When it comes to buying tools, everyone has an opinion. Some people buy the cheapest tool they can find, wait for it to break, then replace it, all the while knowing that they will still have spent less on their junky, broken tools than they would've if they'd bought a real brand to begin with. Others want to buy the best they can afford even if their tool chest ends up costing more than the family car. I fall somewhere in the middle as far as DIY tools go. To see the difference between a throwaway tool and a decent one, check out this jack comparison.
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I worked maintenance and repair for 45 years. you get what you pay for. any device made by one man can be made and sold cheaper by another bu using inferior material poor design and unqualified labour. anyone who buys any product on the basis of price alone is this mans’ legal prey. nuff said. be carefull, take it slow and try to do it right the first time but if you don’t, do it again untill you do get it right.
There are all kinds of tools, and a wide range of quality. What Matt says is very true. I would like to add one more thought about jacks.
Tools for your safety is one place you should never scrimp. I had a friend years ago who drove on race tracks with me. We were instructors. The Porsche Club required helmets. He used to say to those who objected to the high cost of a helmet, “If you have a $20 head, buy a $20 helmet!”
When I began working on my own cars over 40 years ago, I was poor and just starting out. But I realized a hydraulic floor jack was something I had to have and I wanted a really good, safe jack. I bought a 1½ ton Hein-Werner like the ones you used to see in gas stations across America. It has a higher lift capacity than most, which was great for pulling VW and Porsche engines. I still have that jack bought for $150 in 1969 and use it all the time. In today’s dollars, that would be around $500! Jack prices have come down, but you have to look hard to find a jack of this quality. About 5 years ago, I took my jack apart, sandblasted it, primed and painted it with same orange color and it looked brand new. I cleaned and relubed the ball bearings on the wheels, and it works like new.
It doesn’t pay to pinch pennies on jacks, jack stands and any other safety tools. Save your money on cheap tools when they are only needed once in a rare while, or maybe you can borrow them from one of the auto parts stores with loaner programs – they are becoming more popular these days.
Safety! Safety! Safety! Always buy quality safety equipment. I’ve seen cars fall. I’ve personally had an engine fall from 4 feet in the air, because the person I was working with did not use the right length bolts to attach the lifting chain to the engine. My point is things fall very fast! That engine and trans we were lifting fell so fast that we had ZERO time to react! Their was a loud bang like a gun shot and the engine and trans were on the ground. I had my hand on the tail shaft of the trans when it landed it was 6 inches from my foot! I also bought a cheap floor jack once(2 1/2ton)! Was putting in a transmission. It worked for that. But it failed when I went to take the car down of the lack stands. I raised the car, removed the jack stands from the front of my car, I went to turn the release handle their was a loud pop and the car was on the ground instantly!!
I can’t stress it enough! Buy quality! Be safe! Always stay clear of any load! you can be killed or seriously injured before you have time to react!