Why aren't there more USA made jack and jack stands?

[WrightToolFan]

US Jack, as far as I know, is the only game in town that still makes USA made jacks and jack stands. Hein Werner held out for awhile but they're not made here anymore. Is there no market demand for USA made jacks and jack stands? If not, why?

 

[sponfit]

Price would be my guess

 

[Skin]

Hein Werner might still of been US made but they sold their company to Shinn Fu which already had a lot of overseas production so that was only a matter of time. They do still bend, cut, weld, and assemble in Missouri I believe.

There are at least half a dozen manufacturers of US made floor jacks still. They cost a lot. For what you can buy at HF for $120 would be ~4x as much for a domestic unit so most of the manufacturers left cater to niche markets like heavy duty and racing.

Similar story for jack stands. US Jack survives because they cater to government and industrial contracts which often specify US made whenever possible. Barring that not many people are going to plunk down $160-$180 for a pair of stands when they can go to a big box store or HF and get a pair for $30-$40.

 

[zktk01]

I wish the U.S. jack had the flat round foot design of the Esco.
https://esco.net/products/esco-3-ton-performance-shorty-style-jack-stand/

 

[WrightToolFan]

When it comes to jacks and jack stands, I'd rather use a lift. Only reason I wouldn't use a lift is either because I couldn't afford one or its impractical. The thing about paying USA made prices from US Jack or some other USA made company, is I'm going to get close to or the same price as as a lift. So why am I going to spend what a lift costs to deal with the inconvenience of using a floor jack and jack stands when a lift is soooooo much nicer.

I think the demise of USA made jacks and jack stands is because of their obsolescence. Maybe not obsolete but definitely antiquated. Am I wrong?

 

[WrightToolFan]

I wish the U.S. jack had the flat round foot design of the Esco.

I agree. If they put some pads on the base they would be the best jack stands on the market.

 

[PugetDude]

Lawyers.
Cradle to grave product liability.
Higher manufacturing costs.
Cheap customers.

 

[JRC3]

When it comes to jacks and jack stands, I'd rather use a lift.

What model of lift? Where is it made?

 

[WrightToolFan]

What model of lift? Where is it made?

Probably Chinese made at the price point I'm at. QuickJack, MaxJack, etc.

 

[kngelv]

Hein - Werner are still made here.

James

 

[ajchien]

US Jack, as far as I know, is the only game in town that still makes USA made jacks and jack stands. Hein Werner held out for awhile but they're not made here anymore. Is there no market demand for USA made jacks and jack stands? If not, why?

Regarding hydraulic jacks: the US Jack long chassis floor jacks are made by Weaver. The US Jack regular chassis floor Jack is imported. Other than Weaver, there is also Milwaukee Hydraulics, and Gray. And I’m going to be nit picky with the “current” Hein Werner ... their 4 and 10 ton jacks are USA, while the 2 and 3 tons are the ones that are “assembled in USA with USA and global components”. If you really have the curiosity, you can look at the individual part numbers of the Hein Werner 2 and 3 ton jack components and figure out what components are USA and what parts are imported.

As for jack stands, I think you’ve got US Jack and Gray as USA made. The Hein Werner Pin-style stands are still USA made, its the ratcheting-style stands that went to “assembled” status.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, it's because there a lot of people who are not willing to put their money where their mouth is.

 

[anndel]

Labor and material costs, profit. I love my 99% USA made Hein-Werner floor jack. I say 90% because the handle and casters are made in Taiwan according to an email I sent 15 years asking about it at Hein Werner HQ.

 

[mike93lx]

The vast majority of people don't care about COO. Cost is what matters.

 

[Tonyuk]

Because their simple to make and any competent manufacturer can churn them out in the thousands easily.

Why bother setting up a factory for them when you can just order them.

 

[WrightToolFan]

Regarding hydraulic jacks: the US Jack long chassis floor jacks are made by Weaver. The US Jack regular chassis floor Jack is imported. Other than Weaver, there is also Milwaukee Hydraulics, and Gray. And I’m going to be nit picky with the “current” Hein Werner ... their 4 and 10 ton jacks are USA, while the 2 and 3 tons are the ones that are “assembled in USA with USA and global components”. If you really have the curiosity, you can look at the individual part numbers of the Hein Werner 2 and 3 ton jack components and figure out what components are USA and what parts are imported.

As for jack stands, I think you’ve got US Jack and Gray as USA made. The Hein Werner Pin-style stands are still USA made, its the ratcheting-style stands that went to “assembled” status.

