Which Jack do you recommend?

[Mamrak76]

I have a choice between a:

Japanese made craftsman jack ($150) @ 40 miles

or an

American made Ringueberg and Van De Mark ($100) @ 90 miles.

Both are about 5 ton and work.
Which one would you buy?

For reference

R & VDM is Red

Craftsman is Green

 

[Mamrak76]

Also I may restore this, but I do plan on using it on a weekly/ monthly basis. Not for commercial use.

 

[Roberts210]

How 'bout getting both?

 

[big bab bob]

Iwould rather pay more for something not built in China when it comes to safety stuff if available

 

[Mamrak76]

How 'bout getting both?

Unfortunately I don’t have enough extra money for both, I’ve got more pressing needs, in addition I definitely do not have enough room for both…

 

[Ed in Virginia]

I am not familiar with the R & VDM jack, but I have had the 1-1/2 ton version of the Japanese-made Craftsman jack since purchasing it from Sears in the mid-late 70s. My usage is pretty much like yours. Over those almost 50 years, it has never failed, I have never had to replace any parts, nor has it leaked. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[grannyknot]

Try to find a rebuild kit for either of them then decide.

 

[cgrutt]

I also had the smaller version of Craftsman jack purchased in early 80s and it worked fine. I actually bent it doing something it wasn't designed to do but still worked fine. I left it at a friend's house about 7 or 8 years ago been meaning to ask if he still has it. I'd have no problem using the larger version. Never heard of the USA brand but it also looks solid. As said above I'd check if parts are still available for whichever one you decide to get. Good luck.

 

[Roberts210]

I also rebuilt the smaller version of the green, Japanese C-man jack. Works great.

 

[Farmer J.]

I also rebuilt the smaller version of the green, Japanese C-man jack. Works great.

So, you rebuilt that jack on the work surface of your laundry machine?!

 

[Beerhippie]

So, you rebuilt that jack on the work surface of your laundry machine?!

How else you gonna clean the parts?

 

[genog]

Well
I have a couple of smaller jacks than the one's that you are interested in OP.
Perhaps this applies....

For what it's worth, I sent out my Blue and Yellow 80's era Lincoln (Walker, I believe) to be rebuilt
It's the same jack as the red Snappy jack in the pic.
Good jack and I've had it for over 40 years, so I am attached to it

Anyway, a friend gave me the Made in Japan Sears 2 ton (don't believe it says Craftsman anywhere) in the second pic
The rebuilder dude told me that the Sears jack is heavier duty and better made than my Lincoln and that it's a keeper
He said, if I were to keep only one (yeah right), keep the Sears jack

I trust him......old guy who has been in the biz for over 50 years
Figure he knows what he's talking about

Anyway, that's my two cents worth
and maybe just maybe worth both pennies

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Well
I have a couple of smaller jacks than the one's that you are interested in OP.
Perhaps this applies....

For what it's worth, I sent out my Blue and Yellow 80's era Lincoln (Walker, I believe) to be rebuilt
It's the same jack as the red Snappy jack in the pic.
Good jack and I've had it for over 40 years, so I am attached to it

Anyway, a friend gave me the Made in Japan Sears 2 ton (don't believe it says Craftsman anywhere) in the second pic
The rebuilder dude told me that the Sears jack is heavier duty and better made than my Lincoln and that it's a keeper
He said, if I were to keep only one (yeah right), keep the Sears jack

I trust him......old guy who has been in the biz for over 50 years
Figure he knows what he's talking about

Anyway, that's my two cents worth
and maybe just maybe worth both pennies

I think he knows what he's talking about. Good move.