Floor Jack

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Old Jul 30, 2009 | 11:48 PM
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Floor Jack

Hey gang,

I know there are a number of you who perform your own maintenance and repairs.

I am shopping for a floor jack and I would like your suggestions. My mechanic friends are telling me to avoid the Chinese built jacks and to spend the extra money on a quality Made in USA one.

I have been looking at one of these:

http://www.toolfetch.com/p-hww93642.shtml

Supposedly, the Hein-Werner jacks are of a very high quality and last a long time. In addition, they are easily rebuildable unlike most store bought jacks.

What brand/model floor jacks do you folks have? Has anyone had any experience with the Hein-Werner jacks?

Thanks!
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 01:32 AM
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I have a craftsman one, forgot the tonnage but it was pretty heavy duty


my jackstands were craftsman too, so far no problems here bro!
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 10:16 AM
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ive got a craftsman too. if you are dropped, try to find the thinnest and/or most lift out of a floor jack IMO. the crafstmans got good lift, but a 18+ inch lift would be great.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 10:51 AM
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Get a craftsman. The make low profile aluminum ones too. Ive never had issues in all my years. I still have and use my original jack that is probably 15+ years old. Only thing i can say though is MAKE sure you get a jack with the largest lifting pad possible. Stay away from the cheap little 1.5-2" lifting pads. Make sure its the larger 4"+ style.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 11:07 AM
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My vote would be for Arcan 3.5 ton jack for 89.99 from Costco model number 300930. It has a nice size round pad and it's low profile as well. Only used it a few times but it has worked without issues.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 11:27 AM
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^ Not trying to be an ass, but I don't think you're going to gauge quality by just a few uses. I had crappy Prolift (I know, I was broke at the time lol) jack that worked well the first few times. It didn't last long.

I haven't had my jack for long, but I know of lots of people who have had Craftsman for a long time.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 11:30 AM
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No Hein-Werner fans?

I heard the older Craftsman jacks were okay, but the newer ones are crap.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by hANDYcaptd
^ Not trying to be an ass, but I don't think you're going to gauge quality by just a few uses. I had crappy Prolift (I know, I was broke at the time lol) jack that worked well the first few times. It didn't last long.

I haven't had my jack for long, but I know of lots of people who have had Craftsman for a long time.
I also looked at reviews online and people didn't have any issues either. No offense taken.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 12:28 PM
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I have a newer Craftsman jack, and it is a good jack except for the fact that you can't easily control how fast the jack lowers. It has a tendency to lower too quickly.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
Get a craftsman. The make low profile aluminum ones too. Ive never had issues in all my years. I still have and use my original jack that is probably 15+ years old. Only thing i can say though is MAKE sure you get a jack with the largest lifting pad possible. Stay away from the cheap little 1.5-2" lifting pads. Make sure its the larger 4"+ style.
I have the same low profile model, it lifts quickly and has been great!
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:12 PM
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I know that I needed something like a 19" lift height for my TL so that my existing jack stands could get under the two side support points. So the lift height is something to look out for unless you want to put the jack on something like a sheet of wood.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:33 PM
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Craftsman, around 4 yrs. old. No issues, works well. It is a bit difficult to lower slowly as somebody mentioned already.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by SodaLuvr
No Hein-Werner fans?

I heard the older Craftsman jacks were okay, but the newer ones are crap.
Honestly, never heard of them. Never seen them before in any stores either.

I havent ever had any issues with my newer ones, one is 15+ years, one is 5 years and one is 1 year in age.

