My new floor jack

[bigjon]

New floor jack arrived this morning. It's a Compac 1.5T-HA.
There made in Denmark and are significantly more expensive than the Chinese models, but this will probably be handed down to my grandchildren.
http://www.calfinn.com.au/images/stories/pdf/Simple Jack Brochure 1 5THA.pdf

 

[Kylecivicsi]

Where'd you buy it? That's a nice looking piece

 

[trexdoink]

That thing must really lift high? Is that a metric 1.5 ton?

 

[gnx547]

How much did you pay for the jack?

 

[CRTDI]

Congrats, that's a very nice looking jack. I really like the looks of this one. Did you consider the long frame AC jack http://www.acjacks.com/ when making your purchase decision?

 

[MalibuLX3]

I like how the sticker on it says "compac" but it looks like it's nearly 3 feet long! Looks like a heck of a jack!

 

[homesale]

Price?
Is it stable? It looks very narrow.
How long has the Compac company been in business?

 

[bigjon]

- Purchased it from the importer here in Oz.
- Yes, I looked at the AC Hydraulics line of jacks. I saw this Compac at a workshop and really liked it. Compac have a 3 year warranty with very good backup from the importer. It's also a more popular brand than AC Hydraulics over here.
- Felt stable enough. I gave it a go on my Toyota Kluger (Highlander) and didn't noticed any movement. It's 1095mm (~3.5') long & lifts to 800mm (~31.5").
- According to their website they've been around since 1946.
http://www.compac.dk/?page=firma_profil
- Yes, that's metric 1500kg or 1.5t.

 

[48548]

This is what I am thinking about next... But nice jack either way and Also can't go wrong with stuff made in Europe.

http://www.mega.es/catalogo_automoc...p?sIdioma=en&nIdCategoria=3&nIdSubcategoria=8

 

[Monte]

nice jack !!!!
ps: i wonder why it´s red and not green ?

 

[z28snksknr]

1500 kg = 3300 lbs - that seems light to me. My '94 Camaro weighs just under 4,000 lbs., so that jack would be nearing it's capacity lifting the front end off the ground.

I'll agree with the previous poster that it looks narrow for it's length and slightly unstable as a result. I'm not trying to rain on your parade here, but it does look to be somewhat "light duty".

It sounds like you paid a lot for it, so I'm curious as to,....... umm..... why?

 

[bigjon]

1500 kg = 3300 lbs - that seems light to me. My '94 Camaro weighs just under 4,000 lbs., so that jack would be nearing it's capacity lifting the front end off the ground.

I'll agree with the previous poster that it looks narrow for it's length and slightly unstable as a result. I'm not trying to rain on your parade here, but it does look to be somewhat "light duty".

It sounds like you paid a lot for it, so I'm curious as to,....... umm..... why?

You are correct, if I tried to lift your entire Camaro it would be above the capacity of this jack. Now, if I lifted the front, back, sides, etc. seperately I would have no issue. Using these jacks to lift an entire car at once would be rather unsafe. Does your Camaro have a jacking point in the middle somewhere? It's long enough to probably reach it

The width between the wheels is not any narrower than the likes of the AC Hydraulics line of jacks. It only looks narrower due to the design.

I did pay alot for it. I wanted something that would last.

Your not raining on my parade by any means.

Happy Australia Day (26th Jan) everyone! Suppose to get to 42C (~108F) today.

 

[bigjon]

nice jack !!!!
ps: i wonder why it´s red and not green ?

Thanks.
I should ask the importer next time I talk to him. I do like the green better as it's 'different' than your traditional red jacks.

 

[Monte]

Thanks.
I should ask the importer next time I talk to him. I do like the green better as it's 'different' than your traditional red jacks.

red always looks imported ok it is imported from Denmark ...but you know what i mean

 

[M-technik-3]

Congrats, that's a very nice looking jack. I really like the looks of this one. Did you consider the long frame AC jack http://www.acjacks.com/ when making your purchase decision?

All of their Jacks are currently unavailable. Great jacks thou.