I looked at Milwaukee, but like US Jack, I can't find one for sale. Where can I buy one?

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Recently bought 4- 7 ton jack stands, Gray brand, that are USA made stands. Gray makes nice stuff, albeit spendy.

This purchase was spurred by the Hazard Frought double screw up, Ive been moving away from even the most simple china junk for some time now.

After experiencing a china junk 2 post, there is now a Mowhawk 2 post in the shop, but oddly I still have a need for jack stands,...

 

[paulsomlo]

I looked at Milwaukee, but like US Jack, I can't find one for sale. Where can I buy one?

http://www.milwaukeejack.com/

You should probably go direct - last I heard, the person that answers the phone was only there until noon.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I always buy MADE IN NORTH AMERICA first. This is not always possible. I consider buying "here" as a long term investment in our country. It is our jobs and our economy. It is impossible to keep a country great and independent if the citizens are not supporting the home industry.
International disagreements between governments could change many things and the supply of cheap products could stop.
Dictionary.com suggests cheap could mean: of small value; mean; shoddy:
cheap conduct; cheap workmanship.
This is the meaning i grew up with. I avoid cheap.
19

 

[man00]

Lawyers.
Cradle to grave product liability.
Higher manufacturing costs.
Cheap customers.

Also cheap manufacturing companies..Example, $30.00 item made in USA somewhere, move it China now item cost $8.00 to make but the US company still sales it for $30.00..Who is the winner there?

 

[canuckian]

here ya go....
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Lightweight-Aluminum-Service-Jacks/1.75-Ton-Aluminum-High-Performance-Floor-Jack/FJ175

A little spendy but according to Snap On.... "Engineered, designed and manufactured by Snap-on® in Elkmont, Alabama"
Not sure if all components or how many are sourced in North America but in this day and age, some is better than none I guess.

 

[The Fall]

Companies decided to outsource production to take advantage of cheaper labor and lax labor and environmental laws. 1990s trade deals encouraged this shift.

There's no other reason to outsource production. Just cheap labor and a "business friendly environment." Consumers aren't consulted on any of this; board of directors make these choices. Point blank and I mention this dispassionately. It is what it is.

That's why I buy American if possible. I had family who worked at the GM plant in Van Nuys (RIP). Luckily, you couldn't really outsource the construction trades and that was my dad's line of work.

 

[Bacon!]

Also cheap manufacturing companies..Example, $30.00 item made in USA somewhere, move it China now item cost $8.00 to make but the US company still sales it for $30.00..Who is the winner there?

Except it often doesn't still sell for the same buying power of $30, once you factor in inflation.

Take for example my old made in Taiwan, Craftsman Floor Jack. Even 30 years ago it was made in Taiwan, and cost close to $80, so suppose you go back 40 years to 1980 (or whatever the date was but let's use 40 as an example of inflation) and the jack was made in USA and $80..., that'd be about $250 in today's money.

 

[Coach James]

Except it often doesn't still sell for the same buying power of $30, once you factor in inflation.

Take for example my old made in Taiwan, Craftsman Floor Jack. Even 30 years ago it was made in Taiwan, and cost close to $80, so suppose you go back 40 years to 1980 (or whatever the date was but let's use 40 as an example of inflation) and the jack was made in USA and $80..., that'd be about $250 in today's money.

Interesting point. My dad bought a Craftsman jack in 1973 for $99.99. The green jack with the white saddle. According to https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

That would be $580 in today's dollars.

Coach

 

[MrSurly]

No doubt, the answer to the OP's question is simply 'money'. The imported jacks are cheaper and for the most part are equal in function.
I'm a fan of Walker jacks; in 1977 I bought a new Walker bottle jack, the smallest they made. It had a bullet body and would fit under the axle of my Chevelle with the tire flat.
I recall vividly that it cost 19.90 and there were import models there beside it for about seven bux. I was proud of myself for *splurging* on the USA jack and feeling certain that it was the correct decision for the long term as its quality would make up for the price.
I'm here to testify that forty-three years hence, I was absolutely correct. I still have it and used it just late weekend. It has never leaked, never failed, and it has also NEVER been tightened with anything but my fingers.

 

[ajchien]

I looked at Milwaukee, but like US Jack, I can't find one for sale. Where can I buy one?

