Shop press worth?

[chaosracing]

I found this press in a salvage yard about 6 months ago. About 2 months ago, I checked it out. They hydraulic ram comes out, but will not return so I am guessing it will need to be rebuilt. Needs new pressure gauge and I will need to get arbor plates for it as well.

I asked how much and they said make an offer (its an Amish run place) I started at $75. Guy said they would just bury it instead of taking that low of a price. I asked again how much and they said $175. Now for that I can get a HF 20 ton press that works. I realize this is an old unit and probably US made, but still needs work done to it. I have searched CL for a while and nothing pops up.

What do you think is a fair price for it? I guess the other question is, is it repairable. The head guy claims they can fix it quick (however, it has sat for 2 months since I last inquired about it) so I am pondering if its worth it. I

 

[Showkey]

It’s in the junk yard for a reason..........likely the hydraulics leak or won’t build pressure or worse.

$75 no more and that’s the high point.

 

[whateg01]

Well, beyond it being American made, I'd place a lot more value on it just for the fact that the ram/cylinder is fixed in place and not a bottle jack pushing on a wobbly, unstable, imprecise bar. If it can be rebuilt, I'd say it's worth it. Given the choice between the fixable press here or a HF thing, I'd definitely go this route.

OTOH, if you need something that works today, by all means go to the store and get one.

Dave

 

[paulsomlo]

$75 sounds fair to me - scrap value is probably half that or less. They have no intention of fixing it, they're just trying to gouge you.

 

[chaosracing]

I am in no rush for one right now. This is/is not a scrap yard. They buy industrial sites and tear them down and sell off anything they can. I have been getting my metal for projects here for the past 18 years (It only became Amish owned about 10 years ago)

The only info I found on it is the tag I have shown in the one picture for the relief valve. I agree that this is a much better version than the HF ones, but for as often as I would use it and what it might take to repair this, thats my main concern. I do not even know what the ton rating is on it.

 

[exmaxima1]

I bought my HF 20T press locally for $50, and it was in mint condition and works fine for my needs. If my jack broke I'd replace it with an air-assisted version for less than $100. No way I would even consider $175 for a similarly sized press with broken hydraulics.

 

[Mr_B]

100bucks if you into hydraulic repair and like the gamble , if not it worth about 75bucks gamble on pump or end up a cheap bottle jack downgrade .
If it pumps and makes/holds pressure and just not releasing it likely easier fix .
If actually building no pressure as well then 50bucks is all I want pay unless keen on it and fancy a gamble/project or bottle jack conversion.
Get a mate go get a price and laugh them into the ground and low ball them, if he don't get it, you go back couple weeks later and low ball them and if don't work out walk away and forget it or pop back again and ask therm why that ************* still in the yard and your offer still stands .

 

[Mgdoug3]

I would offer $100 since it's sat for two more months. If he says no just tell them to go ahead and burry it.

 

[ken w.]

I would also offer $ 100.00. How heavy is it ? 100 pounds ? I wouldn't take 100 pounds in for scrap. I'm sure you could mount a bottle jack to it just to use it. I would guess you would be into at least $ 150.00 for a hydraulic repair if you took it in.

 

[anndel]

I would say between the $50-75 range because of it's current condition plus it appears to be out in the rain/snow without any cover.

 

[cvairwerks]

Based on table and upright sizes, that's somewhere around a 40 ton press. 175$ for it, even if you had to put 200$ or so into rebuilding the pump and cylinder is a steal.

 

[toomuchwonder]

The optimistic upside is that you get something that is well made and doesn't need a lot of work to getting working in as new condition. More likely, it'll take parts and labour to get it working and it'll be a well made but well used machine when you're finished. It could end up to not being economically repairable, how would you feel about spending $200 on $50 of scrap? If you're buying you need to understand the condition of the machine and the cost to fix it, you also need to factor the risk of it being unfixable into that.

Sometimes people selling things don't know what they're worth, in this case the seller may not know how little it's worth!

 

[1982fxr]

Haven’t scrapped in a while but $50 on scrap?! Maybe $10

 

[L.Cheapo]

I'd have offered $50. If he responded to me the way he did you, I'd wish him happy digging and walk away.

 

[cutt]

Fifty bucks is fair. I always go with a open mind but be willing to walk away. Unless you just have to have the darn thing.

 

[alexb2000]

I have a similar press to that. U.S. made and rated at 40 ton (40 real U.S.A. tool tons BTW). I had to rebuild the hydraulic ram and I ended up converting the pump to an air over hydraulic foot operated version. I also bought real arbor plates from SWAG offload. I also ended up having it powder coated just because I wanted it to look nice.