Originally Posted by totaledTL
Craftsman, around 4 yrs. old. No issues, works well. It is a bit difficult to lower slowly as somebody mentioned already.
If you dont wrench it tight before you lift something loosening it to slowly lower isnt an issue.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
If you dont wrench it tight before you lift something loosening it to slowly lower isnt an issue.
Thanks for the tip. I'll try that on my next oil change.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob_F
Thanks for the tip. I'll try that on my next oil change.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob_F
Thanks for the tip. I'll try that on my next oil change.
just lightly tighten it, when there is force stop. It doesnt need to be all the way to lift. Now if your going to do something stupid (and this is something i have never done and work under the car without jack stands using only the jack, then i might make it snug.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 02:57 PM
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i should mod my garage now... haha

i need things a little more............ organized.. x_x

anywho.. anyone have part#s for what they have?
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 03:08 PM
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These are the newer steeds in my arsenal

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ment+%26+Jacks

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0168000P?mv=rr


This one wouldnt be bad either with the lights. 1.5 tons is more than enough for the car.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0242000P?mv=rr
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Old Aug 3, 2009 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
These are the newer steeds in my arsenal

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ment+%26+Jacks

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0168000P?mv=rr


This one wouldnt be bad either with the lights. 1.5 tons is more than enough for the car.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0242000P?mv=rr
damn those are some nice jacks up here in canada sears we got these junky little weak jacks that have like 2 inch lifting pads.. not enough selection over here
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 11:43 PM
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+1 on the Arcan jacks from Costco. Ours works great and it's been a couple years.
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 11:57 PM
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I just purchased a Hein-Werner W93642 for $293 shipped.

http://www.toolfetch.com/p-hww93642.shtml

Good thing I bought it. The price they had on the website was probably an error as it is now up to $385.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 03:35 PM
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I just picked up a 2 1/4 ton jack and 2 jack stands in a kit from Craftsman that was on sale in sears for 39.99...I was really surprised by the price so I picked it up and I am happy with the jack, but the stands are kinda small for my liking. I will stick with using my 3 ton high lift stands, but for the price, who could beat it? Oh, and the jack has a 2 1/4 inch lift head on it, which is a little smaller than desired but heck.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 04:20 PM
  #23  
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just bought one of this about an hour ago and its pretty cheap only 300 cad

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...ion=Floor+Jack
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 04:46 PM
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The Chinese jacks simply don't last. The jack pad is also way too small.

I used the Hein-Werner for the first time last weekend. It's a great jack-- very solid feel to it. It feels just like the floor jack that I used to use in auto shop class.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 05:32 PM
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picked up this jack from harbor freight a couple weeks ago. it fits perfectly under lowered cars, has a max height of 18 1/4", lightweight, fast lifting, and harbor freight has an additional 2 year no questions asked replacement plan.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92782
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:00 PM
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Bump from dead

Any word on this floor jack ----> http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

Would it support our cars?
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:09 PM
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Link....doesn't work. lol
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by SLushhYYY
Bump from dead

Any word on this floor jack ----> http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

Would it support our cars?
It would easily lift a TL. I may have to look into that one.

Originally Posted by hANDYcaptd
Link....doesn't work. lol
It worked for me.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:12 PM
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works for me

But I want to know if it would fit under my car lol
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:14 PM
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Nevermind, it has a tiny lift pad. :shakehead I'd much rather have a large lift pad.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by SLushhYYY
works for me

But I want to know if it would fit under my car lol
It says minimum height is 3 1/3".
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:21 PM
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You might have to drive up on a board to lift it up.

I also may have to look into that jack.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:21 PM
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Dammit still not working...ahh well.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 08:23 PM
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The link may just not like you.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Gfaze
It says minimum height is 3 1/3".
Is that clearance? I think im good since my credit card doesnt reach the jack stands

Whats the difference between the small pads and large ones?

edit: Im 4 1/2"

Last edited by SLushhYYY; Oct 6, 2009 at 09:48 PM.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SLushhYYY
Bump from dead

Any word on this floor jack ----> http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

Would it support our cars?
Dont get it. The lifting pad is WAY to small.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 09:50 PM
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^whats the difference?
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by SLushhYYY
^whats the difference?
The lifting pad. That one is like 2" or less The good jacks have a 4-5" lifting pad. It has a much larger surface area for lifting, wont damage your lift points
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 08:34 AM
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^^ exactly...plus it can slip way easier if u do work on an uneven surface...get one with 5inches +
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:27 AM
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Just get the one that I got-- a Hein-Werner 2-ton "true blue" jack. It is made in usa and you can actually get rebuild kits for it.

Stay away from cheap Chinese jacks. You need to spend at least $300 to get a decent jack.
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