Craftsman Floor Jack.... lame - Page 2

Coldfever · 03-07-2008, 02:27 PM

I've been using the same 3 ton, el cheapo Kmart jack I bought 10 years ago, before I knew any better. It still works though so no complaints.

pbskidz · 03-07-2008, 09:03 PM

I just got a 3 ton craftsman in a set and when I jack it up, as I let the lever up, the jack goes down too, so its just up and down, up and down, I get no where its like there is no pressure being built up...

So now somehow I got the jack all the way up past the maximum position when I was trying to get it to work and it is stuck like that.

phant0omx · 03-07-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbskidz

I just got a 3 ton craftsman in a set and when I jack it up, as I let the lever up, the jack goes down too, so its just up and down, up and down, I get no where its like there is no pressure being built up...

So now somehow I got the jack all the way up past the maximum position when I was trying to get it to work and it is stuck like that.

take it back and get a new one. they got warranty on it.

rokcrawler3203 · 03-07-2008, 11:33 PM

So I'm not the only one with this problem. My dad bought set of Craftsman jackstands and a jack and the jackstands work fine. (Never had a problem, pretty strong.) The jack worked fine for the first year or so, then it started to take forever to pump up, even with nothing on it. So being me, I figured I'd add some brake fluid to it, I also didn't make sure it was in the down position. After topping it off I let it down while I was leaning over it, and the plug popped off and hit me in the eye, along with brake fluid. Scared me though cause I thought I was going to go blind. It still "works" though. It takes forever to pump and it slowly leaks down. Thank god for jackstands though. (I later found out the jack was made in China)

Most of the Craftsman hand tools are fine, and not made in China.

freemans97XJ · 03-08-2008, 06:30 AM

So are they having someone else make the jacks now? Mine is about 5 or 6 years old (3-ton) and it still works perfect. Didn't know if they had changed over their supplier after the K-mart merger.

John

BWR · 03-08-2008, 08:47 AM

For HAND tools--- Craftsman is A++++++ in my book. Have had one of my own sets for 25+ years with a lot of wrench time on them: inherited a smallish set from my granpa who had had his for close what? 50 years before I got 'em. Unless you're willing to pay for Snap On, Proto, or MacK...you simply cant beat craftsman. Please spare me the Huskey crap....I almost lost an eye from a set...not one but TWO wrinches failed on me big time.

But for POWER tools, Jacks, Jack stands and dang near anything else......Almost Anyone makes better stuff. I said ALMOST because Harbor Freight's JUNK is just that...JUNK. I'm 0 for 3 with thier power tools.....though I will give Harbor the nod as they simply DO carry some tools that ya' just cant find anywhere else~ or if you do they charge an arm & leg. I mean where else ya' gonna find magnetic trays for $1? or magnetic based angle finders for cheap? BUT.....butttttttttttt every time I buy at harbor freight I cringe at the thought of feeding the China giant

pbskidz · 03-10-2008, 03:33 PM

What kind of jack would you guys suggest for just doing a variety of things on a jeep? After returning my Craftsman I found some at Lowes but am wondering if a 2 1/4 ton that goes up to 15" be good enough? I need one good for installing a lift so is 15" high enough?

SOrry for that jack, but I figured its in the same category.

tcourdin · 03-10-2008, 03:45 PM

I snagged a floor jack at Wal-Mart a few years ago and it's been great. I cant recall the brand....MRT maybe? It's made for taller vehicles, the first pump raises the jack all the way until it makes contact so you dont have to pump it a bazillion times.

iere · 03-14-2008, 12:52 PM

Somewhere I read a long thread on floor jacks, several folks are saying even some of the napa commercial floor jacks are cheapened out these days and that sucks.

I recomend pawn shops or flea markets or garage sales. I have a 3 ton that has worked great for 10+ years but am somewhat ready to pickup a spare if I run across one at a reasonable price.

For carrying in the vehicle I use bottle jacks these days. They lift more weight and are easier to deal with than my big 3 ton rolling floor jack.

But I guess even new bottle jacks might be cheapened out these days, I bought some old ones back about a decade ago and will keep them as well.

As far as the question about a 2 1/4 ton lift limit, my uncle has a 2 ton jack that is old and built on a larger frame than most 2 ton jacks I see these days. On larger vehicles my 3 ton will lift half the vehicle while his does sometimes have problems and can only lift one corner at a time. It gets the job done you just have to approach the problem a little differently.

03-10-2008, 03:45 PM	#23
tcourdin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 1,627 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I snagged a floor jack at Wal-Mart a few years ago and it's been great. I cant recall the brand....MRT maybe? It's made for taller vehicles, the first pump raises the jack all the way until it makes contact so you dont have to pump it a bazillion times. __________________ 88 Wrangler, Rebuilt I6, NV3550,Atlas 2,B&M Shifter,38/38 Weber, Skyjacker Lift & Nitro Shocks & Stabilizer, Black Diamond Discos, 35 " Regul MT's & Outlaw 2 Alum Wheels, 4.88 Gears, Dana 35 & Super 35 kit & Detroit Soft Locker, Dana 30 & Superior Axles & Detroit Soft Locker & No Disco, SRC Front & Rear Bumpers, SRC Side Armor, Warn XD 9000 I Winch & In Cab Controls, OR Fab Tire & Can Carrier, Rock Hard 4x4 Full Cage, Hood Rack & Hi Lift & AX, Outland Seats, KC & Silverstar.

03-14-2008, 12:52 PM	#24
iere Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: tn Posts: 35 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Somewhere I read a long thread on floor jacks, several folks are saying even some of the napa commercial floor jacks are cheapened out these days and that sucks. I recomend pawn shops or flea markets or garage sales. I have a 3 ton that has worked great for 10+ years but am somewhat ready to pickup a spare if I run across one at a reasonable price. For carrying in the vehicle I use bottle jacks these days. They lift more weight and are easier to deal with than my big 3 ton rolling floor jack. But I guess even new bottle jacks might be cheapened out these days, I bought some old ones back about a decade ago and will keep them as well. As far as the question about a 2 1/4 ton lift limit, my uncle has a 2 ton jack that is old and built on a larger frame than most 2 ton jacks I see these days. On larger vehicles my 3 ton will lift half the vehicle while his does sometimes have problems and can only lift one corner at a time. It gets the job done you just have to approach the problem a little differently. __________________ 07 crd limited with QDII and no tow hooks.