Vintage Floor Jacks

Posted by 141drew Posted onDec 21, 2011 at 11:04 AM and filed under Reviews & Features


It seems like once a year, I get a hankering for a vintage floor jack like a Walker Shorty or one from the “Boy” series. I haven’t pulled the trigger as I’ve yet to find one close enough to make the transaction economically feasible. Still, I yearn…

And this annual yearning gave me the urge to post this… I think we need a vintage floor jack picture thread fellas. Let’s start one here!


See Comments on the forum.

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S

shopnut

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You gotta love those Walkers.

I restored this 4T a few years back. It doesn't have quite the style of the slightly older ones you have pictured, but it's still makes for a nice piece of "usable" history in my shop. And it's been in the family for many, many years.
 

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-Brent-

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They don't make them like they used to! Blackhawk S4.

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zcinpa

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Sweet! Great.. now I want one... I really want a high lift - long handle jack like this before I start the suspension work on my Mustang
 
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Sweet Old Bill

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Ryan,

I bought my first one, Tom Boy, about 2 years ago, and my second one on Monday, a 4 ton.

Hiball is indispensable for rebuild parts, as all on this forum are aware. Elroy inspired me to buy my first one and the extraordinary quality of these jacks convinced me to buy the second one. I am in Northern California and they seem to pop up on Craig's List a couple of times a year, generally under $100.
I paid $50 for the small one & $65 for the big one. One of these days, I will figure out how to do pictures.

I have no regrets on either purchase.
 
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justsam

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I wonder what the marketing spin was by including "BOY" in the model?

I bought a new Hein Werner in the '70's and is an "OH BOY" model.
 
B

Big Bad Dad

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WOW!
My old vintage Walker jack is one of the models pictured! I think its a 4 ton. My Dad gave it to me 20 years ago. He bought it surplus when the high school auto shop he taught at closed down. We believe it to be from the late 40s. It drips and I have to add oil every now and then. The local repair shop told Dad that the seals and parts to fix it were NLA many years ago. You guys know of a source for parts now? Love to make it right....:)
 
J

johno

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I bought a 4 ton Walker last winter, have yet to restore it.
They are big, can't imagine the size of the 7 ton listed above.
 
N

Norcal

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There was one vintage jack (Blackhawk??) that had a light on it, those old jacks did have some style compared to the ChiCom garbage of today.
 
C

CRTDI

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Norcal said:
There was one vintage jack (Blackhawk??) that had a light on it, those old jacks did have some style compared to the ChiCom garbage of today.
Click to expand...

Yep, they had great style. The light set-up was available on a later production version of -Brent's- S-4 jack.

S-4New.jpg
 
K

koditten

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You can have mine. Old Atlas model. forget which one. Needs a new pivet castor. Holds vehicles up and doesnt seem to leak down. Just could never trust it being so old. If you search some of my old post you can find it here.

It's just too big to keep around. Gonna sell it regardless. Shipping would be a beeotch, I'm sure.

KO
 
E

eeprete

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Hope I am not out of line asking, where do you guys typically find these older jacks, CL? ebay, etc? My father has a 2 ton Walker that is about 20 yrs old. He has spoken about getting a new jack as his leaks down slowly and it has seen better days. Given the lack of US made jacks, I'd maybe consider finding an older one to get redone, a 4 ton or so. Ideas on where to look would be great. TIA
 
L

Lou's Garage

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Sadly, I let my Tom Boy go when I sold North Rockland Amoco (It was an original occupant of Lou's Garage). I considered it too large and heavy to suit my needs at the time. That's a decision I wish I could "re-do." I always felt comfortable and safe with that jack and I've never had anything since with such a stable platform, especially to move a car in the shop.

Lou
 
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R

Rust

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Ryan said:
shorty.jpg


It seems like once a year, I get a hankering for a vintage floor jack like a Walker Shorty or one from the "Boy" series. I haven't pulled the trigger as I've yet to find o...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Click to expand...

Awsome!
I've got one of those Walker floor jacks. It was my old mans.
I think it is the Tom Boy model..because it is long... and you can see the front axel.

It needs a total overhaul including rebuilding, media blasting and paint.
Perhaps in the spring when I could blast it outside.
 
V

Victorymike18

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Very cool thread. I learn something new everyday on here, and wouldn't have thought one could be an enthusiast/collector of floor jacks.

I'll be keeping an eye out on CL.
 
B

bgarrett

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Heres my Branick, used every day
 

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Big Bad Dad

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How do you determine which one of these Walker models a jack is? The advertising picture is too small for me to make out many details. Is there a nameplate or number plate somewhere inside the frame?
 
V

Victorymike18

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^ Ditto

I never thought I'd say this about a floor jack, but I love those curves.

The front reminds me of a Cord... (Sure there are better auto examples, but it's the first to come to mind).
 
H

Hiball

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Richard D said:
I have a Watco 301 HC 1-1/2 Ton. It's too ugly right now for pictures. HiBall here on the G.J. said he could get new seals, but I haven't seen him on here in a while. Anyone else have a source for seals?
Click to expand...

LOL.. Im Here All the time. I answer about about 10 Pm's/Emails a Day and average 6.75 Posts a Day.
 
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B

bgarrett

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Heres my Walker, the outer housing was taken off to look at the seal and is standing next to the jack
 

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rlme36

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hey keep it down!. those of us that stalk these items on craigslist and e b ay don't need others getting interested all of a sudden =-)
 
K

koditten

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You guys aren't trying too hard to find one of these rigs. I said you could have mine, and I mean cheap. Not one pm. Here are some pics befor I rattle can painted it.
 

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ZRX61

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koditten said:
You guys aren't trying too hard to find one of these rigs. I said you could have mine, and I mean cheap. Not one pm. Here are some pics befor I rattle can painted it.
Click to expand...
No kidding. I posted that if someone picked up my old Marquette they could have it. Several PM's about picking it up... not one person showed up. ******** tire kickers..
 
A

ajchien

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I had a long story here, but it wasn't necessary.

Below is a before and after rebuild and cosmetic restoration of a Walker Shorty (781 or 782?) with a 3T HF jack next to it.
 

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C G

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Monroe, Washington
I have a big old floor jack like these but I have no idea what it is. The pump doesnt work, but I thought the jack is neat looking, and free was a good price. Next time Im out at the barn Ill have to take a closer look.
 
K

koditten

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Too bad you weren't closer. All I really care is that someone with a bigger shop would make sure it got refurished. I have no desire to sell it cheap around here. It would just end up in the scrap yard.

KO
 
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