Shop Presses

[boomer12831]

Although I do not post very much on this site, I am on this site all the time. I really enjoy the questions and advice that people post on here. I am considering a press for my shop. Its not something that I would use very often but it might come in handy when I do need it. I have only been in a Harbor freight store once and I am not sure of the quality of their " stuff ". I see they sell 20 ton presses for $169.00. I found one at " Greg Smith equipment ' for $219.00. Just wondering if the 60 dollar difference is worth it. They are both made in China ( probably in the same factory ) Just wondering what you guys think ? When we are done we can discuss upgrading my compressor. Thanks for your info, Ed.

 

[Ketis]

I have the grey harbor fright 20 ton and it has worked great!

i have pressed in/out 3 wheel bearings so far with it and it has worked like a charm.

very sturdy piece

 

[DpSyChO]

I have a 20ton HF press that I bought off craigslist about 8 years ago for $100. The guy had the receipt where he bought it about 8 months prior, said his work hours changed for a while and he couldnt get to a garage to have some bearings pressed on a transmission he was working on so he went and bought the HF unit in order to finish the project he was on but was now in his way.
I've rebuilt 2 transfer cases and pressed bearings on two axle shafts over the course of 8 years, I feel that I have easily got my $100 out of it just from those jobs. It's one of those tools that you may not use very often but is great to have when you need it.
Now that I have a plasma, plans are to build a press or buy the kit from Swag offroad.
Is the $169 price you quoted the current price, with a coupon, or sale price? If it is sale price you can use one of the 20% or 25% coupons to get it a little cheaper.
I see the 20% off coupons all the time in the newspaper coupons and magazines. Today I was waiting for my wife outside of a strip mall and picked one of the free regional trading papers in the stands outside of the grocery store. It had a 25% off coupon in it, havent seen those in a while and they are good till Jan 2014 so I went back and picked up a couple more just in case I need them. I've have good results with their cutoff wheels and latex gloves which I use often so I can at least use them for those two.

 

[billspit]

I just got a sale flyer from Harbor Freight showing the press on sale till 9/15 for $149.

 

[Thruxton]

Well my press got here Friday and yesterday morning saved me about one hundred bucks. More work today! I can't believe I waited so long. FYI, it's a 12 ton press, and I got it off eBay for $135, with free shipping. They shipped FedEx ground, got here in 5 days. This isn't an ad, just wanted to pass along what I think is a good deal. I did see the HF press on sale for $149, but there isn't a store near me, and shipping on that would have been a killer.

 

[BD1]

I have the 20 ton HF and use it mainly for bending metal. Works great. Mine is four years old.

 

[coolguy]

Check out "Shop press" over on the HAMB.It has been covered very well there.

 

[Fastbird]

The shop I'm at and the previous shop I was at both had and heavily utilized the HF 20 Ton press.

 

[ez-duzit]

Found my 50-ton Carolina press on c/l for $350. Has 2-speed pump.
Photo as found:

 

[Thruxton]

Found my 50-ton Carolina press on c/l for $350. Has 2-speed pump.
Photo as found:

Hmm, that deserves something, can't remember just what but it starts with "you..."

 

[dodge610]

I have a 30 Ton press I bought from a Auto Parts store that was closing years Ago. Mine is old school hand pump style But it works like a charm.

 

[sanddan]

I have one of the HF 20 Ton presses and for the money it works fine. I did beef up the base and added a knob to the hyd cylinder. I also made better press plates as the cast ones are junk.

 

[Jagmandave]

I used my Harbor Freight press for almost 15 years at my job with absolutely no issues, and it just worked.

For the money it's a great deal, and I never had an issue with the press plates either.

I've been watching the local Craigslist to buy one lightly used, they pop up from time to time, but if I can get one for less than $150 new in the box, I might just go that route.

 

[Angelfire]

If your press came with cast iron plates, ditch them and go buy some steel ones. Otherwise, you may be one of the many injured when they shatter under pressure

 

[Jagmandave]

14 years with no problems, and I pressed all sorts of tough stuff.......sometimes right at the limit of the jack.

Besides, I don't work there anymore, it's their problem now.....

 

[Bruce4310TX]

Although I do not post very much on this site, I am on this site all the time. I really enjoy the questions and advice that people post on here. I am considering a press for my shop. Its not something that I would use very often but it might come in handy when I do need it. I have only been in a Harbor freight store once and I am not sure of the quality of their " stuff ". I see they sell 20 ton presses for $169.00. I found one at " Greg Smith equipment ' for $219.00. Just wondering if the 60 dollar difference is worth it. They are both made in China ( probably in the same factory ) Just wondering what you guys think ? When we are done we can discuss upgrading my compressor. Thanks for your info, Ed.

yep probably the same press, so why would you want to pay more look also at Northern Tools most of there China stuff is the exact same item as HF but costs more maybe its cause of the Red paint they use instead of Orange. The same stuff at HF is available all over the place but usually cheaper at HF. I have the 40 ton and did a few mods made it taller put in on wheels and made new press plates also beefed up the top rail it works great.

 

[bobcatdan]

While there is a lot of love for the HF press here, I think it is the biggest waste of iron ever made. It bent to the point of in safe the first time I used it doing wheel bearings on the rear of a newer explorer. Guess I'm spoiled by the 50 ton dake at work.

 

[zmotorsports]

I know a lot of people like the HF press and there are a ton of them out there but I was not impressed with the one that I had. I bought one about 20 years ago and only had it for about two years. I sold my HF press to my brother and ended up purchasing a well used Nugier 20-ton press for $125.00. I disassembled it and straightened a few bent sections as well as bought some new seals for the ram as it was leaking a little.

I have had this press now for about 17 or eighteen years and I am glad I upgraded every time I use it. I know quality used presses are out there you just have to be patient and keep your eyes open.

Mike.

 

[Jagmandave]

I think a lot depends on what you're going to do with it, if it's just occasional around the shop sort of work, something like the HF 20 ton is plenty, and a good value.

If you're doing really heavy duty stuff or using it commercially, then you need something better.

But you don't need a 50 ton press for most jobs, and in fact sometimes you can cause more damage by using one of those. If it doesn't come apart with 40,000 psi of pressure on it, maybe you should see if you're doing it wrong?

Get the right tool for the jobs you're doing.

 

[boomer12831]

Thank you for all of the responses and advice. I have to put it on hold for a week as I have to head to Denver to see my father who is in very poor health. I will let you know what I come up with when I get back, Ed.