Vintage Floor Jacks

[TheBadDog]

Thanks. For that price, I expect that is the entire caster assembly. Hopefully I can get by on just a wheel.

Wow, I owe HCRCNow an apology. I didn't realize until I saw this again how rude that came across. What it really means is that I'm old and cheap and haven't adapted to what quality things cost today.

My sincerest apology for my rude reply, the fact that it can be found at all today for the price offered is exceedingly fortunate.

Luckily for me, after fixing the loose spindle, the conical caster straitened out without breaking (!!!) and continues to work well in frequent use. Now I'm working at adding a Blackhawk S4 to my stable. Unfortunately it will need a good deal more work.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Weaver Jack Servicing Part 1:

For anyone following along with my Weaver restoration, I cleaned it up today. I used Simple Green heavy duty degreaser, my pressure washer (with the delicate nozzle), and some elbow grease. There was still a lot of caked-on grime from 83 years of use, so now I am in the process of disassembly. I will post some pics below.

I also contacted Castle Equipment Co. and they dated my serial number to 1938. They also gave me the number for the Weaver Jack Service Center, and I spoke to a rep about what they have available for replacement parts. He told me the only thing they wouldn't be able to get is the piston barrel. They have everything else pretty much the same on their modern jacks.

Luckily, when I started tearing it down, there doesn't seem to be any issues at all besides the leak and the foot pedal spring. Knock on wood it stays that way. I think the leak might be coming from a B-nut on the hydraulic line. Hopefully it just needs tightened!

I am very excited to be able to get it disassembled for the cleaning aspect of this project. I scraped probably 3 pounds of grime out of the frame and off of the exterior after I washed it. It will be nice to access every inch of it. Okay, I'm rambling at this point, on to the pictures!

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[TheBadDog]

Very nice, good luck. I have one like that, and it's been my go to jack for some time on my desert trucks, particularly the current expedition sub (the cool kids now call it "overlanding").

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you for the update, GalaxyRat! This is great news that they have all the parts!!!
Great job !!!

 

[econotrk]

That's a great looking jack! The wings on the fenders are really sweet!!

 

[GalaxyRat]

Weaver Jack Servicing Part 2:

Here is another update on the Weaver, this will probably take 2 posts just for this section of disassembly. I did a lot today to get the cylinder disassembled. Here we go!

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[GalaxyRat]

Weaver Jack Servicing Part 2A:

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[GalaxyRat]

Weaver Jack Servicing Part 2B:

Once the barrel was removed I began the cleaning process. I have the hardware soaking in simple green overnight. The seals and cups all look like they are in great shape. I found out that the leather gasket on the bottom of the rear pump was responsible for the leak it had. I will also replace the other gaskets on all of the lock nuts as they crumbled apart during the disassembly process. None of the pistons leak, thankfully. ***Edit: When I say gaskets, I mean the internal piston seals.***


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[GalaxyRat]

Weaver Jack Servicing Part 2C:

Last part for now, I just wanted to add that the front wheels (I haven't touched the rear wheels yet) use roller bearings. I will add a couple of miscellaneous pictures below.

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[Shelbylex]

Thank you, GalaxyRat! Great job and amazing write up!!!
It will definitely help me once it becomes warm in MA (I have to keep spraying parts for days to remove anything - even cotter pins are rusted solid). Your write up will save me hours and possibly days!!!
I followed your footsteps and called the Weaver factory again (I have a 3 digit ID number). Sent an email with pictures - waiting for the response. Your restoration inspired me to start looking for parts early!

When taking off the rear wheels, put the assembly on the aluminum food tray. There are 2 sets of ball bearings and the balls have a tendency roll all over. There were 16 on top and 16 on the bottom in my case. When I disassembled mine I noted that somebody did it before - several balls were missing. In worst possible scenario they are available in Home Depot (though I will likely end up buying replacements from the rusted out parts from Weaver and will use the ones they have)

 

[GalaxyRat]

Thank you, GalaxyRat! Great job and amazing write up!!!
It will definitely help me once it becomes warm in MA (I have to keep spraying parts for days to remove anything - even cotter pins are rusted solid). Your write up will save me hours and possibly days!!!
I followed your footsteps and called the Weaver factory again (I have a 3 digit ID number). Sent an email with pictures - waiting for the response. Your restoration inspired me to start looking for parts early!

