Help me buy my first floor jack

[Dynasty]

I'm looking to buy my first floor jack and hoping you guys with much more experience than me can help me out. The budget I have set is $150 and would like the jack to last me for decades to come. My dad has an old Craftsman 2 ton jack from the 80's that still works like new, but I know Craftsman products have changed a lot since then. The limited amount of research I have done has shown me two decent options:

1. Arcan 3.0 Ton Professional Grade Aluminum and Steel (Costco) - http://www.costco.com/3-Ton-Profess...And-Steel-Service-Jack.product.100222458.html

2. Pittsburgh 3 ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump (Harbor Freight) - http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-61282.html

The largest vehicle I would be using the jack on is a Silverado 2500 HD, but that will be rare. Most of the time it will be 4 door sedans and small SUVs.

The jack will not be used professionally. It will only be used about ten times per year.

What do you suggest?

 

[dodge610]

The pittsburgh is a pretty nice jack I have had a HF jack for years that I have used and abused. Still keeps coming back for more.

 

[adamgayton81]

For under that budget, I love my harbor freight long reach rapid pump over all of my jacks. Just my 2 cents. And I do use it very frequently and have had it for over 5 years so far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chrisnazzy]

I'm not an expert in the field but if I was to go out and buy a new jack today I would be seriously considering the new Daytona jack from HF or one of their bigger Aluminum jacks. I am very far from a HF fan but it seems that these are solid options for the $$. Maybe GJ member Hiball will offer an opinion, although I'm sure if you search you will find many threads on this subject.

 

[LXCam]

Count me in with those guys as well for the HF unit. 10 years of a lot of use and still works fine.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I have the HF floor jack as well. Very nice jack.

 

[jacked_72]

$179 HF Daytona jack.

 

[Dynasty]

The pittsburgh is a pretty nice jack I have had a HF jack for years that I have used and abused. Still keeps coming back for more.

Count me in with those guys as well for the HF unit. 10 years of a lot of use and still works fine.

Are you guys referring to the HF jack I posted in my original post? Or another model?

 

[DanInVA]

I have the 3 ton steel jack that you linked in your first post, have had it for about a year now. So far, so good, it has done everything I have needed it for without issue right out of the box.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[kctyphoon]

You won't beat the price / value of a HF jack.. I have the 2.5 ton high lift model and it lifts my f350 diesel dually.

 

[oldtools]

Another vote for HF Daytona jack.

 

[stanleyrleonard]

Maybe read this thread and come up with an additional $50.00 [it goes on sale for less than the 199.99 price] and it will probably be in your future "for decades to come":

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338200

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-daytona-professional-steel-floor-jack-super-duty-63183.html

Note the 23 inches of height listed in the specs.

Just trying to help--Stan

 

[zendriver]

Interesting some here say an $80 HF Jack is awesome, while others suggest the OP go over budget and spend $180 on one.

Maybe Harbor freight problem is they just don't charge enough for their products.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[anndel]

Save your money, buy a Hein Werner and don't look back.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RFR498/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[zendriver]

Save your money, buy a Hein Werner and don't look back.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RFR498/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What make these so special, to warrant saving, by spending 4 times the money?

American made?

As the quality of manufacturing in Asian countries has gone up, more domestic floor jack companies are now sourcing their parts from there but having the final assembly done on US soil. While it would be great to have multiple options of floor jacks made in the USA using 100% American parts, that’s simply not the case anymore as the price would put these models out of reach of the general public.

If you consider yourself someone who wants to support American workers and purchase an automotive jack that is “Made in the USA,” Hein-Werner offers a couple high-quality options. Again, while some of the parts used are made in China, assembly, inspection, and service is all handled in the United States.

http://www.floorjackshop.com/top-rated-floor-jacks-made-in-the-usa/

Paying $300 to support American business is notable, but does not necessarily insure a better, longer lasting floor jack

 

[anndel]

What make these so special, to warrant saving, by spending 4 times the money?

American made?






http://www.floorjackshop.com/top-rated-floor-jacks-made-in-the-usa/

Paying $300 to support American business is notable, but does not necessarily insure a better, longer lasting floor jack

They last. I had mine for over 10 years and since I got it use it at least once per month. The only maintenance I performed was to replace the hydraulic jack fluid and grease areas where there was a zerk fitting. Other than that no issues.

 

[woody6904]

Having both the non low profile heavy duty 3 ton from harbor freight and the arcan from costco, can honestly say cant go wrong with either. I use the arcan more often, just like it a little better. Would probably have 2 arcans if we would have had a costco in the area when I bought the HF.

 

[PureLeaf]

The Hein Werner isn't American made anymore. That Amazon page is incorrect. Its assembled in the USA with global components last I had heard. Unless that has further devolved too...

 

[Hiball]

The Hein Werner isn't American made anymore. That Amazon page is incorrect. Its assembled in the USA with global components last I had heard. Unless that has further devolved too...

