Most liked posts in thread: Floor Jack

Its not a screw...I think he means the thing that you turn when you take the handle off and put it on there...like any ol regular floor jack.

only way i could say is to use a screwdriver but do it to the side perpendicular to the 'scew' so that you can turn it less with more rotation of your hand.

mine does the same... falls quick if im not very careful

 

What brand of jack?

 

My general experience is, that's what you get with the cheaper floor jacks. I have seen some less expensive jacks that work OK, but most do what you describe and there is no way to adjust them.

 

Anyone have recommendations for a good 1.5 or 2 Ton aluminum jack at a reasonable price (< $500). I have tried General (Harbor Freight), Craftsman, and Torin. They all leak or do not release well. I currently have a Torin that is dangerous to release because even when very careful it sometimes drops quickly.

 

I've had my craftsman for almost as long as I've had the Mini, so almost 4 years. Slightly crooked from being dropped off my shoulder, but otherwise still works perfectly.

 

The HF is touchy--you have to twist the handle VERY slowly (and it helps if the screw holding the jack handle in is very tight), but I can drop the car slowly with it--but I do have to make a conscious effort each time, otherwise it's like dropping the car instantaneously. I admit, the HF is pretty much a disposable jack, which I like-- I've gotten three years out of this last one (and it's still going strong), considering some issues I've had with more expensive jacks, I'd be willing to pay 59 bucks for a jack every now and then....

 

I liked the operation of the Craftsman but they are only warrantied for 1 year and I had to return three different ones because the seals would start to leak after about a year of frequent use. The first one leaked just after 1 year and they only gave me a discount on a replacement. The other two started to leak just before 1 year so I got a free replacement on the second return and my money back on the third return. I used the return money to buy the Torid that I hate. Maybe I will have to go back to a Craftsman.

 

Pretty much the last jack you will ever need to buy....

AC - DK20

 

I love my HF jack... sure, it's a little touchy... but since it's the only floor jack I use, I've trained myself to use the right "touch"... no worries. Three hard years and going strong.

 

So far so good!

 

I have had good luck with this one: Dannmar DAN 2TJA Aluminum Floor Jack

 

Wow, I thought floor jacks were supposed to be touchy. Ok not really, but every floor jack I ever used, including my own which has been with me 20 years, has required a very delicate touch in releasing the pressure. You just get used to it and deal, or spend some decent bucks for a higher quality model.

I guess you could somehow attach a lever arm to the handle such that one inch of lever arm end movement would equate to 1/8" of rotation at the handle. This would provide much more control, but that might be more trouble than it is worth.

 

As Steve stated, the problem I have with the Torin Big Red jack is that the release tends to stick (does not turn smoothly) and it makes it very difficult to only open the valve slighly to slowly lower the car. I have had many smooth releases with the jack but I have had too many bad releases where turning the release is very tight and then it suddenly releases, opening the valve too far, and dropping the car quickly. Especially a bad thing when the Mini has all four wheels up and you are trying to drop the first wheel down because the whole car tends to rock a little on the way down.

I have a good basic service jack but want a good aluminum racing jack for the transportability. I also find myself using the aluminum jack at home most of the time because it is light. However, I do not want to spend $1,000 on a jack.

Anyone have experience with any of the following aluminum jack brands or specific models:
Ranger Model RFJ-3000AL (about $200)
OTC Model OTC-1537 (about $300)
ATD Model ATD-7313 (about $300)
AFF Model 200SS (about $340)
Zinko Model ZSJ-15A6 (about $400)
Zinko Model ZSJ-20A (about $400)

 

Excellent query, I would love to upgrade my giant old floor jack for something light and much smoother.

I think I read about people using an Aluminum Harbor Freight Race jack, costs ~$80. Is that just junk?

 

You can buy it and then opt for the service plan for about $10 and get a pretty good deal out of it.

I have a Torin from Northern tool (like Steves above) and paid $99- but it looks very similar to the HF, as stated above "so far so good" with the Torin.

 

My floor jack looks ancient, it used to be my father's, weighs a ton, but I can get the car lowered very slowly or very quickly. It is easy to modulate it. The thing is it takes about a bazillion pumps to raise the car, no pressure loss though.