the Milaukee sounds likse a nice jack, but they list it for 620 bucks. You know, i bought a 2 ton floor jack from A montgomery Wards Auto center with paper route money when I was 13. I dont remember how much it cost, but it couldn't have been too expensive (althought I did have 3 routes to pay to fix up a car I already had at 13). And now I need to pay 400 to 600 dollars to ge tthe same made in america quality? By the way, the jack is still going strong.

 

[78jeepstang]

I know the discussion has shifted to American made jacks, but I have to put a plug in for Larin. I've got a 2.5 ton floor jack I got of theirs 6 years ago, put it through all the abuse you can imagine, and it still works flawlessly. Its much better than the Craftsman 3 ton I was given as a gift, that jack barely works. I don't know if quality of the Larin stuff has dropped off in the recent years, but I wouldn't hesitate one second to get another one.

 

[MAD]

I know the discussion has shifted to American made jacks, but I have to put a plug in for Larin. I've got a 2.5 ton floor jack I got of theirs 6 years ago, put it through all the abuse you can imagine, and it still works flawlessly. Its much better than the Craftsman 3 ton I was given as a gift, that jack barely works. I don't know if quality of the Larin stuff has dropped off in the recent years, but I wouldn't hesitate one second to get another one.

I am happy to hear that someone else has had a good experience with Larin as well.

 

[goodfellow]

Good discussion -- thanks everyone. I have an older 1970's 2t Hein Werner model and it has held up very well. I clean and lube it once a year and it just keeps on going. That said, a few years ago I needed a second jack for a truck project and went to HF because I was in a time cruch. They offered a 3t model for around $90. This thing has been surprisingly good. It doesn't lift very fast, but it gets used several times a week (on the heaviest lifting chores) and has performed well.

Actually I'm amazed that this model Chinese HF jack has lasted this long.

 

[monstergarage87]

And this one... What is the world coming to?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00950143000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

MY GOD DOES... DOES THIS THING ****!!!!

Bought one last year thinking it was a pretty good jack. It was on sale and the next one was about $40 more and i just didnt have the money on me. My good 4 ton craftsman (bout as old as me) was at my brothers and i had to do some work on my truck so i needed this one. Got it home and found out how much of a pita it was to use. The little crappy handle slides out when you go to pull it out from under the truck. The tin cover rattles like a mother... and the 2 pump action to get it to the frame is nice but it takes 50 to get the truck an inch off the ground!

And now when i went to use it a few weeks later.. it didnt work! All the hydraulic fluid leaked out of it. The damn seal on the cylinder took a ****.

Oh and dont buy the 3 ton jackstands either, real wobbly.. not stable at all. Have a rectangular base and they tip over way too easy. Had them under the buick parts car and knocked the car off the stands breaking a bolt loose. Didnt even have them extended half way. Geez... what IS the world coming.

JOhn

 

[ImportTuner]

MY GOD DOES... DOES THIS THING ****!!!!

Bought one last year thinking it was a pretty good jack. It was on sale and the next one was about $40 more and i just didnt have the money on me. My good 4 ton craftsman (bout as old as me) was at my brothers and i had to do some work on my truck so i needed this one. Got it home and found out how much of a pita it was to use. The little crappy handle slides out when you go to pull it out from under the truck. The tin cover rattles like a mother... and the 2 pump action to get it to the frame is nice but it takes 50 to get the truck an inch off the ground!

And now when i went to use it a few weeks later.. it didnt work! All the hydraulic fluid leaked out of it. The damn seal on the cylinder took a ****.

Oh and dont buy the 3 ton jackstands either, real wobbly.. not stable at all. Have a rectangular base and they tip over way too easy. Had them under the buick parts car and knocked the car off the stands breaking a bolt loose. Didnt even have them extended half way. Geez... what IS the world coming.

JOhn

Did you return the jack and stands back to Sears? or did you just forget about it?

 

[Rickster]

has anybody had any experiance good or bad with Hein Werner jacks?

http://65.61.28.224/prodList.asp?strSearch=hein-werner%2C+hein+werner%2C+hein+warner%2C+hein-warner

My dad bought one back in the 70's, not sure of the capacity but it's bright orange and has a T handle. I used it several years while I was living at home and it was great. I bought a Sears Craftsman when I moved out and although it has the large lift plate like the Hein Warner I really miss the T-handle for positioning the jack with ease and the easy turning control knob. On the Craftsman you have to turn the entire handle. Most garages and tire stores I've seen use a lot of Hein Warner jacks. I've been looking for a used one in good shape.

 

[monstergarage87]

Did you return the jack and stands back to Sears? or did you just forget about it?

Of course i forgot about it.... havent had to use them in a while so they got shoved back behind some motors. But ill see if i can find the receipt and at least exchange them for better ones. Its been a year but im not satisfied damnit!!

 

[Coach James]

"..and the 2 pump action to get it to the frame is nice but it takes 50 to get the truck an inch off the ground!"

Coach

 

[Davefr]

Hein Warner were all the jacks that I used to use when I had my shop. They were good rugged units, and like all jacks back then, they were made in the USA. I don't know where they are made now.

