Last Updated on August 26, 2020 by Tim
When working under a large, heavy car, some people prefer something that wasn’t mass-assembled overseas with inferior manufacturing and products. You want something that is built to last using high-quality parts and assembled in the good old US of A. Many automotive workers are now trusting only in jacks that come straight from manufacturers in the USA.
As the quality of manufacturing in Asian countries has gone up, more domestic floor jack companies are now sourcing their parts from there but having the final assembly done on US soil. While it would be great to have multiple options of floor jacks made in the USA using 100% American parts, that’s simply not the case anymore as the price would put these models out of reach of the general public.
If you consider yourself someone who wants to support American workers and purchase an automotive jack that is “Made in the USA,” Hein-Werner offers a couple high-quality options. Again, while some of the parts used are made in China, assembly, inspection, and service are all handled in the United States.
Top Pick:
Hein-Werner HW93642 2-Ton Floor Jack
Assembled in the USA and featuring an eye-catching blue and yellow design, this great product has impressive features including a cast iron arm to lift heavy loads, as well as flanged side plates for added strength and support. Its hydraulic pump is even tightly sealed to prevent contamination of any kind. It can lift vehicles up to 20”, while providing a low 3 ¾” inch pick up height, meaning that it works well even on cars with a low profile.
When it comes to jacks assembled in the States, this is our top choice. Users consistently give it very high satisfaction ratings and love its functionality for mid-weight vehicles. Although the one-piece handle proves difficult to remove, it feels a lot more solid than the competition with a 2-piece design.
While the 3-ton version below has the same high quality that Hein-Werner is known for, most people will be fine with the 2-ton weight limit and save themselves some money. If you have a heavier vehicle or plan on eventually getting one, go with the heavier-duty model.
Runner Up:
Hein-Werner HW93652 3-Ton Floor Jack
This model by Hein-Werner is an impressive, American assembled service jack. This highly rated lift boasts a U-Joint release mechanism for precise load control, as well as increased stability due to its flagged side plates. The strong, cast-iron lift arm is enhanced by the wide, stable base, making an incredibly easy-to-use hydraulic hand-lift jack. The one-piece handle only adds to the lifting process on your car, truck, or SUV by eliminating bending.
This jack features impressive specs, such as a 18 ½ inch max lift height and 31 ½ inch chassis length. Along with its precise control, sturdy wheels and casters, and a rock-solid stance, this product also features a great 2-year manufacturer warranty. Matching 3-ton jack stands from Hein-Werner are also available. If you are looking for a dependable and reliable jack that is assembled in the USA, look no further.
>> Check Current Price on the Hein-Werner HW93652 <<
Jacqueline says
Is it really worth paying extra for “Made in the USA” floor jacks?
Tim says
Honestly, the quality of of parts from Asian countries has improved A LOT over the past few years. In fact many US based manufacturers now use components that are made overseas and simply do the finally assembly in the states.
The best reason for buying made in the US is that you’re directly supporting American workers. If I had the money, I’d always look to buy US made products first but unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Jacqueline says
Thanks!
Steve says
“Assembled in USA” is NOT the same as “Made in USA.”
It comes down to how much you expect to use your jack, and what you want to spend.
If you use a jack once or twice a year, get a cheap (<$150) Chinese one. Even the cheapest jacks will perform adequately the first few times you use them.
If it's several times a month, get a Norco, made in Taiwan, for about $350 (2 ton.)
If it's several times a day, get a USA-made Milwaukee for $650 (2 ton) or $1,000 (4 ton.) It will likely live longer that you will. Be prepared to be patient if you want one, as there's usually about a 3 month wait (even at that high price.)
[email protected] says
These are the old Walker/Lincoln design thats been proven in shops for decades. Up until a yr or two ago these really were “MADE IN USA” with only the handle & caster wheels made over seas. By US law today “Made in USA” equals 75% of the products parts for anything (tv, car, jack, ect..) must be made here and it must be assembled here too. These jacks clearly stated “Made in USA” on them and some stock is stiil around & sold new if you hurry.
