ninjabones

So, after some research, I decided that to prevent squishing my head, I'd buy quality jack stands. Overwhelming majority of posts suggest AC jack stands. However, I've been unable to find a supplier.

Turns out that AC no longer contracts with the factory that produced these stands. Apparently, ESCO now contracts with that supplier and production started in December and January of this year.

The exact same jacks are now available, but will have an ESCO sticker on them. I spoke with All Tire Supply today and they had several in stock at $102 each.

http://www.alltiresupply.com/p-3000NFP.html

RallyJon

So, same factory you're saying?

ninjabones

I asked the guy at All Tire Supply and he assured me that they were produced by the same factory and were "exactly" the same, except for the sticker. He also stated that AC will no longer distribute or carry these jack stands. I don't really have any way to verify this, but thought I'd put it out to the forum and see if anyone can corroborate.

Slow Guy

Thanks for the followup.

Joe S.

Looks like they are still availble here where I purchased mine: http://www.asedeals.com/jack_stands.html

gonzilla

OK, so anyone feel like organizing a group buy?

Slow Guy

If you follow the other thread on this you'll see ASEdeals is out of stock and is canceling orders placed for them.

Cactus

Yes!!! These things are way too expensive. Yea Yea Yea I know you can't put a price on your life......

RallyJon

ASE doesn't carry stock and neither does anyone else--they're all "virtual" retailers. When I got mine last summer from ASE, they were drop shipped from ESCO, although they have AC logo stickers on them. Maybe ESCO bought old inventory, too?

Also, ASE doesn't know what's in the warehouse. I was told 6 weeks and they arrived in 3 days.

Joe S.

Got it. Guess they should update there website...

ninjabones

I got a bit more information. I called ESCO and spoke with a gentlman named Larry; he informed me that the jacks were never actually manufactured by AC Hydraulics. AC apparently contracted out to another manufacturer (the location of which was not available, specifcially regarding the question of whether they were manufactured in China).

AC Hydraulics dropped the contract for production of the stands last year. ESCO bought the patent and apparently contracted with the same manufacturing plant (but again, no-one at Esco could confirm the name of the manufacturer or whether or not they were made in China). However, because ESCO has the patent; this model jack stand will not be available by any other manufacturer.

Manuel at All Tire Supply assured me that they were the same jack stands... he's sold a number of the Esco-branded stands over the past few months and reports no issues. However, I found this information somewhat unsettling and cancelled my order until I get more information.

jaholmes

I would buy a midrise lift from greg smith before I bought jackstands. You can get a lift for $1,100.00 delivered and the money into 4 good jack stands and a good jack will get you close to $1k. Plus you can do a lot more with a lift.

AOW162435

Contact Neil (nsully) - he purchased a set last week. I'm not sure who the distributor was though.

Man, I'm glad I bought a set of these two years ago - worth every penny and more! Truly a 'tool' that will last way beyond my lifetime.


Andreas

nsully

Last Thursday I placed an order with https://shop.kbtool.net/splashPage.hg

I went with model AC 3000N-GS1 which comes with the flat rubber top.
Price was $90 each and $82 shipping. $442 total
While I have received confirmation of my order I am still waiting to be notified of shipping details.
Every time I slide under my 993 perched nice and high upon some P.O.S. Chinese orange/white jackstands that $442 is the best deal in town! Not to mention that I am still fond of the round head look as apposed to flat. No desire to do the flounder-thing with both eyes on one side

Neil

Chuck A.

I bought a pair of the AC stands a few years ago that I've used maybe 5 times. If anyone is interested in them, let me know. I don't use them (I have a lift) and would sell them for a reasonable price.