Bottle Jack Primer

awesome, thank you guest... whomever you may be...

Pleasure - not sure why not logged on - old age maybe?

Why not just buy a replacement jack of the same make ....then rebuild / exchange parts between the two?

http://www.heinwernerjacks.com/product/10065C seems to me like a cheap option.

Regards Woody

I voted for GA just because I think this comment got to the point: For $24,00, it's not worth even the time posting the thread...

As I've discovered, not all bottle jacks are the same... we did buy a new one, and the bolt holes don't line up...

"As I've discovered, not all bottle jacks are the same... we did buy a new one, and the bolt holes don't line up..."

That's why I linked to the SAME MAKE and MODEL as your original jack ...rather than a off the shelf replacement from your local Wal-Mart.

I'll copy and paste the content of the link.......

Omega 10065C - 6 Ton Capacity Side Pump Bottle Jack has machined and polished cylinders with die-cut threads which provide a non-abrasive leak-free, durable performance. The hydraulic system is protected from internal damage by a patented by-pass mechanism. It is fabricated from hard-cast steel with heat-treated critical stress areas. The unique cross-type forged release valve assures positive load control and the wide, rugged base provides stability and strength.

price $24.55

Further down the thread you say the ball bearing is missing ...by all means try one that you think might do the job.

Regards Woody

I see... thank you for that, and for the clarification... I'm just back from having my wisdom teeth out so I'm still re-calibrating my brain...

Before the point of no return is reached what evidence is there to decide a seal has failed?

The hard textured end of the new jack ram usually can be unscrewed from a tapped hole, have you tried to unscrew this accessory cap?

tried unscrewing the 'end' of the new jack with no success, didn't want to risk breaking it or myself so didn't give 100% effort for lack of knowledge... will try harder...

Simple task! Remove your attachment from the end of the ram and then unscrew the big hex nut on the top of the bottle that surrounds the ram. Lift out the ram and them determine the worn parts needed to repair the jack. If in doubt take your parts (all of them) to any local hydraulics supply shop and they will match them up for you. Most will even have the bench repair people on site and will do the job for you while you wait.

The symptom that led me to think 'broken seal' is that the ram sinks back down when you stop pumping...

'or if by accident someone removed the release valve and unknowing lost the ball in the seat.'

Ball??? I think we may be on to something here with this ball theory... Especially since there is no ball in this jack... If I can't find it laying on the floor where my 'helpers' clearly didn't do anything wrong (what the the big mess of hydraulic fluid on the floor) would it be reasonable to just go get a ball bearing of the same diameter as the end of the release valve screw and slap it in there?

Thank you guest, your insight has saved me a good deal of unnecessary running around. I went and checked the floor in our piano storage room and lo... there before me was a shining orb of diminutive stature... once I dropped the ball in the hole (and put the jack back together) the jack started working like it's supposed to... amazing...

It seems one of our over-hires pulled the screw out (I'll assume unintentionally), didn't notice the little ball go shooting out, put the screw back in and didn't tell anyone... gotta love new guys...

My only regret is that you didn't log in so that you can receive the well deserved GA on your profile.

Welcome to CR4, I can tell already you're gonna fit right in!

I'm giving your post a GA for the GA you gave me before you signed up, hopefully some other folks will add their GA's as well, you deserve it.

Thank you again, my boss thinks I'm a genius now.

I personally would buy two more Craftsman jacks and make three steel adapter plates to be used between the jack base and the frame. Bolt the jacks to the adapter plates and the plates to the frame, then mount the soft coasters on the top. If you need to repair the jacks in the future, you will be able to find the parts you need. (You may have to rotate the jacks 45 degrees to keep the bolt holes for the frame and jack from intersecting.)

Either that, or use duct tape!

Some acrylic adhesive may be a better suggestion, removal is quick with a little heat too.

Six tons seems a lot for lifting a piano. Three one ton jacks would be enough. Just wondering.

I don't know why they used 6-ton, our large piano is a Steinway D...I doubt it's the biggest piano out there, but they don't come much bigger to my knowledge, and it weighs in at less than 1000lbs...