But now whats being built clearly say “Assembled” in USA on them and thats just a shame. Luckily I got one when they were still being made here in 2012. The hydraulics were made in South Dakota then & jack was assembled in KS but who knows where its made now?
I paid $293 to my door step for “True Blue” (2 ton) back then and its just an awsome jack. My second choice was to buy a good old used Made in USA jack and rebuild it. Since their built for that anyway & kits are sold it only makes sense to visit your local hydraulic shops & see what they have used??? Never know what you’ll learn? Be sure its frames not bent or been moved while a loads been on it making it twisted, be sure all 4 wheels touch the ground.
Watch those moving sales…Yesterday I bought 2 real HW (orange) model “M” long frames for $50 ea and both work just like new.
$650 Milwaukee 2 ton? OMG!
jordan says
how could any one afford to buy these jacks? im looking for made in the usa for home use not in a shop.
Tim says
Unfortunately, that’s the lowest price you’re going to find for a new made in the USA* jack. Pretty much everything for home use is made in China, Taiwan, or Japan.
The best “made in the US” manufacturers like Milwuakee Hydraulics, US Jack, or Walker/Lincoln are all going to cost much more than even a HW.
It’s worth it to check out Craigslist every now and then to find one of these models used. Even if some have issues, they can usually be rebuilt.
Michael Killian says
Not sure if they’re “made in USA”, “assembled in USA” or neither one, but I have used Arcan jacks for over 20 years now without even 1 problem. One of my 3-1/2 ton models was purchased at Costco 20 years ago & still works fine.
Tim says
Definitely not made in the US but I agree, Arcan makes excellent jacks.
Gary says
I have a walker floor jack j-132 series H I can not find a rebuild diagram for. On the tank cylinder it has 224931 on it. Any help? Thank you
Tim says
Hi Gary. This might help: http://jaredsgarage.blogspot.com/2016/05/rebuilding-walker-2-ton-floor-jack-j.html
Here’s a link to a manual that’s supposed to include the J-132 but it may be a bit too generic: http://www.hcrcnow.com/uploads/drawings/walkerj132aabj134aa.pdf
John says
Michael Killian I bought one of those arcan jacks costco was selling about 15-20 years ago I think it was 2.5 tons. First time I used it one of the pump cylinders overextended then bent when I brought the pump handle down. Left the vehicle stuck in the air. Had to use my harbor freight jack to bring it down.
On that subject what does the site owner think of the HF daytona? Looks like the best $200 jack ever. Snap on thought so because they tried to sue it off the market. And lost.
Tim says
John – The Daytona does seem like a better built jack than Harbor Freight’s other models but the jury’s still out since it’s fairly new. I’ve never been much of a Snap On fan ($$$) who actually has most of its jack components made in China but only “final” assembly is done in the US. Nothing wrong with that but you can’t justify a $500-600 price tag. I wouldn’t be surprised if some parts were made in the same factory as the Daytona.
The Daytona does get decent reviews on the HF site but unfortunately, HF jacks have a reputation to start leaking much sooner than most would expect. For $200 it might be a good gamble but I’d stick with an Arcan in that price range until more longer term reviews are out.
REDSIL Sales & Service says
I have been repairing jacks for 60 years. IF you can find an old Walker/Lincoln, Blackhawk or Hein-Werner, still the best. I have had good luck with Omega imports. I think Gray Hydraulics still makes a 2 ton floor jack, though I haven’t seen one in a while. Kits for a lot of the older jacks can be purchased from Beerman Precision in New Orleans; Ohio Hydraulic, Blackhawk parts. Used to be a place in Calif. Can’t remember the name.
I have found the Harbor Freight Aluminum racing jacks to be pretty good – good machining, etc. The US jacks used to list their floor jacks as 1 1/2 ton. That left a good safety factor. Chinese 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 ton have about a pound or 2 as a safety factor. My advice: ALWAYS USE JACK STANDS! My insurance co. says No More Floor Jacks. They aren’t paying out $1M+ because some guy is stupid!
