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Last updated: 17 Jan 2023

The Best Jack Post Available to Ensure Structural Support

Best Overall
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Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post
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Best Extension
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Vestil FJB-150 Basement Floor Jack
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Strongest Support
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AKRON PRODUCTS C-79 Floor Jack
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Thickest Design
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Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post
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By Old House Journal Review Team
Published 2:58 pm
Show contents
Comparing the Highest-Rated Jack Posts
  • 1 Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post
  • 2 Vestil FJB-150 Basement Floor Jack
  • 3 AKRON PRODUCTS C-79 Floor Jack
  • 4 Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post
  • 5 Tiger Brand Jack Post

A jack post is a structural support post made of steel. This post is generally installed underneath a beam in a basement or ground level. It is adjusted to fit tightly, preventing the structure’s beam from drooping. The jack posts are adjusted using a threaded rod linked to a steel plate until the right height is achieved. This allows the jack posts to fit firmly beneath the beam. To make sure that the foundation, trenches, or ceilings of your home are well-made, you need the consider the top jack posts available in 2023. Some variants of this post have a pin and hole mechanism for adjusting the post. To hold the structure’s weight without sinking into the floor, it must be set on a cement or concrete floor.

Comparing the Highest-Rated Jack Posts

1

Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post

– Best Overall
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The Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post is suitable for temporary or extra support beneath stairs, porches, decks, crawl spaces, and heavy load locations. Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Posts are ideal for home renovation jobs. For extra strength and safety, these fully adjustable jack posts have a double carriage nut and bolt. The Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post has top and bottom plates that are heavily embossed to limit movement and minimize dishing. All moving parts fit securely to reduce lateral displacement. Maximum loads are attained at the shortest possible extension. Be sure to consult a competent engineer to assess safe or permitted loads. This option’s strength and reputation boost it up to the top of our list as best overall.

Pros
  • It has heavy-duty carbon steel construction.
  • It is rust-resistant as it is coated to prevent corrosion.
  • This jack post offers quick assembly and easy installation.
Cons
  • Some customers claim that Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Posts are not sturdy and stable enough.
2

Vestil FJB-150 Basement Floor Jack

– Best Extension
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This Vestil welded steel floor jack post (also known as a basement floor jack) extends telescopically. This makes it great at temporarily leveling, bracing, and supporting floor beams and joists during construction or repairs. The Vestil basement floor jack features a red oxide finish, a screw and rotating bar, and dual-lock pins. Vestil basement floor jack posts may be modified and set to any height within the specified range, making it suitable for a variety of applications. Welded steel offers this jack post strength. The height of this jack post is adjusted using a rotating bar and screw bolt, and two dual-lock pins keep the floor jack post in place. Basement floor jacks, also known as jack posts, are used in manufacturing and building applications to temporarily anchor floor beams and frames. Vestil basement floor jacks should not be deployed as permanent supports in new construction. Steel is commonly used for the Vestil basement floor jack due to its strength.

Pros
  • The telescopic design of the Vestil basement floor jack allows the brace to be positioned for improved leveling.
  • For easy height adjustment, a screw and rotating bar are included in the Vestil basement floor jack.
  • For maximum longevity, the Vestil basement floor jack has steel with a red oxide finish.
Cons
  • The Vestil basement floor jack is badly engineered and is not super stable.
3

AKRON PRODUCTS C-79 Floor Jack

– Strongest Support
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In the market of floor jacks, Akron is a well-known brand. Their floor jacks are ideal for providing temporary or extra support under the staircase, terraces, platforms, crawl spaces, and other areas with heavy loads. Akron floor jacks are created, tested, and built at an amazing facility. Akron floor jacks are designed for maximum safety, durability, and quality. They’re composed of high-strength carbon steel. To prevent rust and corrosion, these steel floor jacks are coated. Akron products floor jacks are simple to assemble and install. With built-in adjustments and structural rigidity, Akron floor jacks can be used in a variety of situations. Correct drooping floors in your house, avoid damage by supporting heavy load regions, use as permanent secondary support, and more! This floor jack can do it all.

Pros
  • Akron products floor jacks are adjustable and easy to assemble floor jacks.
  • These are made up of premium quality material.
  • Akron products floor jacks are rust-resistant.
  • These jacks are easy to use.
Cons
  • Some customers claim that these Akron products’ floor jacks come with some missing parts.
4

Tel-O-Post Adjustable Floor Jack Post

– Thickest Design
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Since 1946, Tel-O-post has been committed to supplying the manufacturing sector, builders, DIYers, and homeowners with high-quality, safe products. This Tel-o-Post jack post has an 18,000-pound compression load range. These jack posts are made up of high-quality, heavy-duty carbon steel. Tel-O-Post jack posts have a corrosion-resistant powder finish (exceeds ASTM-B117-85). Tel-O-Post jack posts are customizable, simple to put together, and easy to use. They have double locks for added safety. Maximum loads are attained at the relatively short extension. Consult a competent engineer to assess safe or permitted loads.

Pros
  • These are really easy to use.
  • They are worth the money spent.
  • These are versatile in use.
Cons
  • Tel-O-Post jack posts may pose a safety hazard due to terrible design.
5

Tiger Brand Jack Post

– Best Locking Mechanism
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Tiger Brand jack posts are strong and long-lasting. They’re composed of heavy-duty, premium-quality high-carbon steel. These are adjustable, making them simple to assemble and install. Floor jacks from Tiger Brand are heavy-duty. Tiger Brand jack posts support drooping floors, basement joists, and stairwells, among other things. They’re secure since they’re double-locked for further protection. These loor jacks can be employed as secondary support forever.

