To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

The Harbor Freight 20t Press mod thread!

K

Keyblazer

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
1,471
Location
Irvine, CA
I just bought one!
I searched and while I found multiple threads discussing it, here, and what people had done to improve or change it, they are scattered.
Thought we should have one place to post all the ideas and mods people have made.

Mine is the new "silver" one, that bolts together.


I am planning to add improved bolts and washers as well as a stronger base, with casters soon.

I would love the Swag press break kit, but dont have the budget, plus I need to bend some aluminum for a skid plate, so need it to be 35" wide.

Is there any reason why I couldn't make a wider top and bottom beam and use the same HF side legs and jack?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
O

OkRider

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
593
Location
Oklahoma
I converted mine to their air over hydrolic unit from the gitgo. Mounted the base to a solid piece of 3/8" plate and added casters to that. Raised it up 3-4" I guess by doing that. Cut a piece of 1/2" plate 8"? wide to cover the table completely when I need to press a sleeve or bearing in flush. Finally, I added some magnets and just placed them in the upper C channel to hold the handle in a convienent location without it falling off.

I haven't yet, but I do need to swap out all the fasteners for some of better quality, except for the the grade 5 I used to attach the casters. I think those will do just fine. I'll go out to the garage in a bit and take a pic of it and post it up.
 
O

OkRider

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
593
Location
Oklahoma
Here it is. My shop is a mess, but it's my mess. ;)
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    142.5 KB · Views: 552
B

bobcatdan

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
The best mod I can make to mine is find and buy a nice used USA press to replace it, yank the bottle jack and scrap the rest. While yes the press has done what was asked of it, when use to Dake's and Enerpac's, it is a clumsy pile of junk.
 
W

Wanna Ride

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
2,790
Gotta love the guys who compare a high-end tool with a Harbor Freight version for a fraction of the price, and then get indignant when it's not 100% the same.
 
OP
K

Keyblazer

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
1,471
Location
Irvine, CA
Awesome!
If any of you have made mods to the HF 20t and have a thread, post links!

Me, I just used mine in anger for the first time!
Feels good, because I just came up square, money wise, on the investment by pressing out a Subaru wheel bearing.:bowdown:
If I have to do the other side, I will be in the black.:D
 
C

CutterFarms

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2011
Messages
576
Location
Kentucky
I have bent mine where the adjustable table is now warped and to be honest wish it was heavier and maybe a 50 ton. When I bent it I was trying to straighten a piece of steel on the tail wheel on a bushhog. Probably should have just cut it and welded it straight again but was looking for a quick fix and seen my friend do it with his but his is the 50 ton
 
C

cherokee140

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 23, 2010
Messages
232
I have pounded the **** out of mine....last thing I did was use it to press out 60 yr old king pins.....it was really getting some twist on there and you are getting nervous....then POP the pin is out and I am back on my project.

I think I spend $150 on the thing....I know it was well under $200....and the most inexpensive Dake I have come across is around $300....nope for what I need this works just fine.

The rule with this stuff is, you might take your chances with some inexpensive tools...(I did not say cheap) do your research and pay your money.....I highly doubt you are going to be the first one to buy that new _____ if you buy wrong no one to blame but yourself.
 
F

freddyford

Active member
Joined
May 15, 2016
Messages
29
I have the old orange unit that I paid $150 for. Ugly as sin, but indestructible. Welds are actually good and it's one of HF's gems. The new grey ones look really nice but I wish they were still welded.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
S

Showkey

"MEMBER EMERITUS"
Joined
Aug 9, 2014
Messages
8,638
Location
Wausau WI
Have to say I am not a BIG HF fan on almost all their stuff..........BUT...........a press was a must have for a '50 GMC resto project. ( used to have access to press at work before I retired)
The press did every thing in asked like King pins, steering tie rod straighten, bracket bending, cam gear install, spring bushings, pinion bearing and bumper straightening. It did groan a bit on the King pins that were in place for 66 years.

I pulled the Jack and used it a fixture to bend the axle camber back into spec.

Made my version of the press brake from the remnant rack:

image_zps3ngkpbrw.jpeg
[/URL][/IMG]

image_zps7rcgno8a.jpeg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Last edited:
G

gerryw

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
815
Location
toronto area
I replaced the bottle jack with a air powered unit, then I use a foot pedal(eBay-$10) to operate.
Both hands on part to be pressed.
I have it (foot pedal) mounted with a magnet to frame when not in use

I used a hose bib (boiler valve,garden tap ) handle on release valve (filed it to fit over the "t" and jb welded it.

Very pleased with press ( princess auto here in Canada, basically the same press)

It's one of those "how did I live without it" tools
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    15.3 KB · Views: 225
Last edited:
J

JBradley500

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2013
Messages
781
I put a knurled knob on the jack, put broom handle clips on it to hold the handle, and put it on casters. Putting the knob on turned out to be a little bit of a pain, but the other two mods were easy and worth it.
 
O

OkRider

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
593
Location
Oklahoma
You guys have got some GREAT ideas! My next mod will be a boat winch and hardware to raise and lower the table.
 
L

L.Cheapo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
5,892
A good mod for theses presses is a real set of press plates. Swag offroad has a few different sizes. The cast plates can and have exploded and caused injury.
 
OP
K

Keyblazer

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
1,471
Location
Irvine, CA
Yes, I heard that the cast plates ceased to be shipped a few years back. The ones I got with mine, look flame cut, so are probably plate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom