Floor Jack Recommendations

"105 HP of fury" (105HPofFury)
05/11/2014 at 18:51 • Filed to: None

Hey Oppo, I need a new floor jack. The current one I have is this: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but it doesn't have the lift range to get the back of the Rav4 off the ground. Even with an added block of wood, it wasn't enough. I probably need 17" of lift at a minimum.

Any suggestions for me or brands to avoid? I'd like to get something with a bit longer reach, since it's a bit of a stretch to get it under the front subframe as well. I'd also like to keep it under $150 if possible, since I won't be using it every weekend.

To say thanks in advance, here's some bacon:

DISCUSSION (19)

Agrajag > 105 HP of fury
05/11/2014 at 18:58

My local Sear's had a 3 1/4 ton on sale for $119.99 last weekend. Had a 22" max height if I recall. Used it today.

105 HP of fury > Agrajag
05/11/2014 at 19:24

Hmmm. Didn't see that on their website. I did find a 3 ton with mixed reviews for $80.

desertdog5051 > 105 HP of fury
05/11/2014 at 19:48

I buy many of my tools from pawn shops or craigslist. If you buy a quality tool, it does not matter if it is used. Example, used Proto torque wrench and used Snap-on bench grinder.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > 105 HP of fury
05/11/2014 at 19:55

Harbor Freight, a hardware store for those who can't afford nice tools right now.

unnecessary human being > Agrajag
05/11/2014 at 20:03

I have a couple year old red aluminum & steel Craftsman, it's OK but only just. It's almost impossible to finely modulate descent; the release is very stiff and no matter how delicate you are it always drops suddenly and way too quickly, which is dangerous if you're by yourself and you think you've got stands lined up right but actually don't due to the car rolling that half inch coming down. I've heard good things about Arcan brand jacks (another chinese [but u.s. made is often 5x the price]) but the one at my local Costco shares the same aesthetic design as my Craftsman which makes me hesitant about its internals.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > desertdog5051
05/11/2014 at 20:35

*invites myself into Pete's club * I prefer old tools too. Present day tools are plastic garbage.

desertdog5051 > Supreme Kiwi Zorro
05/11/2014 at 20:48

It is the truth, ain't it Zorro. Same money as new crap, but quality which you will be happy with for many years.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > desertdog5051
05/11/2014 at 21:11

Ja . Me dad has a plenty of ancient Delta power tools that look like they were dated in the 50's. All metal, heavy and solid, colourfully painted with lead paint, art deco touches and the like. They still work to this day. Since you work in a hardware store, do you know why are the prices of tools going up while their build quality go down? I can't stand those plastic "power" tools with gadget gimmicks like laser and automatic mode. In other words, they're doing more work for you. I prefer to put my heart to my work by doing more work with old tools. :)

Agrajag > 105 HP of fury
05/11/2014 at 21:27

I don't see it either. Maybe it was a clearance or something. They had that 3 and 4 ton there at the time as well. The 4 looked almost identical, but I'm not liking those reviews or the price.

Agrajag > unnecessary human being
05/11/2014 at 21:37

It does seem like a crapshoot with these things. My work had bought a Jet/Wilton(Canadian made?) and that thing has leaked since the 3rd or 4th use. Even buying expensive doesn't guarantee quality it seems. :(

105 HP of fury > Agrajag
05/11/2014 at 23:00

Guess I'll look for something with a good warranty... or a quality used one.

105 HP of fury > desertdog5051
05/11/2014 at 23:01

Most of my tools are used, so I'll have to check the local sources.

desertdog5051 > 105 HP of fury
05/11/2014 at 23:09

Yeah, I would. I have found that I can buy really good stuff at about the same price as new "crap" and be happy with it later.

desertdog5051 > Supreme Kiwi Zorro
05/12/2014 at 00:10

Where I work, I would not buy 90% of the tools they sell. Mostly built with gimmicks and built to a price point. Mostly built to meet the expectations of one-use or occasional use homeowners who are OK with the fact that it does a marginal job because it costs a lot less.

I buy tools to perform and offer long term quality and dependability. I don't care if it offers a laser, I can see my scribe line and I know that the laser will not work for long.

Gimmicks like lasers and such are what drive costs up even though the build quality diminishes.

BoulderZ > 105 HP of fury
05/12/2014 at 13:15

I had a generic steel 2.5 ton floor jack from K-Mart (I was poor and in high school at the time). That lasted about ten years before the hydraulic seals started to fail, and were not serviceable. Picking up parts at NAPA, I noticed they had a screaming sale on an all-aluminum 2.5 ton fast-lift floor jack. I've had that about 4 or 5 years now, and it's great. The weight difference reduction is a noticeable improvement, and the wider casters make the jack work much better on the concrete. Clearance/lift is sufficient for getting my Z from ground (can just slide under the air dam) to jackstands clearing full creeper access (well, that sounds bad, but...), in one lift, no blocks or ratcheting. Just don't got too cheap. Really bad jacks are deathtraps, for you and your car(s).

Philbert/Phartnagle > 105 HP of fury
05/12/2014 at 13:41

I have found over the years that you are better off buying a good name brand floor jack over the cheaper ones. The less expensive models are simply made from inferior materials and the seals and check balls/valves will wear or degrade quickly, which also puts me in fear of them failing at some critical moment.

One thing to always remember is to NOT overtighten the the handle against the little steel ball/valve that lets you raise a load with the jack. I have seen that practice ruin more floor jacks than almost anything else. Another thing is to not use them on a soft surface such as the ground or a gravel driveway. They need to have a good support base under them (3/4" or thicker plywood , concrete floor or driveway, etc..) to prevent twisting and warping the frame.

Sourcing a good name brand used jack as suggested by others is a good idea, but test the jack before buying to make sure someone has not overtightened it and ruined the ball/valve and that it works properly and is not twisted or warped. I would suggest that if you want a new one, find one that suits your needs then price it several places before purchase. I have found that a lot of times, Amazon can beat most other supplier's prices.

105 HP of fury > Philbert/Phartnagle
05/12/2014 at 13:48

Thanks for the tips on what to check out when buying used. If I don't find anything used soon, I may bite the bullet and make an investment in a new one.

Philbert/Phartnagle > 105 HP of fury
05/12/2014 at 14:05

You are welcome and good luck with your search and purchase.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > desertdog5051
05/12/2014 at 16:59

OH! Stupid consumers. * grumbles * Always making ridiculous and impractical demands. It's a good thing we have pawnbroker shops in major cities with dusty industrial grade tools lying around.