Redoaks says
Say what you want-assemble it anywhere you want-chinese parts are inferior and have no quality control. Our 3-ton HW lost a pump almost immediately and the fill valve is stripped. Should have saved the money and bought a cheap chinese jack as a cheap chinese jack. Then you can get two and have one for a backup when the first POS explodes.
whitbma says
I bought a Walker 2 ton floor jack about 40+ years ago as a teenager. I had it resealed about 30 years ago at a local hydraulic shop after it would creep down while holding a 3/4 ton van up under the center of the crossmember. It is used frequently and is still going strong. It still has a solid feel, precise control and always works. What else can I say. Would buy another in a heartbeat. The newer Hen-Werner still looks almost identical. This one will be a hand me down for sure!
Steve Levy says
Good stuff. Appreciate the honesty that Hein-Werner is not 100% American made but I agree it’s probably the best option unless you’re willing to spend 2-3x more.
James Foster says
I have a Chevy 2500 express van and I’m looking for a floor jack with a case to replace the OEM piece of crap it came with but have had little luck finding one. Do you know of any that would work for my vehicle?
Tim says
Honestly, any good 3-ton jack would be fine. You’re pretty much in the same category as a full size SUV. Here are the models we recommend: Best 3-Ton Floor Jack for the Money
robert fleischer says
I don’t know about the rest of you, BUT I value Myself Much More than money, and I’ll be damned
if I’ll crawl under a 4000lb car that is jacked up by chinese crap or held up with chinese jack stands.
If that jack drops a car on you, I’m Sure you’d pay an extra $300 to get out!
John W. says
If you are going to use the jack only once or twice a year, rent or borrow a good USA made jack. If you care about quality and want to support made in USA than buy one made in USA not assembled in USA. I have been in the auto. repair business for 40 years and there is no substitute for made in USA.
Ken says
It’s a sad testimony when it costs twice or three times more to buy something manufactured in your own backyard then imported from overseas. Keep raising the minimum wage and I guess that will never change, but I have a hard time supporting communist slave labor Chinese products also, if I know I have a choice. And someone mentioned it before, “assembled” in USA is meaningless if the materials are crap, which coming from China they likely are. By this time, most of the steel made in USA has been shipped to China and melted down and tainted with sub-standard alloys and then shipped back here. I had my 455 Buick engine rebuilt and they were going to use a reproduction crankshaft. I asked where it was made. They said well the metals are from China but it is forged in USA. I told them to source an original crank from 1970 and use it because I KNOW it will last. I do not care where it is forged. If you forge crap, you end up with forged crap.
Tim says
Ken, you make some great points. To me, it really doesn’t make sense why something like a USA made floor jack is 5x the price of a Chinese model. At close to a hundred pounds each, you’d think shipping overseas vs domestically would have a role in price. I don’t really understand taxation policies on imports vs domestic manufacturing, but it seems like something has to change to make it possible for American companies to compete.
Leo says
The Hein-Werners shown above are not “Made in the U.S.A. as stated on the Amazon link. They are Assembled in the U.S.A of “globally sourced ” parts. In addition the Hein-Werner company is owned by China.
Paul Smith says
I bought the 3-ton “yellow” jack from Northern tools last month. Used it four times before it stopped lifting. They took it back with no hassle–like they’re getting good at giving refunds. I think the 1986 Lincoln/Walker still is working at my old commercial shop (was rebuilt once.)
SHOOTINGGOOL says
How could you tell ,what year your jack is……
Roger says
If I need a floor jack I shop at the local junkyard amazing what people throw away I have bought six Lincoln and walker 2-ton jacks in the last couple years put a rebuild kit in them and sell them for $100. I got a Lincoln yesterday for $5.00 it has a rebuilt sticker on it it works fine ?
Tim says
You guys should take a look at Zinko Jacks, manufactured in Japan, still the kind of Jack you pass down to your kids. Best shop equipment I have ever used….