Is this old school Hi-Lift worth fixing?

[14-Bolt]

Found this in garage at grandmas. I recognized the mfg address and did some reaserch. Turns out this old 48" Handyman Jack is from the 50's or 60's and its made by Hi-Lift. Its missing a handle socket, handle and few extras. I have a piece of dom the right OD I can use for the handle. But is it worth spendng $40 bucks on the handle socket, pitman, pins. And if I want to be able to use it like a clamp its another $15 for the clevis. And a rebuild kit for another $20. Total I could by a new one. Anyone know if these are stronger or weaker than the latest ones?

 

[4X4HIGH]

I would buy a new one for about the same money you would spend on the one you have. Also many people say that the 48" one isn't big enough that you should have the 60".

 

[ZJumper]

I'd keep it and rebuilt it. The cool factor of owning something old that your Grandpa used can't be beat.

I cherish the tools that my Grandpa had that are mine now.

 

[imiceman44]

Found this in garage at grandmas. I recognized the mfg address and did some reaserch. Turns out this old 48" Handyman Jack is from the 50's or 60's and its made by Hi-Lift. Its missing a handle socket, handle and few extras. I have a piece of dom the right OD I can use for the handle. But is it worth spendng $40 bucks on the handle socket, pitman, pins. And if I want to be able to use it like a clamp its another $15 for the clevis. And a rebuild kit for another $20. Total I could by a new one. Anyone know if these are stronger or weaker than the latest ones?

I bought my 60" Hi Lift for $58 a few years ago.
But I also like to keep old tools, especially if they have sentimental value.
If you care about it then fix it, if you just want to keep it because it's probably better or stronger, then just buy a new one.

 

[dremu]

I'm with ZJumper; if it were me, I'd *cosmetically* rebuild it and hang it on my garage wall.

I'd then get a 60" new one to actually use.

You might find that the HF cheapo knock off (~$45 on sale)

http://www.harborfreight.com/48-inch-3-1-2-half-ton-farm-jack-6530.html

would be a good source for the parts you need. Clean and repaint to match, throw out the parts you don't use (HF is cheap nasty Chinese steel, so I'd distrust it for actual use), and voila, you have a piece of family history for the wall.

-- A

 

[ZukiJohn]

I still have my "Grampa's Jack" and still use it....got if a few scraps over it as well...I wouldn't sell it for any $$$$

 

[ktmoutfront]

I you decide to get rid of it. It would look real cool on my 39 rock crawler. Would even through some money your way.

If it were mine from my grandpa, I would keep it.

 

[KansasTwister]

Dads is out in the shop in mint condition, but ill get a new one to use on the k5 rather than risk tearing up an old one.

 

[14-Bolt]

Thanks for all the replys, definetly would like to leave it the old green color. Prob wise to leave that in the garage. I did have my eye on the 60" Hi-Lift Extreme. I.ll keep grandpa's out of harms way and put it somewhere cool or hang it on the wall.

 

[thatK30guy]

I wouldn't do anything to that old jack. Not even rebuild it. Leave it exactly the way it is. This way you know your g-pa was the last person to own and use it. If you rebuild it, the old parts go away into the trash, etc. Something like this will forever be a sentimental value to you. Just leave it alone and keep it.

 

[wasted wages]

I have an old Penn open face fishing reel that was handed down from my grandpa..to my Dad and now mine..thing has to be over 60 years old....it is made out of bakelite...

have no plans to ever use it of course, but it's cool knowing that it is exactly in the same condition as the day my dad handed it to me...

If it could talk....I'm sure it would have tons of fishing stories to tell.....


Keep the jack,, just the way it is...