Harbor Freight Jack Stand Recall

[AussieinNC]

https://images.harborfreight.com/hft...1196_61197.pdf

Urgent recall on all HF Jack Stands id numbers 56371 or 61196 or 61197

Stop using them and return to store for store credit....

[tdangle]

This is why I like the old school type. Place a rod thru the holes. No chance it will get jarred and drop.

[toolboxchev]

No offense to anyone in particular, but.......

As they say if the shoe fits

HARBOR FRIGHT!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Thanks for sharing. Can't say I'm unhappy with the Strongway, I bought four sets. That said, unbelievable anyone would produce junk jack stands, perhaps they don't know what they're for.

[Big Kev-O]

Thanks for posting! I have my rear axle out and my truck is sitting on these jack stands right now. I have been working under the truck for the past month and felt sketched out the entire time. I put the wheels and a second set of stands under there just to be safe. Just another reason to avoid HF.

The shop that is installing my locker is taking forever. Pissed off at HF, pissed off my axle is not finished. Most of all pissed off at myself for being cheap and shopping at HF. Jack stands and tarps are the only thing I have ever purchased from HF. Note to self avoid HF Chinesium.

Guess I'm going to have a lifetime supply of tarps because I certainly won't be buying another set of stands with the refund.

[Killer Bee]

we're all of it like a cheap suit

HF jack stand recall

[MidLifer]

Thanks for posting. Some folks like to bash HF but if you buy correctly they are good value. I bet their jack stands come from some of the same Asian vendors as those of other more upscale stores. I choose wisely what I buy at HF. I've had good luck there with:
- Consumables - cut off wheels, nitrile gloves
- Their older line of small equipment engines, which were Honda knock-offs for 1/3 the price which I still have one on a roto-tiller, starts every time
- Air tools, hoses and fittings - same Asian vendor as Campbell Hausfield
- I have a set of combination wrenches I bought there 8 years ago that are every bit as good as my Craftsman wrenches
- Their cheap spray guns, for primer and frame painting - use them once and toss them! No need to clean them!

I stay away from their power tools and basically anything electric.

YMMV as they say but it has its place.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

No offense to anyone in particular, but.......

As they say if the shoe fits

HARBOR FRIGHT!

I've also heard "Hazard Fraught".

[OregonNed]

Definitely like their nitrile gloves, and a cheap oscillating tool to get all my floors done... ironically, a good oscillating blade was nearly as much as the tool!

[HO455]

Thanks for posting. Mine are 8 years old and not on the recall. I'm not a big fan of Harbor Freight but they are only 4 blocks away and stay open till 9:00 pm. Which is why I have a set of their jack stands.

[daves72C10D]

Thanks for the post. You in Churvull huh? I am in Vale down near Mitchems Kitchen.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Thanks for posting. Some folks like to bash HF but if you buy correctly they are good value. I bet their jack stands come from some of the same Asian vendors as those of other more upscale stores. I choose wisely what I buy at HF. I've had good luck there with:
- Consumables - cut off wheels, nitrile gloves
- Their older line of small equipment engines, which were Honda knock-offs for 1/3 the price which I still have one on a roto-tiller, starts every time
- Air tools, hoses and fittings - same Asian vendor as Campbell Hausfield
- I have a set of combination wrenches I bought there 8 years ago that are every bit as good as my Craftsman wrenches
- Their cheap spray guns, for primer and frame painting - use them once and toss them! No need to clean them!

I stay away from their power tools and basically anything electric.

YMMV as they say but it has its place.

I agree, it's hit and miss. Their wrenches, ratchet sets etc. are perfect for an ex-wife $400 I set her up H-Depot, HF & 2nd hand better than most houses by far. I'm the one who uses it most HA!

One of the best tools in my garage is a Daytona floor jack. Props HF drill bits for wood too. Sure they snap easy if you do it wrong, but they out-drill common bits that are far more expensive.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by daves72C10D

Thanks for the post. You in Churvull huh? I am in Vale down near Mitchems Kitchen.

Yep, Churvill out near Moss Lake...still have a 28021 zip...

[jocko]

I use harbor freight for simple, chunk-o-metal stuff that nobody could POSSIBLY screw up, you know, like jack stands...

I have a slew of 3 and 12 ton (a bit of overkill, but used for tractors) that look just like the recall ones, but have a different part numbers. Hmmm... Last thing I don't want not trust is my jackstands. What's next, my dog?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by tdangle

This is why I like the old school type. Place a rod thru the holes. No chance it will get jarred and drop.

That's not old school. Plenty of old school cog-type jack stands out there with no pin. That's a newer idea on the cog type. The older jack stands I've seen that use pins are the cheapest stamped steel with the pin being the only thing holding the extension up. The pin in the later cog-type is an extra safety measure. My cog-type have no pins and I never worry. When there is weight on them the handle can not lift and release. It's a great age old design that works as well today as it has all along.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by special-K

That's not old school. Plenty of old school cog-type jack stands out there with no pin. That's a newer idea on the cog type. The older jack stands I've seen that use pins are the cheapest stamped steel with the pin being the only thing holding the extension up. The pin in the later cog-type is an extra safety measure. My cog-type have no pins and I never worry. When there is weight on them the handle can not lift and release. It's a great age old design that works as well today as it has all along.

problem is today's manufacturing standards aren't "age old" anymore, they're "young cheap"

especially in third world countries where respect for even their own lives is relatively low by comparison..

relying on any standard of quality these days is a gamble.. design with less chances of error is a safer bet..

lack of visibility inside a ratchet system garners less assurance than a visible pin positively engaged through a support structure..

comparing hein warner, lincoln, otc, etc., especially vintage production to modern harbor freight is imprudent with regards to quality..

ratchet type stands are not categorically unsafe, but for pete's sake at least insist on some commitment of quality..

to each their own, but when making recommendations, please remember they are often called "safety" stands for a reason

I posted this in one of the other threads, I think it's worth reading so I'll leave it here too..

