Harbor Freight recalls 454,000 jack stands

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Scott91370

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Posts
924
Reaction score
899
Location
Burleson, Tx
First Name
Scott
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra1500
Engine Size
350
Some of these comments are...funny. Like expensive items have never had a recall, Chinese, American or any other country made. Cars have them all the time. Bikes, strollers, baby beds and a lot of other life threatening items. I would bet a paycheck on it that nobody has been hurt by this and that the issue was they didn't lock when weight was put on them, once the weight was there I don't see any way they could unlatch and drop the weight.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,008
Reaction score
8,977
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
The problem appears to be when something sitting on the stands is shifted, they can drop. I'd imagine if the weight lightens up a bit, the lock can release itself and they'll drop is what the issue is. So I'd say it's a situation where the stars would have to line up right for it to happen. However, being jack stands, not worth the risk of the stars eventually lining up so recall the fuggers. Good Call IMO.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,008
Reaction score
8,977
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
If you've had them for a while they're not part of the recall. I have a set I bought in 2011 and the item # on those is P38847. The ones @HotRodPC has are the same, he bought his before I got mine. If you need a pic for comparison I can post one later.
Correct, I'm not worried about mine.
 

hunters628

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2019
Posts
237
Reaction score
203
Location
Ellensburg Washington
First Name
Hunter
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
305
I have 3 sets of those HF stands and one of mine dropped once. I thought it was just a fluke thing but seeing this I’m gonna go get my money and find something else. I had the back of my VW on them, granted it was only 1 notch above bottomed out, and was lifting the front to put it on stands and the back drivers side fell. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Thanks for posting this here!
 

80BrownK10

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
1,878
Reaction score
1,240
Location
Greenwood, SC
First Name
Nate
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I have 3 sets of those HF stands and one of mine dropped once. I thought it was just a fluke thing but seeing this I’m gonna go get my money and find something else. I had the back of my VW on them, granted it was only 1 notch above bottomed out, and was lifting the front to put it on stands and the back drivers side fell. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Thanks for posting this here!
That's scary stuff. Killing or injury is bad enough. But if your vehicle falls off one of these the damage alone could surpass the purchase price of a next higher price set
 

Salty Crusty

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2020
Posts
211
Reaction score
230
Location
Texas
First Name
Gary
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
565
I'd bet more damage to vehicles and people is due to pure friggin' stupidity than failed jackstands or jacks of any brand or type.
 

HOTFOOT

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Posts
446
Reaction score
871
Location
northwest ct
First Name
michael
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
gmc k3500 srw
Engine Size
400
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Had these for like 5+ years. Been using them regularly in my gravel driveway. Had trucks sitting on these stands for days at time. Guess I was lucky. Never again will I trust a harbor freight jack stand. Can anyone recommend a quality jack stand?

You must be registered for see images attach
I’ve got 6 Mac tools and they are made in Taiwan
Is Taiwan better than China? Also have 2 snap on made in the USA

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
3,945
Reaction score
5,695
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
99 percent of anything I bought at harbor freight has let me down.Either didn't last or even didn't work right out of the box.I can name a dozen examples without even thinking hard.So I just don't buy their stuff anymore.
 

80BrownK10

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
1,878
Reaction score
1,240
Location
Greenwood, SC
First Name
Nate
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
99 percent of anything I bought at harbor freight has let me down.Either didn't last or even didn't work right out of the box.I can name a dozen examples without even thinking hard.So I just don't buy their stuff anymore.
Really!!!??? I have a few things that have been junk, bit nothing that was expensive and you about knew it was junk just rolled the dice. I have had many power tools and a pile of hand tools, nothing but satisfied. I needed a corded drill. Bought the cheapest $10 drill master they had there which is the lowest line they have. I think I got 6-8 years out of it before the switch and Chuck wore out. The motor still worked. My purchase price and life I was more than happy with. I also am a DIYer home owner type not a pro.

I did have a corded sawzall let me down, the little stuff that mounts the blade sheared off rendering it useless. But I paid $20 for it. I cut out a few walls in my house and was demoing a porch when it gave out. I got a pretty good bit of work out of it when I was refreshing/remodeling my house after I bought it. Had I paid $100 for one I probably would still have it yes. But at that time I was cash strapped due to home and material purchases. $20 was a lot better for me allowing other money to be spent on supplies. I have since bought another one next time I needed one for a project. I have used it a few times but it sits on a shelf way more than it's used.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
3,945
Reaction score
5,695
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Harbor freight fuel pressure tester leaked fuel into the gauge on first use. Gordon flashlight to replace my maglight with a torn rubber boot on the on/off switch the lense went foggy and it lost contact internally you had to smack it on something every now and the to get it to come back on,my mag light still works years later.Flat bar and 36 inch prybar bent them both and the plastic handle on the prybar came off.12v test light the clear plastic was way to brittle and it broke in half .HF multi meter the ends pulled off the leads. I can keep going, These things were not put to anymore abuse than my other tools. I didn't think you could mess up a prybar or a flashlight I thought I was pretty safe there.Everyone has their opinion but mine is the quality of their tools is pretty poor.FWIW I have 40 year old Bosch and Milwaukee stuff that the switches, chucks, things that hold the blades on etc.are still working great.and I use my tools.
 
Last edited:

80BrownK10

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
1,878
Reaction score
1,240
Location
Greenwood, SC
First Name
Nate
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I get those multi meters (the cheapest red ones) when they have free coupons. If mine pull apart I throw them away and don't worry. I got one for every toolbox and place I have.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,961
Reaction score
23,479
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Harbor freight fuel pressure tester leaked fuel into the gauge on first use. Gordon flashlight to replace my maglight with a torn rubber boot on the on/off switch the lense went foggy and it lost contact internally you had to smack it on something every now and the to get it to come back on,my mag light still works years later.Flat bar and 36 inch prybar bent them both and the plastic handle on the prybar came off.12v test light the clear plastic was way to brittle and it broke in half .HF multi meter the ends pulled off the leads. I can keep going, These things were not put to anymore abuse than my other tools. I didn't think you could mess up a partner or a flashlight I thought I was pretty safe there.Everyone has their opinion but mine is the quality of their tools is pretty poor.FWIW I have 40 year old Bosch and Milwaukee stuff that the switches, chucks, things that hold the blades on etc.are still working great.and I use my tools.

All those things you listed, you can tell they may be garbage just by looking at them.

I have a set of deep well impact sockets that have held up wonderful for 15+ years. $20.
Air cutoff saw, works great after 15 years. $7.
6-piece plier set, still good after 15 years. $6.
Paint/primer guns, they work well. $10-$20.
Punch set, 10+ years. Forget the purchase price, but cheap.
Engine hoists. An old orange one and a newer gray one. Very nice and only $179.
Shop press. Very durable and still going strong after many years. Forget the price.
12" sliding compound miter saw. Only a year old but works like a higher end unit. Around $200 iirc.
6" bench grinder. 30-some bucks and many years later, still good.
Metal chop saw. Several years and LOTS of chops on it, still works great.

I could keep going. I've got more good stuff than bad stuff, by far. The stuff that failed, I expected it to fail but gambled anyway because of the price. Some things you can look at and know right off the bat that it's best not to waste your time.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,856
Posts
903,621
Members
33,370
Latest member
mitchell1128
Top