When taking off the rear wheels, put the assembly on the aluminum food tray. There are 2 sets of ball bearings and the balls have a tendency roll all over. There were 16 on top and 16 on the bottom in my case. When I disassembled mine I noted that somebody did it before - several balls were missing. In worst possible scenario they are available in Home Depot (though I will likely end up buying replacements from the rusted out parts from Weaver and will use the ones they have)

I'm glad this will help someone! And thanks for the heads up on the wheels. If I remember correctly, the new wheels they make for these will fit the old style jacks. I'll have to call their service center and verify. One of the wheels has a flat spot and they are all very sloppy feeling. Is that normal for a floor jack? I have never paid any mind to it before...

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[ndnchf]

Great photos- following along

 

[Shelbylex]

Mine were not sloppy - very solid - could not move them at all for a long time - had to soak for days with PB Blaster. : )

On my jack rear wheels were on a solid metal axle locked on the sides by cotter pins. I guess the axle can wear out if used a lot and become sloppy. I will need to order one side due to rust damage. Hopefully they still make it.

 

[chase237]

I'm looking forward to the progress. I have an old Blackhawk just gathering dust that I should at least degrease and assess. Too many projects.

 

[GalaxyRat]

I'm looking forward to the progress. I have an old Blackhawk just gathering dust that I should at least degrease and assess. Too many projects.

You definitely should! And when you do, post lots of pictures, that looks like a beautiful paint job under that layer of gunk.

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[GalaxyRat]

Weaver Jack Servicing Part 3:

Caster removal, pretty straightforward. Be very careful about the ball bearings in the rear casters.

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[willys hemi]

Curious what I just bought. I am, sick of chinese junk, I have wanted an old jack FOREVER!

 

[Shelbylex]

Looks nice, willys. For some reason I am thinking Walker. Can you make a picture of the top of the cap on the handle?

 

[txvwnut]

It is a Walker, dads had one for as long as I can remember. Raised many a European car with it as that was the shops specialty.

 

[HCRCnow]

Curious what I just bought. I am, sick of chinese junk, I have wanted an old jack FOREVER!

Walker 93655
Link to drawing: https://www.hcrcnow.com/uploads/drawings/walker_936551.pdf

 

[vwpieces]

Been watching this thread for a couple years. I restored another Blackhawk and lusted over the SJ18 and these Walker 782's
Finally scored one for $40

 

[vwpieces]

Couple weeks later it's finally coming together. Just waiting for a couple more bits from McMaster Carr.

Kinda gave it my own twist on color scheme. Wheels are Yellow too. Main color is Hammered finish Light Blue.

 

[econotrk]

Kinda gave it my own twist on color scheme. Wheels are Yellow too. Main color is Hammered finish Light Blue.

Really like the color choices, also think the cast iron covers are way cooler than the stamped tin ones.

 

[Shelbylex]

believes, this looks absolutely great!
Can you give us a little bit more details about what you did and what you replaced from McMaster Carr?
(Curious because I have a rusty non-movable jack awaiting warm weather and attempt at restoration)
... never mind that I just love seeing how people restore old jacks...

 

[Keyblazer]

Hey,
Anyone ID this Jack I got at Auction?
I think it’s a Transmission Jack, but it’s big, and heavy.
Doesn’t look or feel like an import.
It looks like it was orange originally, but was painted the blue you see.
The is a sticker on it that’s yellow but after rubbing off the blue paint with MEK, I can’t see any writing.
It doesn’t pump up….even tho the oil is full.
If I can ID it, maybe I can find the seals.
Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[TheBadDog]

All I can say is that it's definitely a transmission jack, missing some of the adapters that would sit on that top plate. As for manufacturer, I've seen that style plenty of times, including harbor freight, but I can't say who made that one.

 

[Keyblazer]

Thanks.
Yup, the support arms are missing, but that should be an easy thing to make.
Gonna try bleeding it today..

 

[Jim1932]

I will throw min into the mix. I know there is a steel piece that fell in blocking it off. I think I can restore it.