 

[z28snksknr]

You are correct, if I tried to lift your entire Camaro it would be above the capacity of this jack. Now, if I lifted the front, back, sides, etc. seperately I would have no issue. Using these jacks to lift an entire car at once would be rather unsafe. Does your Camaro have a jacking point in the middle somewhere? It's long enough to probably reach it

The width between the wheels is not any narrower than the likes of the AC Hydraulics line of jacks. It only looks narrower due to the design.

I did pay alot for it. I wanted something that would last.

Your not raining on my parade by any means.

Happy Australia Day (26th Jan) everyone! Suppose to get to 42C (~108F) today.

If I was lifting the front end (both front tires) it would be close to 3000 lbs. for a full size vehicle. I wasnt' saying to lift the entire car. I have a $40 jack that is rated at 2 1/2 tons (2267 kg / 5000 lbs.) at my house with a lifetime warranty, made in the USA. I'm just wondering what makes this jack worth the high price tag given it's relatively low capacity?

Again, not trying to say it's not worth it to you or that you made a bad purchase, I'm just trying to understand the reasoning. From looking at the jack, I don't see much difference in it's design that would lend itself to lasting longer or being more durable than others. What am I missing?

 

[Monte]

i once made this comparison pic of a AC 2 ton "high lift" jack vs. the typical 19.95 bucks ""2 ton"" import jack (the silver one )

The Compac one is about similar in size (length, width), it looks a bit slimmer thats right, but they use thicker steel than AC, like 10mm or so for the sides, Compac jacks are also heavier - AC has the "profiled" design for strength. In "real live" the Compac jacks looks pretty sturdy !
I wouldn´t hesitate to buy either a Compac, AC or Mega jack.

sorry for the OT above and below


some pics from a exhibition:

 

[MalibuLX3]

I'm just wondering what makes this jack worth the high price tag given it's relatively low capacity?

I've got a Craftsman socket set that does the same a Snap On socket set, what's the point of that? Some people just like nicer things. Not saying your jack isn't nice, but there are other things to consider when buying a jack beyond weight capacity.

Also, notice the OP is in Australia, I'm not sure but I dont think their options for jacks, and tools in general, are as pleantiful as ours here in the USA.

 

[bigjon]

I feel sorry for the people on this thread when z28snksknr finds out about it. Most of them are discussing getting a 1300kg jack!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43029&highlight=compac+jacks&showall=1

Compac also sell a a 2T, 2.5T, 4T & 6T. The benefits of the one I purchased is the lower profile and chassis reach. The 2T was actually cheaper. The workshop where I saw this model in action has been using it for 14 (hard) years and it only just had a recent rebuild.

I paid $800 plus GST (tax). Yes, I could have bought ~5 Chinese jacks.

 

[Hiball]

If I was lifting the front end (both front tires) it would be close to 3000 lbs. for a full size vehicle. I wasnt' saying to lift the entire car. I have a $40 jack that is rated at 2 1/2 tons (2267 kg / 5000 lbs.) at my house with a lifetime warranty, made in the USA. I'm just wondering what makes this jack worth the high price tag given it's relatively low capacity?

Again, not trying to say it's not worth it to you or that you made a bad purchase, I'm just trying to understand the reasoning. From looking at the jack, I don't see much difference in it's design that would lend itself to lasting longer or being more durable than others. What am I missing?

Im a previous owner of (2) F-bodies and the Curb weight was only like 3450lbs (Stock) if i recall, you would be NO-where near 3000lbs upon lifting the front tires off the ground. Next where is this $40 dollar jack that has a Lifetime warranty? And where did you buy it? What USA brand is it again?

 

[lametec]

I scaled my car awhile ago, 01 ws6 with spare tire and jack in car with 1/2 tank

Total Weight: 3495 lbs

Front Percentage: 56.4% (1973 lbs)
Rear Percentage: 43.6% (1522 lbs)
Left Percentage: 50.1% (1750 lbs)
Right Percentage: 49.9% (1745 lbs)

Corner Weights:

LF: 1008 Lbs RF: 966 lbs

LR: 742 Lbs RR: 779 Lbs

Then keep in mind as you elevate the car with the jack, more weight shifts towards the non-elevated end(s).

