[47dodge]

I was stupid a couple weeks ago and left my floor jack in the back of my truck. It got stolen. I've been looking at new jacks since then and am very disappointed in what I've looked at. My old jack was a Craftsman 3 ton that I bought about 25 years ago. It probably would have lasted the rest of my life. Nothing I've looked at is nearly as well made.

I also try to buy American made when I can so I am willing to spend more money for quality. Locally I can only find the usual chinese brands. So my question is do I buy a cheap jacks from Harbor Freight and just keep replacing them as they go bad or do I step up to professional quality. What do you guys have for floor jacks? Does anyone have a recommendation? Between my project cars, odd repair jobs, and my company trucks I use my jack a lot. I do have a couple trucks that are pretty heavy when loaded with tools if that matters.

[delawarebill]

it sure sounds like u gonna beat a jack to death... so u may really want to side with a really good jack.. maybe snap-on or other good tool companies... i have a H/F with no problems, then again i don't use it often. if a quality jack cost $600 bucks u can buy about 8 H/F jacks for the same money.. if they last 5 yrs apiece thats 40yrs of use....long time.. coin toss....

[S10xGN]

After dealing with junk (HF & Sears) I ended up with this jack from NAPA in post #1. It's heavy, but works flawlessly.

Russ

[Axis_of_Evil]

I recently bought a nice Norco floor jack.... should have done it years ago.

Get a good one, you'll be glad you did. You will enjoy using it.

I'm trying to break the habit of buying cheap tools.

[47dodge]

Originally Posted by Axis_of_Evil

I recently bought a nice Norco floor jack.... should have done it years ago.

Get a good one, you'll be glad you did. You will enjoy using it.

I'm trying to break the habit of buying cheap tools.

Norco is one of the brands I have been looking at online. I think the lifetime warranty and online reviews have me sold on it. Right now it's between the Norco, Milwaukee Hydraulic, and Hein-Werner. Where did you buy yours at?

[ka1dza]

I've been following the "made in America" segments on, I thing, ABC Nightly News. I try to buy American made when ever I can, But it's hard to find some tools I need right away in the big box stores. Where do I go on line to find American Made only tools?



"If the engine starts, you're half way home."

Bob

[327NUT]

I buy Arcan hyd. jacks at Costco, have a steel and alum. model, they are usually $99-$115 depending on sales. I've had the steel one probably 7 yrs and lifts the front of my F-250 diesel with no problem.........and yes, it's most likey made in China, what isn't?

[Axis_of_Evil]

Originally Posted by 47dodge

Norco is one of the brands I have been looking at online. I think the lifetime warranty and online reviews have me sold on it. Right now it's between the Norco, Milwaukee Hydraulic, and Hein-Werner. Where did you buy yours at?

-----------------

I saw an ad in CraigsList for a local distributor. He had a small repair shop also. Drove over to hsi shop and bought it.

[evintho]

I bought a cheap Costco jack almost 30 years ago for $35. It's my main jack and is used all the time. Still works flawlessly!

Picked up this Hein-Werner 1-1/4 ton off of craigslist for $25. Rebuilt the ram, cleaned it up and now I have a quality jack in case my Costco piece bites the dust! Craigslist is loaded with cheap jacks all the way from chinese made garbage to quality american pieces!

[OldDonV]

I sure would appreciate knowing a good source for Hein Werner floor jack parts. I can't seem to keep one of mine from constantly leaking?

[evintho]

Originally Posted by OldDonV

I sure would appreciate knowing a good source for Hein Werner floor jack parts. I can't seem to keep one of mine from constantly leaking?

Over on GarageJournal.com HiBall is the undisputed hydraulic floor jack guru! He keeps a full stock of all Hein-Werner rebuild parts on hand and can answer any jack tech related question you may have!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=34969

[Cape Cod Bob]

Don't buy the big box store jack. Will leak after a few uses. That craftsmen you had was probably on its way out as mine did after 30 years. The seals go and can't get new ones.
I researched as u are ding and found out the American made are great and usually for shops as they are very pricey'
The harbor frieght is the 1 I ended up with for low cars. I think it goes down to less then 3 " and up to 15"
The plunger is made in Japan and is the best chrome moly whatever. and was much less money. It don't leak
I hated to buy foriegn but could not see spending more for a jack that sits around most of the time..
The only thing about it is it comes down to fast so you have to be easy on the release. Oh, and the handle don'tm collapse.

[leverhead]

Another vote for Costco jack...the Arcan 3.25/3.50 ton. I have 2 and a friend of mine has 1 also. Paid $99 and they work great. Low profile too so I can use them for my Kwik Lift.If they ever bite the dust I dont have a lot of $$ in them but after 1 year they still work great. They lower smoothly unlike my old craftman jack that is too jerky and sometimes downright scary if there is something heavy on it. Regards.

[Nim-Rod]

I'm going to add my vote for the Arcan from Costco. You can also by the same jack from Northern Tool but it's $50 more. I previously had a Craftsman SUV jack that failed after 2 years. The Arcan is very well built but it is heavy so it it is not easy to pickup. I view that as a positive.

In addition to easily lifting my Tundra pickup, it controls lowering very well. I wish I would have bought a good jack years ago. I have had this jack for 2 years now and it works as good as new.

[Jim Rockford]

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-h...ump-68048.html

I have had this for 6 months now and its a damn nice jack for the price, I bought it to replace a Crapsman aluminum jack that leaked since the first day I owned it and tended to have every bolt on it loosen up after not using it for a month. It lifts my 3/4 ton 4wd chevy with ease.