 

[HCRCnow]

Hey,
Anyone ID this Jack I got at Auction?
I think it’s a Transmission Jack, but it’s big, and heavy.
Doesn’t look or feel like an import.
It looks like it was orange originally, but was painted the blue you see.
The is a sticker on it that’s yellow but after rubbing off the blue paint with MEK, I can’t see any writing.
It doesn’t pump up….even tho the oil is full.
If I can ID it, maybe I can find the seals.
Any help would be much appreciated!

This jack is maybe the same as the Astro 1000T or Jet TJ1760. The drawing links are included. (THESE ARE NOT CORRECT) Some of these style jacks were manufactured in Brazil, Taiwan and Japan.

https://www.hcrcnow.com/uploads/drawings/astro1000ttransmissionjack2200lb.pdf
https://www.hcrcnow.com/uploads/drawings/jet_tj1760.pdf

 

[HCRCnow]

I will throw min into the mix. I know there is a steel piece that fell in blocking it off. I think I can restore it.

This is a Hein Werner GH Version Jack.
Link to drawing: https://www.hcrcnow.com/uploads/drawings/Hein-Werner_GH-1_Hydraulic_Jack.pdf

 

[Jim1932]

This is a Hein Werner GH Version Jack.
Link to drawing: https://www.hcrcnow.com/uploads/drawings/Hein-Werner_GH-1_Hydraulic_Jack.pdf

Thanks!

 

[andyvh1959]

I have an old Blackhawk four rigid wheels jack, might be the S7 1.5 ton model. It is a long frame with the reservoir built into the handle end of the frame. I recall I tried to make it operable 20 years ago, but could not get the piston to seal or the check valve to work that would cause the arm to raise. Now that my cycle shop is getting set up, and I have a small blast cabinet, I will again go at it and restore it over this coming winter.

 

[Roadyo]

YA700 won't go up

I hope I'm not posting this in the wrong place. I don't understand how this forum works but I'll keep diving in till I learn to swim.

I just resealed an old YA700 floor jack I've used for years and the darn thing still won't work. First I ordered a new pump unit but that didn't help. Then I pulled the rest of it apart and put new seals and check balls in. Still no luck. When I pump the handle the jack raises up about an inch but when I raise the handle the jack goes back down. I really miss this old warhorse and my Harbor Freight replacement is starting to ease down under a load. What did I do wrong? I know there's a lot of experience here and any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jim1932]

I will throw min into the mix. I know there is a steel piece that fell in blocking it off. I think I can restore it.

OK, I got this thing to jack up, but can't get the thing to release (Yes I am pulling the pin on the handle). Any suggestions other than hitting it with penetrating oil? How strong is it if I add leverage to it. Only using bare hands now. Also is there a source for the two fixed (non steering) wheels? It is missing both of them.

 

[andyvh1959]

Anyone interested in a Blackhawk S7 1.5 ton floor jack? Unrestored, not used in decades. Probably needs some rebuild to make it work. I'm on the west side of Green Bay WI.

 

[nadogail]

Those old jacks were built to a Quality by companies who were proud the display their name on their products and were, for the most part, sold through a dealer network.

Modern jacks are built to a price by off shoe manufactures who prefer to remain unknown and sold as private label merchandise through retailers who attempt to disguise their origin by branding them with names of cities associated with good industrial products. Those retailers advertise to the bargain concuss shopper who just wants something to play mechanic with, not to the business owner that is looking to invest in an item of durable shop equipment that can be expected to last for half a century or longer.

Basically we get what we are willing to pay for.

 

[23ford]

Here is my old jack from Dads auto repair shop. Rebuilt in the late 60's still works great

 

[DeeDubz]

This belonged to my dad. its a 2 ton. not sure what brand. When I get around to it im gonna rebuild it. My mom was using it for yard art the last few yrs... I think its still got some life left in it.

 

[Cruzan80]

Looks like the Hein Werner Model M I have...

 

[Jazz1]

My 3 ton floor jack and cherry picker are no name brand. They have been in dire need of seals on the plunger. Stores are no help,,,these are harbour freight type units...Found the seals and plungers on ALIEXPRESS for both. $2.68 for the cherry picker plunger, $4 for seal for floor jack. Both fit and no more leaking. 3 weeks delivery $8 for delivery from China.