Sometimes you just "wanna" scream!!

[goodfellow]

I've had this portable jack for over 30 years. At the time it was a cheap Taiwanese made unit that I bought from a local parts store in 1972 as part of my "road box" outfit. It has performed those duties beyond expectation, and I have never had a moment's trouble with it.

So yesterday I loaned it to a friend to get his winter tires off his car. I'm thinking "no problem" with lifting a small car on each side. So today I get it back. The frame is all bent and it's sitting 3/8" off the ground with the left front wheel. Obviously my friend has no idea what happened, but did offer to buy another jack. Problem is, I don't want a cheap Walmart model, I want this one.

After all the apologies were over, it turns out that he helped HIS neighbor remove the snow tires from his F150 yesterday as well -- BINGO!!! case solved.

So now I'm going to try to fix this trusty old workhorse of mine -- it's a great jack. I've never even replaced the original oil. It just "pi$$es" me off to no end.

Rant over !!

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I had to learn the hard way that very few people are worthy of loaning tools too, sorry too hear about the jack some people just don't have a understanding of how to treat other peoples stuff.

 

[WSMC633]

Simple fix.
Go find someone with a Chevy Silverado. Jack it up a few times. All will be right with the jack and the universe once again.

 

[Fedwrench]

Your friend is pretty brave lifting a F150 with that small of a jack. It always ***** when something happens to your favorite tool (or fill in the blank) when it's loaned out.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have one of those in Orange. I believe it's the same jack. I'll snap a pic tomorrow. If you want it, you're more than welcome to have it since i don't use it anymore, actually i don't recall ever using it. (i have two other jacks) I can send it to you via ground/sea freight.

 

[goodfellow]

Thanks Moose -- I'll fix this one. That "junkie" piece of steel and I have a 30 year history. Hate to just give up on it. There was a time when I only had an uncovered concrete car port to work on cars and that was my only jack. It has never failed to perform within its limits.

It just goes to show that the old saying is true -- "you can't fix stupid"

 

[autoace]

I have the same jack...but it's not 30 yrs' old. Never loan your stuff to a friend, plus what right did your friend have to lend your jack to another friend. You can probably disassemble it and tweak it back in shape. Good luck!

 

[walrus]

As the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished

 

[nissan_crawler]

Am I missing something? What's the weight limit on it? I have a hard time believing it got bent because it was under a pickup. I have an easy time seeing it bent because they used it under a pickup on ground that wasn't level.

I don't see why somebody would have to be "brave" to use that under a pickup.

 

[Danglerb]

Just be happy nobody did something stupid and got hurt.

 

[xroad]

Three Wheeled Jack

I always thought jacks should have 3 wheels instead of 4 wheels. Have the 3 wheels spreads out more and it will be as sturdy as 4 wheels. Have the wheels wider and larger diameter so the contact patch to the ground would be larger. So, no more punching dimples on the soft asphalt and no more wabbly jack on an uneven driveway.

 

[riley.m]

thats exactly why we have a a big sign on our shop wall that says''NO TOOLS LOANED'' because more often than not,we regret doing it.

 

[bmwpower]

Am I missing something? What's the weight limit on it? I have a hard time believing it got bent because it was under a pickup. I have an easy time seeing it bent because they used it under a pickup on ground that wasn't level.

I don't see why somebody would have to be "brave" to use that under a pickup.

BINGO...unlevel ground for sure.

Just be happy nobody did something stupid and got hurt.

Yea and then proceeded to sue you since you lent him the jack...kind of.

thats exactly why we have a a big sign on our shop wall that says''NO TOOLS LOANED'' because more often than not,we regret doing it.

I gotta get one of those signs. Just point to the sign when someone asks. "Hey, I didn't make the rules".

 

[swgray]

Maybe winter won't be over for them and you could have the last laugh.

 

[r6_cannibal]

I have a hard time loaning tools (that i care about) to people. My floor jack is one of those and I always let people come over if they want to use it. It's also an inexpensive(as opposed to cheap) jack made by powerbuilt. Has performed so well for years and I want to make sure it stays that way. It's not that I don't want to lend my tools out, I just want to protect my investment. Sorry to hear about your jack, my condolences =P

 

[Fedwrench]

Am I missing something? What's the weight limit on it? I have a hard time believing it got bent because it was under a pickup.

I was referring to the size of the jack compared to the sharpie in the picture. I don't think it's a full size jack and personally wouldn't want to use it to do a tire rotation on a F150 even it was rated at 3000 pounds but, that's just me.

 

[goodfellow]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. I've had a chance to cool down, grab an adult beverage and gotten over the "misery" It is a small portable jack and most likely it was on uneven ground. I can see it tipping since when fully extended it doesn't have a huge footprint compared to the load.

I can only assume that it was pushing the range limit on an F150. I'll take it apart and give it a good overhaul. After 37 year of service it deserves a little R&R.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

I have a Lincoln floor jack, that's bent like yours.. wish I knew how to fix it. I bought it that way, and its a good jack still.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Go read this thread here, same issues, different discussion group.

http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=toolt&th=233764

Charles

 

[rhandwor]

http://www.edshydraulic.com/products.html Maybe you can buy parts and rebuild yourself.

 

[Underdog]

I know how you feel, has happened to me too many times. I bet what happened is something I see all the time, the jerks put the jack under center of the rear and lift the whole back end up, It's not built for that unless your using a heavy jack.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. I've had a chance to cool down, grab an adult beverage and gotten over the "misery" It is a small portable jack and most likely it was on uneven ground. I can see it tipping since when fully extended it doesn't have a huge footprint compared to the load.

