Which trolley jack should i buy?

Hi,

I’m looking to get a trolley jack and some axle stands so i can look underneath my car. I have seen this Halfords one:

Bright yellow trolley jack from Halfords

Does anyone have this one? is it any good or should i be spending a bit more moolah?

Cheers,

Ben

I’ve had one of these for at least a year and is fine for working on my Mk1 along with a couple of axle stands. Didn’t feel the need to spend more for the limited amount I use it.

Have a look at these reviews
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/228108/trolley_jacks_test.html

I bought one from Aldi for £10…Does what it says on the tin [Y]

They often sell axle stands aswell.

Having said that if i was a regular user i would pay out more for a stronger more expensive one.

 http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ctj2za-2-tonne-diy-trolley-jack-stands/path/trolley-jacks-bottle-jacks-transmission-jacks
I got this from Machine Mart and I think it is pretty good.
 Actually I got a boxed set of stuff as a present
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cgk10-10-piece-garage-kit/path/trolley-jacks-bottle-jacks-transmission-jacksJack - Good
Axle Stands - Good
Chocks - OK
Magnetic bowl - never used but I should really do

Creeper - Never Used
Wheel Brace - found one in car was better
Filter wrench - Useless
Oil pan --rubbish (spills everywhere)

I have one of those Halfords ones, but I didnt get a case with it [:(]

 

Does th job well, apart from the fact that it doesnt quite go low enough to go under the car without me having to “lift” the front up a bit first [;)]

I think I paid £27/28 in September last year for the trolley jack and two axle stands. Have used all three bits quite a few times now with no problems.

The trolley jack I use is OK, but if I ever buy another, it’ll be because I want one that’ll reach further and lift higher. 
Putting my car up onto jackstands is quite a chore.  First lift is under the front crossmember, which means kneeling in front of the car in the tight confines of the garage, easing the jack under the front lip and locating its lifting pad under the front crossmember with the aid of a torch.  Lift the front to the max and place the front stands, then do a second lift under the differential.  Then with the rear stands in place, repeat the front lift to gain a few more inches height…
You will never regret paying extra for a trolley jack that reaches a few cm further under the car or raises it a few cm higher in a single lift.  You will only ever regret not paying even more and gaining a fraction more lift.
(PS  Working under a car that’s sitting on four jackstands is not
necessarily safe.  I do so, but cautiously, and with a large block of
wood as a last line of defence.)

Cheers people,

I really like the look of the Clarke one that got 5/5 in that Auto Express review. I like the idea of the single lift that brings the pad under the lift point in one go, real handy.

Cheers,

Ben