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Shop presses and parts washers: Next step up from Harbor Freight?
- Thread starter 1982fxr
- Start date
What's the next step up from harbor freight?
Next step up? Probably one of several other similar products sold under various badges that may have slightly better fit and finish like this one sold at Summit: BendPak 5150496 https://share.google/UYeEaqnZcjMWFd8f8
Then something like a Redline with a dedicated ram and pump:Redline 20 Ton Air Hydraulic Shop Press | Redline Stands https://share.google/PoZzuyh776YJnWAzc
Somewhere in here should be the USA made Sunex models:Sunex 5720AH Sunex Tools Shop Presses | Summit Racing https://share.google/fwBt7w9rQKJFdQNbC
Then maybe something with an open frame design to allow you to bend longer pieces like this one from Jegs:JEGS 555-81657 20-Ton Hydraulic Shop Press w/Air Operated Foot Pedal - JEGS https://share.google/JGwCGo3KYeVZn9TNL
Then you get into higher capacity models where the designs change quite a bit and there are lots more high end options.
Good luck!
Those links are for the safety guards. The actual presses are $3700/3900 (10 ton) and $5100(25 ton).Gray has some (Made in USA)
10 ton (~$800):
25 ton (~$1000):
Zoro has 40% off coupons from time to time. I just used one on some Gray 7 ton jack stands.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I have a friend with a sunnex and it’s definitely a step up from my harbor freight. It’s a nice press. Just under a Dake imho. However it looks more like the redline listed above in how it’s contrasted. Maybe they have changed over the last 10 years?
Think about what you need to do with it, and keep in mind these are often lifetime purchase tools. Open frame to me top of list. Built a few bottle jack 20Ts that work, but a dedicated sliding ram far better to hit X-Y target dead on, and easier tooling mounting. Look around a bit - I managed to get a new 100T Chinese air over for less than some want for a 20T bottle jack press due to damaged crate from shipper (probably insured loss). Had to cut a couple stiffeners and move pump mounting to allow full open frame function. Also budget for tooling that most brand names will gladly sell you or plan on making a lot yourself if you can.
Those links are for the safety guards. The actual presses are $3700/3900 (10 ton) and $5100(25 ton).
You are right! I edited my post to remove the bad info. Thanks!
Partswasher ? The basic red one is probably no different than any other one on the market, much like the red blast cabinet.
Hydraulic press, I would look at auction sites and find something better for same or less dollars. Don't get in a hurry but just keep on the lookout and be ready to jump when you see the deal.
Hydraulic press, I would look at auction sites and find something better for same or less dollars. Don't get in a hurry but just keep on the lookout and be ready to jump when you see the deal.
For a 20T shop press, the Sunex was the lowest cost one that I found that has a significantly deeper bed depth than the HF. yes, it is a huge price premium for that alone, and you can get by with the HF like I also do. If I used a press more than a few times a year, I'd have the Sunex; maybe someday I will anyway.
Sweetcorn
Well-known member
Parts washers - my recommendation depends on what solvent you are planning on using.
Press - I'd buy a used Dake.
Press - I'd buy a used Dake.
If they don't have the time and won't spend the time and money to put a key tool in place I suspect there will be an auction in their future.I'm asking for a friend who's buying some equipment for the shop at his work. They don't have time for auctions.
You've never been more wrong in your life.If they don't have the time and won't spend the time and money to put a key tool in place I suspect there will be an auction in their future.
pelletman
Well-known member
I have a 20 ton DAKE, I used to have a 75 ton. I would buy something cheap to have now and keep my eyes open or a used DAKE or other high quality press
Good to hearYou've never been more wrong in your life.
If they are a shop that is "that" busy, they should be considering something more than HF as their supplier.I'm asking for a friend who's buying some equipment for the shop at his work. They don't have time for auctions.
Now If it was me personally, that's a different story.
If they were “key tools,” why wouldn’t they already be using them?If they don't have the time and won't spend the time and money to put a key tool in place I suspect there will be an auction in their future.
