Craftsman 3 Ton Floor Jack, Jack Stands and Creeper Set 50% Off + $10 Back in Points: $79.99 AC (reg. $159.99) + Free Shipping ~ Sears

I bought this combo for $99 two years ago. Great deal if you need one.

Quote from pclstyle : ugh, that sounds unpleasant. How exactly do the vise grips help? Also, after you're done with the work and you've jacked it back up and pulled the jack stands out, does that mean you run the risk of dropping the car 12 inches, sending it crashing to the floor? how would that be acceptable?

Because of no leverage when twisting the handle, you need to use excessive force when twisting. When it finally let's go, it's too late to throttle the fluid release. The pliers give more leverage and control overcoming the resistance of the release mechanism.

Hopefully, you do have the wheels on at this point...

Quote from nomadpp : If you are looking for jacks, another alternative I can recommend is the jacks from Costco. Got it a few years ago and it has always been solid. Good control in lowering as well. Goes for about $110 now I think.

I have one, it's heavy and takes quite a number of pumps to get the car up in the air but I love it because it's low profile. Good control while lowering it back down too.

Quote from pclstyle : ugh, that sounds unpleasant. How exactly do the vise grips help? Also, after you're done with the work and you've jacked it back up and pulled the jack stands out, does that mean you run the risk of dropping the car 12 inches, sending it crashing to the floor?

With vise grips you can have more control when lowering it back down

Yes

deleted

Quote from Roveldude : Meaning when I twist the handle to release the hydraulic pressure, it's very tight and finally gives all at once. Bam it's down, like NASCAR. With the leverage from the Vise Grips, I have better control of the pressure release. Even my 40 year old "Hollywood Accessories" jack has better control. Meaning, that dropping at that rate onto stands could result in one big Charlie-Foxtrot.

I got the 2 ton jack and stands, (no creeper) for my dad about a year ago for $35. Wasn't expecting much, but the handful of times I used it, the same thing happened: Holds in place relatively secure, (along with stands for sure!), but letting it out is always the scariest part. Never thought of the vise grips idea... wondering if I should get this deal for myself and hope the vise grips do the trick...

Is there still a sudden drop with the vise grips (just not as much), or does it more or less kill the issue?

Quote from Roveldude : Because of no leverage when twisting the handle, you need to use excessive force when twisting. When it finally let's go, it's too late to throttle the fluid release. The pliers give more leverage and control overcoming the resistance of the release mechanism. Hopefully, you do have the wheels on at this point...

Same thing with my Michelin, you explain it very well. Thanks, I'll have to try your vise grip fix.

Quote from DlickSeals : Is there still a sudden drop with the vise grips (just not as much), or does it more or less kill the issue?

Kills it, but shouldn't be that way in the first place. It still dumps all the hydraulic pressure pretty quick. Just bum engineering. I would looks at Costco. I think there are several threads here about them. Or even Harbor Freight.

I have this same set. Just confirming what everyone else has said. Good set, esp for the price. Lowering control is sudden but can be managed very carefully.

ITT, people who don't know how to use floor jacks to lower their vehicle.

edit: this 3 ton jack is not the same design as the 2.25 ton one.

I have the 2.25 ton rated version of this jack, looks exactly the same. Lowers absolutely fine with the included handle. You have to open the valve extremely slowly to have it lower the car extremely slowly. If you jerk open the valve, the car will jerk down.

That said, I would not get this jack again. A decent amount of jack oil leaks out every time the release valve is open. While sitting in storage, with the valve closed, I find oil drips under the hydraulic cylinder. Not a pool of oil, just a 3 inch diameter oil spot on a paper towel I have underneath the jack.

It's not a "rapid pump" type jack, so it takes about 15 pumps to get my car up to workable height. Every time the oil leaks out of the release valve, it'll require more and more pumps.

I estimate I used it to lift and lower my car about 25 times before it stopped lifting at all. But refilling the hydraulic cylinder with jack-oil solves that problem. Bottle of jack-oil is like $3-4 at Walmart, and will fill the cylinder completely 2 or 3 times.

Does any one know where this jack is made? Hopefully not China...

Quote from whwoo2 : Does any one know where this jack is made? Hopefully not China...

Hope elsewhere.

Thought about upgrading my Harbor Freight set with this, but after reading the reviews on the jack, I'll stick with what I've got.

I really like the HF jack, by the way. It's heavy (steel), but it goes several inches higher and it give me great control lowering the vehicle.

In 4 1. Down to $50 with SYWR redemption. Just looked at it yesterday at the store. Thanks OP, repped!

Quote from grazzhoppa : ITT, people who don't know how to use floor jacks to lower their vehicle. I have the 2.25 ton rated version of this jack, looks exactly the same. Lowers absolutely fine with the included handle. You have to open the valve extremely slowly to have it lower the car extremely slowly. If you jerk open the valve, the car will jerk down. That said, I would not get this jack again. A decent amount of jack oil leaks out every time the release valve is open. While sitting in storage, with the valve closed, I find oil drips under the hydraulic cylinder. Not a pool of oil, just a 3 inch diameter oil spot on a paper towel I have underneath the jack. It's not a "rapid pump" type jack, so it takes about 15 pumps to get my car up to workable height. Every time the oil leaks out of the release valve, it'll require more and more pumps. I estimate I used it to lift and lower my car about 25 times before it stopped lifting at all. But refilling the hydraulic cylinder with jack-oil solves that problem. Bottle of jack-oil is like $3-4 at Walmart, and will fill the cylinder completely 2 or 3 times.

I also have the 2 1/4. Money wasted. It lifts only 15". See pic for comparison.