12 vs 20 ton Press?

[f575gtc]

Looking to buy a shop press for my garage.

I don't work on big trucks or heavy equipment, but I will occasionally have to push out a bushing, wheel bearing, wheel stud, etc.

I am also pressed for space no pun intended.

I was looking at the 12 ton and 20 ton press from HF. I can afford either one, I think right now the cheapest price for the 12 ton is $50 than the cheapest price for the 20.

I also saw the press in the store and the 12 ton seems to be a much better size for my garage.

My concern is their power. Will the 12 ton press have issues with my line of work? Primarily passenger cars. Has anyone with the 12 ton ever regretted not getting the 20 or needed the extra power of the 20?

 

[1982fxr]

I chose the 20 mainly for the extra capacity (space) not the extra tonnage...

 

[rslaback]

I had the 12 and moved to the 20. It wasn't really because of lack of capacity. It was because I wanted to be able to use the SWAG press brake kit.

 

[dvo]

Had the 12 for many many years of nothing but frustration. Every time I needed it, it wouldn't fit between the channel(the narrow gap the press plate rest on). Finally got the 20 and have been able to do everything so far. Life's so much better with the 20. Sent the 12 out the door for free. Didn't want any money for it. That was how useful it was to me.

 

[zkling]

Get the 20 ton, much more growth potential uses.

 

[RECox286]

When ever you are in doubt about getting standard, bigger

or biggest...there will always come a time when you say

"damn, if only I had spent the extra $100 when it was

convienient, I could have done this project myself !"

We know the feeling, and you know it too, so why not

do right by yourself to begin with ?

Uncle Bob

 

[wild cowboy]

the 20 ton gets much better reviews at HF website

 

[1982fxr]

also, apparently the old orange 20 ton is a lot better than the newer gray one. Maybe even find an old orange one and put a decent bottle jack in it? I have the old one and if I used it more i would probably do that...

 

[soj]

Why is this even a question? I thought we all know that bigger is better.

Really, all seriousness aside, go for the 20. If you have looked at both of them in the store, you realize the 12 looks like a toy compared to the 20. I have had a 20 for several years, don't use it much, but when I do, it always does the job.

Well, except for operator error one time. I tried to press off a bearing that was retained by a screw on collar. The collar was round on the outside, not hex, and no threads were showing, so nothing indicated that it was screwed on. I pumped the hell out of that bottle jack (while heating the collar to expand it) till I was scared something was going to bend or break, but that Chinese steel took it like a champ, never budged. Neither did the threaded collar. I gave up and put the red wrench on the collar, only then did I see the threads.

The point is, the experience gave me confidence in the strength of the 20T press. Get one, you won't be sorry. The little 12T, I am not so sure. Sooner or later you will come up against something rusted together and will be glad you had the power to persuade it apart.
-jp

 

[bwringer]

I have the 20 ton press, and I have replaced several wheel bearings that took just about everything the press had. A 12 ton would definitely not have done the job.

So for at least one of your stated uses, the 20 ton is what you need.

 

[sz0k30]

also, apparently the old orange 20 ton is a lot better than the newer gray one. Maybe even find an old orange one and put a decent bottle jack in it? I have the old one and if I used it more i would probably do that...

I don't know where you got that info from, but I disagree BIG TIME! I did a lot of comparing when I bought mine about a year ago and I think everything about the gray one #60603 is better. It has steel arbor plates vs cast plates. Handles for moving the bed up or down. Better supports for the legs.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

My 12 ton has done everything I've needed it for.

However, I do wish I'd have gotten the 20 ton. I'm sure there's a day when I'll need the extra power. And, I'd like to get the SWAG press brake someday...

 

[JoeSnapOn]

So for wheel bearings the old boil one and put the other in freezer trick doesn't work? Never tried it myself yet but I love little tricks like that.

Joe S

 

[soj]

So for wheel bearings the old boil one and put the other in freezer trick doesn't work? Never tried it myself yet but I love little tricks like that.

Joe S

That can work to assemble two pieces, but NOT to separate them.
-jp

 

[soj]

I don't know where you got that info from, but I disagree BIG TIME! I did a lot of comparing when I bought mine about a year ago and I think everything about the gray one #60603 is better. It has steel arbor plates vs cast plates. Handles for moving the bed up or down. Better supports for the legs.

In one of the many HF threads here someone mentioned they got the cast plates with a gray press. My older orange press has the cast plates. There are two item numbers for the gray 12T and 20T presses. That may be where the difference is. I was considering calling the HF parts line and ordering the plates for the gray press, hoping to get the steel versions. But after hearing some are cast, some are steel, I dropped that idea. But you say you got steel with item #60603. Does anyone have item #32879, and did you get cast or steel plates?

I have not seen any handles on the press bed on any of the HF models, do you have a pic? They are a pain to reposition, and I have been thinking about making a cable and pulley system to lift and lower the press bed. Also thinking about making an expanded metal shield to catch flying objects in case something breaks.
-jp

 

[firemanast]

I have the H.F. 20 ton and I am very happy with it.

 

[xtremek]

If you work on older or higher mile cars, I'd go with the 20 ton. Old bearings take a set and usually take some extra "persuasion". (sp?)

 

[bri_man57]

My rule for anything Harbor freight is to get at least one size bigger than you will need because A) allows for unforeseen uses and B) ensures that if you are consistently doing the work load of the smaller unit, the bigger one wont fatigue as bad.

I could of got away with a 1 ton shop crane, went for the 2 ton no question.

I too have look at the HF presses, the 12 ton wouldn't even be an option for me.

 

[BD1]

The 20 ton is on sale for $160.00 . My 20 is around 5 years old and still going. I made a press brake for steel. I cannot even think of how much use it has. I used it up to 1/4'' x 6'' .

 

[767Jockey]

I realize I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but it's got some good info on it. Looks like the HF 20 ton is the unit to get. My question is, what are you guys using for tools to use with the press to press bushings in and out, bearings on and off, etc.

 

[Mr_B]

^ I use selection of old sockets, scrap metal and bearing and bush installer discs and most times a mixture of these to get it as needed .

 

[ratdoggy]

I realize I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but it's got some good info on it. Looks like the HF 20 ton is the unit to get. My question is, what are you guys using for tools to use with the press to press bushings in and out, bearings on and off, etc.

It comes with some plates but a couple different pieces of heavy steel of different types can get you out of most problems..
Also I have a bearing splitter...
Rebuilt a differential, a transmission and have formed a 90 in heavy aluminum with it, to make a chin spoiler for our race car

 

[ratdoggy]

And it's a tool that you don't think you need until you have one...

 

[turbodave]

^ I use selection of old sockets, scrap metal and bearing and bush installer discs and most times a mixture of these to get it as needed .

That's how I've managed as well. Recently picked up this kit when the price dropped below $70: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PTBHZO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Since buying the press punches I haven't had to do much press work, but they look like they should serve me well for a long time.

 

[4x4gearhead]

You would definitely find that most people use pieces of scrap metal, various metal tubes, and even old bearings or races. I always keep old pieces of plate to space things up, and most anything that looks like it would be useful to press bearings or pins out. I have a range of bearing splitters too. They are very useful for getting bearings off shafts. You have to be careful with things that are hardened like bearing races. They can shitsplode on you if you really pour the custard to them, so use common sense.