I’ve seen the Massca Products Viking Arm on social media a couple of times, and it looks to be a handy one-handed lifting tool – a jack for lifting cabinets and other such objects.
I have been using Winbag inflatable air shims, but that type of product has a limited lifting range. The Viking Arm looks to be useful for all the types of tasks an air shim might not have the lifting range for, and maybe even some tasks where inflatable shims can be clunky to use.
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There’s a downside – the Viking Arm is priced at $200 each. They’re made in Norway.
Andrew wrote in:
Can you do a review on the Viking Arm? It is a hefty price and there are some cheap knockoffs, but I prefer to buy a solid tool that will perform well for a long time. I think this might be something a lot of installers and general handymen who work solo would find very useful. What do you think?
I was thinking about this for a Father’s Day gift since my Dad still does a lot of projects, but I am not nearby to help him as often. This might save him some strain.
There are definitely places where I could or would use this tool. I have improvised in the past, such as yesterday when I had to change out leveling feet and used a 2×4 to lift a cabinet just enough for me to do this.
The Viking Arm would have worked quicker and easier, almost like a compact jack.
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Massca Products says that the Viking Arm is made in Norway, and that it has a 330 lb weight capacity. It has a lifting range of 6 to 215mm (~0.24″ to 8.46″).
The Viking Arm can be used to lift, press, tighten with precision and control.
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Massca Products
Here’s the big question – would there be interest in a review? The Viking Arm does look to be a good product, and it’s something I know I would use, although for my limited use the price might be hard to justify, especially since I might need two for the types of lifting tasks I have in mind.
Even just setting cabinets level, this would definitely help if the jack height can be set finely enough.
Andrew also pointed something out – there are already copies on Amazon.
There are quite a few knock-off designs, with some even using “Viking Arm” in their product names. Some of the product images on Amazon are simply taken from the Massca Product page as well.
I wouldn’t buy a copy, but it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out. Hopefully Massca has patent protections (they say it has patented technical solutions) and wins out against the clones. I’d hope for the Massca Viking Arm to be less expensive, but not like this.
Anyway – thoughts or requests about the Viking Arm?
Robbie Stanford
It looks very useful, but not $200 useful
Charles Frankenhoff
agreed. I’d pay $50 for this, and buy 2. But a flat bar, air bag and other things can do everything this does.
I’m a pro, so I see the use cases, but not the value
Greg Specht
It’s the best thing since sliced bread
Once you have them you’ll be surprised how useful they are
Jared
Aren’t there clamps that are reversible to do the same thing? I realize probably not as well.
Jim Felt
Perhaps. But these aren’t really “clamps” at all.
And for occasional use I can’t see casually paying $400 for a pair. Darnitall.
Now if they were Swiss made…
fred
Or if they were some sort of Norwegian ski maintenance tool (as in Swix /Ferd)
Stuart
I agree.
For my personal use, I couldn’t/wouldn’t justify it. To purchase for testing purposes? It’d definitely see use.
But what if you’re a cabinet installer, or you replace a lot of doors? For regular users, maybe?
Part of the pricing is likely due to small scale production, and that it’s manufactured in Norway rather than Asia.
Mac
I’ve found light pressure with a foot and a small prybar/catsclaw is more than enough to hang doors solo. Most are incredibly light. OSHA probably wouldn’t approve of the alternative usage of the tools, but it’s likely (should) already be in your bag. A helper with a steady hand that can read a level is the better bet, but that’s asking a lot in some situations ;p
On a side note: its kinda disturbing the price difference of the knockoffs… 200 is a lot, but 20 doesn’t seem trustworthy at all
fred
There are lots of door and wallboard lifters for sale. Over the ages I’ve seem some that have rollers, some that fit on your boot, other that can fit in your pocket. They all look a bit like attempts to build a better mousetrap.
Here are two:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wal-Board-Tools-2-1-4-in-x-15-in-Roll-Lifter-03-001/100377273
https://www.homedepot.com/p/POWERTEC-Door-Lifter-Installation-Tool-71506/314103587
Jared
I’d read your article, even if I couldn’t justify this for myself.
CharlesinRichmond
I install cabinets and doors, and this doesn’t look as useful as our current methods that cost less – prybar and airbag.
But if it would open stuck old windows I might be interested. Can’t tell how skinny a space it will go into.
Devon Froeder
It’ll fit into a 6mm space; or 3mm space with the optional base parts. I might have to get one some day, hopefully when the price drops more. Someone in Maasca might be confused and think they work for Snap On to charge $200 for a new tool with an unproven track record.
