Shop Press

[halo]

Need to get a shop press for my home garage. Nothing super duty but able to handle motorcycle/atv to SUV - maybe a 20 ton? From the collective - I've heard that the bottle jack type are not as tight and may press out of alignment. Took a look at some HF stuff and was a little disappointed with the workmanship....

Any particular brand/model number for the home /garage mechanic that's built to last and wont break the bank...

Thanks

Dave PA

 

[Ign]

Then I think the HF unit is the ticket for you regardless. Get rid of the cast plates and you're ready to go. Not much to fail on these units, and you can always have a friend with a welder (assuming you don't have one) beef it up. The bottle jack is straighforward, easily replaced or fitted with air-over. IOW, it's a great starting point for a general use, non-professional press. SWAG sells a nice press brake deal with backstop too.

Otherwise, you'll have to better define "not break the bank."

 

[Outlawmws]

If you don't like the build quality or COO for HF, they are not that difficult to build. Use the HF unit as a basic pattern; look at higher end units for a beef up if desired, and make it. ( many are bolted together anyway, just use grade 8 bolts and torque them well)

As to the bottle jacks moving, just make sure that both ends have a pocket, and they should not be moving much...

 

[NC-Fordguy]

X2 on IGN reply.

I've used the HF 20 ton press for years for removing/installing bearings on axle shafts, transmissions and t-case, etc. Also use the press brake from swag

I extremely agree on replacing the arbor plates. One of the plates that came with the press fragmented. Fortunately no one was hurt and nothing got damaged. Could have been ugly.

 

[venturesomerite]

I have a 20 ton HF press. Got it on super sale because the tag got printed with the wrong first digit, and they had to honor it.

I think it is currently on sale last flyer I saw.

I've used it for a variety of things, the ball joints and u joints on my 7.3 diesel, unsticking a siezed together adjustable hitch, etc. Not the best thing you ever saw in your life, but it works hard for the money. Just don't opt for the 12 instead of the 20, you'll be sorry you did.

 

[g0ldfing3r]

Just got the HF 12-ton, it flexes a lot but its enough for AK flat bending and barrel headspace/ population.

 

[halo]

Thanks for all the replys. Ill take a look at the hf 20 again. Looking to spend max 500. Ive had quite a few hf tools that crapped out with little use. Just hate the idea of it happening with a press

 

[WILD-BILL]

I've had the HF 20 ton press for years and its never given me any trouble.

 

[mtkst19]

where are you located at? a decent electric over hydraulic 50 ton press popped up on craigslist for 500, and a 30 ton hydraulic for 300. wanna say both were carolina's, which i have the 30 ton in my home garage. bigger than a hf unit but not a space hog either.

 

[halo]

Thanks for the info. Ill look at craigs list again. From NE PA

 

[mtkst19]

wrong side of the state. pittsburgh craigslist is where i seen above ones.

 

[halo]

Saw the HF A frame model and standard. Which one are you guys using?

 

[Jeeper]

Saw the HF A frame model and standard. Which one are you guys using?

the h frame one.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Neighbor and I built mine. If you have the skills and tools to build it, go for it.

 

[Larwyn]

I have the HF 20 ton H frame model too. Have used it for several years with no problem. I also have two different hydraulic tables, a 2 ton cherry picker, a small "port-a-power" type set, and several hydraulic jacks from HF. I have been satisfied with everything hydraulic that I have gotten at Harbor Freight. That's definitely not the case with their clamps or electric tools.