Floor Jack

[akalian]

New member here looking for some information regarding a floor jack that I'm going to be selling. I bought it over 30 years ago and it has been a workhorse around my shop.

When I took some pics of it to list it, I couldn't locate anything on the jack regarding who made it. I kinda figured that it would be somewhere covered in the crud that had built up over the years, but nothing. There might be something under the decals, but I haven't removed them to find out.

I did a search on the internet for similar images and this site came up, so I thought I get some more informed information on who made this floor jack.

Thanks for any info

BTW, also attached is a pic of what I call my Tool Wall in my garage.

 

[mattblast]

Looks like a Hein Werner WS jack

 

[akalian]

Looks like a Hein Werner WS jack

Thanks for the prompt reply.
I did some searching and came up with these images.
Is this the model you think it is?

From the pics it looks like there's a riveted plate that should be attached somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere on the one I've got. Any idea where the plaque is located from the factory?

 

[mattblast]

Label should be under the white sticker that's on the top of the jack.

 

[akalian]

Label should be under the white sticker that's on the top of the jack.

I removed the stickers and there was nothing under them.

A little more searching turned up the real Hein Warner WS identification plate and 1-1/2 ton cast right into the lifting mechanism.

Unfortunately mine doesn't have any of that. That leads me to think that it's a knock off of a real Hein Warner. But since I bought it back in the 80's I don't think it could be a Chinese knock-off. Maybe Japanese?

Looks like we got a mystery on our hands.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Welcome aboard akalian.

I have two Hein Werner WS jacks I just bought. My data plate is a little scruffy, but if you'd like I can take a picture and measurements of it's location for you.

I'll post it up here sometime tomorrow. Might be after I get off work though, so probably around 9:30 p.m.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Maybe, Both of mine have the lift plate with the ridges on it like in the first picture.

Search around a bit on Google images. might be that yours is newer than the one in the first picture. I know mine pre-date the '80's by quite a good bit. But another guess might be Taiwan.

 

[akalian]

Welcome aboard akalian.

I have two Hein Werner WS jacks I just bought. My data plate is a little scruffy, but if you'd like I can take a picture and measurements of it's location for you.

I'll post it up here sometime tomorrow. Might be after I get off work though, so probably around 9:30 p.m.

That would be great to compare what you have with what I've come up with so far. Every picture I've seen of a real Hein Warner has the capacity cast into the lifting mechanism and a plaque.

Wonder how to determine if it's Taiwan or Japanese.

 

[Roberts210]

Here's mine:

 

[Roberts210]

I don't believe it's a H-W. Look at the tank nut. H-W tank nuts look like this:

I think you have a Jap copy, which is not bad. They built some good jacks. GJ member Hiball will know for sure.

 

[Hiball]

It's definitely not a HW WS, it's simply a older Yasui based import. It's appears to be in good shape cosmetically, being 30 years on the clock, I would be thinking about servicing the Jack with New seals. As far as value... Maybe $30 in its current shape, only because it appears semi clean, any finish issues on the pump/ram will lower that price significantly.

 

[akalian]

It's definitely not a HW WS, it's simply a older Yasui based import. It's appears to be in good shape cosmetically, being 30 years on the clock, I would be thinking about servicing the Jack with New seals. As far as value... Maybe $30 in its current shape, only because it appears semi clean, any finish issues on the pump/ram will lower that price significantly.

Thanks for the info. Makes sense too.

Back in 1980 when I bought it I didn't have two nickels to rub together, and a real Hein Warner would probably been more that I could afford. So I'm sure one of my gear head friends recommended this Japanese knock off.

Funny thing is, I had some guys over the house a month or so ago and they got all excited about it, saying it was "one of those" and that they had somewhat of a cult following. Seem like BS now, maybe an urban legend.

Anyway, FWIW the jack still works great after all these years. I doesn't drop a lick when supporting the full weight of a car. Because of it's age, I always use jack stands. I'm too old to try to bench press a car, should the jack fail while I'm underneath the car.

I'm surprised that it's not worth more than a large bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. I think I'll keep it, or sell it for $400 to one of those people that think it's a collectors item.

BTW, great forum. I've enjoyed browsing the various sections.

.

 

[CNGsaves]

Welcome to the GJ.

If you've got "neighborhood lurker" that will pay $400 . . . then Take Their Money !!

Use that money to go find authentic rare jack like BlackHawk.

If jack works well . . . . continue to use with jack stands !!

 

[akalian]

I sent my friend a note to fill me in on why he thought the floor jack was super special. He got back to me this morning with this:

That was an "Astro" jack, made in Japan probabley 30 + years ago. My father in law bought it through Placer Motor Parts in Auburn, now called Reibes Auto parts (NAPA) A very good quality jack in its day and today for that matter. There still stuff on the internet about it. Problem is Astro is out of buisness and parts are not available. I spent $400- 500 bucks shop labor and parts to salvage mine that did not work......So I removed the wheels and scrapped it.


So now all I have to do is figure out if it really is a rare (20 KFC Bucket) Astro or a cheap Yasui (1 KFC Bucket).

Off to do some more searching. I'll report back if I find anything interesting.

.