Stuart
Technically, you can use reversible clamps or spreaders.
But, with most, you’re not going to have a lot of surface area, and you’re not going to fit it into narrow spaces.
Kenneth W Hill
The ‘jaws’ appear to be quite thin to be able to slip under an appliance or such.
Paul
Yeah looks like they’ve scaled down a toe jack.
Koko The Talking Ape
For cabinets? I don’t think so. For one thing, you’d have to rig a sturdy, rigid base for the clamp. Doable, but probably more trouble than it’s worth. And the moving jaw might not be thin enough to fit easily under a cabinet, as Kenneth says.
Dave Schwartz
For lightweight cabinet lifting, I use these:
https://www.fastcap.com/product/jack-of-all-trades
I concede they’re not as well made as the Viking, but they’re a far more reasonable price AND useful for other jobs.
(I hope this helps someone’s Father’s Day. 🙂
Jared
That’s essentially what I was thinking of – I.e. a clamp where you just flip the end around and now it’s pushing instead of clamping.
Not debating the Viking is nice and could make sense for a pro – but I would choose a cheap alternative for occasional use.
JoeM
Trigger clamps with a reversible clamp end can probably work if the piece is already lifted a bit, or if it’s supporting something that has to come down. Once released from whatever is holding it to the wall, it becomes a matter of slowly lowering it back to the lower surface for moving.
fred
Fastcap makes (in China) a batch of different modest-capacity lifting jacks and accessories:
https://www.fastcap.com/productsearch/3rd%20hand
Scott K
I was just about to post about this. I have never used one, but I remember seeing a review of these a while back.
https://www.toolboxbuzz.com/safety-work-wear/work-support/3rd-hand-little-hand-xl/
Stuart
Yup – the Little Hand is on my wishlist for when I have a lot of above-bench cabinets to mount.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ACAFJBM/?tag=toolguyd-20
FastCap has a bunch of different lifting and support products, but nothing quite like the Viking Arm.
Their Jack is similar in general style, but different enough in function and capabilities where it might only be a substitute in specific usage scenarios.
Stuart
I’ve considered that before, for my own use, but there’s not enough of a lip for the cabinets I tend to lift. I do have some plywood cabinets to build and install, and it’ll interesting to see how well the FastCap works there. I have two of their third hand clamps, and they’re very well made and I have been considering getting their shorter poles as well.
Leonard
I have a set of 4. I bought them to assist me with doing crown molding. I since have used them for all types of lifting. I even used them to help hold a Jet Air filter up to test locations for the best dust collection.
I actually modified a couple of caulking guns to help me lift cabinets to help position cabinets.
Leo B.
I’d be interested in seeing a review, even if I wouldn’t buy one right now myself.
OldDominionDIYer
These look interesting but definitely not at $200 a pop! I would be interested in seeing how the “copies” stack up against the original to see if the huge price difference is worth it.
fred
Its hard to know what the Chinese copies really look like – because as Sturt says many of the Amazon listings just seem to copy the name (Viking) and the pictures from the original Norwegian source.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09378LX1Y
Mike
I think I’d love to see a review. Specially if you include some of the less expensive knock offs. I just went to Amazon and of the few reviews, none are good. These things looks amazing to have around the house, just in case. But 200 bones for an occasional use guy like myself seems exorbitant.
Thanks!
jsbson
Anyone remember bumper jacks?
fred
That’s when bumpers were chrome plated steel and solidly attached to the car’s frame. Like on my Father’s 1953 Buick Roadmaster that probably weighed in at close to 3 tons.
dll932
A bumper jack is way cheaper. I think one could easily be adapted for this purpose. It would support a lot more weight, too.
Grady
I have a 3 1/2 ton farm jack that I have used for a little bit of every thing, also a roller lifter for really small gaps. Really too many uses to list.
Doresoom
When I first saw these, I figured I’d buy two of them if they were ~$50 each. I saw the price, and now have none.
Dean
I just bought the “Best Seller” 2-pack from Amazon. I’m sure this will be a really crappy knock-off version that doesn’t even look like the picture. For the price I had to take a chance. I’ll let you know how I make out. Probably won’t arrive for several weeks. Oh the anticipation…lol
Kenneth W Hill
I bought a couple from a Facebook ad a week and a half ago for $30 each. They appear to be in shipment so we’ll see.
