HF Shop Press. $149 with coupon.

[rogersmithiii]

Any comments on the 20 ton HF shop press. Is this useful, or should I just use a hammer and a piece of 2 x 4?

Thanks

 

[machine_punk]

It consistently gets good reviews on several forums. I just got it myself, but haven't actually used it, since I am still in the process of putting casters on it, before I assemble it. SWAG Offroad sells some accessories for it.

I have been watching it for quite a while. When the $150 coupon came out, I decided it was finally time. I plan to mostly use my 12-ton, air-over-hydraulic jack in the press, unless I need the maximum 20-ton force.

kev

 

[stoveboltgunnut]

I bought mine on sale for 150. No complaints, works great. I could not buy the steel to make it for $150.

 

[MG44]

where is this $150 coupon at? I would love to pick up one for that price.

 

[ndnchf]

One note of caution:

I was in my local HF store after Christmas. A guy was returning a 20 press. I stood off in the distance and listened to his complaint. Apparently, the holes that support the cross piece were not drilled in equal positions, so the cross piece would not set evenly. It rocked back and forth. The store pulled out several others and checked them. They all had the same issue.

I'd like to have one myself, but this made me a little wary. Maybe this batch was made on a Monday morning. Double check before you buy.

 

[dgreen1069]

My neighbor has one and I used it press out some pins on my tractor's loader. I had tried several BFH's, heat, etc. The press worked fine and had enough power to crush a socket I used with the press.

 

[lead_foot]

I just bought one last week, thing is very solid. Some of the welds aren't aesthetically pleasing, but it's a major bang for the buck. Waaaaaaay better than the 12 ton they sell.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I've been using mine for years. Removing axle bearings, bending steel, pressing in u-joints, etc. Very solid and sturdy press.

Now the arbor plates. Cast steel- so they don't hold up to alot of use under hi pressure and will fragment

As stated swag off road sells alot of accessories for the HF shop press to include bullet proof arbor plates. Get a set.

 

[metalhead212121]

Its been said on here that HF will constantly change suppliers of their products... An example would be "company A" will supply HF with engine hoists for "X" amount of time and everything will be "OK." Then down the road they change suppliers and the quality is ****. I know the reviews are all over the place for their engine hoists.... I did break down and buy a hoist from them. One of the holes is not drill right... makes it a pain to put the thing together. Thats my only major complaint about my hoist.

Just my .02....

 

[zmotorsports]

I had one for a short time and it worked but I am just not a fan of HF tools. This was about 1995 when I built my shop. It never gave me any problems for the couple of years that I had it but I was looking for a high quality press and found a used Nugier 20-ton press that replaced my HF press. I gave my HF press to my brother and he still has it.

Mike.

 

[porschedude996TT]

I have a second hand one that came with a engine crane for $100. Much better than a 2X4 and a hammer. You just can't compare the ability of a Press to a Hammer and whatever.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

ive got a 12 ton one and use it pretty often for setting bearings, ball joints and the like.....has worked good for me. id like to make a small metal bender for it then i think id use it a lot more

 

[ndnchf]

I've got one of the old 12 ton presses, probably had it over 15 years. I got tired of the hydraulic jacks leaking and having to replace them every few years. The seals in them are ****. I finally converted mine to a screw jack. It has about the same power as before, but no mess.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

I paid $150 for mine, it's not the best press..but it does work. I welded the base together and it seems fine. The cast arbor plates have a bad reputation though, I'm leery of using those.

 

[RCStocker]

I have had a 20 ton HF for 25 years and it works great. I have had better brands but sold them for the money they fetched. $150 is only dinner and drinks for 2 on a moderate date. What do you have to loose?

 

[RivennHewn]

I have had a 20 ton HF for 25 years and it works great. I have had better brands but sold them for the money they fetched. $150 is only dinner and drinks for 2 on a moderate date. What do you have to loose?

There are things you can get on a date that will last 25 years, but you don't want them.

 

[harrytbagger]

There are things you can get on a date that will last 25 years, but you don't want them.

like married

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

I have had mine for 3 years now and I have used the **** out of it! The only think I have done to it was box in the top beam to strengthen it up a bit. Also my the air over Hyd ram if you have a compressor it's a life saver!

 

[ChevyEFI]

I've had mine since 2004 or so.

My arbor plates haven't blown up.

I haven't had to replace or reseal the jack.

The built-in "wobbles" have never kept me from getting work done. That's not even bothered me enough to see if it's the bolt-together assembly or the hole locations themselves.

But it has let me get some driveline, differential and transmission stuff done for myself and customers.

 

[Man Cave]

I have a HF 20 ton and it works fine for me. I have pressed u joints and A arm bushings etc. with it but I mostly do aircraft work and you won't overwork this press in general aviation maitenance. I did have to cut the fixed ram loose and square it up and reweld it.(the round stock under the channel) It was crooked from the begining but I misplaced the receipt and didn't even take it out of the shipping box for nine months so I didn't have the return option. Good value for the money.

 

[BD1]

Had mine for 4 years. Made a metal brake for it. I bend steel in it. No problem bending 1/4''x 4'' flat bar in a 90. Only issue is that it sits LOW if on floor. I raised mine up about 8'' and did set it on all swivel wheels. Couldn't buy material to build for 150.00. I'm happy !