Al-u-minium jack

[Craig 930 RS]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43593&item=4321102649&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Appears (?) the same as the $300+ jack from Snap On (the Snap On does come with 2 jack stands)

Just an FYI - I have this jack and it is quite nice..

[ubiquity0]

Harbor Freight has been selling these for a couple years. I'm very happy w/ mine. I only use it once a month or so. They're probably not real durable.

[masraum]

I think those are regularly $130 on the HF website. They used to be $300.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by masraum
I think those are regularly $130 on the HF website. They used to be $300.

Ain't that the friggen truth! I bought one when they went "down" to 169. I think somewhere you can get the same generic Twianese jack for 99. Yes, alumimun.

[KobaltBlau]

I have the same one from HF. Not the best, but pretty good, and of course light.

I really think there are higher end ones that look pretty similar. For example a friend of mine has one from Griot's (gag) that looks a lot like my HF one but is actually nicer. $500 nicer (or whatever)? Heck no! But the snap on one for example _might_ be worth the price if you want one nicer than the HF one.

I personally have enjoyed the light weight of an aluminum jack even when I'm at my home garage. I might be willing to pay a bit more for a nicer aluminum jack. Or maybe I should just buy a nice quality heavy steel jack and deal with lugging it around.

[masraum]

I paid $300 for mine from Harbor Freight back in the day. Of course, I'd love to have paid only $150, but I'm happy with the jack even at $300. Looking at the HF website the steel jacks seem to weight anywhere from 90-130 lbs. I'm more than happy with my 35lb jack. I'd love to have the money for a really great quality aluminum model, but since I don't this one is great.

[North Coast Cab]

I'm searching for a new jack as we speak. The HF one is $129 in the store, Costco has a similar one for $125, and Sears has theirs for $199 on sale to $179 less 10% Craftsman club. The Costco one looks identical to the HF one and may not be the best available. The sears one looks very nice and is probably worth the extra cash.

Also, HF has a smaller 2 ton aluminum jack for $79. It's not up to pro standards but would be good in small places or frequent travel.

John

[Craig 930 RS]

Look at the shipping on the HF - $6! Pretty cool -

[Jim Smolka]

IMHO, trusting my P-Car to a jack made in a country were folks only make a couple of dollars a day seems kind of silly. Sure disposable items are fine for China to make, but for the 'Safety' items, quality and reliability are more important than cost.

[Jim Garfield]

The Harbor Freight 3000lb aluminium jack is now $79.99 incl. shipping, only avail. in blue.... item # 91039-2VGA. Buy two, leave one on each side of the car so you don't have to pull one around.

[KTL]

I too would like one of the spendy jacks. An example would be the AC Hydraulic high lift one that Pelican Sells. They look really nice. REALLY nice

AC Jack Link


But for occasional use, the el-cheapo jacks sold by Crafstman, Harbor Freight, Costco, etc. Seem fine to me? I have a cheap steel jack from Sam's Club (Allied brand), a friend has two more of them, a friend and my brother have the Craftsman steel jack, another friend has the Harbor Freight aluminum lightweight jack,............ None of these have gone south in years of occasional use. In any case, even the "cheap" floor jacks are much better than the factory mechanical jacks. ALL of those things are unsafe IMO.

Sure, the cheap ones are not the industry standard. Everyday shop use would certainly warrant the Snap-On or AC jack, without question. I just think if the jack is used wisely (car always supported by a stand), then jack failure is not going to be as big of a concern. Most jacks, in my experience, give up the ghost by slowly loosing their ability to lift things. Still, there are occasions where the jacks fail more suddenly. You have to be safe using any jack. I don't care if it's the top of the line or the bargain jack. Gotta use your head.

[walt]

How is the rate of descent on the HF aluminum jack. Does it drop like a stone or does it provide some control.

