Update....well, I waited a week and this one's on sale for $68 (from $99)

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...Lift+Equipment

I see their other 3-ton jack is also on sale http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...Lift+Equipment.

It's interesting, while the same capacity, the this one's list is $69 vs. $99. And the marketing-speak talks about "lifting SUVs" 2" higher than the other one.

Here's a side-by-side comparo. The key thing seems to be weight, which would be directly related to durability? I'm gonna check 'em out on the way home tonite. Note that the marketing-speak for the higher price one specifically calls out ANSI/ASME standards.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...d1078608315=on

For me, I anticipate using this about 3-4 times a year for the snow tire swap on two cars. It's overkill for my MINI, but I've got a Volvo 96- that weighs quite a bit. Poor Sears, this is about the only thing that gets me in their door these days...but it works, eh?

 

I have a blue aluminum jack I bought at Sam's Club that is similar to the Sears version - likely made in the same factory. The low-profile and speed is nice. I use it to lift Jerseygirl's MCS and 1800ES and my Jetta Wagon all the time. It will also lift either end of my 3 ton conversion van. I also have a couple of older steel floor jacks as back-ups. The Torin floor jacks sold at Pep Boys also get good reviews.

For torque wrenches, I have three Craftsman models, with a the 1/2" drive model for torquing wheels. It works well enough. I frequent another forum where a lot of pro-wrenches hang out and oddly enough, the Harbor Freight torque wrenches get very high marks for consistancy and accuracy - as good or better than Snap-on when placed on torque-testers. Some of the guys without "tool egos" replaced their Snap-on torque wrenches with H-F models - shocked me, for sure as much of the H-F stuff I've bought has been total crap. Apparently their torque wrenches are the best bargain they sell.

 

Let us know what your find out. I need a better jack so I might check the Sears one out since it's about the same price as the Harbor Freight one.

 

That's the long-bodied version (dk20hlq). What you want is the DK20. I love mine. If you only use a jack once or twice a year, then yea... buy whatever. If you carry it to the track regularly you might want to consider one of the aluminum models (which are considerably lower quality than this). If you need a high-quality garage jack this is it.

BTW, this is the best place to buy one:
http://www.asedeals.com/hydraulicjacks2.html

 

If you've got lowering springs on the car, all of Sears' jacks are too high, except the "racing" jack they offer. I've got H&R springs and one of the Sears "suv" jacks. I need to pull the car up on a 2x6 to get the jack under it.

 

I would rather use this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91039

than either of those sears jacks.

 

yeh, that's what my wife bought me for my b-day the other month
and it's been great. :smile: She also got me their 3year replacement
warranty so Im good for a looooong time.

torque wrenches...Alex sold me a $29.99 from Tirerack. will see
how it is. I only use 80ft/lbs for lugs. Got the package at my
office a few moments ago. will open and see in a minute.

 

The $30 Tire Rack torque wrench looks exactly like the $10 Harbor Freight wrench.

 

Even for light use like mine? I'm not schlepping it to the track for quick tire changes, etc....

 

I got one of those jacks. Paid $59 on sale and it's a decent jack.

 

For a comprable price, yes. The larger lifting plate alone makes the HF jack better.

 

Sold! I'm gonna order it, save me a trip...

 

I left my torque wrench preloaded for several months..any long term problems?

 

I've heard it's possible but I have no first hand experience. You might want to verify its accuracy against another torque wrench.

 

I'll check it next week against my friends. When I go home I'll move the load to zero.

 

The harbor freight gets my vote if only for the reason it fits under my mini no matter how low I am running it. No more running up on a 2/4 just to get the jack under it. It is also compact and can easily fit in the passenger seat foot well .

 

You underestimate the expense of that blow-molded case


The HF wrench is great for wheels. You don't have to worry about it getting lost or stolen. I know someone who actually had one tested and it was actually quite accurate. Of course, knowing HF that was probably just a fluke.

I use the HF for wheels and a snap-on for everything else. I don't like the S-O adjustment method though.

 

I tried out that $29 torque wrench from tirerack... I think it's off by
10-15ft/lbs but as long as I have a reference point vs what I was
using before, it's fine for me. I noted that 100ft/lbs on the dial is
about where I usually torqued up to on my old wrench which was
about 80-85ft/lbs.


I usually turn the dial back to 10ft/lbs or lower when not in use.

 

The HF comes in a blow-molded case

I agree that it is good for wheels and not a whole lot else.

 

Well, I stopped by Sears last night on the way home and the 150 lb one was on sale for $22, so I grabbed that one. Also got some wheel chucks and the 17mm deep socket. Looked at the 3k floor jack, but glad I went w/ the HF one (how long for delivery? Am hoping to swap the tires next weekend before I take a 6 hour ride w/ my son to look at colleges) as its construction looked a bit shabby.

 

Passing through a NAPA store I noted they now have two jacks in there that are blue and yellow. (go figure)

Only the larger, heavier, mondo one is the referenced Snap-On model in a different shirt.

 

HF does have retail stores but I don't know if they have any close to you. I picked up mine from a store in Newark, CA.

p.s.

Is this the same torque wrench as the one as sears?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...itemnumber=239

 

Sears does have some like this (don't recall the price) but I ended up getting one like in post #16.

 

Costco Has A Nice One For Under $75. It Also Has A Nice Range From Low To High.

 

I just bought one this week. The blue almost matches my Indi Blue. It's wel built and fairly light--under 30 pounds. Easily breaks down to fit in the boot. The only thing about it was when I took it out of the box, there was this funky spring thing holding the part of the jack that you stick the pole into. I didn't see any documentation for this, but apparently, you just take it off with some pliars and discard it.

I would second that you find a local HF store. Online is pretty decent, but nothing beats seeing it in person, and plus you will find deals at the store that you won't find online!

One note, many things that look great in the catalog are very cheaply built when you see it in person. Just cause it looks the same as one thing, doesn't mean it is!!!