Jack recall, chinese junk from Harbor Freight

mrtexas

mrtexas

Well-known member

Attachments

  • jacks.jpg
    jacks.jpg
    47.5 KB · Views: 323
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.
 
mrtexas said:
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-cu...v484E-F8zqyI85Xzn_zILjXrbMDkhn8Cx7MgDn2USEgNY
Click to expand...

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.
 
Don't know why they were recalled, but, those type have no support under the legs and sink into blacktop.
 
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.
 
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.
 
If I can get half a dozen uses out of a Harbor Freight product before it fails, I consider it even.
 
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.
 
Not sticking up for Harbor Freight but y'all better check where other tools that used to be made in USA are now being manufactured. Craftsman comes to mind. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
I can remember when Made in Japan meant junk, too. Not true for many years now.

Why are things made in China, because they are cheap and we want cheap. It's one of the ways Walmart became so big.
 
RalphM said:
Skid marks, got a picture of those?
I have some I want to convert to stands. I can remember seeing some years ago and I want to duplicate them.
Click to expand...

Its quicker and simpler to cut the end off square and use a piece of 3" channel iron.

A word of caution....cut the register off the banjo center end so they sit flat on the full flange. I did these in a lathe only because i had a lathe big enough to swing them. You can do it the hard way with a grinder. Also the taller you make them the less stable they become
 

Attachments

  • 136251.jpg
    136251.jpg
    37.3 KB · Views: 48
  • 136250.jpg
    136250.jpg
    35.2 KB · Views: 41
Snap On's claim that all basic hand tools like wrenches, socket sets, screw drivers, and tool storage cabinets with that name/trademark on them are made in the USA. Their Blue Point line does not make that claim and the prices reflect that. Electrical tools like cordless drills & impact drivers with their name are not made in the USA as well as other electronic analyzers and devices. China is only one of many countries that supply the company. A lot of there stuff comes from various European countries both eastern and western and some stuff even comes from South American countries.

Since they still have a lifetime warranty on USA made products, they want to make sure they make them well but the price damn sure reflects that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top