Shop press question

[48RON54]

Fellas its looking like I might have to buy a shop press this weekend. Since this is an item that I see myself rarely using I will likely just get one from HF. Well, maybe I will check CL and see what turns up on there. I know nothing about presses...... the reason I have to buy one is I'm about to do some suspension work and I have a wheel bearing that may very well be bad. I'm leaning towards the 12 ton. the 20 ton seems like total overkill. Is the 6 ton strong enough to press out wheel bearings? Has anybody here attempted it? Its not much cheaper than the 12 ton but I see this tool as damn near being a once and done tool. Thanks


*scratch the CL idea, the same HF ones sell for more on there when you take into account the 20-25% off coupons available this weekend*

 

[engineer2]

I've had the HF 12 ton for years and it has worked on everything automotive so far. You'll spend as much on a bearing separator plus bushing driver kits. I also keep some of the old bearings because they can be used to press in new bearings.

 

[michaelwolson]

I don't have any experience with the 6 ton but I absolutely love the 12 ton my Dad gave me. I use it for almost everything included the entire suspension on my honda crx and chevy c10. It's even replaced my rubber mallet/deadblow for a lot of tasks.

When my dad had it he would just put all the pieces back into their original boxes and shove it into the back of his shed so it would take up much space. I'm guessing you could either do that (still takes up some room) or resell it (most likely at a small loss).

I believe with the exception of the length of the pillars it would take up a similar amount of space as the 6 ton if you were to disassemble and then reassemble when required.

 

[paulsomlo]

I would go with the 20 ton - I have the HF version, works well enough.

 

[royesses]

I have the 12 ton. The 20 ton is more likely to be needed to service automotive work. My 12 ton would not press out the center bearing on my sons driveshaft. It took 60 tons on the local shops press to get it to budge with a large pop. The 20 ton should do most of the jobs around a car or 1/2 ton truck. It is a better value.

 

[Handyfarmer]

I have 20 ton press, and do not know how I would have got along with out it over the years,

and this last year, I made a 3 ton hydraulic arbor type press, with a turntable base,
the jack is a 20 inch stroke, and the frame is a 5x5 I beam, (would not have hurt to have frame beam some heavier), but it very handy, with the single column no sides or front, and the rotating base with various slot width, (bought base off e bay).
this press is extremely handy.

 

[2oolhound]

I have 20 ton press, and do not know how I would have got along with out it over the years,

and this last year, I made a 3 ton hydraulic arbor type press, with a turntable base,
the jack is a 20 inch stroke, and the frame is a 5x5 I beam, (would not have hurt to have frame beam some heavier), but it very handy, with the single column no sides or front, and the rotating base with various slot width, (bought base off e bay).
this press is extremely handy.

Pictures or it didn't happen.

seriously, I'd love to see some pics of your arbor press. (I want an arbor press and have some 5x5 I beam.)

 

[sz0k30]

For the little difference in price & the big difference in power get the HF 20 ton. If you say its just a one & done then just have the work done at most any old time auto parts store.

 

[ndnchf]

I think you'll be surprised how much you'll use a press once you get one. It is handy for many things. I had a12 ton HF press for about 20 years, then upgraded last year to the 20 ton. I love it snd use it a lot. Ive done a few upgrades too. There are two different HF 20 ton presses, get the #60603. I even split a little firewood with it!

 

[Scout3918]

I think you'll be surprised how much you'll use a press once you get one. It is handy for many things. I had a12 ton HF press for about 20 years, then upgraded last year to the 20 ton. I love it snd use it a lot. Ive done a few upgrades too. There are two different HF 20 ton presses, get the #60603. I even split a little firewood with it!

Whats the difference between the 2?
Thanks

 

[paulsomlo]

If you're doing auto work on a regular basis, they pay for themselves quickly.

 

[Jango]

The difference is that the 60603 (I believe is the better one) is better structurally. Thicker everything. Thicker sides, beams. My dad just bought one and put it together. It’s great.


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[ndnchf]

The 60603 is the bolt together model, the other 32879 is welded together (sometimes crookedly). Disregard the photo on the HF site, both show the same photo. When assembling the 60603, use a square and level, it will come out right. You can also upgrade to good grade 8 bolts if you prefer.

 

[rmack898]

I got a 20 ton from Greg Smiths. It was almost the same price as the HF version except that it was air over hydraulic. It sees a fair amount of use in my shop.

 

[MJD1]

The HF ratings are very optimistic. I would say half the rating is more realistic. Besides being sized for midgets, the deflection and built in slop , the potential for disaster is there. Go with the 20 ton , if you figure 10 tons would do the job.

 

[anndel]

I have a Dake B10 10 ton benchtop press and it's working great so far. I only use it to push out and press in wheel hubs, wheel bearings and alternator bearings. If I need something with higher force I have access to a 50 ton hydraulic press.

 

[JerseyJeep95]

The 60603 is the bolt together model, the other 32879 is welded together (sometimes crookedly). Disregard the photo on the HF site, both show the same photo. When assembling the 60603, use a square and level, it will come out right. You can also upgrade to good grade 8 bolts if you prefer.

Do you have a write-up on that crank setup? That looks convenient.

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[apollo11]

Whatever you buy, weld some casters on it.

 

[ndnchf]

Do you have a write-up on that crank setup? That looks convenient.

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There is a lot of good info on modifications in this thread, including mine in this thread.

http://https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349032&highlight=60603

 

[anndel]

I was looking at this one because of space. I'd like one for occasional work in the garage but space is at a premium. Do you really like it?

So far so good, it's pushed wheel bearings, wheel hubs and alternator bearings. I'll try to shoot a photo after I clean up my garage.

 

[TexasT]

I think you'll be surprised how much you'll use a press once you get one. It is handy for many things. I had a12 ton HF press for about 20 years, then upgraded last year to the 20 ton. I love it snd use it a lot. Ive done a few upgrades too. There are two different HF 20 ton presses, get the #60603. I even split a little firewood with it!

x2 on this. I never even thought about splitting logs with it. That is awesome. Ive had the 12t hf unit for coming up on 25 yrs(23-24 or so, got it right after the missus and i got hitched). It is super handy. Front suspension bushings n ball joints, u joints on drive shafts, used it to do clutch packs when I over hauled a transmission, wheel studs when I swapped disks on the f/e of our suburban. As above you will find a bunch of uses.