Practical value of a shop press

[GreenNV]

I’ve been debating the purchase of a shop press but question its long term value due to possible limited use. I noticed Harbor Freight has reduced the price of their 20 ton press to @ $150 but do not know if they also cheapened the quality.

Is a shop press something that you use frequently that justifies having one?

 

[shovel]

I dont use it often, but it is invaluable when you need one. While I dont use one often enough to justify a better one, the HF 20 ton press has paid for itself over the long term. It has been over a year since I've used mine and thought about selling it. As soon as I do, I'd need it again...

 

[38Chevy454]

When you need it, it is invaluable. When you don't need it, takes up space. I have an older smaller 10 ton version and it is very handy when it is the right tool. Might use it 2-3x per year, but really depends on the job being done.

 

[mattygee]

I have a 12 ton HF press... It will pay for itself with one use as compared to bringing your car to a shop for a job that requires one. I don't use mine often either, but its nice to have. Mine has also proven handy when changing garden tractor tires...it makes a good bead breaker

 

[zmotorsports]

I use my press quite frequently at home so I can easily justify having one. I use it for suspension components, transmission work and whatever else needs pressing. It comes in very handy more times than I ever thought it would.

I purchased a small 10-ton HF unit about 22+ years ago but was quite disappointed in it after using a much nicer Nugier at work. About a year later we upgraded to 30-ton air-over hydraulic presses at work and I purchased a used 20-ton Nugier press from work. I completely disassembled it and repaired the leaking ram and as well as a couple of connection leaks. I have had the Nugier at my home shop for 20+ years now and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Mike.

 

[Falcon67]

I use it quite a bit. Paid $99 for it (12 ton, older style) and it's well paid it's rent. I've seen the coupons for the 20 ton but this one works well and hasn't come up short on anything yet. Last time I asked at a parts store - one that could do it - they wanted $20 per axle to press bearings. So there's half what I paid and I've build several rear ends plus replaced a few bearings. Pressed in bearing races, etc. $$$ saved easily.

 

[jonzer12]

Value goes up with the addition of addons, ie press brake kit, dimple dies, etc...

When you really need a press there is no substitute.

 

[Thruxton]

What timing! After decades (literally) of dithering, I now have too many jobs on my 928 to go back and forth to the shop to have things pressed in or out, so I ordered one a 12T last night. All your comments are very reinforcing- can't wait to get the thing (even though I have no room for it).

 

[NUTTSGT]

My neighbor and I built my press. I t cost me the bottle jack and a 12 pack for the press plate. It paid for itself in one use.


Consider this, once you buy it, it's a tool you will always have.

 

[csp]

If anything the quality of the HF presses has gotten better, at least in the 20ton version. No longer are the press plates cast, thank goodness. Those things were known for exploding under pressure.

 

[ez-duzit]

Value goes up with the addition of addons, ie press brake kit, dimple dies, etc...

When you really need a press there is no substitute.

This.

I'm building a press brake for my 50-ton Carolina press.

 

[rsanter]

If you are innovative you can do a lot with those things
Bend metal
Straighten shafts
Axle bearings
Sheet metal embossing
More

Bob

 

[A_Pmech]

I use mine every day and I'm getting ready to build a MUCH bigger one.

 

[coolguy]

If anything the quality of the HF presses has gotten better, at least in the 20ton version. No longer are the press plates cast, thank goodness. Those things were known for exploding under pressure.

Does anyone know when HF change the plates from cast ? Thanks Guys.

 

[jcinga]

I've had a 20 ton press for about 2 years. I use it more than I thought I would. It mainly gets used for pressing motorcycle suspension bearings, steering stem bearings and stems, and an occasional motorcycle crankshaft rebuild. Overall I'm glad I made the investment because it's already paid for itself. Mine came from Northern Tool. This model:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326417_200326417

You'll probably be glad you made the purchase and will use it more than you think. At least you can handle those things in your own shop without having to carry it elsewhere and have the job done.

 

[hr31hr]

I bought a used HF off of craigslist for $65. Well worth the money.

 

[Falcon67]

>(even though I have no room for it).
Why mine sits on some 2x12 spacers with casters - park it anywhere and plenty of room for axle work. They are kinda short in real life. They look taller on the web site.

 

[justanengineer]

I use mine every day and I'm getting ready to build a MUCH bigger one.

Knowing how much iron already is keeping your shop weighted down John, I for one cannot wait to see what "MUCH bigger" means.

Count me among the press "attachments" enthusiasts. Press dies, dimple dies, coining dies, press brakes, etc are all very fun and pretty straightforward machining projects. Ive also got a pipe bending setup in my head, but since I moved I need to acquire another press...havent had one in three years now and I definitely miss it. Been "making do" with the lil arbor press and DIY setups too long...

