Continental shop press any good?

[crawlin91]

been shopping around, I found this 30 ton continental shop press advertised here. It doesnt look complete but I was curious if its worth my time or effort.
http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/tls/2089845422.html

Im trying to get 20 ton or better unit that might be stronger than the HF models.

 

[mtkst19]

asking 125-- can buy a hf bottle jack for less than 100. i think it would be better than the similarly priced hf unit. i'd go in person and look at it and offer 100 if it looks ok. pictures on c-list **** due to being so small.

 

[Underdog]

Offer $100, the steel alone is worth it. Had a similar thread days ago, Carolina Brand, same company, Consensus was its a US made press, sold by the thousands well made.

 

[airbuff101]

Crawlin,
I would grab it.
It doesn't seem to have had much use.
Make sure the bed sits flat on pins and doesn't rock much. Any press can be bent if abused.
I have had an identical press for almost 30 years and it has done whatever has been asked of it for car, motorcycle even truck stuff. Mine has a "Standard" logo. It was purchased in the late 70's from the S.Carolina guys that ran up the east coast in pickup trucks full of equipment back then.
They were well made and a good size for automotive. Just a few years later the Orange Taiwan Tsunami of equipment hit our shores and there is a definate difference in strength and build quality.

I replaced the original bottle jack with a generic 20/30T a few years ago but the original still works, just leaked.
You would be "hard pressed " , to find something comparable nowadays without spending big.
Just git it.
All that one in the pic needs is a bottle jack so you can leverage the price a bit.
Sniff them out about any accessories that they have laying around as well.
bearing splitters, U-plates etc. could end up part of the bargain.

Rob

 

[mtkst19]

so are we saying continental press are on par w/ the carolina press company? thats what i currently have in my garage. it is well worth 200 bucks.

 

[airbuff101]

so are we saying continental press are on par w/ the carolina press company? thats what i currently have in my garage. it is well worth 200 bucks.

I've seen Carolina, Continental and Standard on these presses over the years. All were the same press. I'm guessing there were other names too.

Haven't seen them sold in many years ( actually since the late 70's) and don't ever remember seeing them in wholesale catalogs either. They've always been sort of a mystery, but a well made mystery.... .

Maybe someone knows the real story from back then.
Rob

 

[jpoe]

The history is pretty hard to come by. I bought a carolina press last week and found next to nothing on the net. The most info I got was on here and it was a mixed bag. If it is the same as mine, I would buy it.

 

[crawlin91]

Yeah I searched and didnt come up with much but a few listings for them on expired auctions. I called the guy this a.m. someone already bought it. Oh well, on with the hunt. Thanks for all of the information and opinions, I sure do love this site!

 

[mtkst19]

http://www.carolinaequipment.com/index.jsp

wonder if this is the same company?

the address listed on my press was within short driving distance to another member's on here who had a similar press with different name. the only company in the area now who makes presses is linked above.

 

[jamesemery728]

Crawlin,
I would grab it.
It doesn't seem to have had much use.
Make sure the bed sits flat on pins and doesn't rock much. Any press can be bent if abused.
I have had an identical press for almost 30 years and it has done whatever has been asked of it for car, motorcycle even truck stuff. Mine has a "Standard" logo. It was purchased in the late 70's from the S.Carolina guys that ran up the east coast in pickup trucks full of equipment back then.
They were well made and a good size for automotive. Just a few years later the Orange Taiwan Tsunami of equipment hit our shores and there is a definate difference in strength and build quality.

I replaced the original bottle jack with a generic 20/30T a few years ago but the original still works, just leaked.
You would be "hard pressed " , to find something comparable nowadays without spending big.
Just git it.
All that one in the pic needs is a bottle jack so you can leverage the price a bit.
Sniff them out about any accessories that they have laying around as well.
bearing splitters, U-plates etc. could end up part of the bargain.

Rob

Ditto, I have one of these also. Go check it out, it looks like a good deal.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have one but cannot post pictures right now. I will tomorrow when I get home but they are a good press.

Edit: Here the one that I picked up but then had to buy a bottle jack for it.

After a HF bottle jack was added and it was in the garage: