There's a real old Craftsman here that works perfect until you're under a car & then it immeadiatly starts to leak down in little jerks. I think that's a marketing ploy to sell more concrete blocks.
I've got 3 or 4 of those Chinese bottle jacks. They are fine if you don't mind using junk. They work OK for a little while, but when I really need the things to do some lifting, they will either: leak, not pump up properly if at all, or leak down and let the load slowly lower. For what I've spent for these jacks, I could have bought one American made one that was dependable. Of course, if you need a jack in an emergency, you just buy what's available.
I found some American made Hein-Werner/Lincoln, 5 ton bottle jacks at a surplus tool shop a few years ago for about 20 bucks. I bought two, and I wish I would have bought a few more just to have on hand. They've been working great, and never disappointed me. Plus, repair parts are available if I ever need them.
I'm not sure what brands are available out there now for anything that isn't throwaway Chinese. You just have to look.
Here's a link to a Hein-Werner 2 ton floor jack. Advertised as American made, and less than 300 bucks.
Its got air in it. You have to bleed it out. Open the release valve and pump the handle 7 thousand times. Close the valve. Try the jack. Repeat till it works or you are convinced the jack is belly up.
bill_h
gooseberry_guy
earthworm
mikie_gw
earthworm
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