Cool new aluminum floor jack
08-11-2011, 03:43 PM
#16
Race Director
Thread Starter
Sears sells the same jack, it's just red and has a magnetic tray on top. It's about the same price.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G13
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G13
Looks good, BUT, do u trust Chinese manufacturing for such a vital tool? from some personal experience, the extent of shortcuts chinese companies take to make things is alarming to say the least, only when they have a HUGE incentive to make good products, and are managed by others (American, Taiwanese, etc) they can be trusted (i.e. Apple products, or similar).
http://www.otctools.com/about.php
08-11-2011, 03:57 PM
#17
Drifting
Also, if you follow the link to the Sears site, you see the reviews put the Sears version at 2/5.. there are lots of complaints about failures and issues with the Sears version.
08-11-2011, 04:02 PM
#18
Race Director
Thread Starter
Yup. The Sears jack was one that I looked at and read reviews about. I went with the OTC instead.
08-11-2011, 06:26 PM
#20
Nordschleife Master
Looks good, BUT, do u trust Chinese manufacturing for such a vital tool? from some personal experience, the extent of shortcuts chinese companies take to make things is alarming to say the least, only when they have a HUGE incentive to make good products, and are managed by others (American, Taiwanese, etc) they can be trusted (i.e. Apple products, or similar).
08-11-2011, 07:37 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
08-11-2011, 07:44 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
As I mentioned earlier OTC is an American company with headquarters in Minnesota and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. I did some research before I bought the jack because I didn't want a run-of-the-mill Chinese POS. I guess they must be out there, but I couldn't find a 100% US made aluminum jack. OTC is a reputable American company, like Apple that you mentioned, well known in the automotiive tool industry, who happens to have some of their manufacturing done in China. I guess time will tell if the jack holds up (pun intended) but it does have a great warranty in case it doesn't.
http://www.otctools.com/about.php
http://www.otctools.com/about.php
OTC has a manufacturing facility in Owatonna, Minnesota, and operating units in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. Its Eisenhower Drive facility in Owatonna designs and manufactures special tools and shop equipment. Overseas operating units include OTC Tool GMBH, Langenfeld, Germany, V.L. Churchill, Daventry, England, and JATEK, Tokyo, Japan.
08-11-2011, 11:01 PM
#23
Race Director
Thread Starter
Glad you did some research, hopefully it's had some better quality control. As you found out the problem is finding alternatives these days are next to impossible. BTW, they do NOT mention anything about facility in china?!
That's why I always appreciate visiting Europe, they haven't completely sourced out everything, you can still find significant amount of stuff made in Germany, EU, etc... maybe a few euros more than if it was made in China, but the extra quality is well worth the money. I think if people were smarter, averaged out the cost over the life of a product instead of sticker price, we'll find that it's a lot cheaper to buy a high quality grade product that lasts a few years instead of a cheap crap that needs replacement in a year... and then manufacturing and middle class can return to NA. Oh well, one can only hope!
That's why I always appreciate visiting Europe, they haven't completely sourced out everything, you can still find significant amount of stuff made in Germany, EU, etc... maybe a few euros more than if it was made in China, but the extra quality is well worth the money. I think if people were smarter, averaged out the cost over the life of a product instead of sticker price, we'll find that it's a lot cheaper to buy a high quality grade product that lasts a few years instead of a cheap crap that needs replacement in a year... and then manufacturing and middle class can return to NA. Oh well, one can only hope!
BTW, I agree with you completely re:the outsourcing issue. We focus on the sticker price of cheap made foreign goods at the expense of quality and jobs here at home.
09-13-2011, 05:40 PM
#26
Drifting
If it was manufactured in Japan by Japanese engineers and machinists, I'd have no issue at all. Its if it came from Korea or China or put together by UAW folks in the USA that I'd have an issue.
09-13-2011, 11:18 PM
#27
Race Director
recently got the Arcan 3.5 ton jack from costco for $99. Low profile, jack pad, and padded arm. Yes its made in China but the reviews were good and the quality is excellent. 2.5 pumps and the P car is up!
Its not AL so its heavy but that ok w/ me.
Its not AL so its heavy but that ok w/ me.
09-13-2011, 11:34 PM
#28
Nordschleife Master
It looks almost exactly like the one I got from Harbor Freight. Just the front is a bit different.
here is a link to it for a much cheaper price. gotta love Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ack-68051.html
here is a link to it for a much cheaper price. gotta love Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ack-68051.html
09-13-2011, 11:52 PM
#29
Race Director
I saw the HF jack in person, it was on sale for $159 less 20% off w/ a coupon. I felt like 1.5tons wasnt enough + i have this mental block about buying stuff there. Yes I know its somewhat irrational.
09-14-2011, 03:12 AM
#30
Race Director
Thread Starter