Good jack in the $300 price range?

[marlinspike]

I've seen too many HF jacks fail in use (yes, I'm sure someone who wants to reply has one that has worked for 25 years, I know what my own experience is and am too tainted by that to be convinced). That said, it's hard to justify the $600 after shipping of an AC or Compac. Is anybody making a properly good jack for less? It seems like makes the cheap jacks cheap is 1) China and 2) poor quality sealing mechanism (ring instead of cup or something). How about a jack that has cheapness cause #1 but not #2?

 

[Lx460]

For that money, buy used and rebuild if needed.

 

[marlinspike]

Doubt I'll ever see a used AC Hydraulic near me, and I've been looking periodically and never see one on ebay either.

 

[HELLSUNICORN]

I have had this Napa jack for about 10 years. I liked it so much I bought another one last year when they were on sale. I now have 2. No complaints at all. They work great


http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C.../Floor-Jack-3-5-Ton/_/R-NLE7916420_0438142876

 

[xrayos]

Where are you located? I have a barely used ac 13hlq that I may sell

 

[CobraChevelle]

Hein Werner HW93652 - 3 ton SUV Service Jack made in the USA

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=HEIHW93652

$367.95 plus shipping maybe?

I was in the same boat as you last year. After looking around, I found a way to increase my budget for this bad boy. And I love it! works awesome!

 

[marlinspike]

Where are you located? I have a barely used ac 13hlq that I may sell

Near Virginia Beach.

 

[engineer031]

2 ton hein werner can be found for under 300.00 or a blackhawk for around 200.00

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

I have had this Napa jack for about 10 years. I liked it so much I bought another one last year when they were on sale. I now have 2. No complaints at all. They work great


http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C.../Floor-Jack-3-5-Ton/_/R-NLE7916420_0438142876

+1 I have one also. They tossed it in the scrap bin at work. I bled it out, and been workin fine for a few years now...

 

[jrobb316]

Unless you can find a good used, you either buy junk or put up the 500 and get quality. The exception is maybe the HW 2 ton is about $350

 

[armenakadino]

Hein Werner HW93652 - 3 ton SUV Service Jack made in the USA

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=HEIHW93652

$367.95 plus shipping maybe?

I was in the same boat as you last year. After looking around, I found a way to increase my budget for this bad boy. And I love it! works awesome!

Does it bother anyone that your paying for American Made but it is owned by a Chinese firm.

 

[retfr8flyr]

It's a little more than your $300 limit but I have had this Omega jack for 9 years now and it has never given me a single problem. I really like the low profile and long reach, I can get under anything with this jack.

http://www.automotivetools.com/Omeg...w-Profile-Service-Jack/29023/421/Product.aspx

 

[brook41]

This is the jack they used to sell at Costco for $100 it has great reviews. Shipping is pricey http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200345429_200345429 More info http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239170

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Pick up a used Lincoln/Snap On. Jack easily rebuildable and the frames don't twist. My Lincoln/Snap On is over 30 years old, works great.

 

[Leoruiz]

Does it bother anyone that your paying for American Made but it is owned by a Chinese firm.

Not at all.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/25/foreign-labor-auto-oped-cx_jhb_outsourcing08_0529america.html

 

[rustbucket5]

This is the jack they used to sell at Costco for $100 it has great reviews. Shipping is pricey http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200345429_200345429 More info http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239170

this jack and the napa jack look to be the same, princess auto sells the same one with a different coat of paint. ive had mine for about 2 years with no issues besides it being almost 100lbs and a ***** to move by yourself. i use mine frequently on my car and id have no hesitation to recommend it.

 

[Fender1325]

Im sure I'll catch a lot of flac for this but, why not get a craftsman 3 ton floor jack? Theyre affordable and work great. Ive had them for years without issue. Do I use it every day? No. Have I needed it for all kinds of heavy *** cars? Yes.

 

[chilly460]

I have a Hein Werner after owning a bunch of Chicom jacks over the years. It absolutely blows them away, you can easily move a car around with it on the jack, the release is much smoother, and the pump actuates with ever motion unlike the "let's see if it actually pumps" motion of cheapie jacks.

$276 online

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...D78YCFcHOgAodBLQGig&ei=jLOvVb-uCsGdgwSE6JrQCA

 

[jrobb316]

Does it bother anyone that your paying for American Made but it is owned by a Chinese firm.

Not in the slightest bit, and here is why. Would you rather buy from a Chinese company making an investment in America? Or would you rather buy from a company selling out America? Prime example is Irwin and Newell Rubbermaid, their parent company. They bought vise grips, closed the plant and sell junk from China. Destroyed a whole town and i'm sure countless lives in the process. But they still put American flags on the package, so I guess thats ok?

I was looking for a good set of drill bits and I wanted the Chicago Latrobe 135 cobalt set. Then I found out Chicago Latrobe was also owned by a Chinese company. I was hesitant, but then I found an article in a paper in South Carolina (where they are located) and it said the company is making an investment in America, the wages may be higher but the land, energy, and cost of business is less and it averages out. I now own that set of drill bits and the quality is top notch.

My craftsman jack lasted about 10 years and it gave up the ghost recently. Will be getting a Milwaukee 20 in about 2 weeks.

 

[magicrat]

Omega magic lift is only quality item in that price range....high quality....next step up would be norco or hein werner.....which are both excellent.

 

[Skin]

HW are assembled, not made entirely here anymore. Just be aware of that.

Would you rather buy from a Chinese company making an investment in America? Or would you rather buy from a company selling out America?

Ideally, neither. Fact: Shin Fu has been implementing more imported components into the HW production line, not less. The Chinese will build, assemble, and manufacture whatever they can in China if it means more money in their pockets. They don't purchase companies in foreign countries as a form of good will or in an act of preservation and don't be fool enough to think otherwise. They're after the best return they can get, its that simple.


Speaking for myself, my budget isn't limitless and for a home jack I couldn't see spending a small fortune. Similarly I didn't want the cheapest thing available, went with this, have had it about 2 years now and it works great (photo from when it was new).

 

[jrobb316]

I am aware of that they are "assembled in USA" of domestic and foreign components. I'm not saying that makes me happy or SFA are great guys for having some production here, but it is what it is. You can either support SFA who has some production here and provides jobs, or you can buy something like a HF jack which does neither. Or you can buy a Milwaukee, the only true domestic manufacturer left, and really vote with your dollars. That's what im doing, it's local and it's all domestic, 100%, so it's a no brainer. I even say a used jack that's needs refurbishing is better than going Chinese. You're supporting local business when it gets overhauled and will last a long time. It's not a perfect world, you can only do what you can do, and if supporting SFA and their American assembled line is it, I have no issue with that.