 

[CRTDI]

The frame of the Compac jack appears to be more robustly built than the comparable AC unit. Maybe this is why there is a difference in the lifting capacities? In further comparison of the the Compac unit to the AC, I'm curious if one of the hydraulic designs are superior to the other?

Oh and by the way, I think your jack looks bad *** in red!!

 

[Hiball]

Lametec:

Thanks for posting that Info, Ive said it a Million times. Americans are facinated with Numbers, Floor Jacks and Gas powered Lawn Mowers are perfect examples. I get at least 1 call/Pm/Email a day from a 3/4 ton truck owner claiming he needs a 4 ton jack to change a tire. Sometimes people listen.. and other times they are set in there ways. Who am i to argue with there perspective.

 

[Hiball]

BTW.. Nice Looking Jack. It looks very similar to the Coats/Nike jacks that came out of Sweden back in the Day. It does have a Long lift arm but it obviously has some beefy Cross bracing to keep it Ridgid. Keep us updated on how it performs.

 

[bigjon]

ps: i wonder why it´s red and not green ?

Spoke to the importer this afternoon. The green never really took off over here in Oz, so he kept kept with the red. They also sell the red to Snap-On for some European markets such as France.

 

[GSMotorrad]

That CompaC Jack looks really nice. I think you just sold me.

 

[marlinspike]

- Purchased it from the importer here in Oz.
- Yes, I looked at the AC Hydraulics line of jacks. I saw this Compac at a workshop and really liked it. Compac have a 3 year warranty with very good backup from the importer. It's also a more popular brand than AC Hydraulics over here.
- Felt stable enough. I gave it a go on my Toyota Kluger (Highlander) and didn't noticed any movement. It's 1095mm (~3.5') long & lifts to 800mm (~31.5").
- According to their website they've been around since 1946.
http://www.compac.dk/?page=firma_profil
- Yes, that's metric 1500kg or 1.5t.

I don't suppose you could measure the height of the jack 18" from the center of the pad, could you?

 

[pop pop]

If I was lifting the front end (both front tires) it would be close to 3000 lbs. for a full size vehicle. I wasnt' saying to lift the entire car. I have a $40 jack that is rated at 2 1/2 tons (2267 kg / 5000 lbs.) at my house with a lifetime warranty, made in the USA. I'm just wondering what makes this jack worth the high price tag given it's relatively low capacity?

Again, not trying to say it's not worth it to you or that you made a bad purchase, I'm just trying to understand the reasoning. From looking at the jack, I don't see much difference in it's design that would lend itself to lasting longer or being more durable than others. What am I missing?

Check the "Max Load" molded into the side of your tires. You'll see it isn't near what you are thinking. And the actual is much less.

 

[Blazej]

Is the compac 1.5T-HA-G4 available in Australia and if so where can I purchase?

 

[Monte]

please ask here: http://www.jackspecialists.com.au/garageCar.html

 

[GSMotorrad]

That CompaC Jack looks really nice. I think you just sold me.

Been really happy with mine, along with a set of Esco stands. Good stuff! Extremely beefy construction. Highly recommended. (I'll try to snap some better pics of the jack later on)

 

[exmaxima1]

For a small fraction of the cost of Easco jack stands, you can buy very similar Camco:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EDUUL2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I modified a set to lower the height and added padded heads. Work great.

 

[GSMotorrad]

16" at their lowest is a pretty tall order (without mods), and they don't have that lower x-member that supports the legs from splaying outwards. My ESCO's get down to 13", which is still kind of tall for low cars. ESCO's are 13 - 21" and those Camco's are 16 - 30".

$45.19 -vs- $61.28 each: http://www.amazon.com/ESCO-Jack-Stand-3-Ton-Capacity/dp/B0019JVIPM

or $69.99 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200358558_200358558

They're a bit more expensive, but I feel more comfortable underneath the extra x-member supported legs, wider feet at each leg, and what appears to be a wider stance overall, and the super-wide rubber top, without needing to modify anything, possibly voiding a warranty or compromising their integrity if you don't know what you're doing.