Pros
  • Tiger Brand jack posts are durable.
  • These floor jacks are adjustable.
  • They are made up of heavy-duty carbon steel.
  • They come with a dual lock feature.
Cons
  • Tiger Brand jack posts can come with some missing parts.

Buying Guide to the Top-Rated Jack Posts

Above crawl spaces and basements, jack posts are used to offer positive support to drooping, sloping flooring. They can also get rid of bouncing or squeaky floors that don’t have enough support. They offer additional support that is variable and has a 60,000-pound capacity.

They are easy to install and elicit a positive reaction. Moreover, they are a low-cost alternative to sagging floors. If you’re also enclosing your crawl space, installing a jack post works nicely. You might get confused with the different types and products available in the market. That’s why we have penned this detailed guide to help you choose the best jack posts.

What Are the Factors To Consider Before Buying a Floor Jack?

Here are a few of the most important selling points to consider:

Lifting capacity

This is most likely the most important and first item you should pay attention to. Two ton and three ton floor jacks are the most prevalent, depending on a several factors. Make sure the maximum weight the jack can carry is more than the weight you must lift. Since you just elevate one corner, you don’t normally put the full weight of the car on the jack. That’s 50% or 60% of the vehicle’s weight if you want to elevate somewhere under the engine. You may use a transmission jack. You’ll need a vehicle lift for your home garage if you want to elevate the entire automobile body.

Material

The floor jack is constructed of steel, aluminum, or a combination of both. Metal is more a widespread option and, on average, less expensive than aluminum variants. Its main drawbacks are that it is heavier and less portable. Aluminum jacks are ideal for all car owners since they are durable and simple to use, while also being lighter and more portable. The disadvantage is that you usually have to pay a premium. Both are fine choices, but if you plan to use a monitor or drag bar, you’ll want to go with a lighter variant, preferably an aluminum jack.

Minimum clearance height

Floor jacks used to have a standard shape. Low-profile floor jacks are becoming increasingly popular as more automobiles have low clearance (whether stock or aftermarket specs). Currently, certain versions require less than 3 inches of floor clearance to work.

Maximum lifting height

This is the height at which your automobile is lifted to its highest position by the lift arm. Most high-quality jacks have a maximum height of 18-20 inches. A standard scissor jack, on the other hand, can elevate a car up to 15 inches. The difference in height of 3-5 inches might be significant.

Lifting power

The number of pumps necessary to reach the maximum lifting height determines the floor jack’s lifting speed. Some versions advertise a “rapid lifting technique,” which typically involves two cylinders and takes 5-6 strokes to finish. The people who need to handle the pumps the most usually require the biggest effort. The discrepancies, on the other hand, are typically insignificant.

If you’re interested in learning how to set up a jack post, check out this video from Know How Now for a visual tutorial:

What Are the Different Types of Jack Posts?

It is essential to become familiar with the many types of floor jacks in the market.

Scissors jack

For automobile owners, this is one of the most popular floor jacks. Its appeal comes from the fact that it may be employed in emergency situations on the road. As a result, a scissor jack is likely to be found in the trunk of every vehicle. The scissor jack is a mechanical jack that works by compressing the scissor mechanism with a screw in order to elevate the automobile. Because of its limited height limit, it is not recommended for more complicated activities.

Hydraulic jack

The hydraulic jack, unlike the scissor jack, is not appropriate for roadside emergencies and is more commonly found in repair shops. This is due to its weight, which makes it difficult to transport in the trunk. The hydraulic mechanism is used to elevate automobiles using a hydraulic jack. The fluid is pushed into a cylinder and upward pressure is created by pumping a lever linked to the jack up and down. When the release valve is closed, something happens. The hydraulic jack has the maximum lifting capacity and can carry heavy loads, making it ideal for larger and heavier cars. It’s no surprise that these jacks are also utilized for other purposes, such as raising elevators and replacing floorboards.

Piston jack

A bottle jack is another popular name for a piston jack. It is made out of concentric cylinders that give it the appearance of a bottle. Piston jacks can’t collapse to exceptionally low heights due to this design. This leaves them unsuitable for lower automobiles like sports cars since they can’t fit beneath them. The piston jack has a tiny footprint, which is one of its benefits. It’s a fantastic alternative if you’re working on uneven terrain because it’s simpler to balance on a tiny, level surface area. The jack also uses a hydraulic system and can hold a lot of weight, making it ideal for vehicles. It is also rather heavy, so it isn’t the ideal choice for a roadside emergency floor jack.

People Also Asked

Q: What is the maximum weight that a jack post can support?

A: The compression range of Jack Post is 20,000 lbs. to the weight of 38,000 lbs. It supports sagging timbers and floors, mobile homes, decks, and porches, among other things.

Q: To raise a home, what size jack is required?

A: Screw jacks are generally used to jack up a home, and there are a lot of them. There are also hydraulic jacks in use. In any event, you might need at least 20 ton jacks, with 40 ton jacks being more preferable.

Q: Is there a difference between a bottle jack and a scissor jack?

A: In comparison to its counterpart, the bottle jack is more robust and sturdy. The scissors jack is prone to wear and tear, especially when subjected to large lifts. The hydraulic system of the bottle jack allows it to endure high pressure while supporting large loads.

Basement Building Supplies
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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