70 Year Old Blackhawk Hydraulic Jack Restoration

Restoration of a 70 year old Blackhawk hydraulic bottle jack.
This is their 5 ton model, in Blackhawk red, although there was almost no paint left on it. According to the Blackhawk tool catalogs I was able to find, this jack was manufactured right around 1949.
The restoration took about 20 hours not including video. Lots of very difficult to remove parts on this one. I made the handle because it needed one but I don't believe these jacks were ever sold with a handle.
Thanks for watching and please subscribe.
THE DECAL: Yes, you're correct, it's crooked. Hard to work around a camera sometimes. Literally "around" a camera. I didn't notice it until after the video was posted. SO, I've soaked it off and replaced it with a straighter decal :) Check out the instagram post for August 2 for a photo of the newer, straighter (used a t-square) decal. Thanks for watching!
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: / acmeresto
Instagram: / acmerestorations
KZbin: / acmerestorations
#restoration
#restorationvideo
#vintagetools

[@rjfox5475]

I like this guy, none of the other restoration channels have the balls to take on this intricate of a project

[@AcmeRestorations]

OK, so far my favorite comment yet! LOL

[@DrCyberpunk1987]

I'm not sure if you've seen handtoolrescue? This guys pretty good though. Apart from the lathe work, that was a little messy. I know it's only a Clevis pin but eh.

[@TheWireEDM]

Check out mymechanics channel, that's pretty much hardcore restoration with a lot of hints, tips and tricks!

[@violentpwn]

lolwut? Ive seen so many more complicated restorations then this...idk what you're talking about. (not tryna take away from ACME's work though.)

[@Lazarus_]

Intricate? This is child’s play.

[@iamheretocomment9821]

And again you've triggered so many memories of my dad and my grandpa's (dad's dad) garage. I know gramps had one, saw dad use it. Maybe I'll get lucky and find it also..... Your restorations have me regretting not spending more time with my dad and learning all he knew. Thank you

[@willem-jan3685]

Nice video, great to see people still opriciate the old stuff! Keep up the good werk!

[@ericsullivan8406]

841 people don't appreciate craftsmanship and hard work, Cheers to you mate!!

[@daviddntait]

I could watch your restoration videos all day. Thank you for these therapeutic pieces!

[@twicebittenthasme5545]

Very nice work! I can hear my old machine shop instructor yelling now..."you're using that adjustable wrong! Do you wanna buy a new one?" He was a stickler for the tiny details and 'proper use'. Thank you for sharing!

[@jundoloriel1376]

twicebitten thasme

[@bogeybass2489]

Watching a Jack get restored, should not be this exciting. But yet i seemingly enjoyed it very much! Blast booths and lathe work, just ring a song in men. Like green lawns and waxed cars. LOL great video man. Thank you

[@jundoloriel1376]

Bogey Bass

[@paulorth2251]

Really nice work on the ton jack, simple yet powerful tool.

[@breakingtoast2255]

70yrs old looks fresh out of the box now great work

[@mray1255]

There is something deeply satisfying about restoring old neglected things.

[@roadweary5252]

I appreciate the extra work you put in to making the handle. Nicely done 🍺

[@user-zh9td6ob1s]

Эроттее

[@geezer4962]

Well done sir. It's fantastic to see tools like this restored instead of just thrown away.

[@patjohnson3100]

Very good thorough job. I have some vintage Blackhawk tools, so it's good to see someone else saving and restoring them.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Love. Them!

[@feedingmymakermonkey246]

Looks like a ton of work -- good on you for getting to the end!

[@PapiDoesIt]

Five tons of work

[@corison2058]

Papi Uuhmelmehahay there it is!

[@JifeLacket]

@@PapiDoesIt Nice one

[@ia68rr1]

Great job!!!

[@hypothalamusjellolap8177]

It took a ton of work but it gives you 5x the work in return.

[@rickgregg6026]

Great job,,,. Love watching old tools getting a new life... Keep up the good work....

[@electricwally]

Totally intense! Great work! Thanks for your patience in making this video!

[@StevenSugref]

That was so good to watch! It's amazing what you can do on a lathe. Beautiful work!

