Shop Press: H versus A frame

[G-ManBart]

Edit: For some reason folks are missing the fact that both presses in question are 20 ton models. A 20 ton A frame press from Harbor Freight costs $30 more than the 20 ton H frame press.


I've started looking for a 20 ton shop press, and was wondering what everybody's thoughts are on the H versus A frame shapes? What are the advantages or disadvantages? The H frame picture below is rated for more than 20T, but it was the first picture I found....it's not one I'm considering buying.

A picture of each type I'm talking about:

 

[drivesitfar]

GMan: i'm looking for a bench top, but a nice big press might really come in handy for me sometimes and just don't have the space.

you might want to add in your posts what you are planning on doing with a press so others that used them and own them can advise you better.

good luck in your search and quest to make one of the best shops you can.

 

[G-ManBart]

Good point Drives.

I don't have any really specific requirements for a press right now...just general uses. In the past I've used the 20T press at work to straighten vise handles, press solid rubber tires onto wheels for a mower deck, some bearing/bushing work on my tractors, and similar tasks. When something gets too big, like the 10" bearing on the steerable drive for my backhoe, I take it to the pros because the price of making a mistake is likely more than what they'll charge.

I'm not sure that helps much, but it's all I can come up with right now.

 

[gdocktor3]

The H frames are stronger I think. I bought a press from HF and returned it before I finished putting it together. It was missing pieces and seemed like a flimsy piece of ****. Like you, I didn't have any real needs for it, but at the time was replacing the shackle bushings on my trucks leaf springs and thought the press would make it easier. I ended up doing it by hand with some basic hand tools and vice. That was almost 2 years ago and haven't found the need for a press since then. Glad I returned the other one because it would have taken up a lot of valuable space. Considering you have one at work, do you really need one?

 

[cvairwerks]

Couple of things to consider... An "A" frame press is going to have a narrower working width between uprights due to the required angles on the "A". The "A", can be easily racked under load, should the shaft collar break loose. I've seen it happen a couple of times, and the parts being pressed departed the press table at high rates of speed.

The "H" design allows much more width, and due to the design, is going to be more robust for the same capacity. Also, depending on your needs, the "H" style presses are available in both fixed head and sliding head(s), depending on your needs and pricing requirements.

I'm currently working on rebuilding a KRW 60 ton beast for my shop.

 

[G-ManBart]

The H frames are stronger I think. I bought a press from HF and returned it before I finished putting it together. It was missing pieces and seemed like a flimsy piece of ****. Like you, I didn't have any real needs for it, but at the time was replacing the shackle bushings on my trucks leaf springs and thought the press would make it easier. I ended up doing it by hand with some basic hand tools and vice. That was almost 2 years ago and haven't found the need for a press since then. Glad I returned the other one because it would have taken up a lot of valuable space. Considering you have one at work, do you really need one?

All good points. The problem with using the one at work is that it's 40min from my house, and if I want to do something on the weekend I'm not going to make that drive to use it. The second problem is that it's located in a different building from where my desk is, so I have to get in my truck and drive over to the shop to use it....not a huge deal, but not very convenient.

 

[G-ManBart]

Couple of things to consider... An "A" frame press is going to have a narrower working width between uprights due to the required angles on the "A". The "A", can be easily racked under load, should the shaft collar break loose. I've seen it happen a couple of times, and the parts being pressed departed the press table at high rates of speed.

The "H" design allows much more width, and due to the design, is going to be more robust for the same capacity. Also, depending on your needs, the "H" style presses are available in both fixed head and sliding head(s), depending on your needs and pricing requirements.

I'm currently working on rebuilding a KRW 60 ton beast for my shop.

Thanks...great first post! The thing I should have mentioned earlier is that it seems the A frames are more expensive than the H frames.....if they're less robust, that's sort of backwards or so it would seem.

The A frame in the picture above is one I found for sale locally, with the pneumatic jack for $125. Being able to stand to the side while pressing something would seem to add a level of safety you don't get with manual pump jacks.

 

[zkling]

Besides cost, there is little to no advantage to the A frame for a general shop.

 

[ToddW]

C Frame = Benefit if you can afford to buy or build one with a deep enough throat... I'm working on that style for my next press...

 

[G-ManBart]

Besides cost, there is little to no advantage to the A frame for a general shop.

That's what gets me. If you just compare Harbor Freight, the A frame costs quite a bit more than the H frame...seems backwards.

 

[ChevyEFI]

That's what gets me. If you just compare Harbor Freight, the A frame costs quite a bit more than the H frame...seems backwards.

Historically, the A-frame 12-ton has been less money than the H-frame 20-ton.

Which of their presses are you checking out ?

 

[G-ManBart]

Historically, the A-frame 12-ton has been less money than the H-frame 20-ton.

Which of their presses are you checking out ?

The 20 ton model of both. The H is $199 and the A is $229.

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-a-frame-industrial-heavy-duty-floor-shop-press-37999.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html

 

[Trey T]

I'm not an expert on the design but by looking at the basic component of the design ... the H-frame is designed for wider work space for pressing. The limitation of the A-frame is the diagonal bars ... the wider the work space, the weaker it is (assuming same material component). The HF ones are 14" (A-frame) and 22" (H-frame) working space wide.

A-frame has more components and several threads I came across over the years is that people replace the bolts ... I'm not sure if it's paranoia or a necessity; either case, there's more potential for failure. Given HF product, I would go w/ the simple design, the H-frame.

 

[G-ManBart]

Given HF product, I would go w/ the simple design, the H-frame.

I'm actually hoping to find a higher quality brand at an estate sale, but thought it wise to sort of dig through the differences in design.

Honestly, I might just buy some steel and make my own....good welding project!

 

[sz0k30]

You still can't go wrong with the HF 20 ton.

 

[G-ManBart]

You still can't go wrong with the HF 20 ton.

Which one?

 

[469 runner]

The A frame presses look like toys. I'm no expert but there is a reason one does not see A frames any larger than 10-12 tons. I expect they lack the strength and versatility of the H-Frames.

 

[G-ManBart]

The A frame presses look like toys. I'm no expert but there is a reason one does not see A frames any larger than 10-12 tons. I expect they lack the strength and versatility of the H-Frames.

The A frame I pictured in the first post is a Harbor Freight 20 ton model...I linked to that page later.

The A frame 20 ton costs more than the H frame 20 ton from the same manufacturer. That may be part of the reason they are less common....

 

[ChevyEFI]

The A-frame has slightly more flexibility in the sides being open.

C-channel on the H means the A is weaker.

If mine were stolen tomorrow, I'd consider the H over the A, even if prices were identical. Okay, I'd look at the 50 ton.

Their arbor plates sure do look big compared to the "new" design H and that narrow A. Hmm.