POS Craftsman Floor Jack

[legion]

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?

[Joeaksa]

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

[legion]

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.

[rammstein]

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.

[legion]

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.)

[Paul K]

Which model of Craftsman jack was it that failed?

[legion]

Originally Posted by Paul K

Which model of Craftsman jack was it that failed?

50240 - 1.5 ton aluminum/steel floor jack

[Rick Lee]

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.

[TerryH]

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?

Fine print on jack says "Made in Japan".

[legion]

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

[TerryH]

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.

[pwd72s]

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.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

indeed the AC hydraulic jack we sell is one of the best tools in my arsenal...

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

[ChrisBennet]

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

[many944s]

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

[speeder]

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.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by legion

50240 - 1.5 ton aluminum/steel floor jack

Dang. That's the same as mine!

[slodave]

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

[on2wheels52]

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

[austin552]

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.