After all of that I have $1500 or so into it and I'm fine with that.

It will easily press 40 tons and if I am not careful it could bend the cross beams. I don't have to worry about those crappy cast arbor plates shattering. It will drive a SWAG press brake attachment with ease even with 3/8 X 20" plate. It has broken plenty of things that refused to move.

You get what you pay for, I would make a deal, set it up right, and just the way you want it. Then forget what you paid and just enjoy having a quality tool in the shop.

 

[Mr_B]

I do like the old press as proper size solid heavy frame but I would still only want pay 100bucks and that if hydraulics seem half likely fixable or at least ram reusable .
Could sink 300+ into quite quickly if wanted keep it a good 40 tonne system .
I bought similar working for 300bucks and all needed was pump seal and a coat of epoxy .

 

[Skin]

I would also offer $ 100.00. How heavy is it ? 100 pounds ? I wouldn't take 100 pounds in for scrap. I'm sure you could mount a bottle jack to it just to use it. I would guess you would be into at least $ 150.00 for a hydraulic repair if you took it in.

100 pounds? Maybe if you're talking about just the table. A press that size is more like 400 pounds.

For what its worth I've been looking for a decent affordable shop press for awhile. CL is overflowing with HF garbage and decent brands like OTC or Dake have people asking insane prices. 30 years of hard use and maybe 1k off list. I don't get it. Now I wouldn't touch that particular press simply because I don't have the time for another project but if its just a matter of seals I can pretty much guarantee the hydraulics can be fixed.

The frame alone is easily worth $100.

 

[Sycan]

I guess I'm the odd one then, I would gladly pay $175 for that. It's about 10 times the press as the harbor freight one. You start pressing really hard on something and cheap presses ****!

 

[Fender1325]

Depends on your needs. If it's rare, go with the HF unit it's totally fine and works. If you need to use it once a week or more, then pony up and buy a new quality unit. As for that particular one I wouldn't pay more than 75.

 

[WittHay]

I found this press in a salvage yard about 6 months ago. About 2 months ago, I checked it out. They hydraulic ram comes out, but will not return so I am guessing it will need to be rebuilt. Needs new pressure gauge and I will need to get arbor plates for it as well.

I asked how much and they said make an offer (its an Amish run place) I started at $75. Guy said they would just bury it instead of taking that low of a price. I asked again how much and they said $175. Now for that I can get a HF 20 ton press that works. I realize this is an old unit and probably US made, but still needs work done to it. I have searched CL for a while and nothing pops up.

What do you think is a fair price for it? I guess the other question is, is it repairable. The head guy claims they can fix it quick (however, it has sat for 2 months since I last inquired about it) so I am pondering if its worth it. I

For me this press is worth at least $250 to $300. The bed is in good shape. Some 50 ton press beds are warped or bent. Pieces and hydraulics can be swapped from one press to another.

You mentioned a 20 ton HF press, for a diy I would go with that. If you work on larger stuff. The HF type is useless, too small of frame opening and just not strong enough

 

[wkndwarrior29]

If the head guy thinks it is a quick fix, agree to the $175 if it is working properly and let them fix it. Around here - $3-400 for a used unit like that in working condition is typical. Although, it all depends on if you value the time you'll spend cleaning it up or if you enjoy deal hunting more. I was able to snag this one at an auction for 75$ and all it needed was fluid.... But it took a bit of looking...

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr_B]

Working condition could be anything from 300 to 800 bucks .
I wouldn't want pay more than 100 if hydraulics look big fix, if got a real want for it and hydraulics plus frame look a good buy/gamble then maybe worth more but from swapping out press hydraulics before I know potential cost and time for decent setup so at best I wouldn't want pay more than 150 and you going want have need of a big press or like the project to commit to rebuild or hydraulic parts swap cost and time. If was a sure quick easy fix it would of been done and sold for 400+ already .

 

[chaosracing]

Well went back to the salvage yard today since I got rained out for work. Needed rebar for my garage floor anyway so 2 birds one stone. Laid out $150 in front of the guy and said thats my final offer for the press......and he took it (probably helped that I bought $50 worth of rebar to)

Now to find out whats wrong with it, but the garage and other projects are priority first.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Glad it worked out for you. Good luck with the repair.

 

[Mr_B]

top dollar that
hope it works out sensible money and not too much hassle fix.
hydraulics done and blast of epoxy paint it look pretty sweet and could crush a HF press into a bucket
old stuff is the best stuff .

