Does anyone still use House/Railroad jacks?

[cockeyedMFer]

Just came across a couple Simplex railroad jacks and boy those are neat. Never had a use for one before - usually a Hi-Lift farm jack or bottle jack will do the job. Hard to believe something that weights 100lbs can lift 20 tons.
Think I'll keep it around just in case I need a lift LOL.

How do you guys use yours? Or with all the cool new equipment that's out there, are they obsolete?

 

[bcp]

We used to have one on the farm, but I have no memory of it ever being used.

Bruce

 

[mikim]

Have absolutely no use for one....but I'd sure love to own one! Old stuff like that is the best. I'm still looking for a forged steel bench vise. Everything is cast now and mostly junk. I'm betting those were made in the USA at a steel manufacturer center like Gary Ind or Pa. .....??

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Since you mentioned it, a lot of the cheaper tools work ok for the few times I use them, but I can usually find something from the 30's, 50's or 70's that was well made and still functional for similar money to something from HF. And they have more character.

My 1930's 10" porter cable circular saw was a $3 auction find, still in the case with the blade wrench, instructions and receipt, and its the most powerful (and dangerous!) power tool I own. Its a handheld sawmill.

The jack was made in Chicago - you were close!

Do we have an old tools thread I've missed? Would love to post some things there without derailing another forum.

 

[hosspuller]

That type jack is still an important tool in industry today. The foot is great for lifting machines at floor level. I like them better than hydraulic jacks since there is no hose or fitting to leak.

The only downside is they require a forged bar to operate it. A pipe or general bar stock is just not strong enough for a maximum lift.

 

[T_e_r_r_y]

Those types of jacks were used in both the engineering and the bridge and building departments.
The lower socket was used by the b&b when they were using the jack to lift the bridge,to replace caps or stringers.
I,E when placed under the bridge you couldn't use the top socket,the bar would not latch. It would hit ties,cross members or other steel parts of the bridge.
When the track dept. used one, they had the advantage of using the top socket. After getting down so far they used their body weight to push the bar lower so it could latch.
Now they use hydraulic jacks. Turn the knob,start pumping to desired height. Finish the job ,turn the knob gently lower, till no pressure on the jack.

T.J. 22years on the old Chicago and NorthWestern and still with the Union Pacific. 40years on the 8th of May.

 

[VroomVroom]

Yeah I use two all the time. When we take the tracks off of the j5's we prop the back end up on two railway jacks while the front sits on a block.

 

[crash325]

My grandfather had a bunch of them. He used them to jack up & move houses. That was back in the 40's & 50's.

 

[PapaPerk]

Just came across a couple Simplex railroad jacks and boy those are neat. Never had a use for one before - usually a Hi-Lift farm jack or bottle jack will do the job. Hard to believe something that weights 100lbs can lift 20 tons.
Think I'll keep it around just in case I need a lift LOL.

How do you guys use yours? Or with all the cool new equipment that's out there, are they obsolete?
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=324575"/>

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=324576"/>

They still use them for railroads. And we use them at a large automotive manufacturing facility. (0:

 

[DJ54]

Those bring $75.00 easy here at auction. I have several, along with the jack handles, and a couple that are cast aluminum, or magnesium, not sure which... Sure are a lot lighter than the steel ones..!!