Do you know jack?

[Rupert]

I don't know jack. Educate me.

Need a floor jack, want a good one, willing to pay for it this time, but only up to ~$250. Don't really even know what a good brand 'o jack might be, but I know Craftsman is no bueno (and so is Harbor Freight). Low profile is good, 2 ton at least.

Thanks!

[Soup DeVille]

Never had any issues with my old craftsman jack; but its not exactly low profile. Might be too tall for the Porsche.

[Rupert]

I have had too many bad experiences with Craftsman recently, including my really "nice" Craftsman jack, which snapped the U-joint, and for which, there are no replacement parts.

[280Z Turbo]

I have a 3 ton low profile Harbor Freight jack.

[Byteme]

I have a 3 ton low profile Harbor Freight jack.

If I were looking for yet another floor jack I'd buy one of the HF aluminum low profile jacks with zero reservations.

I know of a lot of people on Jaguar and Miata owner web sites who own the HF aluminum racing jacks.  I've never read of a problem with them.  They are well under the OP's target price and usually on sale for under $100. 

[shp4man]

I bought a cheap motorcycle lift from HF. It's not professional quality, but it's OK for light use. So far.

[MX793]

I have had too many bad experiences with Craftsman recently, including my really "nice" Craftsman jack, which snapped the U-joint, and for which, there are no replacement parts.

Don't Craftsman tools have a lifetime warranty where they'll replace the tool if it's broken with no questions asked?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Don't Craftsman tools have a lifetime warranty where they'll replace the tool if it's broken with no questions asked?

This!

[Byteme]

Don't Craftsman tools have a lifetime warranty where they'll replace the tool if it's broken with no questions asked?

That's for hand tools. 

For jacks the coverage is:

CRAFTSMAN LIMITED WARRANTY
FOR 90 DAYS from the date of purchase, this product is warranted against defects in material or workmanship. With proof of purchase, a defective product will receive free repair or replacement if repair is unavailable.

WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty coverage, contact the distributor from which the product was purchased.


See:  http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/nb-100000000227082#point5a

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Ok! I never knew that!

[Rupert]

Yeah, it's dumb.

[Rupert]

I dunno about HF, guys. Seems like their shit is shit.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Their shit is shit. I have a Craftsman jack, and it is okay. But I'm still getting a real one someday.
Only about $300 for this:
http://www.bendpak.com/shop-equipment/floor-jacks/rfj-6hd.aspx

[Rupert]

http://www.asedeals.com/jacks/floor-jacks/ranger-floor-jack-heavy-duty-low-rider-3-ton-capacity-rfj-6hd/

Yeah, I was looking at that one before.

[Byteme]

Their shit is shit. I have a Craftsman jack, and it is okay. But I'm still getting a real one someday.
Only about $300 for this:
http://www.bendpak.com/shop-equipment/floor-jacks/rfj-6hd.aspx

Is that jack made in their newer plant in China? 

[280Z Turbo]

I've also seen a craftsman jack with a broken u joint.

[Morris Minor]

I still have the jack that I bought in the UK in the mid-80s. Made in China - back when it was a full-on Commie hellhole & before absolutely everything was made in China.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Is that jack made in their newer plant in China? 

I have no idea what isn't made in China anymore.

[Soup DeVille]

I've also seen a craftsman jack with a broken u joint.

Craftsman stuff seems to be vary widely in quality depending on when it was made.

[Rupert]

I think tools are an area where there really was the good old days.

[J86]

I think tools are an area where there really was the good old days.

Agreed.  It's amazing that my dad has his father's old tools (and uses them nearly daily) and they work GREAT, whereas numerous tools that he's bought in recent years just fail.  Some of the power tools from the 30s/40s are really good looking, art deco styling.  Still use the electric impact wrench to change tires.

[Byteme]

Agreed.  It's amazing that my dad has his father's old tools (and uses them nearly daily) and they work GREAT, whereas numerous tools that he's bought in recent years just fail.  Some of the power tools from the 30s/40s are really good looking, art deco styling.  Still use the electric impact wrench to change tires.

I bought a True Temper single speed 1/4 inch drill in 1966, cost $8.88; it died two years ago.  Today I can buy I a pretty decent 3/8 variable speed drill with case and accessories for about $40.  Taking inflation into account that $8.88 is equal to just under $65.00 today. 

I bought a 3/8 craftsman socket set, 9 sockets, breaker bar and the small bar that goes through the hole in the handle, for about $9 in 1966.  For the price I pad for that set of sockets, adjusted for inflation of course, I can buy a Craftsman 140-piece Mechanics Tool Set, http://www.sears.com/craftsman-140-piece-mechanics-tool-set/p-00948140000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&kpid=00948140000&kispla=00948140000P&kpid=00948140000&mktRedirect=y . 

Some tools may not last as long today but as a tradeoff you are paying a lot less for them.

[hotrodalex]

I need to get an electric impact wrench.

[Rupert]

I bought a True Temper single speed 1/4 inch drill in 1966, cost $8.88; it died two years ago.  Today I can buy I a pretty decent 3/8 variable speed drill with case and accessories for about $40.  Taking inflation into account that $8.88 is equal to just under $65.00 today. 

I bought a 3/8 craftsman socket set, 9 sockets, breaker bar and the small bar that goes through the hole in the handle, for about $9 in 1966.  For the price I pad for that set of sockets, adjusted for inflation of course, I can buy a Craftsman 140-piece Mechanics Tool Set, http://www.sears.com/craftsman-140-piece-mechanics-tool-set/p-00948140000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&kpid=00948140000&kispla=00948140000P&kpid=00948140000&mktRedirect=y . 

Some tools may not last as long today but as a tradeoff you are paying a lot less for them.

Fair point.

Though I didn't expect you to take the opposite side of "The Good Old Days".

[Byteme]

Fair point.

Though I didn't expect you to take the opposite side of "The Good Old Days".

The facts are generally the facts.   


In many, many instances the "good old days" weren't all that great when compared to what we enjoy today.   

[FoMoJo]

The facts are generally the facts.   


In many, many instances the "good old days" weren't all that great when compared to what we enjoy today.   

Except we were a lot younger then.

[Rupert]

Bah, maybe I should just get a cheap HF jack.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Bah, maybe I should just get a cheap HF jack.

Get the aluminum one so you can toss it in ur trunk n carry it around the pits n shit

[Secret Chimp]

The 3 ton steel Harbor Freight jack I bought originally back in 2010 still works perfectly fine.

[Byteme]

Bah, maybe I should just get a cheap HF jack.

My take on Harbor Freight Tools.

I've bought a variety of tools and supplies below are my comments on each.

Sandpaper and sanding belts:  No life, wear out quickly, buy a name brand at the hardware store.

Corded power hand tools:  Crap gears that strip easily except for my small angle grinder which is pretty stout.

Hammers:  As good as any moderately priced hammers.

Rakes, shovels, etc.:  As good as any average priced tools.

5 speed drill press:  Low torque, poor depth gauge.  Otherwise good product.

Heat shrink tubing and electrical connectors:  Good.

Sockets, breaker bars, wrenches:  I've bought a few odd sizes, all were acceptable.

Bar clamps:  Good for light to medium duty work.

C clamps:  Good.



If I needed a floor jack I'd have no reservations using a HF jack.