Old (green) Handyman jack

rossow (mn) · May 3, 2011

I have an old Handyman No. 20 jack that is missing the lever that controls raising and lowering. The newer Handyman jacks have a cast "bump" that the lever snaps up against when raising the jack. The "bump" holds the lever in place in the "up" position. See photos. My old jack (on left in photo) doesn't have the "bump" -- see chalk markings on both jacks; the old jack was made that way -- the casting hasn't been modified. I can't figure out what kind of lever I need to control up/down. Does anyone have an old No. 20 to help me get an idea of what I'm missing? Either description or, better yet, photo would be great. If I knew what the lever looked like, I could make one. Thanks.

Hurryin_Hoosier · May 3, 2011

You might contact the manufacturer and see if they can provide a photo or diagram of the original part. Hi-Lift manufactured the Handyman jack.
hi lift jacks

msb · May 3, 2011

I have a Handyman jack that dad bought during WW2(1943-1944. It also says 20 on the backside. Where your lever is stamped what appears to be 34, my jack lever is stamped 23. It looks identical to your jack lever .Mine locks into the notched out area of the lever,same as your later jack. The main difference between the two jacks is my jack while it looks identical (latch area) to your 20 jack, it does not have the bump like your other jack has.Over the years, our lever would work loose and pass by the latch. Am wondering if the notch was intended to keep that from happening ?Have you tried switching the lever to the other jack ? Looks like it should work to me.

You need to get some drill rod and replace the nails. Might keep one from falling like we had happen when we used nails and they bent.

I need to get some Oak and make a handle for ours as it has long since worn out.Don't know which I remember having longer; that jack or the anvil.e-mail is open,bob

Scott D. Orbaker · May 3, 2011

I have an old Handyman jack that was my Grandfather's. He owned a feedmill and sold those jacks as well. When I get home I'll see if it is the same as your's. If it is I'll take a picture of the lever and post it.

Scott

rossow (mn) · May 3, 2011

Thanks for the ideas. Yes, I've tried putting the lever from a later jack (I have six or seven of them) on the jack that's missing one, and it didn't work. The nails, BTW, are just to hold things in place until I get it figured out because they don't have to be tapped in and out. I have the correct sliding pins for it, just need to figure out the handle situation. (FWIT, I only paid $3 for the jack at a yard sale, so no big deal if I can't fix it. It's just kind of a frustrating challenge.)

Wilson · May 3, 2011

812 384 4441 if you don't get help e mail me used to have a shall we say very good friend in managment

Bob Bancroft · May 3, 2011

just a guess-
I wonder if the lever was cast with the notch farther forward, so it would catch on the front corner of the part that does not have the catch cast into it on the older one?

Scott D. Orbaker · May 3, 2011

rossow

Just went out and checked my Handyman jack. It is a 20 just like yours. The lever on mine has 23 cast into it. I also have a bag of a few repair parts my Grandfather had. Checked that out and found 5 New Old Stock levers like you need. Shoot me an email at [email protected] with your mailing address and I"ll send you 1 for the cost of postage.

Scott

JBMac · May 3, 2011

I cant help with info on this jack, but I had one slip and miss my face by inches.(with the weight of the right rear of a MF175. High School buddy had the handle slip and remove most of the the teeth in the front of his mouth. Down here in the South the call them widow-makers, like everything else that's dangerous.

Old (green) Handyman jack

rossow (mn)

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Hurryin_Hoosier

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msb

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Scott D. Orbaker

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rossow (mn)

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Wilson

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Bob Bancroft

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Scott D. Orbaker

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JBMac

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