POS Craftsman Floor Jack
 

I have a 1.5 Ton Aluminum/Steel Craftsman floor jack. When I was working on the 951, I heard a "plesh" noise as the hydraulic cylinder gave way and spewed fluid all over the floor. The U joint for the hydraulic release was also chewed up.

I took it back to Sears. Apparently, they only warrant them for 1 year. Kinda pissed me off as I paid close to $200 for the POS.

I'm not buying another Craftsman jack. I will accept a free replacement, but I'm not buying another one.

So...I guess I'm in the market for a new floor jack. My requirements:
-It lasts at least 10 years.
-Must be no taller than 3.5 inches in the "down" position.
-I'd prefer a "racing jack" style with a long handle that can also be used to lower the jack.

Recommendations?

Pelican sells a very nice jack that is a professional model and lasts a long time. No, its not cheap but then quality rarely is cheap.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1-detail.htm

I was looking at that, and may well order it.

Notice that price was not part of my requirements. I am more interested in a jack that won't leave me stranded as this is a tool that I seem to use A LOT.

Buy one of the expensive Pelican ones. I bought a $99 JEGS jack. The metal where the pole meets the jack actually sheared apart on it. Total garbage. I wish I had gotten a good one in the first place.

I see that Craftsman has a $40 low profile jack. I think I might get that to get me by if I need to jack up the car again, and then ask for the AC Hydraulic unit for Christmas. ;) (The wife is NOT HAPPY with the Porsche-related spending this year.)

Which model of Craftsman jack was it that failed?

50240 - 1.5 ton aluminum/steel floor jack

I have the cheapo Harbor Freight aluminum one and have used it exhaustively for almost 4 yrs. now. No problems at all so far. I've used it so much that I feel like it owes me nothing.

I guess they don't make them like they used to. My Sears floor jack is about 25years old and still works like the day it was bought. I am almost embarrassed to say I have never checked, added, or replaced the fluid. I have lubed the wheels a few times though. Coincidently, my neighbor has the exact same jack and his experience is the same as mine.

While shopping online for a new or used reciprocating saw, there was a Craftsman brand on ebay. Fine print said "made in China". I passed and bought Milwaukee.... are they made in China too? :rolleyes:

Fine print on jack says "Made in Japan".

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1191191935.jpg

I own two other jacks, they cannot fit under the 951.

Yeah, that one pictured isnt a lowboy either and it's one heavy SOB. It worked on my 911, but I had to lift the car a little with one arm while positioning the jack with the other.

Terry's old jack looks much like my old NAPA jack...Cindy bought it for me as a gift some 30 years ago. It's still going strong...and lifts a 911 just fine. Ask RoninLB. :)

Hey Wayne,

How about a discount if we buy say 3-5 at one time? I could be talked into getting one as well.

Joe

Question for Wayne (or anyone with an AC Hydraulic jack). I borrowed my buddy's jack last year when mine was lent out and there was no way I could lower it slowly. The release was On/Off in operation. I was very disappointed. I couldn't see how to adjust it differently. Is there a trick to it or did he get "a bad one"? (Purchased from another vendor, I don't think Pelican carried them at the time.)
-Chris

Hey Chris, you just need to move closer to here...
It looks like my 2 post lift will be delivered before the end of the week :)

It should be a nice little addition for next years gathering!!

-Nick

I have the bigger Craftsman aluminum jack, model 50239:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950239000P?pid=00950239000

It's the second one this summer, returned the first after about a month when the hydraulics started to fail. I asked the sales clerk if they were getting many back and she gave me a sheepish nod. I appreciated her honesty, at least. I would have gotten my $$ back, but I really needed that style of jack to do the brakes and some other stuff on my 996 which sits pretty low. A "real jack" that is made out of steel is not really portable in that weight capacity. This thing I can just throw in the front trunk of the car and the handle breaks down as well. It's a nice piece for the price if not for the QC issues. That's China for you, though. What else are you going to do in 2007?

If I had any shop space I would get a real jack, either one of Wayne's or an old, made in U.S.A. Lincoln jack. They are infinitely re-buildable and they were made to last forever. Different era in manufacturing.

Dang. That's the same as mine!

This is the one I bought last summer. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950239000P?vName=Automotive&cName= Tools+%26+Equipment&sName=Lift+Equipment
So far, it has held up. And yes, it is made in China - I try and over look that.

Dave

I've got the same Sears jack as the one Terry pictured, except his looks brand new compared to mine. I've had it ten years, one of those pawn shop deals.
Jim

A friend was showing off his new and expensive light weight aluminum Craftsman floor jack to me a while back. It was very easy to manuver but I couldn't help thinking. "It's aluminum dude, how long will that last?" Just give me old school tools please.