[@JDLarge]

I’d almost be afraid to use it, wouldn’t want to get it greasy again lol... Great job!

[@SalandFindles]

That knurled handle was the icing on the cake! So good!

[@herbiesnerd]

I really enjoy your videos. As a former mechanic, tinkerer, McGyver guy with a garage full of tools, I have a solid tip for you. Berryman’s ChemDip. Get rid of the acetone. It’s a waste of time. Berryman’s is amazing. For over 30 years, I keep a can of it, with the parts basket, in my garage at all times. It lasts for years. Put all your parts in the basket lower it into the can, seal it up, and leave it alone for about 1-2 days. Rinse the parts with water and dry. AMAZING stuff.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks! I love pro tips. I will give it a try. I've got a bench can that I used with acetone; I'll change it up.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Fantastic restoration on this Blackhawk Hydraulic Jack !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@guessmyname1104]

I just randomly happened upon one of these restoration videos and now I can't stop binge watching them. 😯

[@AcmeRestorations]

I know the feeling!

[@jimclarke1108]

Real jack, and a great restore job

[@MichaelWilliams-xs3bj]

I forgot to tell ya that this restoration was awesome! It makes me want to work on my jacks but I don't have all the tools that you have. I use all my jacks for changing truck and farm tires. My guys destroy jacks fairly quick. But, they use them every day and all day! I hate the new bottle jacks because they do not last very long. The one company I have had good success with is Lincoln but that was 15 years ago that I bought a rolling 20 ton air jack. Paid $600 for it in the early 2000's and the 1st job i used it on the wheel blew up and knocked 3 of the 4 springs off of it. That stinking wheel was one of the drop center wheels. Better know as a widowmaker! Luckily, I had bolted the front tire back on and only had 10 lbs psi in the tire when I bolted it back on. I checked the tire at 80 psi. The tire called for 85 psi. Mr. Perfect (me) just had to get it exactly to 85.0 and it blew up at approx 83 psi. It tore the brake lines off the truck and messed up a $600 floor jack. Anyway, great video and I could watch this all day long! The bottle jack looks amazing at the end and I wish I had one of those. I would use it as my personal jack! I bet it would last 30 years!

[@GM8101PHX]

I have never thought a piston jack could be re-built to look and work perfectly!!

[@rkstew]

great restoration, and excellent fabrication skills!

[@miraclestemcell]

I repaired many of these jacks, when I owned a hydraulic repair shop. During my first year of Fluid Power Training they taught us how to repair jacks, port a powers and other components. This was a fun video but didn't cover the replacement of the seals and packing which is probably the most important part of the rebuild. All sealing surfaces need to be inspected for wear and damage. The entire unit needed to be cleaned in a parts washer then blown clean with compressed air. This unit was in good shape before he started. I worked in farm country so you get a jack that has dried cow manure on it. Then you have a job. I did like the video. After market kits and parts are available for this model. No need to make a clevis pin when you can get them at the hardware store. the packing nut seal comes in the seal kit.

[@billrobinson3203]

It is great to watch someone do a job with the correct tools

[@BothHands1]

Why are these vids so satisfying? Idek what I'm watching. But i like when things get clean. It fills me with joy

[@bobbyd8785]

Good for another 70 years..

[@mickandyo]

Well done from subscriber #27! Keep up the good work!

[@ivarwb4115]

This is just SO satisfying to watch! Bringing both life and beauty back to the jack ;-)

[@ThomasB-656]

My dad had one exactly like it. He never used it for anything though. It just sat in the garage between the wall studs never moving like a small metal creature that came in from the cold and never left. I'll bet it's still there after 50 years.

[@BeanieOakley]

Awesome job.... Thanks for sharing!!

[@joem1413]

Great job. I have one that my father said came with a 1947 Dodge truck.He said when they told him to scrap the truck, he remembered the jack behind the seat, so he liberated it before scraping the truck.

[@jacob476]

Amazing to see how complicated a simple jack is

[@hayabusapower9243]

A jack of all trades, well done.

