Best jack for under $150?

[ChemMan]

My craftmans jack is not working anymore. Any recommendation on a jack for under $150? It has to be at least a 2 ton jack.

[PorschePilot]

Costco has great prices on heavy duty floor jacks. I got a 2.5 ton low profile jack for $70.

[ChrisBennet]

The largish craftsman aluminum jack is a little small for dropping a motor but it's light weight makes it easy to throw in the trash every few years.

The inexpensive jacks (and they pretty much all are) are usually made in China and the seals tend to go. If you're a "car guy" you'll probably end up buying a few of them over the years. When you buy your 3rd one you'll be thinking "I could have bought a nice jack for all the money I spent on my 'cheap' jacks."
-Chris

[RWebb]

rebuild it for cheap very cheap

[Christien]

Originally Posted by ChrisBennet

When you buy your 3rd one you'll be thinking "I could have bought a nice jack for all the money I spent on my 'cheap' jacks."
-Chris

I'm still on my first which is still working, but as I read this and realize the wisdome in it, coupled with thoughts of my impending engine/tranny drop this winter, I'm interested to hear the suggestions that come up here.

[Oh Haha]

Mike, I've had my Craftsman for close to 15 years now and it still works great.

I don't know how much it cost back then(gift from the ex-wife) but it has certainly paid for itself.
Check out SEARS online for sales. I have a lot of tools that are not the most expensive but for jacks and other devices that hold a car in the air I try to buy the best I can afford.


EDIT: Stop by SEARS and see if parts for your are available. If I remember correctly, the one you have is a good one and could probably be repaired.

[Dave Nordhoff]

3 ton H/F for $59. I've been using it for 6 months and it's worked great so far.

Dave

[TerryH]

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/pts/853652879.html

I always shop used and find almost new merchandise.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Christien

I'm still on my first which is still working, but as I read this and realize the wisdome in it, coupled with thoughts of my impending engine/tranny drop this winter, I'm interested to hear the suggestions that come up here.

Used snap-on jacks on Ebay can be had for very good numbers. Comparing a snap on jack to a craftsman is like comparing a 959 to a Camaro.

[MT930]

Originally Posted by PorschePilot

Costco has great prices on heavy duty floor jacks. I got a 2.5 ton low profile jack for $70.

That's a descent jack had it for several years.

[KNS]

I had that same Costco jack. Lasted about three years. Jacks now days are disposable and from now on I'm paying disposable prices.

[PeteT]

You might also try to buy an old Craftsman at a garage sale or Craigslist. I have an old Craftsman that my dad purchased in about 1977. He gave it to me 15 years ago and it is a beast. I haven't done anything to it at all except cleaning. The only problem is the weight. It must weigh 60 lbs.!

[cl8ton]

I bought my Craftsman 3 ton jack w/Stands on sale last year from Sears for under $150 right before Christmas.

IMO you want the best equip available, I mean this does hold your car up while you may be under it

[BRPORSCHE]

Get the type where at the end of the handle you can turn it and lower the car. That's a really nice feature to have that speeds things up considerably

[ChemMan]

Okay, so my old jack is a craftsman. I assume I should just take it back to them to repair?

I filled it with hydraulic fluid and raised the arm, the rubber stopper for the oil fill hole popped of. Kind of loud. Scared my dog!

[Oh Haha]

Yup. Drop it by the Sears store at the mall and at least see if it can be repaired. I was looking for a part for mine last year and they sell rebuild kits.


The noise scared Mia?!!!! That must have been loud.

you are also welcome to drop by my house with it and we can look it over. It may be something simple that we can do. Call me.

[teenerted1]

always return craftsman tools to the store...repair/replace is the option you have on tools with LIFETIME warranty.

have a snap-on tool i need replaced but i never have it with me whenever i see a truck stopped somewhere on a sales call.

[VincentVega]

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/pts/853652879.html

I always shop used and find almost new merchandise.

I bought the same thing new from Sears for ~$25 on sale. It's ok for the track and in the truck, but too small for regular use.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

always return craftsman tools to the store...repair/replace is the option you have on tools with LIFETIME warranty.

have a snap-on tool i need replaced but i never have it with me whenever i see a truck stopped somewhere on a sales call.

The Sears Lifetime Warrantee is only for hand tools (but not torque wrenches).

There is no comparison between a US made 15 yr old Craftman jack and the current made in China versions.

-Chris

[ChemMan]

Sears does not sell a repair kit. I ended up buying the same jack that Dave has from Harbor Freight.