Harbor Freight 12 Ton Press - 60604

[shadowpuck]

I'm debating between the 12 and 20 ton HF shop press. I've read the threads here on the newer 20 ton press (60603) and have a fairly good read on that model.

I'm curious - does anyone have any feedback on the newer (60604) 12 ton model? On sale and with a 25% coupon, it fits my budget very nicely!

At the moment, the 20 ton is $149 with coupon around here - so I can't use the 25% on that model.

I do mostly automotive work in my shop - strictly hobby/recreational, no commercial work going on here. This press will most likely see use for pressing suspension bushings and things of that nature on import cars (mostly German stuff).

I've used the older version 20 ton press so I'm familiar with its pros/cons. Just trying to figure out if the newer 12 ton has the same improvements as the newer 20 ton, and if a 12 ton will get the job done for me.

 

[AndrewH]

Nevermind, misread what you said.

 

[shadowpuck]

i probably didn't explain that very well, either.

i meant that the 20 ton has a coupon bringing it to 149, currently on sale at 199 so even at 25% off, 149 is as low as it gets.

the 12 ton is 129 on sale right now, so 25% coupon brings it down under 100.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

I'd get the biggest press you could afford. I wouldn't waste any time or money on a press under 20 ton.

for what it's worth at work we have a cheap little 20 ton press.. It's old, it's been used and abused, but still works for everything we throw at it. Explorer wheel bearings, pressing transmission bearings and gears when doing manuals and doing certain center bearings on driveshafts. However I'm sure the day will come where it'll meet it's match. A good press is worth it's weight in gold, far more precise and you don't have the looming fear of shrapnel ripping through your flesh.

I'll tell ya what though... I've tossed the idea around of getting a harbor freight press for my own garage.... I just can't bring myself to do it. i search ebay and craigslist for an older press hopefully with blocks that's a good price...

 

[warweapon762]

I have a 12 ton that I use quite regularly, I bought it mostly because of space issues. It works pretty good, but many people will recommend that you weld these presses up because of flexing and the like. But I've never experienced this first hand, probably because I assembled mine with an 1000 ft-lb impact gun!

 

[MG44]

I have the 12 ton is our commercial shop. If does everything just make sure your press work is setup straight.

 

[shadowpuck]

I have the 12 ton is our commercial shop. If does everything just make sure your press work is setup straight.

do you recall - is it the newer version?

and, yes, absolutely vital - get everything straight, understand leverage, etc. very important!

 

[digitalfiend]

do you recall - is it the newer version?

and, yes, absolutely vital - get everything straight, understand leverage, etc. very important!

I've got the 12-ton too and I've been very happy with it. I bought it to press on and off gears and bearings during a manual transmission overhaul I did a few years back. I've since used it for many other things like pressing on and off control arm bearings, ball joints, and a few other odds and ends. I have had good use out of it minus some of the squareness issues that you can find fixes for if you google - nothing major though.

How do you identify the new and old versions?

Beyond identification, what are the differences in the new and old?

 

[shadowpuck]

This thread will cover the changes in the 20 ton model - which, i'm going to guess there were similar changes in the 12 ton.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197534&highlight=60603

however, i "splurged" and ended up buying the 20 ton. my store had it in stock and i've used the old 20 ton, but never the 12 ton from harbor freight. the store did not have the new version of either on display.

 

[BD1]

Depends on what you plan on using it for. I got the old 20. Made a brake for it and have bent 1/4'' x 4'' flat bar no problems. If you can afford the extra bucks, get the 20.

 

[kyrbz]

I have a HF 12 ton that I've used for years. It's been adequate for the type of motorcycles and micro/mini cars that I like restoring. I think when I bought it with sales and coupons I paid around $79.00. Over the years I've made a few modifications to it to make it a little more usable. The bar with the anvil that the jack sits on had the anvil welded to it slightly crooked so I made a new one out a much more robust u-channel and I made it so I can change the anvils. I also made a bunch of different diameter anvils for it. I also added an air/hydraulic jack which saves a lot of pumping and time. One of these days I'd like to replace it with a better made 20 ton http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/shop-press-hsp-20a but for the maybe 140.00 I have in it, it does alright.

 

[shadowpuck]

not being able to see the newer 12 ton model partially swayed my decision to get the 20 ton. i don't expect this press to see the type of work that would require one of the more expensive models - much like others here, i'm only going to use it periodically.

i've had good success with the previous model 20 ton.

i built a stand similar to yours, kyrbz - and its nice to be able to roll the press around the shop and to keep it out of the way for storage.

naturally, the arbor plates were missing in my box - the store is supposed to have some for me in a couple of days. i have no planned projects that require the immediate use of the press so that's ok for now.

i will probably convert it to the air over hydraulic jack at some point - that's a really nice mod for these. i have some friends that will assist with making up some different bits for pressing bushings and the like.

so, i'm excited to add another tool to the shop!

 

[zkling]

Go with the 20 for sure. I've had wheel bearing jobs that just barely came out with a 20T, can't imagine on 60% of that.

 

[sparky7]

I have used both.

I bought the 20 ton for myself after using both.

The reason i bought the 20 ton is that it is welded together. The 12 ton bolts together which makes it twist when you put it under a lot of stress. This is pretty undesirable when you are pressing something together and i could see it eventually damaging something because it could cause something to be pressed in with a lot of side load.

With the coupon i think i paid 160 for the 20 ton... its twice the price but worth every penny and come on its only 160 bucks....





on another note, the arbor plates that they give you shouldnt really be used, they are made of cast iron and can explode because of casting defects when you really crank on them. there is a post on some website about a guy who almost lost his eye and i think fracured his jaw because of this

 

[Shaggyjp]

Just wanted to share this with someone. I built it out of a Harborfreight 12 ton press, Harborfreight 12 ton pipe bender and a Harborfreight tubing notcher. Then added the holders at the bottom for the press plates. Added casters and a holster for the jack pump bar. To use the press as a press turn the bed over so the pipe bender is down. hope this might help someone else have less clutter in there shop.

 

[Rlfd213]

Spend the extra couple of dollars on the 20 ton, or keep an eye open on Craigslist. I got my 20 ton press for 50.00 on Craigslist. It was a want not a need, but now that I have it I have used it a lot.

 

[bwringer]

Go with the 20 for sure. I've had wheel bearing jobs that just barely came out with a 20T, can't imagine on 60% of that.

Looks like the OP already got a 20 ton press.


Anyway, I was thinking the same. I've run into many FWD wheel bearings that were a royal stone cold ***** with a 20 ton press. No way they would have moved at all on a 12 ton press. For just about everything else, a 12T press would probably do fine.