Ok, I've been through 2 harbor freight aluminum jacks in the last 6-8 years, looking for one that will last longer than that. Not wealthy, but looking for something that will last. Recommendations?
Ok, I've been through 2 harbor freight aluminum jacks in the last 6-8 years, looking for one that will last longer than that. Not wealthy, but looking for something that will last. Recommendations?
http://www.brunnhoelzl.com/warrior_jacks.html -- Yeah, it cost more than some cheap Chinese piece of junk, but it's not a throw-away.
$800 for a JACK?!?
carguy123 wrote: $800 for a JACK?!?
My jacks average to about $500 a piece.
In reply to MG Bryan:
Ok, which ones that help bring that average DOWN do you like? 
HoserRacing wrote: In reply to MG Bryan: Ok, which ones that help bring that average DOWN do you like?
Ones that aren't aluminum.
This one
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/3-Ton-Aluminum-Floor-Jack
best is relative. My craftsman aluminum race jack is going on almost 10 years old now. It leaks a little bit of hydro oil, but I just top it off every few months. Otherwise it looks like it's been through WW3 but still works great....and I've lugged it to a dozen friends' houses to work on cars, to ~100 autocrosses, and to a few rallycrosses and other things "in the dirt"
And it's crappy enough looking now that nobody is going to steal it if I leave it out in the paddock, lol.
So....it's best for me. Especially since I paid $200 for it 10 years ago and have spent about $5 on it since (for a bottle of hydraulic oil).
Now, I'd never be under the car with just the jack holding, obviously, but I wouldn't do that with any jack, even "the best" one.
In reply to MG Bryan:
That is the answer. They are good people and build a terrific jack. We had one and a pair of his guns and they were much better than anything else we used. The tire guns also have a custom button so when you set it down to swap tires it will be revesed when you pick it up.
aussiesmg wrote: This one http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/3-Ton-Aluminum-Floor-Jack
And I think that one is still outrageously priced. You guys must all be rich!
carguy123 wrote: You guys must all be rich!
He's got jokes!
From a more GRM friendly perspective, buying a high quality jack used will save you a lot of money and still get you something that isn't designed to be used up and thrown out.
MG Bryan wrote:carguy123 wrote: $800 for a JACK?!?My jacks average to about $500 a piece.
Holy crap I wish I could afford a 500 dollar anything! My two jacks average about 60. And they both work, everytime, and have for many years...
Joey
joey48442 wrote:MG Bryan wrote:Holy crap I wish I could afford a 500 dollar anything! My two jacks average about 60. And they both work, everytime, and have for many years... Joeycarguy123 wrote: $800 for a JACK?!?My jacks average to about $500 a piece.
I bet you spend your money on things that adults spend their money on. 
I've found this one, looks good, has a lifetime warranty, but not familiar with OTC http://www.amazon.com/OTC-1532-Capacity-Aluminum-Racing/dp/B000XSCEBM Anyone out there got feed back on this one?
aussiesmg wrote: This one http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/3-Ton-Aluminum-Floor-Jack
Have you been using that one? How long? Most of the ones I've been looking at have a 1 year warranty, that one just has 90 day, makes me wonder about life of it.
For the $100 an aluminum HF one costs, just replace them when they break.
Also, I don't know how HF works, but our equivalent, Princess Auto has lifetime warranty on everything AFAIK. Jack E36 M3s the bed? Bring it in and get a new one.
Couldn't you rebuilt the HF jack? Unless parts are snapping you should be able to replace some seals and fill it back up with fluid.
EvanB wrote: Couldn't you rebuilt the HF jack? Unless parts are snapping you should be able to replace some seals and fill it back up with fluid.
FWIW, the seals really only go bad due to something cutting them...either crappy bore or junk in the fluid (or both). Replacing 2 year old seals that blew due to a crappy bore and hoping for better results on the new seals is pretty optimistic...likely, they'll fail just the same as the ones that they're replacing. Personally, I buy tools to fix broken stuff, not to be broken stuff, so I hate fixing my tools and would rather pay more to avoid the situation. I think that's what the original poster is feeling as well.
Bryce
Unfortunately, floor jacks are one of those items that if you really want a quality unit, you need to buy a made in the USA jack. Chinese jacks are throw away units.
In reply to HoserRacing:
FWIW OTC is a professional quality tool company, I would expect anything they make to last a good long while. We use OTC tools thoughout our shop at work, and they get abused but still work.
step 1) Buy new HF jack.
Step 2 ) drain oil
Step 3) Take apart and inspect both pump and main bore. Fine hone as needed.
Step 4 ) clean, Clean Clean!
Step 5 ) replace seals and o-rings with quality Viton units from McMaster or other good suppler.
Step 6 ) Fill with oil and enjoy. I've got 15+ years out of a "Big Red" jack i bought new at 75% off due to it leaking in the box. Love this jack it had a pedal on the side for raising it to the frame = less pumping
i really like the one we have at work that Tire Rack sells for $170
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=67&category=Tools
it's not a superlight category but its quick to pump, has TWO front wheels outside the frame so is more stable, cheap enough and i like TR.
I've been using a HF for the last 3 years and it's held up wonderfully. Pretty sure i stacked coupons to get it for $50. When/if it dies, i'll just buy another one.
I would be more likely to do so if they started advertising in GRM again.
I have had a Ranger about 5 years. No complaints yet. It is this model.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ranger+aluminum+jack&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&wrapid=tlif133519680898210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17442173901023571786&sa=X&ei=m3yVT9yYM8Xs0gGq4cXmBw&ved=0CGkQ8wIwAA#
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