Kevin Smith
I ordered 4 of them in April off Facebook. They charged my card right away and after several emails and over a month I had nothing. Then I threatened to cancel the order. The next day I had a tracking number but not package could be found for the number. 10 days later I called my credit card to reverse the charges. 2 months with nothing to show for it but a number that has no package with it is a bit ridiculous in my mind.
W00dy
I have 2, to be honest I have long forgotten about the price with all the great use I have gotten out of these. Love them!
Patrick T
Oh man, could have used this last summer when I swapped the struts on my wife’s car. I got stuck and ended up using an extra jack to help get the strut inserted into the knuckle. This looks like it would have been a bit easier to use than the emergency jack I grabbed out of the trunk. I wonder how controlled the release is.
MichaelHammer
I have the original Jack of all trades by Fast cap. Seems like this one is a knock off without any of the extra usefulness. I can tell you, as a kitchen remodeler they are quite handy. The original also aided in the install of uppers after the lowers. Lots of good uses besides cabinetry as well.
Here is the pair that I have. Way cheaper and more useful.
https://guide.alibaba.com/shop/fastcap-jack-the-jack-of-all-trades-2-pack_52093535.html
W00dy
I have handled both. Those Fast caps jacks are nice but normal quick clamps with extra feature. Nowhere near as nicely made as the viking arm and not as strong.
The vikingarm can also clamp but thats not the first reason to buy them.
Plain grainy
I would like to see a high lift hydraulic table. Something you could set on the countertop, then put a microwave on it. Then jack it up into the correct location for mounting. It would be so useful in many situations. And extremely adjustable. They do make hydraulic rolling carts.
Kenneth W Hill
Yes, like motorcycle lifts, Which of course would be total overkill for cabinet installation. Haha!
DaveinMD
I’d like to see a review of the knock-off’s. At $400, not buying unless I have multiple uses lined up. But for $40 I’d risk the cash for having something available if I need it. Love the Viking arm, waiting for the competitors to come out.
Stuart
Ingenuity is great, and competition is good, but I can’t endorse imitations. Plus, there are at least half a dozen brands now offering knock-off Viking Arms. Even if I review all of them, they might alter the design or there might be entirely new knock-off brands next month.
There are knock-offs of a lot of products these days, including lookalike Woodpeckers products.
If I assess the original product, you’re free to make assumptions that apply to the various clones.
DC
At $200 each? pass. I’ll just make do with the Fastcap versions, especially if you’re going to need at least 2.
Kenneth W Hill
Let’s just say that there appears to be no equivalent out there including Fastcap’s. This is the only one that I can imagine walking up and immediately being able to lift the front edge of a Wolf six burner range.
Matt R
As others have said, good looking product that seems like it could be very useful, just not for $200. (Or likely $400, since a lot of my applications I’d imagine I’d need 2.) I’d recommend looking at the Fast Cap “Jack of All Trades”, seems to be a lighter duty version of the same thing. Probably more versatile and definitely lighter on the wallet.
Ned Boudreaux
I bought 2 trailer tongue lift jacks to lift my flood wall panels out of their tracks. The panels weigh more than 100 pounds and get ‘stuck’ when left in place a few days. Then when I put up roofing-type panels around the outside of my shop I made extensions ( a la the farm jack mentioned above) which allowed me to lift the panels from the bottom edge and hold them in place. I bought jacks with a vertical arc movement for around $45 each. I also used them to install 1/2 inch plywood ceiling.
In this case I am thinking the $200 is way over-priced, probably as a gimmick.
Al
There are plenty of comments about the price.
The price might seem high, but if it saves you time, it makes you money. If it makes you money, it pays for itself.
You must also consider that preventing injuries and sprains is a must and this device is definitely a back and shoulder saver. A healthy back is priceless. I say this as someone that/who ruined his back by being careless.
John
To me the obvious competitor to this would be a hydraulic toe jack. You can buy a 2-5 ton toe jack for less than one of these which would give you a heck of a lot more capacity. You’d have less overall stroke (4 or 5 inches instead of 8) but to me a toe jack seems more versatile.
Paul
Am I the only one that thought it was a Hi Lift jack knock off? Definitely want to include it for comparison. Every 4 wheeling nerd knows exactly what those are. Made in the far off state of Indiana. Every Jeep that has left pavement has one strapped proudly on the back or stashed inside. They are great except you have to keep them lubricated and side stability is woefully lacking compared to say a traditional bottle jack. HF has a $50 knockoff. If you do a review I’d like to see all 3 compared….the Euro snob favorite, the made in the USA original, and the Asian knockoff. No need to go full Mao and buy directly from Amazon.cn here.