[@euro9115]

Wow ... Nice Job! I have one similar that could stand for an overhaul. I've tried several sessions with PB Blaster and a torch to free up the rusted in extension screw, to no avail. It'll be project # 1,722 on my to-do list.

[@Fynnegangrey]

Try equal parts acetone and automatic transmission fluid. I've been told it's the best penetrant out there.

[@bamsbrebet2181]

Çrama

[@bamsbrebet2181]

@@Fynnegangrey a

[@Fynnegangrey]

@@bamsbrebet2181 ok

[@yupisharp8867]

Juooo Po . . Ff

[@carlosalvarez7496]

Man it wasn’t easy rebuilding that jack but you sure left it like new. Great job!😃

[@noonsight2010]

Great job! One small tip to help save rounded nuts and bolt heads AND scraped knuckles: Please use your adjustable spanner (wrench) correctly. The first two uses shown during disassembly had the spanner the wrong way round. You should ensure the moving jaw is on the "bottom" in relation to the direction of rotation, the opposite to how you used it. This helps lock the sliding jaw onto the nut or bolt and reduces the chance of slippage.

[@PARDS2]

THE HANDLE WITH THE KNURLED HANDLE WAS THE BEST PART FOR ME---SUPERB!!!!

[@sterlingdavidgrasssr]

I watched the whole thing, One old jack from dead, back to life, good for another 25 years..Thanks

[@wmcwmc8623]

Back when things we're actually built well and made to last.

[@TheBorderRyker]

The inventor of the impact driver is a great hero!

[@tabaa3775]

ابو

[@Blagger3000]

All that’s left is a nice strong canvass bag. Great restoration.

[@diyrestorationclub7534]

Very nice restoration. Making parts with a lathe! There is a very technique.

[@Justin-Outdoors]

70 years old and still works before restoration? Tools will never be the same

[@snakecold6755]

I have 40 year old jack. From USSR (today Russia). For GAZ-24 VOLGA

[@markharris5771]

Fantastic restoration, a very enjoyable video thank you.

[@louisdisbury9759]

Great job ready for another 100 years.

[@alantorrance6153]

I have what I believe to be a 2 ton version of that, seemingly in fairly good condition. Have had it for some 55 years and the extension tube still works. Nice to know how to service the unit. By now probably requires a minimum of oil change.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Is it the "Tourist" model? Those came with a tube. Pretty cool jack.

[@veiledzorba]

Assembly lube! Don't put the new packings in dry! Looks like the pump seal is seeping a bit too. I'd jack something up and see if anything leaks or if the jack leaks down. Enjoyed the vid.

[@antoniodelapiedra4772]

Energía renobable

[@garychandler4296]

Yeah. That homecut o-ring without gluing the ends together had me concerned. I forget what type glue we used, but back in my HHO days, we'd make seals for the cases. You'd buy it in a roll from MasterMcarr.

[@joeford860]

Got interrupted in the middle of the video,had to come back and watch it all. Excellent work. Thanks for the video.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks for coming back!

[@waltermello9511]

Historical tool. Congratulations!

[@perrygossman2373]

Nice job, you have a great shop

[@stevejohnson1685]

2:27 "I'll have to make a new one." Who do you think you are, My Mechanics? :-) 10:13 Yup, you are! Very nice restoration!

[@AcmeRestorations]

It was hard not to type "I make new one" in the text.. :) Thanks for watching.

[@AcmeRestorations]

@greyhaze ind way less time to make one than to drive the marine supply that has decent clevis pins.

[@dtrestoration8590]

You have restored this tool very professionally.

[@AndyM.]

GOOD STUFF and THANK YOU Because of this video, I will restore and fix one of my grandfather's bottle jacks I got when he passed on to the big tool shed in the sky!!!!

[@marcelgoncalves5821]

Muito bem caprichado nota 10 👏👏👏👍🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@203-d-max2]

I can already tell I'm gonna like this channel. Earned yourself a subscriber!

[@carlameen7239]

Nice that you name some of the parts. I like that. And you need to have the tools. No problem there. Great workman ship.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you!