Still the same design used 75+ years ago, Assembled in KC Mo, Top notch seals with a design that begs to work.

 

[3TV]

Hiball, I found this yesterday when researching floor jacks. It is an old post from another forum, but I think it has some good information. Here is the cut and paste:

"WALKER/LINCOLN - This one is REALLY CONFUSING, sit down and have a cup of herbal tea...
Walker was all American from the 40's through the 80's when it was bought by LINCOLN. LINCOLN kept it American up til the end of the 90's when they moved 99% of their production to China (one floor jack was still made in the USA). After a few years in China LINCOLN sold off their jack line to a company called CLORE who changed the name to MARQUETTE. They held the company for about a year and then in October of 2003 sold it to the big Chinese maker, SHINN FU. SHINN FU held it as it was for the better part of 2004 then surprised everybody by bringing back the old prestigious HEIN-WERNER name back (retired in the mid 90's) and began making the line in America again! The jacks are not at all the HEIN WERNER jacks of the 40's-through early 90's, they are purely the American made LINCOLN jacks from the 90's."

 

[hillbilly slim]

I bought the 3 ton Craftsman floor jack(2 jack stands and creeper) set for 100$. Almost 4yrs with a lot of using(brought an 87 jeep xj back to life) and no problems at all other than being heavy!

 

[R. Johnson]

Another vote for HF here. I've had the 2ton aluminum for years and it's been great. I bought the aluminum for the portability when I go to work on someone else's stuff. I'd like to get the 4ton since I have some heavier trucks now.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[hillbilly slim]

Craftsman Steel 3 Ton Floor Jack Jack Stands Mechanic Car w/ Creeper Set Lifting
$1,999.00
Buy It Now
Free shipping
94 sold

i sure hope the shipping free!
little e-bay misprint i rekon...

4 yrs ago i paid 100$
inflation these days

 

[bczygan]

I wouldn't have a steel jack again in this lifetime, or the next, if there is one.

I have an expensive aluminum Arcan one, but daily use is a 1.5 HF Aluminum. It's small and light enough, and capable enough, that my wife actually keeps it in her Astro Van.

For your use I would choose a HF aluminum with just enough capacity for your largest load.
They have 2, 2 1/2 and 3 ton versions between $139 and $179. Done deal!

Bill

 

[lbhsbz]

I have 2 Powerbuilt 3.5 ton jacks...one is over 20 years old, the other about 10. Both still work flawlessly with zero maintanence. I'd recommend them.

 

[rshadd]

Save your money, buy a Hein Werner and don't look back.

This. No regrets

 

[WWShop]

I have the HF 3 ton low profile jack and has worked well for me so far.

 

[ecotec]

I have the HF 3 ton low profile, as well. There is often a coupon to get it for under $80 ($79.99). I find it to be an amazing deal on a very capable jack. I took all the stickers off it.

I made a pinch weld adapter for it out of a $.99 hockey puck. I think everyone should do this!

 

[lazer50]

For floor jacks under 200 both the jacks have similar reviews.both seem good for the money.if your set on one of those two the choice to me would be a no brainer! The Costco jack is 30 lbs lighter.easier to carry and move.if your budget was somewhat higher you could research some more and maybe find a Norco or hein werner and you have a jack that probably would last for decades.its just what you can afford and of course make sure you have good sturdy jack stands.

 

[stanleyrleonard]

Thanks to leftyz for this: Scroll to the bottom of the page post #8740

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85668&page=437

Or here:
http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/1754_...L_FLOOR_JACK_-_SUPER_DUTY_1474999586.8835.JPG

Stan

 

[skruft]

I use two very old jacks that I found at garage sales. Often good ones turn up. For a new one for occasional use, the HF ones seem to work, although personally I do not like their stuff.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i'll throw in another vote for the low profile HF 3 ton. I use it on my 03 ram and 66 mustang, no problems with it.

 

[wolfhawk73]

I'm looking to buy my first floor jack and hoping you guys with much more experience than me can help me out. The budget I have set is $150 and would like the jack to last me for decades to come. My dad has an old Craftsman 2 ton jack from the 80's that still works like new, but I know Craftsman products have changed a lot since then. The limited amount of research I have done has shown me two decent options:

1. Arcan 3.0 Ton Professional Grade Aluminum and Steel (Costco) - http://www.costco.com/3-Ton-Profess...And-Steel-Service-Jack.product.100222458.html

2. Pittsburgh 3 ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump (Harbor Freight) - http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-61282.html

The largest vehicle I would be using the jack on is a Silverado 2500 HD, but that will be rare. Most of the time it will be 4 door sedans and small SUVs.

The jack will not be used professionally. It will only be used about ten times per year.

What do you suggest?

I have the HF jack you mentioned, and it rocks. Don't hesitate.

 

[48fordnut]

I have a couple of old iron floor jacks, But my H/F alum 1.5 ton has been with me for at least13-14 yrs with nary a complaint. It stays outside and is light enough to carry if you need it. Less than 70 bucks then.