 

[exmaxima1]

16" at their lowest is a pretty tall order (without mods), and they don't have that lower x-member that supports the legs from splaying outwards.

$45.19 -vs- $61.28 each:


They're a bit more expensive, but I feel more comfortable underneath the extra x-member supported legs, wider feet at each leg, and what appears to be a wider stance overall, [/IMG]

They both have the same 6000 lb weight rating, which is about 4 times what you will ever likely put on them. Judging from the pic of the Easco's base, they are essentially equal in base dimension. Also, the Camcos are $45 for a PAIR vs $61 (plus shipping) EACH for the Eascos. That's a fair more than a "bit more expensive"....

 

[GSMotorrad]

the Camcos are $45 for a PAIR vs $61 (plus shipping) EACH for the Eascos. That's a fair more than a "bit more expensive"....

Oh snap, I didn't see that - that makes it a LOT less expensive by far.

A set of four ESCO stands: $279.96 + SHIPPING (estimate $31.49) total $311.45
A set of four Camco's: $90.30 SHIPPING INCLUDED

That's a huge difference of $221.15!

That's a lot, I agree.

If the Camco's do it for you, then by all means save your money. My Compac Jack was way more expensive than many other jacks, but I feel the extra cost is justified in design and construction and useability/stability/reach, etc. I know people are happy with much less expensive floor jacks/jackstands, but this kit is working well for me. I don't regret the higher cost one bit, and won't ever sell.

I guess I got about a thousand bucks into my current lifting situation. That's after many, many years working under similar rigs that cost ten percent of that ($100 jack and stands). Never had a car fall with that cheap stuff, so I guess my current jack/stands are overkill, but it sure is nice as heck to use.

I don't know, some people buy expensive handbags, or watches, or jewelry or whatever. It's all about what you're into, I guess. I wear cheap clothes and no jewelry and eat frugally, so I can enjoy my jack/stands more.

The Compac is just SO LOW, and reaches SO FAR, and it's so stable. The ESCO's are the best I've ever used. Those huge (softer than) hockey pucks are awesome to rest cars upon.

 

[exmaxima1]

I agree with you an the value of a good jack. I splurged when I bought Griot Garage's Ultimate jack (made in Spain) and it was about $400 at the time. When i modded my Camco stands, I did install big pads:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NSMXPY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Overall, I don't regret spending more on the jack while saving the extra cash on the stands.

 

[Monte]

the welds on that Esco look a bit scary

 

[GSMotorrad]

Back to the jack. I hope it lasts forever, and I think it will. It must be the best floor jack in the world. It even looks sleek and **** to me. Its lift height of over 2½ feet lifts my trailer's tongue quickly to the height needed to hitch to my truck, without having to use a block of wood to raise it high enough.

The insane size of the Compac 1.5T even then makes it so easy and stable to move the trailer's tongue to the exact location to lower onto the ball. The jack-pad rotates like it's on bearings (well greased) to compensate for rolling it around.

The 3,306.93 lbs capacity of the Denmark-made jack could lift my entire trailer fully loaded, if it wanted to. It makes light work of just lifting near the tongue, on the frame.

It's just so quick and easy to foot-pedal pump it up really high, and move the trailer around, steering it with the Compac 1.5T jack.

I thought about getting one of those trailer dollies, that has a ball... but then you can't use those to hitch it onto your truck. Plus, i think it's less bulky than those big things too.

I never thought I could ever love a jack, but it happened. I just thought they were dumb, boring, dirty things that I needed to have around, but never really cared about them. This one is different. It swells some weird feelings of satisfaction every time I get to use it. Each time, I remind myself that it was SO worth the price.

If you're looking for your first jack, just get this one so you don't have to keep buying jacks for years, until you finally end up buying this one anyway. Cry once, pay later? Wait. Pay once, cry later? No. Better to cry once now, than cry a whole bunch more later... or something like that. If you're a member here, you probably appreciate REAL, and good quality TOOLs, so just get this one, I'm telling you. I love it. (no affiliations)