Jack recall, chinese junk from Harbor Freight

[mrtexas]

Don't figure anyone here would be as dumb as me to have bought cheap chinese junk jack stands from Harbor Freight but here goes anyway. They have been recalled. Any with numbers: 61196, 61197, and 56371. I have set with another number, hmm, they safe?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...Cx7MgDn2USEgNY

[41Joe]

I have a couple of the 61196. I got the email about the recall too. I used them a handful of times and never noticed anything unsteady about them. I'm going to return them anyways.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by mrtexas

Don't figure anyone here would be as dumb as me to have bought cheap chinese junk jack stands from Harbor Freight but here goes anyway. They have been recalled. Any with numbers: 61196, 61197, and 56371. I have set with another number, hmm, they safe?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...Cx7MgDn2USEgNY

Jack stands are one thing (among many) that should never be bought "cheap". I'd never consider a set from Harbor Freight. We all (well most of us) know they sell "cheap - throw away tools".
That's okay if your life won't be jeopardized.

[ford38v8]

Don't know why they were recalled, but, those type have no support under the legs and sink into blacktop.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Don't know why they were recalled, but, those type have no support under the legs and sink into blacktop.

Not sure I would trust ANY jack stand on blacktop. I have seen motorcycles fall over on a warm day when their stands sank into soft asphalt.

[tubman]

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Anyone can have a bad item released now and then. I remember that my dad had a "Snap-On" ratchet that fell apart on him. It seems that Harbor Freight realized they had a problem and handled it responsibly. The recall notice (with emails to purchasers, no less) seems to be managed well. I wish Sears had been able to handle my problem with the Craftsman drill that died after 3 months a few years ago as well.

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by tubman

Anyone can have a bad item released now and then. ....

I've read that HF's supplier used worn-out tooling to produce these jackstands, result being that the engagement of the pawls is much less than it should be. That's just the kind of shortcut I'd expect from Chinese.

I am always careful setting the load on jackstands, I have seen too many pictures of the saddle on these breaking off from an off-center or suddenly-applied load.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Ross F-1

I've read that HF's supplier used worn-out tooling to produce these jackstands, result being that the engagement of the pawls is much less than it should be. That's just the kind of shortcut I'd expect from Chinese.

I am always careful setting the load on jackstands, I have seen too many pictures of the saddle on these breaking off from an off-center or suddenly-applied load.

Don't blame the manufacturer. The blame (properly)belong cast upon the sellers that peddle this crap. It is their choice and their choice only to decide whether or not something is "good enough" to retail...

[40cpe]

this is a copy from the email from Harbor Freight
"For certain units of the Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton and 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands there is a potential, while under load and with a shift in weight, for the pawl to disengage from the extension lifting post, allowing the stand to drop suddenly."

I have a set of the 6-ton units that I have used on a level concrete floor with no problems but will be returning them.

[TonyM]

If I can get half a dozen uses out of a Harbor Freight product before it fails, I consider it even.

[deuce_roadster]

TonyM--If you can crawl out from under whatever they were holding up.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

TonyM--If you can crawl out from under whatever they were holding up.

Yep. You got that right.

[JT FORD]

Those jack stands will never kill as many people as their Virus!

[hotrodart]

I refuse to buy or use any tools made in China......pure garbage. For jack stands, I have found that old Ford V-8 transmission cases work quite well.

[KiWinUS]

Originally Posted by hotrodart

I refuse to buy or use any tools made in China......pure garbage. For jack stands, I have found that old Ford V-8 transmission cases work quite well.

Where do you purchase your floor Jacks from that are American made?

[hotrodart]

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

Where do you purchase your floor Jacks from that are American made?

My floor jacks are older than me, and I am in my mid-70s.....they are well cared for, and can be rebuilt as they wear.....every tool I have (2 roll away boxes, several hand boxes, and 2 machinist's boxes) is made in USA......as are all my power tools.

[KiWinUS]

Originally Posted by hotrodart

My floor jacks are older than me, and I am in my mid-70s.....they are well cared for, and can be rebuilt as they wear.....every tool I have (2 roll away boxes, several hand boxes, and 2 machinist's boxes) is made in USA......as are all my power tools.

So awesome. Your a hero seriously. Unfortunately all new floor Jacks I’m aware of are Chinese make. It is also getting harder to find good jack rebuilders as the cheap Chinese junk & people willing to accept it have put the rebuilders out of business.
Keep digging my friend.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

So awesome. Your a hero seriously. Unfortunately all new floor Jacks I’m aware of are Chinese make. It is also getting harder to find good jack rebuilders as the cheap Chinese junk & people willing to accept it have put the rebuilders out of business.
Keep digging my friend.

I do too. My Walker 2 ton is USA made and has been trouble free for 20 years. I found a '30's vintage Blackhawk 1 ton bottle jack at a swap. $5. $60 for a rebuild and it's as good new.

[hop up]

Originally Posted by hotrodart

My floor jacks are older than me, and I am in my mid-70s.....they are well cared for, and can be rebuilt as they wear.....every tool I have (2 roll away boxes, several hand boxes, and 2 machinist's boxes) is made in USA......as are all my power tools.

Yes yes and yes old tools were built to last forever and will. I see the HF tool post here and on the hamb and always say why in my head. What happens to the tools after you buy them ? Screwdriver gremlins ? Jack stand gremlins ? Now where are to good old tools passed along by family or bought when no harbor freight was around and Craftsman was made in the great USA .
My father told me when I was a kid buy the best tool you can and it should last you a lifetime. Some of my woodworking tools are over a 100 years old and still do a amazing job..
As for jack stands I see guys making the 2x4 risers that fit under the tire. I like that idea and chopping up a dozen or two 2x4 is easy cheap and safe.

[itslow]

Originally Posted by hotrodart

I refuse to buy or use any tools made in China......pure garbage.

Garbage is produced everywhere, including here in the USA. It all boils down
to the thoroughness of the engineering behind a part and the quality control processes after its been manufactured.