[@robertpalmer207]

Nice, my Dad worked for Blackhawk /Applied Power in the 70's and 80's

[@schuur10]

I see so many restoration vloggers that are wasting so much time by sanding/brushing/ picking/ and scratching waste from detailed structures. If the crap comes loose by a spraycan or paste, i would recomend a hotwater high pressure washer. saves a lot of time

[@peteb2]

Personally i just chuck such items in the dishwasher, full heavy duty cycle, extra scoop of dishwashing powder... & yes i have a dishwasher setup in my workshop after the time my partner-ette went incandescent over me using the one in the kitchen.

[@keithspencersr.6806]

Love the care you take on your items

[@slatsgrobneck7515]

Amazing work - that jack looks incredible. And your camera angles and close ups made it especially fun to watch!

[@Rick_B52]

Impact screwdrivers have saved my day more than once!

[@JourneywithSmee]

I've actually got one of these in my garage, still working fine

[@AcmeRestorations]

Yeah, they don't make em like they used to! It's why I like restoring old tools. Thanks for watching.

[@johnvgig]

I love restoring stuff like this. It’s no way worth the time and effort that goes into it, financially. But, the sense if accomplishment, and restoring something to it’s former glory is very personally rewarding. IMHO

[@LadyLeigh]

Another brilliant rescue of a part of our industrial history! Great job, love the pinky red colour too! Might be just my iPad colour! Ha ha

[@dr.crypto6891]

Bet the bottle jacks you get from harbor freight won't be around in 70 years. Well Done. Cheers!

[@lateatday6876]

you make some really cool videos

[@WETVFirst]

yes, really..👍👍👍

[@raycarrillo2799]

Amazing detail and description. Thank you

[@stephenshoobert5930]

Lovely piece of work. I love hearing the workshop sounds instead of chintzy music. Would have like to see the jack under a true pressure test.

[@shotfirer-yf7ub]

I reckon that piston seal would leak When loaded. I have an o ring splicing kit in imperial and metric, it’s pretty handy. Perfect for this!

[@easydiy6862]

Hello, I'm from Thailand, I like your video.

[@sirsteele]

Very nice job! I was getting a "My Mechanics" vibe there for a while... excellent work on making replacement pieces! Thanks for posting.

[@Traderjoe]

What a nice design for something made in the 1940''s! It looks better than it probably looked new! Great job!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Blackhawk tools always had really cool design. You should check out the 'Zeppelin' toolbox from that era. Amazing.

[@naturalfocused992]

79 year's old? Thanks Brow 🎁✨🐗📒💙

[@jennarivera7901]

I love how you can just make your own parts. I wish I had learned to do that

[@vikitheviki]

Dunno why, but I find these videos so relaxing to watch..

[@corison2058]

kaxitaksi literally watching this before bed.

[@andrewpietras8593]

I have a Blackhawk very similar in looks. It's around 43 years old. Got it new and it did come with a handle. Very simple but functional handle. I have newer jacks but none can compete with the Blackhawk! Very nice job, came out great!

[@AcmeRestorations]

They had a few models that came with handles. I modeled mine after the handle that came with a jack they called "The Tourist". Thanks for watching.

[@darknessascending2048]

Great resto man,loved the detail and creating ur missing parts

[@indylmc]

Superb lesson in showing some love to the elderly. Kudo's

[@tommyhill199]

Clevis Pin #2 is my aunt's name. What a coincidence. Edit- my silly joke aside, The video was well made and the restoration turned out pretty good. He is just starting but he has a leg up on a lot restoration channels because he edits cleanly, doesn't get too fancy while remaining entertaining, no god awful music (musical taste is not universal and often divisive), and most important of all... he purchased the black latex gloves. This may seem like a silly and superfluous thing to add to a piss poor joke BUT his channel shows promise and I really want to be encouraging. Sincerely, a new subscriber.

[@Kenan_KARA]

Good work, man. Thanks for sharing this video...

[@Aahilsonu]

Wow it's worth a lot of Hard work Sir.. Superb stay safe stay Happy ❤

[@Anon.5216]

If I had my life over again I would be an engineer. Wonderful.