Since Weaver makes some of US Jacks lifting equipment, here is their website: http://www.castleequipment.com/Jacks/service_jacks_by_weaver.htm

My local hydraulic shop (Jackxchange in Anaheim, ca) advertises US Jack, you might consider finding whatever is local to you:
https://www.jackxchange.com/products/D-51225.cfm

 

[paulsomlo]

A little spendy but according to Snap On.... "Engineered, designed and manufactured by Snap-on® in Elkmont, Alabama"
Not sure if all components or how many are sourced in North America but in this day and age, some is better than none I guess.

On that jack, "none" is probably the correct answer - here's a link to the replacement power unit, COO is China: https://shop.snapon.com/repair-product/Power-Unit-Assembly-%E2%80%93-Complete/FJ200-5

 

[ajchien]

here ya go....
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Lightweight-Aluminum-Service-Jacks/1.75-Ton-Aluminum-High-Performance-Floor-Jack/FJ175

A little spendy but according to Snap On.... "Engineered, designed and manufactured by Snap-on® in Elkmont, Alabama"
Not sure if all components or how many are sourced in North America but in this day and age, some is better than none I guess.

On that jack, "none" is probably the correct answer - here's a link to the replacement power unit, COO is China: https://shop.snapon.com/repair-product/Power-Unit-Assembly-%E2%80%93-Complete/FJ200-5

Paulsomlo, did you link the proper page? I see that you linked to the fj200, while canuckian linked the fj175.

 

[paulsomlo]

Paulsomlo, did you link the proper page? I see that you linked to the fj200, while canuckian linked the fj175.

You're right, aj! I linked the controversial one. I didn't know that Snap On offered a made in USA jack, much less a small aluminum one. And the replacement power unit IS made in USA.

 

[ajchien]

You're right, aj! I linked the controversial one. I didn't know that Snap On offered a made in USA jack, much less a small aluminum one. And the replacement power unit IS made in USA.

Well, all I have to say is that SO and HF do have one thing in common, Both their schematics hide the internal construction of the hydraulic power units, so you can’t see what’s inside.

The FJ175 that canukian linked looks like it’s advertised as a single pump rapid lift system.

 

[sz0k30]

Is there no market demand for USA made jacks and jack stands? If not, why?

Everybody ******* about the lousy quality of Chinese parts, but not enough are willing to pay more for USA made.

The same reason for nothing made in the USA anymore - its cheaper in CHINA.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have my own made in USA jackstands that are made from old Model T Ford axles that a mechanic made back in the 1960s I bought them at his estate sale so if you have access to old Model T axles you can custom make some lol


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[Copymutt]

US Jack, as far as I know, is the only game in town that still makes USA made jacks and jack stands. Hein Werner held out for awhile but they're not made here anymore. Is there no market demand for USA made jacks and jack stands? If not, why?

For the same reason there are few foundries and steel mills in the US.

 

[paulsomlo]

Well, all I have to say is that SO and HF do have one thing in common, Both their schematics hide the internal construction of the hydraulic power units, so you can’t see what’s inside.

The FJ175 that canukian linked looks like it’s advertised as a single pump rapid lift system.

And it is troubling that SO doesn't seem to offer a repair kit, you have to buy a whole new power unit. On a $125 floor jack, understandable - but not at $935.

 

[M635_Guy]

Lawyers.
Cradle to grave product liability.
Higher manufacturing costs.
Cheap customers.

This is the complete answer.

 

[CmpAnaheim]

I just bought a Milwaukee 2 ton model 20 from offer up In great condition. If anyone is looking for a 1.5 Ton walker I’m going to sell a rebuilt one. I’m in Southern California

I can tell you the HB so called Snap on jack does not compare to these.

 

[WrightToolFan]

Is Milwaukee going out of business or are they stable?

 

[CmpAnaheim]

Is Milwaukee going out of business or are they stable?

I’m not sure but the rebuild kits are available. They are the best made floor jack, very nice. Hard to find used because they are rare.

 

[paulsomlo]

Is Milwaukee going out of business or are they stable?

I'm not sure that's a concern - the rebuild kits appear to consist of what are probably industry standard orings and backup rings, with the exception of a cork gasket, which you could probably make yourself.
http://www.milwaukeejack.com/model20.pdf

 

[CmpAnaheim]

I just picked up this Milwaukee used on Offer Up. I ruined the white warning sticker after I took this photo cleaning it so I ordered a couple of decals off eBay I’ll be putting in its place. I’ve given it a quick touch up paint now. The Milwaukee and made in the USA stickers are what I’ll be adding to it once they come.




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