Hydraulic shop press: looking for some learnin'

[bwringer]

A couple of years ago, I got fed up after paying a machine shop $40 to destroy an $80 bearing (the dumb %$#@ pressed it in backwards), and I bought a 20 ton hydraulic shop press.

I've used it quite regularly since then with excellent results, pretty much just figuring stuff out on my own, using this, that, and the other thing to press all kinds of bearings, bushings, and such on cars and motorcycles. So far, breakage has been minimal (just one item, actually, and that was totally my fault) and I still have all my fingers and toes.

But I can't help feeling that there must be more to learn here. I've found all sorts of excellent videos and photo essays on just about every other shop topic, but I can't seem to locate any tips and tricks and such for using a hydraulic press.

What else is there to know, O wise ones?

Edumacate me on the finer points of pressing!

 

[ken w.]

I would say to make sure that anything you press is supported correctly. You would be amazed how far a press can send a piece of metal across the shop.Get a good quality bearing separator. I'll let some others take it from here.

 

[NHBandit]

Plenty of cheap presses out there for the home based occasional mechanic. But.. expect to spend as much as you did for the press and then some on proper tooling, fixtures, bearing separator, etc. Otherwise you will just be breaking stuff.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You need the appropriate dies to turn it into a brake press. Then you can start making some heavy duty bracket ! Sort of a cheap mini-ironworker !!

I always wonder if a manual 20 ton press, with the appropriate "dies" (?) could be used as a HD shear/punch. You won't be cutting anything very wide, but you could cut steel that you could not cut with a stomp sheer !

 

[DandDMachine]

We primarily do wheel, and axle bearings. We also get the occasional straighten this thing out for me customer. I have been using the press for 20 years. Its a great tool.

I agree with others, we have 6 different sizes of bearing splitters, ranging from small to I can barely lift this by myself. Dont get the cheap ones made in China they wont last. Almost all of mine are OTC except for 2 Armstrongs.

You may also want to get a few parallels to press against, several different sizes help. The cheap cast press plates that often come with presses are going to brake I would only recommend them for very light duty projects.

We keep alot of old bearing shells to press on, just be careful as they are hard and can shatter, always use safety glasses. Old piston wrist pins work much better than mushrooming your good 5/8 deep sockets Our pressing fixtures are on pegboard right next to the press, so its easy to see and grab while using it.

One of the things that can really help is to be creative. Think outside the box. If you need to press something look around you, what can you use(that wont get destroyed in the process)

Be smart so you dont break stuff. If something isnt moving double check to see if you can see why. Is there a snap ring in the way, can it only go out one way etc.... As has been said 20 tons will break stuff and parts will fly. I have seen a sharp chunk of steel embed itself in flesh. Safety glasses are a must We made a shield out of 1/4 plexiglass that covers the whole front of the press should something break while using it.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I save old parts like bearing races, bearings, etc to use for future pressing.

 

[1953mercury]

Mine gets used a lot. I built it many years ago from parts from gondola car suspension parts from are ski area as a 12T, and recently reconfigured it as a 20T air over hyd. I have made a bunch of different special pieces for it over the years for different applications. X2 using old bearing races, piston pins, flat stock etc. as tools. Mike

 

[893cv]

Make a set of steel press plates, cast press plates are dangerous. I have made up a dial indicator that mounts on the centerline of the quill on my press. It is a great help when straightening fork tubes. I have also made up saddle blocks to support fork tubes as I press them straight.
This will be a good thread, I'm going to keep an eye on it!

 

[Mr.N]

I would check out Swag's web site: Link

I made a press brake for around $30, wish I would've done it sooner.

 

[Toolhorder]

Make a set of steel press plates, cast press plates are dangerous. I have made up a dial indicator that mounts on the centerline of the quill on my press. It is a great help when straightening fork tubes. I have also made up saddle blocks to support fork tubes as I press them straight.
This will be a good thread, I'm going to keep an eye on it!

how do you make one?

 

[893cv]

I have some hot rolled 1" x 9" stock and cut them to about the same shape as the press plates that Swag sells. I used a CNC mill, but you could have someone plasma cut them.

 

[bwringer]

Some great points -- keep 'em coming!

I like the idea of grabbing old piston pins. All I have are some skinny motorcycle pins, but I'll hit up a few car buddies for beefier piston pins.

I've also accumulated a huge assortment of old bearing shells that have come in very handy, and several sizes of bearing splitters.

One of the handiest items I have is a section of old railroad rail about a foot long. No idea where my Dad got it originally, but It's been invaluable for safely propping up one end of uneven stuff like steering knuckles.

"If it don't fit, don't force it" is my motto -- the neat thing about the hand pump is that you can get a good feel for how much force you're applying. A gauge would be kinda cool, too, but probably big $$$$.

I do very little metalworking -- mostly mechanicking -- so I don't think a sheet metal brake attachment would get much use.

I'll try to save up some pennies for a set of better arbor plates. But holy crapamoley, $162.50 for the set from Swag Offroad? I wonder if I can get these made somewhere around Indy for a reasonable sum?