[david.avery]

I got one of the AC's on ebay for $150

Also, whats with the Brits saying Al-U-min-i-um when it's spelled aluminum? always wondered about that

[tab tanner]

I have a HF aluminum jack and it work's great, has a nice smooth control when you let it down. Also I bought there larger 2.5 ton high lift jack and have done 5 engine drops with it and have had NO PROBLEMS at all. As a matter of fact I lifted a 930 turbo engine off of the engine stand with it. I use this thing almost every day, It's a good buy for the price

[wallstreet]

HF website show FIVE al-u-min-i-um jacks. Three are: "RAPID PUMP(TM) 3000 LB. CAPACITY LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM RACING JACK" and priced @ $130 and $140 available in silver, blue or red. One is: "RAPID PUMP?(sic) TWO TON CAPACITY LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM RACING JACK" @ $180. This one might be closest to the Sears brand jack??? There is one at $79.99; also 3000 lb capacity. I was told over the telephone from a store employee that it is "shorter"; might mean less lift height???? Also according to HF website shipping is FREE over $50.

[TerryH]

I can see shopping an aluminum floor jack if you're in need of changing tires in 13 seconds or else losing your job, but for home I want the damn-heavy, large-footprinted, wide-stanced, large substantial jack.

I'm currently using a Sears 2 ton with a born on date of June 1976. That 2 ton might have meant shipping weight. If I can remember back that far.... I think Santa brought it for me.

[wallstreet]

Originally posted by wallstreet
HF website show FIVE al-u-min-i-um jacks. Three are: "RAPID PUMP(TM) 3000 LB. CAPACITY LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM RACING JACK" and priced @ $130 and $140 available in silver, blue or red. One is: "RAPID PUMP?(sic) TWO TON CAPACITY LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM RACING JACK" @ $180. This one might be closest to the Sears brand jack??? There is one at $79.99; also 3000 lb capacity. I was told over the telephone from a store employee that it is "shorter"; might mean less lift height???? Also according to HF website shipping is FREE over $50.

I just returned from Costco and HF. The Costco aluminum jack is made in China with Alltrade name. It is $124.99 plus you need a membership for $45 or a friend to shop for you. It is nice; believe it is 2T unit. It has steel wheels in rear; hopefully not alum. wheels and the wide roller in front. Appears to be a "plate" construction thru-out; probably stronger and easier to repair if neccessary. Total height rasied is about !8+ inches. Costco warranty is very liberal; seems like return not a problem even forever??/ not certain about how long.

The HF 2T jack @ $199 in blue color is also plate construction altho the middle part might be cast; not certain; feels like a casting from underside. The total raised height about 17.5 inches; see website. Like the Costco unit, it has twin plungers to pump fluid. The wheels are "nylon" or hard plastic with two in rear and two in front like a conventional steel framed jack; nice feature if stability is an issue. I was informed by a store employee the three 3000 lb. at $130/$140 are mail order only; I have not viewed them; and possibly a cast construction. This cast construction alone would deter me from this type of material for a jack. The small 3000 pound alum. $80 unit from HF appears to have a cast middle. I did not view the side plate very close to see if plate or cast. It is a nice compact unit and would probably work for most repairs on a Porsche.

[wallstreet]

Originally posted by TerryH
I can see shopping an aluminum floor jack if you're in need of changing tires in 13 seconds or else losing your job, but for home I want the damn-heavy, large-footprinted, wide-stanced, large substantial jack.

I am not certain but I do not believe too many on this site are trying to change tires in 13 second or even have a job which requires this quickness. You are probaly correct. For me a 35 pound aluminum jack is a luxury. I currently have a 1 1/4 T O'Boy jack; front wheels and frame will not slide under the front of several of my cars. The second point you raise is interesting. Are you using your 2T "damn-heavy, large footprint, substanial" jack to raise your car to work under? Personally, I want a ligher weight jack to use in the garage and maybe transport if needed. I use a jack to raise the vehicle then use at least two jackstands to support the vehicle completely; leaving the jack "relaxed" yet up as a safety.

[fireant911]

I eventually decided on the Sears Aluminum jack although it was not cheap, it was low profile and seemingly well-built. I have used it on several occasions and I am pleased that I made this purchase.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@1363080777.1095027819@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccfjadcmiddghdicehgcemgdffmdfko.0&vertical=TOOL&pid=00950239000

[david.avery]

I think I care less about the weight than the profile, I have the low profile one as for sale on pelican, but I see this out on the bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2479846918&category=63697&sspagename=WD1V