He's a great guy and a huge asset to this forum. Steven brings a very specific skill set and knowledge base from years of experience. I wish he was local. Not anyone can properly rebuild a jack as a number of local hydraulic shops have proved, yet Steven will tell dumb it down for anyone willing to try. He will give you a straight answer to save time and money on your potential project jacks.
Occasionally now, but more so when I was younger asking lots of questions; I would run across these people. In my experience those that REALLY know and are able to, don't mind sharing especially for work such as this. There is knowing how to do something, and then there is actually doing it. Having the special tools, strength, time and ambition to rebuild a jack is out of the scope for the vast majority. Maybe a large percentage of people on this forum are able and willing, but that is just a small sample of the population.
A friend of mine, automotive mechanic, talks about how he fears the trade is going to dwindle on need soon as cheap tools, internet access how to's and the DIY culture is growing rapidly. I tell him, that while there are those that want to do it themselves, there will
always be those that don't have the time, ambition or give a damn to learn and then try themselves. Typically those are the people that are willing and able to spend the big bucks for someone else to do the work for them.
Big congrats on your upcoming family addition.
