20 Ton Shop Press

[Green Hell Mustang]

I'm going to be needing a shop press soon. The 20 ton variety is what I'm going for.

So far I've seen HF thrown around as being a decent press, with mods. I've also been looking into Sunex, and Arcan. I haven't settled on anything yet. Which is the reason for this post.

Does anyone have a 20 ton they prefer over other brands?

Are there any I should completely avoid?

 

[hobby_guy]

Subscribed. I have been looking for a press for awhile, particularly a used Jet or Dake. But, they are expensive and then there is a huge gap in price until you get down to the garbage ones like HF.

 

[ndnchf]

I have a 3 ton Dake arbor press and a 20 HF hydraulic press that I've done quite a few upgrades to. There is nothing wrong with the HF 20 ton (PN 60603 especially) they way it comes. All the upgrades I did just make it more user friendly. Between these two presses, I can do just about anything I need in my home shop. Here is a short video showing the upgrades I made.

 

[sz0k30]

until you get down to the garbage ones like HF.

I am so sick & tired of seeing that. While there are HF items that are lower or questionable quality, there are a lot of guys on this site, me included, that are very happy with our HF 20 ton presses. While many of us have made improvements to our presses, guess what? For $150.00 or so they can't be beat! While your fancy name brand presses may cost $500.00 they are still only 20 ton presses.

 

[Bretny]

Im still usein my fathers made in Taiwan 12ton press that was pre HF. We replaced the leaking bottle jack with a air over unit. Still going strong today.

 

[Hammer1963]

I am so sick & tired of seeing that. While there are HF items that are lower or questionable quality, there are a lot of guys on this site, me included, that are very happy with our HF 20 ton presses. While many of us have made improvements to our presses, guess what? For $150.00 or so they can't be beat! While your fancy name brand presses may cost $500.00 they are still only 20 ton presses.

I agree! My press has been fantastic. Like many people, I have made a few changes to enhance the abilities, but it works well right out of the box.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I'm picking up a 20-ton HF press to do control arm bushings/rear beam bushings on my VW. I've heard that the newer ones no longer come with cast plates, and instead are a stronger construction -- can anyone confirm?

Either way, I think for $150 and relatively easy upgrades to things like an over air bottle jack, it's hard to beat.

 

[ndnchf]

I'm picking up a 20-ton HF press to do control arm bushings/rear beam bushings on my VW. I've heard that the newer ones no longer come with cast plates, and instead are a stronger construction -- can anyone confirm?

Either way, I think for $150 and relatively easy upgrades to things like an over air bottle jack, it's hard to beat.

True - they are cut steel plates. There are two nearly identical 20 ton presses. One is welded, the other bolts together. I recommend the bolt together version #60603. The other one may be welded crooked and you must rely on their welding. Use a square when assembling the 60603 press. Buy good grade 8 bolts for extra strength.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I've had my harbor freight 20 ton press for over a decade. you know that piece of **** one?
i tank it was 199 on sale back then. I welded the feet to the legs.

Its rebuilt more transmissions than most of y'all have driven different vehicles. its rebuild more gear boxes in HD diesel equipment than I care to remember.

Yeah that piece of **** has made me more than 100K in repairs in the 10-12 years Ive owned it....

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i just used mine again last week, did all new bushings on the rear of my f100.

 

[bobcatdan]

I would go with the Sunex or Arcan simply for the fact they are taller. I had a 20 ton HF press. I needed a press now so I bought one. It did the job and many more with no problems. That said, I hated. Granted everything I hated about could be fixed, but I simply didnt care and waited for a nice used one to come along. Exactly what happen, bought a 50 ton, yanked the bottle jack from the HF and sold the frame for $20 on MP.

 

[dledinger]

20 ton isn’t big as far as shop presses go. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the harbor freight model..

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

I have a 3 ton Dake arbor press and a 20 HF hydraulic press that I've done quite a few upgrades to. There is nothing wrong with the HF 20 ton (PN 60603 especially) they way it comes. All the upgrades I did just make it more user friendly. Between these two presses, I can do just about anything I need in my home shop. Here is a short video showing the upgrades I made.

I love the upgrades to the HF 20 ton press. As small an upgrade as it is, I think my favorite had to be the relief valve knob. More manufacturers need to do that exact upgrade for presses like this.

I also love the Dake press. One day I'll find one of those bad boys for my garage.

 

[Mgnu]

I've had my harbor freight 20 ton press for over a decade. you know that piece of **** one?
i tank it was 199 on sale back then. I welded the feet to the legs.

Its rebuilt more transmissions than most of y'all have driven different vehicles. its rebuild more gear boxes in HD diesel equipment than I care to remember.

Yeah that piece of **** has made me more than 100K in repairs in the 10-12 years Ive owned it....

Username checks out.

Joke, glad it has worked out for you. Will be picking mine up soon.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I had planned on getting a fancy 20ton press, but when I actually needed one the newer silver HF one was on sale for $149 and I could pick it up and use it the same day that I needed it. I initially planned on getting something “better” later but once I started using it I found that the HF version was good enough for everything I do. I did get a 3 ton arbor press for small quick jobs and it really comes in handy because it is a much faster setup and you have a lot more control and feel on what is going on during the pressing.

I think a 20ton HF press along with a 3 to 5 ton arbor press are a great combination that will do almost any type of pressing in any tinkerers shop.

Here is my arbor press.

Unfortunately MSC did away with ENCO so the great prices are no longer available.

 

[MushCreek]

Dake presses are beautiful, but their cheapest 20 ton is a grand. If I were using one every day, I'd spend the money on a Dake. For the weekend warrior or hobbyist, the HF unit is fine.

 

[ndnchf]

I got lucky finding my my Dake 1-1/2 arbor press pictured above. I paid $75, but it was missing the daisy wheel. I got a new one from Dake. I stripped it down, cleaned and repainted it. Its good as new now.

 

[GTO]

Subscribed. I have been looking for a press for awhile, particularly a used Jet or Dake. But, they are expensive and then there is a huge gap in price until you get down to the garbage ones like HF.

If you have not tried the HF one,don't knock it.
For DIY home use this press is more than adequate.

 

[gerryw]

I love my Princess Auto ( same as HF) 20 ton press. I simply would not own a press if it wasnt cheap enough to justify. Sure beats a bfh and a vise.

Gerry

 

[BFBOB]

My one experience with a press is the HorrorFright 20 ton orange. It has worked perfectly every time I've needed it, mostly pressing automotive bearings. I've had it about 5 years, and used it only every few months. Just waiting for the pump seals to fail due to inactivity, but so far it's flawless.
the one mod I made was adding heavier angle iron and casters to the base. Since I use it so seldom, it sits in a remote corner - casters make it easy to pull out when needed.
Can't beat it for the $120 I paid (super coupon).