Sears has a "Companion"(something like that) line that is Chinese. Sears is not what it was

What happened to the lifetime warranty on hand tools. Had a fridge go out about a month after I bought it. Cost me a few hundred bucks in food and numerous weeks of grief fighting them to do the right thing. When I offered to return it to their desk by personally backing a truck right up to it(and through half the store) they started to become reasonable.

My father has the same model jack that Terry does, and it has held up for around 24-25 years without servicing. It's heavy, and it takes a beating. We used to drag that thing around in junk yards each weekend snatching parts for old mopars. It has a life of ease now because my father is retired, but it's still going.

What ever happened to a rebuild kit?

I bought a rebuild kit for an old Sears jack that I have and just have not had time to do it. Course the $70 cost did not help any either!

Bought a Craftsman (all steel, black /yellow colors, not sure which model) jack at an estate sale sometime back. Looked almost brand new. Rapid lift type, 2 1/2 pumps to full extension. Lowered slowly ...cool.

Got it home, tried it under a car, arm raised till it contacted the frame then ...stopped? Pumping handle caused...nothing. It apparently had a bad valve internally. I bled the air, took out the valve/check, fiddled with it for two hours, nothing. It continued bypassing internally. Beyond my fixing.

Sold it at a garage sale this past weekend (yes, I did tell the buyer its problem).

Still have my 2 Ton 'Walker' that is probably 20 years old! Flawless. Is Walker still in business?

Just don't eat the paint...

I recently picked up a Napa Auto Parts Jack. This thing is great! The closed height is only 2 3/4" and it lifts to 18", the wheels are nylon so they roll really nice. I've used it on my early 911 which is really low without problems or driving up on blocks. I've also used it on my Jeep and it worked great. The PN is NLE7916402

It's around $240 if you don't have a discount.

http://partimages2.genpt.com/partimages/292506.jpg

Attributes:
Lift Capacity:2-Tons
Closed Height:2-3/4"
Raised Height:19-5/8"
Lift Distance:18"
Saddle Diameter:5"
Weight:90 lbs
Features & Benefits:Dual Pump Mechanism Which Reduces Handle Strokes Up to 50 Percent While Not Effecting Handle Effort
Nylon Wheels & Casters to Reduce Damage to Coated or Painted Floors & Reduced Noise During Transpor
Dimensions:31" L x 16" W x 8-1/4" H
Air Operated:No

That jack looks like a winner. I wouldn't have a problem laying out that dough if it holds up for a couple decades.

Nylon wheels would scare me a little. Guess they use those to keep that sucker under 100 lbs. :)

Curious about country of origin.

Funny to see how many jacks like mine are still out there doing the job.

To me, those aluminum "racing" jacks are good for a quick tire change. (which is what they where designed for.) I wouldnt use or trust them for regular maintenance.

My 2 1/2 ton Walker is about 25 yrs old and still works as good as the day it was bought. I have a 2 ton "Harbor Frieghtish" type jack, that I keep on my raceboat trailer. Its about 8 yrs old and still works like a champ.

Terry I'll go in the garage and take a look to see where it's made.

http://indoors.pricegrabber.com/floor-jacks-stands/hein-werner/p/1402/

Hein-werner are good quality. I don't skimp on my floor jack since sometimes my jack-stands seem to far away to be bothered with.

The handle on my big burly Craftsman 3-ton jack stripped out after probably 6 years of light use. I was surprised to find out the handle cost almost as much as a new jack. I'm sick of crap that doesn't last.

Here are the pics.

The jack is made in China so you can take that for what it's worth. At first I thought the nylon wheels would be an issue but really they are nice even on a flat garage floor. The jack just rolls so much more nicely. The handle is nicely padded with thick foam and the cup has a polyurethane spacer in it.

Oh and I would want to see what marketing genius decided to start calling it the Furious Jack.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1191259348.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1191259368.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40105

Comparison review:
http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/articles/jacks

Another article (6 pages long):
http://www.vorshlag.com/tech_jacks1.php

Cost as much as my first car, really.

1966 6 cyl Mustang, mostly bondo in 1980.

I'm pretty sure my hair was all black when I bought my floor jack. Too long ago to recall.

I dunno what brand it is. It's yellow.

I think it has hydraulic fluid in it. I think they installed the fluid at the factory.

Raises to 19". Lowers slowly.

Doubles as a boat anchor. Oh, and the handle can be used as a cheater bar.

I had a Sears jack go out on me as well. Pretty much ran into the not under warranty issue as well. No rebuild kit for it either. I had a local hydraulic shop "reseal" it for $25.

I also need a new U joint, so even that won't cut it.

Any way to fab one up from some scrap steel?