I'm passionate about this as these are common tools in my trade and I supervise others that use them daily..

and while they may not be listed in these articles, Gray manufacturing makes some of the best stands IN the United States

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

I'll just leave these here...

WE PICK THE BEST JACK STANDS FOR CARS, TRUCKS, AND SUV’S

Pin type adjustment for a jack stand is considered stronger than the ratcheting style and will not fail. This is why it is a favorite for heavy duty or high weight rated jack stands.

7 Best Jack Stands You Can Bet Your Life On

Ratcheting stands tend to be more convenient, but selecting a pair of stands which use pin and hole, or pin through, technology will give you the highest safety rating.

You will appreciate the pin through design because it’s safer and more dependable than a ratchet model, eliminating the fear of the stand slipping or dropping on you.

USA Made Jacks – Safe, Smart and American Made

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by Big Kev-O

Thanks for posting! I have my rear axle out and my truck is sitting on these jack stands right now. I have been working under the truck for the past month and felt sketched out the entire time. I put the wheels and a second set of stands under there just to be safe. Just another reason to avoid HF.

The shop that is installing my locker is taking forever. Pissed off at HF, pissed off my axle is not finished. Most of all pissed off at myself for being cheap and shopping at HF. Jack stands and tarps are the only thing I have ever purchased from HF. Note to self avoid HF Chinesium.

Guess I'm going to have a lifetime supply of tarps because I certainly won't be buying another set of stands with the refund.

Mine are so old there are no stickers or numbers on them, but they look exactly like the ones shown. I've never really trusted them and usually leave the jack or slide the ramps under the wheels for insurance. I just bought 16 ACDelco big block plugs for the 69 closed chamber heads and realized that they're made in China...Seems we cant even make toilet paper in this country anymore...Makes me sick!!! "Buy American, Be American!"

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by jocko

I use harbor freight for simple, chunk-o-metal stuff that nobody could POSSIBLY screw up, you know, like jack stands...

I have a slew of 3 and 12 ton (a bit of overkill, but used for tractors) that look just like the recall ones, but have a different part numbers. Hmmm... Last thing I don't want not trust is my jackstands. What's next, my dog?

[jim-bob]

Originally Posted by jocko

I use harbor freight for simple, chunk-o-metal stuff that nobody could POSSIBLY screw up, you know, like jack stands...

I have a slew of 3 and 12 ton (a bit of overkill, but used for tractors) that look just like the recall ones, but have a different part numbers. Hmmm... Last thing I don't want not trust is my jackstands. What's next, my dog?

Hmm.. was yo dawg made in Chiner?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

problem is today's manufacturing standards aren't "age old" anymore, they're "young cheap"

especially in third world countries where respect for even their own lives is relatively low by comparison..

relying on any standard of quality these days is a gamble.. design with less chances of error is a safer bet..

lack of visibility inside a ratchet system garners less assurance than a visible pin positively engaged through a support structure..

I was just saying my jack stands are safe. I've always bought quality shop equipment from professional-grade shop equipment dealers.

[D.PASSMORE]

Originally Posted by special-K

I was just saying my jack stands are safe. I've always bought quality shop equipment from professional-grade shop equipment dealers.

Same, 90% of my shop tools / equipment is USA made that I've had to research to find new or found used on eBay.

My two sons are starting to recognize the quality of tools that they have compared to mine. I think they are starting to mark'em as to who gets what when I crook.

American, Japan and German steel is the best. India and Romania is OK, coming in last is Taiwan and dead last is Chinese.

Harbor Freight and Northern Tool is so darn coinvent to get anything. To bad Sears and craftsman went upside down.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by special-K

That's not old school. Plenty of old school cog-type jack stands out there with no pin. That's a newer idea on the cog type. The older jack stands I've seen that use pins are the cheapest stamped steel with the pin being the only thing holding the extension up. The pin in the later cog-type is an extra safety measure. My cog-type have no pins and I never worry. When there is weight on them the handle can not lift and release. It's a great age old design that works as well today as it has all along.

I know those old pin style stands, I may have used them once. Waste of $8.99 I'm guessing, K-mart or Grand Auto for certain. Cheap is always better when you're a kid and don't know better. I wised up to cheap along time ago. Today I just buy stuff in error well too often, like the 4 pair of Vic Firth 7A I rec'd last week when the goal was 5A

[Killer Bee]

[53burb]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/...6S8?li=BBnb4R5

[special-K]

The labels on my old Blackawks are aluminum, much stronger than a sticker

That is just ridiculous. Great to know since HF put out flawed and dangerous jack stands they had to recall, the next ones they put extra effort into assuring the quality. At least this problem is less likely to cause a sudden drop. And if you got under a vehicle with a jack stand without seeing that, shame on you

I think I have it all figured out now. Manufacturing went over to China but quality control stayed in America. Welcome to the largest quality control team on the planet!