They're now Chinese:
http://directory.pten.com/product/59325/Shinn-Fu_Company_of_America_Hein-Werner_HW93642_2-Ton_Service_Jack


For Chinese, this jack is decent and it's sold at Costco for <$100. (low profile and twin pumps). The reviews at NT are positive:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200345429_200345429

 

[Hiball]

They're now Chinese:
http://directory.pten.com/product/59325/Shinn-Fu_Company_of_America_Hein-Werner_HW93642_2-Ton_Service_Jack


For Chinese, this jack is decent and it's sold at Costco for <$100. (low profile and twin pumps). The reviews at NT are positive:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200345429_200345429

Yes ther parent company is Shinn Fu... But they are made in the US using 60+ years of the same Hydraulic Technology That was invented by Walker Jack Company.

 

[CRTDI]

This thread might help with deciding which floor jack to purchase, my pick on post #72:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278

Happy hunting...

 

[Hiball]

This thread might help with deciding which floor jack to purchase, my pick on post #72:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278

Happy hunting...

Those Milwaukee jacks would be a great decision also, Cant go wrong with Hein Werner, Milwaukee or Weaver in my opinion.

 

[ATTappman]

Those Milwaukee jacks would be a great decision also, Cant go wrong with Hein Werner, Milwaukee or Weaver in my opinion.

I followed this thread with interest, since I have is a Harbor Freight aluminum "racing jack" and a Husky floor jack bought at Home Depot. Both work fine, but the Husky takes too many pumps to get anywhere, and the HF makes popping sounds like it's about to fly apart, and I can't diagnose what's wrong. I want something better.

So, if I spend $650 on a Milwaukee floor jack, is it really going to be that much better than a $150 Arcan or a $250 Norco? My wife will throw me out if I buy another jack and I'm still not satisfied. This has to be the last one, at least for several years.

In general, I don't mind spending a lot to get good quality. Usually, I buy cheap stuff at first, so I can learn what I like and don't like. Sometimes, the cheap stuff turns out to be acceptable. Country of origin is irrelevant to me; if a Taiwanese jack is thought to be just as good as an American one, that's OK with me.

Hiball, I trust your opinion since you obviously know a lot about jacks. I can't look at any of these jacks locally, because they aren't sold in any stores around here that I know of. I'd like to know what you think of paying $650 for a floor jack.

 

[Jim Sideways]

If you have a Costco's around they have great reviews on their Jacks. What ever you do stay away from Craftman. The last 2 I have had leaked and would not go up after the 1st year. I went with one from one of the speed shops here in Ohio Jegs. So far so good knock on wood. Hopefully you will get a good one.

 

[Hiball]

In general, I don't mind spending a lot to get good quality. Usually, I buy cheap stuff at first, so I can learn what I like and don't like. Sometimes, the cheap stuff turns out to be acceptable. Country of origin is irrelevant to me; if a Taiwanese jack is thought to be just as good as an American one, that's OK with me.

Hiball, I trust your opinion since you obviously know a lot about jacks. I can't look at any of these jacks locally, because they aren't sold in any stores around here that I know of. I'd like to know what you think of paying $650 for a floor jack.

I would recommend first deciding how much tonnage you are gonna need currently. No doubt you can get into a quality jack for less than $650, Depending on where your located and if your near a distributor you can get into a 2 ton HW93642 for around $300 or a HW96352 3 ton for $400 on sale. These are both time tested jacks and you will be proud to own either. As far as Norco, Otc they are your higher end overseas companies and they have some better warranties available. As far as the Arcan jacks.. Those Low Profiles jacks are sweeping the nation by storm with there lower prices but i think they will start showing there true colors within the next couple years. Milwaukee is also a great jack, I would love to see them be more competitive with HW price wise but them along with Weaver are really the only TRUE American companies left. To be clear Hein Werner is made in america, using American design but the main HQ is located overseas.

 

[ATTappman]

...Milwaukee is also a great jack, I would love to see them be more competitive with HW price wise but them along with Weaver are really the only TRUE American companies left.

So do you think a Milwaukee is worth the extra money (almost double) over a Hein Werner? All I need is 2 tons of lifting capacity, but the final height is important too - I need it to be 20" or higher.

 

[Hiball]

So do you think a Milwaukee is worth the extra money (almost double) over a Hein Werner? All I need is 2 tons of lifting capacity, but the final height is important too - I need it to be 20" or higher.

Heres the Pdf link to compare the specifications of the Hw 2 vs 3 ton.
http://www.shinnfuamerica.com/Temp/1770.pdf

I personally dont think the price difference is justified, That will be your decision, And im not trying to take anything away from Milwaukee. They are Great Jacks and you can tell by looking at some of the Gj Members pictures they are hell bent for a lifetimes use. Some people dont like that Hein Werner is owned by Shinn Fu, Again its a American design and they are built in America. Its all about Personal Preference, Give Milwaukee a call and see if they have any deals on there 2 ton jacks, Find the closest distributor for HW and compare the 2 from financial standpoint. Hope this helps..