 

[BWS]

Two of the more uncommon uses for ours is......

As an extremely efficient "clamp".Have done stacks of glue-ups for our cabinet shop....hillbilly cold press.Even done a cpl f**ked up snowbd repair jobs with it.They're(20t presses) cheap enough that you could make a case for buying 2 or 3 and using them,inline.....for uhh,longer chit.

The other is,we do custom exhausts for sportbikes......the 3 main pcs of equip are,Tig welder....big azz bandsaw....and the shop press.Its used as a hillbilly tubing expander and also used in forming custom shapes.


Edit to add.....next time you're at a large structural steel supplier,tell'm what you got.They should have some nice thick A36 "drops" for the ask'n.I've got more than we'll EVER use....for scrap prices.They've always been beyond nice whenever I asked....explaining what the intentions were/are.To the point of dropping whatever they're doing 'cause my stuff is usually more fun than what they've been working on?

 

[HenryAZ]

Kind of overkill, but I also use my press as a "hydraulic battery cable crimper" for those larger sized lugs, using one of those "hammer crimpers" in the press.

 

[Sureshot]

Some great points -- keep 'em coming!

I like the idea of grabbing old piston pins. All I have are some skinny motorcycle pins, but I'll hit up a few car buddies for beefier piston pins.

I've also accumulated a huge assortment of old bearing shells that have come in very handy, and several sizes of bearing splitters.

One of the handiest items I have is a section of old railroad rail about a foot long. No idea where my Dad got it originally, but It's been invaluable for safely propping up one end of uneven stuff like steering knuckles.

"If it don't fit, don't force it" is my motto -- the neat thing about the hand pump is that you can get a good feel for how much force you're applying. A gauge would be kinda cool, too, but probably big $$$$.I do very little metalworking -- mostly mechanicking -- so I don't think a sheet metal brake attachment would get much use.

I'll try to save up some pennies for a set of better arbor plates. But holy crapamoley, $162.50 for the set from Swag Offroad? I wonder if I can get these made somewhere around Indy for a reasonable sum?

Just add a pressure gauge. You can convert the PSI to pounds or tons and label the gauge, make a chart, etc.

 

[Katok]

Subscribing...... I have the HFT 20t shop press too, but I've been using that for bearings and bushings only and would like to learn as well for other "uses" of the equipment.

 

[metalhead212121]

Subscribing... anybody have any thoughts on what brand presses are good vs. ones that are not good. I know some guys are anti-Harbor Freight ANYTHING but I will admit for the $150(?) HF 2 Ton Engine hoist I got from them it was money well spent. Id like to avoid the HF press Vs. OTC press Vs insert name here if possible.

 

[mark40sw]

Just add a pressure gauge. You can convert the PSI to pounds or tons and label the gauge, make a chart, etc.

Nice write-ups on how to do this. I may do this someday.

http://www.creagan.net/fireworks/tapajack/tapajack.html

http://www.spaco.org/20TonJackPressureGage.htm

 

[Toolhorder]

Nice write-ups on how to do this. I may do this someday.

http://www.creagan.net/fireworks/tapajack/tapajack.html

http://www.spaco.org/20TonJackPressureGage.htm

that looks sketchy to me!

 

[river1]

Check out this post from the HAMB

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=658242

Lots of good stuff

Later jim

 

[472scout]

Subscribing... anybody have any thoughts on what brand presses are good vs. ones that are not good. I know some guys are anti-Harbor Freight ANYTHING but I will admit for the $150(?) HF 2 Ton Engine hoist I got from them it was money well spent. Id like to avoid the HF press Vs. OTC press Vs insert name here if possible.

I've read many complaints of them bending, but overall most seem to be happy for what you pay. Watch out for the plates exploding.

 

[robalmal]

Wrap and old blanket around a bearing before you put the load on the press. It catches shrapnel.
I learnt this years ago..surprised non of the oldies have chimed in with it yet.

 

[metalhead212121]

I've read many complaints of them bending, but overall most seem to be happy for what you pay. Watch out for the plates exploding.

which ones?? and are we talking about engine hoists or presses??

 

[Katok]

which ones?? and are we talking about engine hoists or presses??

Arbor plates that came in with the shop press.....

 

[472scout]

Correct. HF presses.

 

[wxm]

Kind of overkill, but I also use my press as a "hydraulic battery cable crimper" for those larger sized lugs, using one of those "hammer crimpers" in the press.

Cool. I bought a hammer crimper since the last struggle on crimping a 4 gauge wire. Haven't had chance to try it yet, but have been thinking of put it under the press instead the hammer. At least I know now it has been tried before...

Back on subject, I also use the press to straighten many bent vise handles for my collections.

 

[Sureshot]

Nice write-ups on how to do this. I may do this someday.

http://www.creagan.net/fireworks/tapajack/tapajack.html

http://www.spaco.org/20TonJackPressureGage.htm

Adding a gauge this way would also give a port to use an air over hyd pump.