Floor Jacks

"Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!" (patrickgruden)
11/12/2019 at 10:03 • Filed to: None

So, the last time I used my floor jack, it got twisted and bent, so I’m on the lookout for a new jack. The one I had was a craftsman. I had it for about 9 years, but in my opinion it should have lasted longer as it’s used probably 6 times a year, max.

I’d probably shy away from another Craftsman unless the consensus is that I just got a bad one.

Anyone have any experience with any of the jacks from Harbor Freight? Is there another jack you would go with that you like?

Aztek camper for your troubles

DISCUSSION (27)

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:14

I have this jack and it’s been great so far

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-Ton-Professional-Steel-Floor-Jack-Super-Duty-63183.html

And apparently it is as close to being a clone of the Snap On one that they tried suing Harbor Freight

https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/

Rumors are they are/were produced in the same factory. No clue if that’s true or not.

boredalways > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:20

This maybe a stock internets photo, but the owner needs an Oppo sticker!

Cash Rewards > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:22

Craftsman 10 years ago is not Craftsman now. Sears is out of business essentially. I'd avoid the brand, personally

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
11/12/2019 at 10:26

I’ve been using a Harbor Freight jack for 3 years now with no issues.

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jack-stands/15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-64545.html

facw > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:35

I used this one until I left Texas and didn’t have space for it:

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-Ton-Aluminum-Racing-Floor-Jack-with-Rapid-Pump-64545.html

Kinja'd!!!

Felt solid and well-built. Unless you have a light car, I’d go higher than 1.5 tons though.

I think your jack should have a lifetime warranty right? https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care/warranty-information

Might not be easy to get a replacement since I don’t think Lowes stocks Craftsman jacks.

The Ghost of Oppo > Cash Rewards
11/12/2019 at 10:37

Sears sold the brand in 2017 and y ou can’t judge a Craftsman tool by it’s name . Since the beginning of the brand almost every single tool line came from different manufactures and had vary ing qualities . I’d argue that Craftsman from 10 years is what you’d want to stay away from . I don’t think Stanley B&D spent $900 million to run the brand into the ground .

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:37

Using a Harbor Freight jack and it seems... fine. Good for the price, for sure. One interesting note is I bought the “low profile” jack because, best I can tell, it is both lower in the lowest position and higher in the highest position than the “standard” jack. At least according to the website. Either way it is uncomfortably high in the highest position, so it works just fine from the Alfa to the Disco.

Sovande > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:39

The low profile 3 ton Jack from HF. Weighs about as much as the car and works like a charm.

The Ghost of Oppo > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
11/12/2019 at 10:40

I’ve seen that jack listed a couple times in “Gems of Harbor Freight” reviews

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:40

I bought a very cheap harbor freight jack about (does math) 20 years ago, it is heavy slow to jack up but it still works! I always use jack stands, no trust in those hydraulics.

nermal > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:42

I have the $100 / 3 ton Harbor Freight one. Works fine for lifting my truck.

There’s no point in paying more for a fancy brand when they’re all the same made-in-China garbage anyways.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Sovande
11/12/2019 at 10:49

Yeah, I was looking in to the weight of some of them. How does a jack weigh 75+ lbs?!

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/12/2019 at 10:50

I’m a firm believer in jack stands as well. About the only time I don’t use them is if I’m doing something simple like swapping a wheel out.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
11/12/2019 at 10:51

Yeah, I came to the same conclusion. I don’t need the low profile, but if it lifts higher, why wouldn’t I get that one?

Sovande > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:52

Lots of steel. It’s also got a pretty nice reach (like 20" or so?) which comes in handy. If I needed another jack, I ’d get the same one. If you need it to be more portable, then something else might work better.

lone_liberal > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 10:53

I have a 3 ton Craftsman that I bought in the 90s that I use a lot but if I had to replace it I’d probably go with one of the HF Daytona models.

Brickman > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:03

I love my HF 4 ton jack. Heavy as an engine, but tough. I had to bleed some air out of it, but after that it’s been flawless.

facw > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:04

Even the 1.5 ton aluminum one weighs 32lbs, and aluminum is a lot lighter than steel. I’m glad I went that route considering I had to lug it down from my apartment to work on my car.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:07

As others have said the 3-Ton Harbor Freight (Daytona I think?) jack should be great for the money. If I could get HF stuff in Canada I would have one already

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:07

As others have said the 3-Ton Harbor Freight (Daytona I think?) jack should be great for the money. If I could get HF stuff in Canada I would have one already

Urambo Tauro > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:27

my floor jack... got twisted and bent

I gotta see this. What were you lifting and what was the Craftsman supposedly rated for?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:30

Right? Maybe it is heavier? Or larger? I dunno it just seemed like a no-brainer to me.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Urambo Tauro
11/12/2019 at 11:44

My wife’s 2010 Corolla. And I believe it’s a two ton jack.

The jack looks fine, but when you get to the point that it starts holding the weight of the car, you can see it’s definitely twisted, like a wobbly table with a bad leg.

Urambo Tauro > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:49

Yeesh, t hat entire car doesn’t even weigh two tons! Much less whichever corner or side you were lifting.

TorqueToYield > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 11:56

I have this from C ostco: https://www.costco.com/3-ton-professional-grade-aluminum-and-steel-service-jack.product.100222458.html

for $120 including shipping I’ve been very happy with it.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 12:11

I picked up some 5 ton(?) jacks stands on CL super cheap. Way overkill for my needs but they are beasts. Probably cheaper than getting something new and will last longer. I picked up a jack w/ two stands for like 50 bucks. Still good 8(?) years later.

shop-teacher > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2019 at 12:39

I took the plunge on the Harbor Frei ght Daytona 3-ton long reach rack last year. Wow, is it a nice piece of equipment! It’s a FAR superior jack, compared the Craftsman 3-ton jack I had for a decade. Money well spent.