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aadosx

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I need to finally bite the bullet and buy a floor jack. I used to have one of those crappy $30 ones that you have to remove the handle to lower the car with. I'm in the up to $150 budget so here are a few I have my eyes on. Any of you have any experience with any of these? The Craftsman ones have TERRIBLE reviews on Sears website but I'm not sure what that's worth. I'm also looking at one from NAPA. At first I was concerned with whether or not they are rebuildable, but I heard it can be more expensive to rebuild one of these (comparably) cheap jacks than to just replace it.
http://www.napaonline.com/Mast...+Jack
Napa NLE5201007 - On Sale for $150
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...pment
Craftsman 4 ton Floor Jack - $130
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...pment
Craftsman 3 ton Service Jack - $60.. So cheap!!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...nchor
Craftsman 4000 lb. Capacity Aluminum Jack - $180 I couldn't care less that it's lighter, but if it works better then great. It also goes a lot lower which is a huge concern to me.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...mv=rr
Craftsman 1-1/2 ton Aluminum Jack - $170
Any other suggestions? I saw a few at Advance Auto and about to go check O'Reilly and AutoZone.
My biggest concern is how low the jack can go because I deal with a car that's already just under 6" from the ground at stock height, which will certainly be lowered at some point. Most of my cars are small too so I doubt the lifting capacity is of much concern.. but if you are nowhere near a jacks max capacity, does that allow it to last longer? I definitely want one that the handle stays attached to and spins to lower the car.. and it has to be bought locally to avoid shipping.
Thanks,
John


Modified by aadosx at 5:58 PM 5-7-2009
 
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#3 ·
Re: (RavinJetta)

Quote, originally posted by RavinJetta »
I have the aluminum sears and love it. I got mine on sale so it wasn't $180 but great jack.

Same.
Really quick lift.
It isn't really light though. Goes pretty low too.
 
#6 ·
Re: FV-QR (Narbie @ CTS Turbo)

Funny - I have two of the aluminium craftsman ones, that are STILL going ~6 years later. And they get used and abused all the time. They still haven't given up the ghost...but my $450 Snap-On unit is dead in the water.
Honestly, as with most things hydraulic - I've found luck comes into play.
Image


And I'll put an add-on to that. I use my floor jacks for some things most people wouldn't dream of. Like helping align core supports, hanging doors and things of that nature.
Image




Modified by Gary C at 6:28 PM 5-7-2009
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Re: FV-QR (patrikman)

I'm going to go with the Craftsman 2 ton alum. one I think. Seems to get good reviews everywhere except for sears.com heh.
Thanks guys.
 
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#10 ·
Re: (RavinJetta)

Quote, originally posted by RavinJetta »
I have the aluminum sears and love it. I got mine on sale so it wasn't $180 but great jack.

I guess you must not use it alot cause I have the 3t jack crafstman pro and it sux it died in about 6 months of light use http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif
 
#11 ·
Re: (MyBlueR32Turbo)

Quote, originally posted by MyBlueR32Turbo »

I guess you must not use it alot cause I have the 3t jack crafstman pro and it sux it died in about 6 months of light use http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif

The flip to that is I use my old ones pretty much daily, if not multiple times in a single day. They are STILL going strong.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Re: (Gary C)

It almost seems like using these more often prolongs the life. And then a little bit of luck is involved. I'm sure taking care of them has a lot to do with it...
 
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#13 ·
Re: Good Floor Jack?? (Mister MK4)

Quote, originally posted by Mister MK4 »
Got a 3.5ton Arcan low-pro at Costco for $95. So far so good. Weighs 100lbs.

Same here--I've had this jack for probably 5 years or so, and it gets regular use with no problems to date.
 
#15 ·
FV-QR

Image

i'd avoid this one.
we have a sears/craftsmen one circa about 1975. works perfectly, though isn't too heavily abused.
 
#16 ·
Re: Good Floor Jack?? (aadosx)

Quote, originally posted by aadosx »
I need to finally bite the bullet and buy a floor jack. I used to have one of those crappy $30 ones that you have to remove the handle to lower the car with. I'm in the up to $150 budget so here are a few I have my eyes on. Any of you have any experience with any of these? The Craftsman ones have TERRIBLE reviews on Sears website but I'm not sure what that's worth. I'm also looking at one from NAPA. At first I was concerned with whether or not they are rebuildable, but I heard it can be more expensive to rebuild one of these (comparably) cheap jacks than to just replace it.
http://www.napaonline.com/Mast...+Jack
Napa NLE5201007 - On Sale for $150
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...pment
Craftsman 4 ton Floor Jack - $130
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...pment
Craftsman 3 ton Service Jack - $60.. So cheap!!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...nchor
Craftsman 4000 lb. Capacity Aluminum Jack - $180 I couldn't care less that it's lighter, but if it works better then great. It also goes a lot lower which is a huge concern to me.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...mv=rr
Craftsman 1-1/2 ton Aluminum Jack - $170
Any other suggestions? I saw a few at Advance Auto and about to go check O'Reilly and AutoZone.
My biggest concern is how low the jack can go because I deal with a car that's already just under 6" from the ground at stock height, which will certainly be lowered at some point. Most of my cars are small too so I doubt the lifting capacity is of much concern.. but if you are nowhere near a jacks max capacity, does that allow it to last longer? I definitely want one that the handle stays attached to and spins to lower the car.. and it has to be bought locally to avoid shipping.
Thanks,
John

Modified by aadosx at 5:58 PM 5-7-2009

I payed $50 for mine at Costco, and it looks better or just as good compared to the above. I'd suggest visiting your local Costco.
 
#17 ·
Re: Good Floor Jack?? (aadosx)

Harbor freight aluminum cheap-o: http://www.harborfreight.com/c...40105
I never get under a car with only a jack holding it up - so I trust it in that role. Every few months it goes on sale for $100, and the one I bought 3 years ago is still working.
What about jack stands? Does anyone else feel uncomfortable with the jack stands that ratchet? I am always on the look out for better, more safe feeling jack stands.
E.
 
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