I can only assume that it was pushing the range limit on an F150. I'll take it apart and give it a good overhaul. After 37 year of service it deserves a little R&R.

What's the weight limit? I realize it's a moot point, I'm just curious. I'm still willing to bet it's ok for the weight, but was on uneven ground. I do agree that with the small footprint and fully extended it's trouble, especially with uneven ground.

I know how you feel, has happened to me too many times. I bet what happened is something I see all the time, the jerks put the jack under center of the rear and lift the whole back end up, It's not built for that unless your using a heavy jack.

I did it all the time with a tiny 2500 pound jack, no issues. It doesn't have to be a heavy jack to do that.

 

[goodfellow]

What's the weight limit? I realize it's a moot point, I'm just curious. I'm still willing to bet it's ok for the weight, but was on uneven ground. I do agree that with the small footprint and fully extended it's trouble, especially with uneven ground.

It's a 1.5 ton rating, but I've never tried to use it like a full-on service jack.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

why not put it on level ground, put a 3/8" piece of steel or something under the level wheel and load it up, might flex it back into shape.

 

[nissan_crawler]

It's a 1.5 ton rating, but I've never tried to use it like a full-on service jack.

Then it wasn't the weight, it was the height/uneven ground. I still bet it was on a slope and the truck shifted. Not that it matters, you still have a wrecked jack you loaned out.

Even my big 2.5 ton long frame will flex under a pickup if it's not level.

 

[goodfellow]

why not put it on level ground, put a 3/8" piece of steel or something under the level wheel and load it up, might flex it back into shape.

Actually Moose -- I was thinking along those lines, but will use a 20 ton press to straighten the frame.

 

[Skyline]

Instead of getting upset...look at it as a small blessing, and a chance to upgrade one of your tools. Face it....that is a pretty crappy jack. I have an exact copy as well, and I'm not exactly sure how I got it...I think a friend left it my house years ago. I'm really not sure why I have not thrown it out....probably I'm too lazy to drag it to the curb. Even if you don't go out and get a high end American made jack, you can do a whole lot better than this. For example, there are some pretty nice jacks for not too much money at Sears, (that tend to go on sale once in a while.)

Price another junk jack, and let your friend chip in that amount for a better jack. Or better yet, (especially if he's a good friend), have him buy the beer and help out with your next home project where you need a helper.....you don't have to make him kiss your ring, but let him know he owes you one.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I agree with your idea of figuring out which front caster to shim under then crank up the weight and let the weight of the vehicle straighten her out.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Instead of getting upset...look at it as a small blessing, and a chance to upgrade one of your tools. Face it....that is a pretty crappy jack. I have an exact copy as well, and I'm not exactly sure how I got it...I think a friend left it my house years ago. I'm really not sure why I have not thrown it out....probably I'm too lazy to drag it to the curb. Even if you don't go out and get a high end American made jack, you can do a whole lot better than this. For example, there are some pretty nice jacks for not too much money at Sears, (that tend to go on sale once in a while.)

I know you mean well, Skyline, but he doesn't want to upgrade, he wanted his jack back the way it was when he lent it out....and that's why he's pissed off. After 30+ years he's attached to it.

Hell, I've got some tools I've had less than ten years I feel that way about.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I picked up this jack at a damaged freight store for $45:

Torin Aluminum/Steel Race Jack, 2 1/2-Ton, Model# T84025http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200221974_200221974

The whole point, was so I would have a lightweight, wide jack, for going under the family import cars (mom, mainly). I loaned it to a friend, who knows what he is doing, and he brought it back to the garage (extended family), but one of the mechanics, that night, had his tow truck driver buddies over, and tried using it (20 less steps then the commercial shop one).
It got bent.

After the sob skipped, (on a LOT of people, but sometimes that seems cheap compared to what it would have cost if they were still around), the only good use for it (perfect height now) is for supporting motors, when doing timing belts. I left it down at the shop, and still haven't replaced it (now I just borrow the shop lift).

I still want to see if it or his head is harder.

 

[goodfellow]

Just to finish off this thread -- I managed to get it back in reasonable shape by using my 20 ton press. I loosened the axle nuts, the pump frame connecting nuts along with the pivot arms. I put it in the press and pushed the frame back straight. While it was still under pressure I tightened all the nuts and locked everything back down -- seemed to work pretty well.

It's still off by about 1/16 or so, but considering what it is, I'll leave it at that.
It's cleaned, lubed and ready to go for another 30+ years (although I may not be )

 

[Mike83]

Why the hell would you remove winter tires in the middle of winter? Hell, in Wisconsin we should expect snow into June!

 

[voidifused]

That there is some fine craftsmanship Now have you learned you're lesson? Get a big sign that says "No tool's loaded, Don't even ask!" Works wonders for me at work.

 

[Kev442]

Interesting. I have a Taiwanese jack that I bought as a poor boy back in the early eighties. Very close in looks to yours. It is still the small jack of choice to this day! I was always embarrassed to be proud of it. My old roomie was over one day several years back and asked how the heck that cheapie could still be going strong, he was on about his third one! I have had that poor thing on more dirt,sand and other various bad places over the years. It has fallen over, sunk in and been purposely shoved over! Still sits flat. Ahhh, feels good to come clean about it!