[@XX-kf7mx]

If I had my life over again I would be a lawyer. Ex Engineer.

[@mario6279]

If I had my life again I would be a pizza man. ex physicist

[@duramax78]

I’d be a sanitary guy, love the smell.

[@loufaiella3354]

If I had my life to live over....I would live over a delicatessen!

[@leeyates290]

Yeah I didn't see the seals being replaced, would like to see a test lifting at least 2000# and holding it for at least 30 min without leaking down, isn't the point to make it usable again, not just pretty.

[@1966supersport]

Im glad somebody in these restoration videos has a blast cabinet. I’m so tired of these guys with fifty steps of degreasing electrolysis for the rust removal and then more cleaning steps and then they still need a paint remover. Damn just degrease it and blast it. I’ve had a glass bead cabinet for thirty years and it’s paid for it’s self a million times over. I gets everything so clean fast and a perfect finish to lay primer and paint on.

[@victorconcepcion9678]

Great work one of the thing i enjoy from your channel is when some of the parts you got to make them new cause its beyond from repair and you have the proper machine to duplicate that part that if you dont show it when your restoring it they wouldnt know cause you replacate the peace exactly.. Well done 🤜✳🤛

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks!

[@rjg3876]

You left out some of the seal replacement? Or fix for them

[@alessilver6020]

нормально, мне понравилось ) желаю удачи в развитии канала ) стоит задумать о применении порошковой краски

[@user-zh7vy2pb6s]

ни хуя не поменялось как наши домкраты были так и будут

[@user-xr2vt9yb6n]

А, я не очень понял , зачем ..? Столько труда на подготовку , покраску .. ,а при сборке применил какие то резанные манжеты . Теперь этот бомкрат только в ветрину поставить . Очень красиво , а функцыонала ноль . Хотел увидеть какие ремкомплекты применяют ... не увидел .)

[@SJ-Equipment]

This is awesome! I'm a hydraulic mechanic I do this every day, but most of the stuff I see is newer(within 40 years). I have come across some 50's steering booster hydraulic cylinders, though. That is always fun! We dont restore to showroom quality. We restore to working condition because everything we work on is going back to work. Great video! Oh, and btw, hydraulic jacks in that style are built the same way today. If you ever decide to do this again, I could get seals for you on anything you aren't familiar with!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Where were you when I needed you? :) Thanks for the comment!

[@barotraumabruce4245]

When my dad passed about 30 years ago I got a Blackhawk jack just like this one that I played with when I was a little kid. It leaked and was working poorly so ai took it into a local hydraulics shop and the fixed me up with new leather cups and seals. Long before KZbin it was surprisingly easy to disassemble and repair on my own. I never got around to painting it, but it still works like new. Thanks for the video!

[@MrRlitcher]

Really appreciated the work on the handle. New subscriber!

[@user-dx6pt9oo6h]

Hi 👋👋👋very very good restoration 👍👍👍

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks.

[@donaldswink6259]

Another amazing job. Love the Blackhawk decal, looks better than the nameplate.

[@veerkarkedar]

Very delicate work, please keep on posting more videos.

[@Arvoguard]

Decal placement set off my OCD, but otherwise an awesome job! I’m subscribing because you have a decent sandblaster, and you actually put it to logical use here!

[@jerrycarroll4581]

I thought the same thing. All that intricate work and then put the decal on crooked. I'm not knocking his expertise with the rework. He does nice work.

[@gaylespencer6188]

While I enjoy watching restoration videos, I wouldn't ever to go to such lengths. When I get an old piece, I'll clean it up, get it into good working order, and be satisfied.

[@salimjonsalimov7643]

В ванной я 44 выхожу выявляют все

[@salimjonsalimov7643]

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[@salimjonsalimov7643]

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[@salimjonsalimov7643]

Ц

[@salimjonsalimov7643]

Ц

[@GaryT1952]

Brilliant restoration! Always wondered what made a hydraulic jack tick. Hope you keep the channel going as it is excellent edutainment

[@johnburkart3087]

He certainly understands the beauty of restoration... very high mechanical apptitude !!!

[@ekeller88]

Where did you get the new seal kit from?