Aluminum Race Jack

[Jack Olsen]

On Bill Verburg's recommendation, I ordered an aluminum racing jack from Harbor Freight. It's a 37-pound jack that lifts from 3.5 inches to 17.5 inches in what the manufacturer describes as 6 pumps. Unburdened, it was 9 pumps when I tried it. Still, it's a nice aluminum jack for the price $199. Typically, aluminum race jacks sell for $500-700. This one may not be their equal, but it seems to be a pretty good bargain.

Wayne, this might be a nice product for your DriveWerks division.

[Don Plumley]

That's sweet! Maybe you should see if they can find a black version to match your car? Construction looks solid (from the pics) and I like the jack pad. Harbor Freight has some hidden gems and it looks like you (or Bill) found one.

[scottb]

Jack:

Either you have a very sweet garage floor, or your wife is a very tolerant person!

Either way, congrats!

[ChrisBennet]

This was posted to the 911 Rennlist. I can't make a direct link to it but here is the first post:

Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2002 21:15:45 -0400

Author: "Henry Kim"

Subject: Harbor Freight Lightweight Jack Failure

Body: This was posted on the BMW list recently:

"I wondered how long these things would last. Ours is
less than 2 weeks old.
Part of the weight of the car was resting on one of
the four vertical "fingers" surrounding the rubber pad.
The finger broke clear off taking about 20% of the
circular aluminum pad with it..

Be careful everyone, and check the jacks frequently."

I assume the poster is talking about the 199.95 racing jack recently
featured on the site. FYI.

Henry

[targa88]

Jack and/or Bill,
I am not sure that those lightweight jacks are rated for over 2,000 lbs. I would prefer to err on the side of caution rather than lightweight appeal.

[Jack Olsen]

The jack is rated for 3000 pounds. I vaguely remember the rennlist post. I think the subsequent thread revealed that the broken jack was not the Harbor Freight model. But I'll keep an eye on this one.

[campbellcj]

FWIW, I ordered one about a month ago but it was back-ordered and has not arrived yet.

Just a heads-up in case anybody wants/needs one in a hurry.

Also, I think those "failure" stories also indicated that the jack was not necessarily used 100% correctly. For instance the entire weight of the car was resting on 1 'tab' of the jack plate, or even on the lift-arm itself.

My car will only weigh about 1900lbs and the jack would only lift one side at a time, so I'm not terribly worried yet. In fact I was more worried about my cheapie Craftsman jack stands, so I replaced those with some killer high-quality Swedish ones (I forget the mfr's name.)

[Jack Olsen]

Chris, mine had been back-ordered, too. So you may be seeing yours soon.

[Wayne 962]

I have a theory on jacks (I don't even own one - haven't been able to find one as good as the Snap-On one I borrowed 4 years ago from Tom - he knows I stil have it...).

I wouldn't buy anything that's made in China. I know you can't really find one made in the USA unless you order it from Snap-On. This goes for jack stands too.

If you took any materials classes in college, you will be familiar with casting processes and material handling, etc. It's easy to messup a casting. I have nothing against the Chinese, but a lot of the products I have bought that say 'Made in China' have broken on me in a relatively short period of time.

I do *a lot* of work for www.maxstudio.com, and the owner of the company has all of the clothes manufactured overseas. He once told me that you can pay more for quality in China. So, I'm sure that quality Chinese goods do exist, however, I'm not going to *literally* risk my neck underneath my car with a Chinese jack and/or jackstands.

Now, just to be hippo-critical ( ) I do own Chinese jack stands. However, I almost always use two on each corner (one for backup)....

-Wayne

[glickster]

I am awaiting delivery of a Ranger aluminum jack, which I believe is manufactured in the USA. Should have it within a week or so and will report follwoing arrival.

Cost, with tax and shipping $498. Recently purchased jack stands through the same supplier (manufactured in Sweden), these are unbelievably sturdy jack stands. Wish I knew how to post photos (sorry, I'm a idiot), but after I get the jack, will try to post pix of jack and stands.

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
I do own Chinese jack stands.

Recently, I bought a pair of 12 Ton jack stands for the engine drop. They are indeed made in China, and weigh almost as much as the car! I think they'll hold her!

[Jack Olsen]

As a side note, my wife is very tolerant. When I asked her if we could try lifting the piano with the new jack, though, she drew the line.

[TRE Cup]

Besides the "when is it going to fail?" concern, we also wonder if replacement parts are available. Lincoln, Snap On production steel jacks have good warranties and can be serviced. The Ranger, BSR, Rebco, and probably 1/2 dozen other U.S. circle track suppliers have service kits available, for their aluminum race jacks, as well. I seriously doubt H.F. has any sort of service kit available, and if so would it be 3-4 years from now?
BUT at $199, it does LOOK terrific, and is close to being a disposable unit once it does fail. Sure looks attractive....

Re: items in China. They will make parts as specified. They have made very good 4340 Chrome moly cranks for SB Chebbies, race rods, valves- with imported from America steel. Obviously the labor cost is the big savings in manufacturing when you spec out a high quality product there.

[Kevin Stewart]

Wayne there are alot of aluminum race car jacks that are made in the states, take a look on any stock car site like lane automitive summit or long acre etc, lots of american stuff but also a grand, Kevin

[ChrisBennet]

One of the few Chinese tools that seem to be a bargain are the large vises.
In my experience, the paint falls off the jackstands as they are being removed from the box - even the $80 Lincoln ones I returned. Oh yes, Lincoln is now all made in China. Look carefully at what is actually holding up a ratchet type jackstand - a small tooth. Do you want to trust your life to a small tooth cast by a prisoner in #5 Prison Foundry?
-Chris

[campbellcj]

These are the jack stands I got. I mis-quoted earlier; they are made in Denmark not Sweden, by AC Hydraulics.

[Bill Verburg]

I've been using mine for the past month, no problems. I do recommend using a pad.

This one is flat and great for the 911


This one is for the pinch weld on my Audi

[URY914]

About 10 years ago I bought a "made in China" 2 1/2 ton floor jack form Costco (membership warehouse). I paid about $79.95 and it weighed about 79 pounds. After five years of light use it wouldn't stay up (no jokes here). I took it to a shop for a rebuild and he told me they see about 2-3 a week. The problem is the seals are made from cheap crap and the hyd. cyl. is not machined smooth enough so the seals wear out quickly and it won't hold a load. It would cost me as much to fix it as I paid for it. He told me to buy a new or rebuilt "made in the USA" model and for home use it will last for ever. I did and it has.
When you buy cheap tools you always pay more.

[Axeman]

Originally posted by campbellcj
These are the jack stands I got. I mis-quoted earlier; they are made in Denmark not Sweden, by AC Hydraulics.

Hey Chris,

Where did you get these stands? I'd like to get some. On a side note, I noticed you're in Agoura Hills, same here, we must be neighbors!

--Michael

[Axeman]

After looking online I found this site...now these are kickass "viking" jack stands, and the prices aren't bad! Now I would trust my life under the car with these!

--Michael

http://www.ultimategarage.com/acjacks.html