 

[snorky18]

If you don't know that you really need one, you probably don't need one.

I bought the HF 20 ton for $160 b/c I had 4 wheel bearings to change, and it's $35 each locally to have them pressed out by the machine shop, plus time and fuel to drive there in the AM, come home, go back late that afternoon to pick them up, and come home. Now that I'm done with it, it's either going to sit in the corner of my basement for 5-10 years till I need it again, or I may sell it on clist for ~$120, and still come out ahead money wise.

 

[VWPORSCHEGT3]

keep trying to convince the wife i need one... hasn't worked yet. but i keep trying lol

 

[Jagmandave]

They pop up on Craigslist from time to time, but even if I call the moment it's there somehow someone always beats me to it.

I'm still watching for one, they're usually on CL for $75 or so.....and they usually look like they were used once then put away.

 

[mdkingsley]

its one of those things that is what you need at the time and nothing else will do. The rest of the time it sits there looking pretty. Mine makes a good hanger for the shop vac hose when not in use.

 

[zkling]

It all boils down to what type of work you do. Wood carving? Then it probably won't be the most used tool in your shop.

I have a good size arbor press that I use much more often than I do my hydraulic press. For general DIY repair work I might argue that an arbor press is a bit more useful. You get direct feeedback of the force you are puttting in. Where as on a typical hydarulic press it can load up and cause a dangerous or damanging situation if the operator is not familiar with their operation.

For pressing bearings, punches, broaching, etc. If it will fit in the throat of my arbor press I will use that. But as Justanengineer said, hydraulic shop presses are more about the additional tooling that you can make for them.

 

[sberry]

For 150 its hard to go wrong, how much you got to lose. I built one I should have bought like that.

 

[gorilla]

I also built a press but I had access to free scrap steel and I built it before HF existed. For the money you can't go wrong with the HF press. It's the kind of tool that once you have it you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. You will find less need for the BFH after you have a press. You can also earn beer dollars pressing things for your friends.

 

[Mitchw123456]

I've been wanting one for awhile and finally pulled the trigger on one. I really was more interested in using it along side the swag off road brake kit but I justified it myself by saying that the FIRST time I'm beating on something with a hammer and miss and break a hand finger whatever it pays for itself.

 

[Guster]

You can do a lot with them. When I scored some pipe bender dies I decided that rather than make a pipe bender I would make a casette for the shop press to replicate the top part of the pipe bender. I find it is actually nicer to use than some of the other pipe bender setups. Recently scored a hard rubber block that works very well for dimpling and embossing thinner material - needed some screw heads recessed/countersunk on a sheetmetal panel.

I also have a 2T arbor press for smaller things and it is very usefull especially small and repetitive or freehand tasks. Each have their place and each have their use and at least I'm not ruining my bench vice by squashing things or hammering a thick piece of metal to the right shape on it.

 

[noslocars]

I bought the 20 ton HF one and the first job I did I payed for it in just the labor from the job. I get a lot of tools bought by doing side jobs in the garage.

 

[Sangant]

I got a 20 ton air over hydraulic recently. It's pretty nice, but gets in the way.

SO! I got a HF mover's dolly, set the press on it, and voila, for $12 I now have a nicely mobile press unit that stays out of the way till I need it! Great accessory that makes it practical to keep in the shop.

 

[Hornman]

I bought a HF 20T press in November, 2012 and it came with the cast iron plates. I used the press to rebuild the suspension on my Mustang, so it paid for itself on that job. I got tired of the manual bottle jack, so I bought a 20T air over hydraulic bottle jack on sale at HF. Much nicer. While I was there I bought 4 locking casters and bolted them to the corners. I found a good set of billet press plates so now I'm all set.

 

[ez-duzit]

This is mine, as found. 50-ton Carolina for $350. It has dual pumps for rapid slack take-up and high pressure.

 

[LXCam]

I have a very nice one I picked up when Saleen shut thier doors and all the equipment was auctioned off. I love that baby and it gets used a lot.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Does anyone know when HF change the plates from cast ? Thanks Guys.

Mine haven't blown up and are from 2005.

>(even though I have no room for it).
Why mine sits on some 2x12 spacers with casters - park it anywhere and plenty of room for axle work. They are kinda short in real life. They look taller on the web site.

And on the pedestal displays @ HF.

 

[Glenn M.]

I got a home-built one when a friend moved away and couldn't take it with him. Only 12 ton, but I like building engines, and pressing wrist pins out/in pistons - well, it works really good. Have pressed in bearing races in some hubs, replaced axle bearings, stuff like that. Wouldn't be without it...

 

[Badasssapper67]

I had one and now dont. When you have one you can use it to do things you normally would have avoided or taken a lot of extra steps to complete.