How to improve Harbor Freight 12 ton press?

[ps2cho]

Hi guys

So last month I picked up the grey latest model 12 ton press from Harbor Freight.
http://m.harborfreight.com/12-ton-shop-press-33497.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

Today I tried to use it to press out a bushing from a control arm and I noticed that the frame seems to be twisting when it's under load...so it's not wanting to press straight.

Has anybody else encountered this? Is there a way to fix it?
I won't be using it that often, so I don't need a $1000 press.

Thanks,

 

[stevenhs]

Take it back. You have 90 days for exchange

 

[383 240z]

take it back and get a 20ton

 

[sz0k30]

Replace it with the HF 20 ton press!

 

[ps2cho]

I don't even have the boxes any more I don't think it's an option. I didn't see a difference between them either other than height. Welding and metal thickness looked the same.

 

[CobraChevelle]

you need a 20ton, I went with a 20 ton, I knew 12 ton wouldn't be strong/big enough

 

[Todd.Brock]

Dake is nice. Have you thought about spending 3k??

Only kidding. I would imagine the box doesn't matter too much if you have the receipt. Call the store to see if they can search for the transaction by swiping your credit card. Or maybe it's in your file by phone number assuming you didn't make one up when they ask for it every time now!

 

[redmondjp]

^ What everybody else already said - get the 20 ton. You can't polish a turd.

I built my own 12-ton press in high school welding shop. I've had that thing so twisted up while pressing axle bearings off of a 1969 Ford pickup that I thought it was going to let loose.

 

[zkling]

Build one. $500 in steel, $500 pump and cylinder.

The 20 ton is a very nice unit for the money. Put an air/hydraulic in place of the pump if you want the convenience.

 

[ps2cho]

This isn't an issue with tonnage. This rubber bushing is not pressed in that tight. I am just having trouble pressing it in straight because the chassis moves upon any load. Maybe I isn't tighten it up right...

I can't return it. I was hoping someone had experience with this press. I guess not.. I'll try adding some washers to close up the gaps and maybe torque the bolts when it's under stress.

Unless someone has direct experience telling me to return it is wasting time at this point.

 

[engineer2]

Is there too much side-to-side slop in the part that rides up and down?
I've been using my HF 12 ton for years on all sorts of projects and never had an issue, but haven't tried control arm bushings yet. Control arm bushings are difficult because it's hard to set the control arm in the correct position and have it stay put as you press on it. I've done control arm bushings with heavy duty C-clamps, but that was a long time ago.

 

[redmondjp]

It sounds like your issue is not with the press itself, but with your accessories you are using to press out the bushing. As stated above, it can be difficult to do control arm bushings on a press.

In my younger years when I had more free time and was regularly doing metalwork, I fabricated custom press bushings out of pieces of various sizes of steel tubing and the like - I had more time than money and a box of scrap to work from.

One other idea may be to use a sawzall or close-quarters hacksaw to cut radially outward from the center of the bushing in order to remove it.

 

[ps2cho]

Is there too much side-to-side slop in the part that rides up and down?
I've been using my HF 12 ton for years...

Yes! How can I fix this?

 

[redmondjp]

Yes! How can I fix this?

Temporarily shim it, or clamp it to the uprights.

 

[engineer2]

Shim it with stips of metal. Weld them in or screw them in.