Tom
Good quality tools are always expensive. These may not look like $200, but when you see it, handle it, and use it – you”ll appreciate the quality. I bought a pair and seem to always be using them for something. Well worth the price. If you’re a Harbor Freight guy, buy the knockoffs. If you like a quality tool that will last a very long time, buy the real thing.
Daniel Drez
Just got these at work today! I laughed at how expensive they looked until I used them. Very impressed, accurate strong and smooth. 200 is about 100 more than I’d like though.
We used them for 300 pound structural insulated panels.
John
Shame that the price has gone up so much. I bought two Viking clamps from Massca in December for $340. These clamps are very versatile. How creative you can be in use is key. Look at their Instagram feed and the variety of uses that exist in the real world.
Oakstreet
Any good contractor knows good tools are
Not cheap.. I would pay 200 if you reviewed product and felt it was well built and worth it.
How many clamps have people bought that fall apart or stick. This tool could potentially pay for it itself in labor or even in damage to doors when dropping them cause you can’t hold it and install it at same time. Yes it’s expensive.. but… is it worth it?
Chris
Hey, will you provide us with this review? I have seen the tool first hand and was impressed but would appreciate a more thorough review. I just got the chance to look at it briefly. Looked solid thou
Blair Nelsen
I bought a pair of the knockoffs on Amazon. One was rusted when it arrived, neither jack worked. $30 wasted. I’ll spend extra and get the real thing.
Stacey Jones
What’s the best tool to use to lift a 500 lb planer high enough to get a mobile platform underneath it?
Stuart
Maybe a gantry crane or engine hoist?
MM
For this kind of thing I’ve used the following methods before, they’ve all worked:
-heavy machinery (forklift, loader, backhoe, etc)
-engine crane
-chain hoist secured to something sturdy overhead overhead, or to a 6×6 straddled across two ladders
-Get a prybar under it, using wedges if necessary, then pry it up with prybars and blocks alternating from side-to-side. Instead of or in addition to pry bars you can use a toe jack or a compact jack from a portapower kit. Slide the base under it, pry it back down removing blocks as you go. A 2-wheel dolly is also useful for prying like this. You can lift up the one side of the machine while an assisant puts blocks under it.
-If you’ve got a couple of strong helpers you can probably get away with tilting it by hand and blocking it up that way.
Steffen Bang
Two Viking Arms, if 8′ (21,5 cm) is high enough to get the platform under.
I am working at Viking Arm. Feel free to post any questions you have on our insta site @viking_arm where I and 20K users can answer any question you have.
Jared
intro offer at Lee Valley: $69 off a pair of Viking jacks ($429).
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/workshop/carrying-and-moving/114620-pair-of-viking-arm-assembly-jacks
Steffen Bang
I am working at Viking Arm in Norway, and we know the price seems high.
This is not out of greed or because anyone is trying to rip off anyone, but because it is a high-quality tool which is very well built with high-quality material and solutions. We are talking about stainless steel, hardened carbon steel and aluminum. This and its patented adjustment lock makes it extremely versatile, strong and robust, and thereby able to do an infinite number of tasks quicker and easier. The inventors wanted to make there dream tool, and they did.
You get what you pay for. The price makes it an investment instead of a cheap tool you buy on impulse and forget. So no, it is not for everyone. But for professional carpenters, installers (HVAC, gates, doors, windows, cabinets, machines, plumbers, electricians) and avid DYIers, it usually turns out to become their favorite tool, earning back the investments even from day one in some instances. In Norway, a large installment company did an efficiency study and ended up rather quickly with putting at least 2 Viking Arms in each of their 80 service cars. Why? Because it was an investment that they very quickly would earn back, and from that point it would all be extra profit adding up to their bottom line.
If you want honest opinions and facts about the Viking Arm from people who actually have/are using the Viking Arm, visit our user-generated Insta account @viking_arm. Here you have 20K Viking Arm users that can give you real info based on their actual use and experience. As we often hear: “The Viking Arm is the tool you never knew you needed, but later don’t understand how you could work without”.
Good luck to you all 🙂
Ron
The company that I work for has bought all five of us a pair of the Viking. They’re extremely strong extremely versatile everybody’s just loves them. We are also all locksmiths