 

[bob15]

Well went back to the salvage yard today since I got rained out for work. Needed rebar for my garage floor anyway so 2 birds one stone. Laid out $150 in front of the guy and said thats my final offer for the press......and he took it (probably helped that I bought $50 worth of rebar to)

Now to find out whats wrong with it, but the garage and other projects are priority first.

That wasn't Moses Glick's yard was it?

 

[chaosracing]

That wasn't Moses Glick's yard was it?

Yes it was.

 

[RustyJunk]

Nowadays you can easily set up a shop with cheap Chinese tools, but when you're done, all your gonna have a shop full of cheap Chinese tools.

 

[chaosracing]

Now that things have slowed down a little and I have to wait 30 days for my garage floor slab to cure before coating, I started messing with the press a little. I extended the ram some more, and it did retract a little, but not all the way. I took off the fluid line hoping it would return, but no go. Thinking I have to take the cylinder off. Not 100% sure on that.

I also tried looking for a new pressure gauge for it since the old on was smashed (before I got it) I looked online, but didnt find anything close to it. Anyone have any ideas where to locate one? It has a 1/4" fitting on the back side of the gauge.

Also does anyone know what type of fluid I should use? It has a blue colored oil in it now (kinda like snow plow hydro oil)

 

[matt_i]

That gage is likely labeled to read in Tons. It is Unlikely you can find any replacement. It will be in Psi (pressure units, etc) which is OK.

I can't see it all but it seems like there is still some hope. I would try to gingerly straighten out the back cover and the bottom of the backing and see if the guts are OK. Personally I would just use it without the lens.

As far as oil, imo for a hand pumped press just about any hydraulic oil will work. Replace it all or mix it, should not make a difference. I would look at a tractor supply and see what they have.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You did well on the purchase. Some of the people in this thread obviously do not get out much when it comes to shop equipment. It is funny that they think they are going to dictate the price that a man will sell something for. I search out and buy equipment constantly, and the lowest price for a press of that level in working condition I have found was $600, and it got sold in a few hours. It will be worth rebuilding if it needs it. Search google for pressure and tonnage gauge. There are plenty available, but relatively expensive. Try to find a case and lens to swap out onto that one. The case is usually held on to the sensor with two small screws.

 

[Mr_B]

An old press that don't work not worth 600bucks lol .
If he gets it working well he done okay but if parts non serviceable or missing he not done as well . I bought lot of equipment farm and industrial & I wouldn't want pay much for a press in that physical state, sure it a real nice proper press if get it working but it been messed with and if was likely easy fix it been sold working .

Some basic vg 32 what I would use .
Ideally need some disassembly and checking of valve would be good idea especially if shows signs of any recent tampering .
That blue probably multigrade and modern oil so not best match for old school designs and seal properties .

 

[kythri]

It is funny that they think they are going to dictate the price that a man will sell something for.

Isn't that how haggling works? And didn't the buyer in this case end up dictating what the press sold for?

I also tried looking for a new pressure gauge for it since the old on was smashed (before I got it) I looked online, but didnt find anything close to it. Anyone have any ideas where to locate one? It has a 1/4" fitting on the back side of the gauge.

Here's a potential option, just one I found in a quick Googling:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HI35CK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Might have to create/use some kind of elbow for the fitting.

 

[Mr_B]

gauge llast thing I be concerned with, work with what you got until get it working.
original gauge maybe salvageable but would want press working well before spending on vanity items
very likely current oil too high viscosity and part of the issues you having .
Most old hydraulics I picked up been fiddled with and had all sorts in them from motor oil to brake fluid . tend to find things like valve springs/balls missing and seals damaged or missing when open them up .

 

[930dreamer]

I picked this press up for $600, I need to replace the gauges too, but it works just fine.

 

[Mr_B]

^ That's a press and a half

 

[chaosracing]

Well I finally had a chance to work on the press today. I found a place about an hour away from me that rebuilds gauges, so if I can get this to work, I might send them the gauge and see what they can do with it. They claim $30 per gauge for repair and that includes new housings, glass/plastic cover, calibration and cleaning.

So I was at a hydraulic shop the other day for snow plow parts and asked them what they thought could be wrong with the cylinder. He said sounds like the seals are shot. Ask how much to rebuild and he throws out $150 to $250

Today I decide to remove the cylinder from the press. Then saw how it comes apart (real easy) so figure I will give it a shot, seen some done on youtube before. After a little persuasion, the ram is out of the cylinder. Inspect the seals and they seem ok. Look in the cylinder, damn it, there is a score inside. You can see it in the picture towards the bottom of the cylinder.

The fluid looks new and there was no debris inside at all. I am thinking this was "repaired" before, but not successfully.

Since the shop is currently closed, does anyone know if this can be repaired, or is it junk?