20 ton DIY press plans?

[cityjack]

hey guys,

I know I could probably purchase from Northern a 20 ton press for around 300 bucks, but I'd rather take a stab at fabricating one myself. I have a Miller Mig welder and garage space to do it.

Please let me know where to head. I've been cruising Youtube as well.

Thanks

Sid

 

[joe49]

Copy one. You really don't need much in the way of plans.

 

[larry4406]

Kevin54 from here posted these a long time ago and I saved them. Maybe give you some ideas.

PM Kevin54 for details on this. i cant recall if Kevin built this or not.

 

[rsanter]

20 Ron is. It worth the time to fab up verses buying one.
If you really want to fab one then step up to a 30 or 40 ton build

 

[racer-john]

Years ago I built a thirty ton press using some I beams re-claimed from a Hydro tower, but you would have to climb into my head for the plans.

 

[Kevkx125]

I just bought a HF 20 ton last sunday for 139.99 w/ coupon.

 

[BD1]

Yes me too on the HF. Good for the $$
Had mine over 8 years.

 

[Lwel9226]

I have a HF "20"ton that I did some reinforcing on and now have about a 35 ton..... Looking back at all the extra work and steel I put into it I should have built one from scratch....

LynnW

 

[Showkey]

Scratch build........hope you have access to free steel ?????? Considering 20t bottle jack costs $40.

 

[Badasssapper67]

I say go for it, but, the guys are right, building a 20 ton press is like building a kick stand for a unicycle.
It makes way more sense to go bigger and the info is out there. I've seen a couple guys build what they call a "50 ton" press on youtube.
If you're woried about something that big consider a arbor press project for starters. They are versatile and can be used to broach keyways and such more efficiently than a hydraulic press.
I have a 20 press I got off the internet and will one day build a bigger press once every other project gets completed......

 

[why worry]

A fun project to build especially if you want extra features. I added lights, power outlet, shelf, wheels, and I reversed a HF 20 ton air over hydraulic jack. Works great and is a much better finished product then HF 20 ton at the end of the day. So I say go for it.
Dave

 

[BryceW]

I was one week away from starting in on a scratch built press because I just didn't like how flimsy the HF one felt. I have no doubt it would hold up but I just wasn't thrilled with it. Finally after months of cruising Craigslist I managed to snag one for $75 without hydraulics and put a HF air over hydraulic 20 ton jack in it.

View media item 81314View media item 81309

 

[Lwel9226]

Looks like you did good.... Part of the rework I did on mine was a
33 ton air over hydraulic jack.....

LynnW