From the sounds of it, they just wanted to shop press in the parts washer without really spending much money on them hence Harbor Freight setting the standard
Not here to argue. It's a shop AT his work. The shop is not the business.If they are a shop that is "that" busy, they should be considering something more than HF as their supplier.
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Aaron_W
Well-known member
I'm not sure that there is a step up from Harbor Freight, more like a leap, but if you browse MSC they generally have enough variety to cover the range from cheap Chinese and Indian made to Commercial grade USA and European makes.
Seems like Harbor Freight, Eastwood, Northern Tool, Grizzly etc all sell roughly the same thing. You pay a bit more from some of them to get another color, and maybe the "better" vendors have someone go through the box looking for obvious defects before putting it out for the customers.
Now some of these others do offer the "HF" version as well as something better.
Really better seems like 3-10x the price depending on what it is.
HF 1 ton arbor press, $80
At MSC
Value Collection 1 ton (Looks just like the HF press) $185
Gibraltar 1 ton (Looks like the Palmgren) $173
Palmgren 1 ton (Made in China, but clearly not the same design as the HF press) $300
Dake 1 ton (Made in USA) $500
MSC usually does not have the best prices. Eastwood sells a Palmgren 1 ton that appears to be the same one MSC sells, but they have it for $223.
I have the HF 1 ton arbor press, and it works for me, but I don't have a lot of need for an arbor press.
Seems like Harbor Freight, Eastwood, Northern Tool, Grizzly etc all sell roughly the same thing. You pay a bit more from some of them to get another color, and maybe the "better" vendors have someone go through the box looking for obvious defects before putting it out for the customers.
Now some of these others do offer the "HF" version as well as something better.
Really better seems like 3-10x the price depending on what it is.
HF 1 ton arbor press, $80
At MSC
Value Collection 1 ton (Looks just like the HF press) $185
Gibraltar 1 ton (Looks like the Palmgren) $173
Palmgren 1 ton (Made in China, but clearly not the same design as the HF press) $300
Dake 1 ton (Made in USA) $500
MSC usually does not have the best prices. Eastwood sells a Palmgren 1 ton that appears to be the same one MSC sells, but they have it for $223.
I have the HF 1 ton arbor press, and it works for me, but I don't have a lot of need for an arbor press.
whateg01
Well-known member
Still harbor freight but I have the grizzly version (old model, red one) of this. Pretty happy with it. I have not had a bottle Jack based press since the one I built that used a sleeve in the crossmember to guide the ram, much like a fixed ram. I have needed to the extra tonnage a couple times since buying this but it's not often. The biggest advantage, and the reason I bought it was the bigger work envelope.
You mean like the maintenance shop at a factory... per se ?Not here to argue. It's a shop AT his work. The shop is not the business.
It's sports related.You mean like the maintenance shop at a factory... per se ?
Okay, that is a bit confusing...It's sports related.
Do they have a budget or size in mind ?
I mean HF still lists a 50T unit on the website but a 20T might be enough. Another option would be to upgrade the bottle jack with an air over hydraulic jack.
Just talked to him. He found a, I think it's a 20 ton H frame that is manual or air operated, has both I mean.Okay, that is a bit confusing...
Do they have a budget or size in mind ?
I mean HF still lists a 50T unit on the website but a 20T might be enough. Another option would be to upgrade the bottle jack with an air over hydraulic jack.
He's gotten by without this stuff for years, but equipment is getting older and it's time to upgrade the shop a bit. The one he's getting is like $700. Best part is...I get to use it.
That makes a lot more sense. Havve to say, though, if there is a serious need, Dake can fill it better than most.Not here to argue. It's a shop AT his work. The shop is not the business.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
While I don't have one, Gray Mills seems to get very good reviews for a aprst washer. However, it is usually a significant jump from HF.
For parts washers, most of the pricing difference seems to be in the pump end. What kind of solvent determines the "severity" of the pump, or they tend to wear out fast.
This is not getting into the "industrial dishwasher" kinds of parts cleaners
For parts washers, most of the pricing difference seems to be in the pump end. What kind of solvent determines the "severity" of the pump, or they tend to wear out fast.
This is not getting into the "industrial dishwasher" kinds of parts cleaners