Thinking of getting HF press

[PoorOwner]

I think the 20 ton model is too heavy to take home.

But maybe the 12 ton one?

Will the 12 ton version let me press in control arm bushings, wheel hub bearings etc?

Also, I know eye protection is a must but is the HF seal driver kit (assorted circular pieces, basically) used as a die set or is there another die set specifically?

 

[justin1795]

i wouldnt see why not. i used to see guys good with a air hammer do them that way

 

[Zephyr]

Well just my two cents but my dad and I managed to fit the 20 ton in the back of a Camry. The A frame was a bit tight through the access panel but it fit. If your seats fold down you're good to go.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[RECox286]

I started out with the 12t model, but when it broke I decided on

replacing it with the next heavier duty one. It is not exactly a

precision instrument, but it does the job if you are careful with

how you set things up. It does come with two plates, but you

will have to collect an assortment of "gadgets" like the bearing

separator, various "drivers" (I use heavy duty sockets mostly),

and the like. To date, it still works as advertised (I'll guess that

it is 12 to 15 y.o. by now) and it still gets me out of the soup

now and again. If I were you, I wouldn't get the smaller press

b/c there is always going to be that one time when you are going

to say "I wish I had spent the extra lousy $50 up front."

And don't forget that HF has sales and coupon deals, so if you aren't

in a sweat about getting one, you can save quite a bit.


Uncle Bob

 

[PoorOwner]

How heavy is the unit because I looked at some 20 ton press it says shipping weight 187 lbs.. it seems like it should be more like 100 lbs.

 

[dmeadow]

I've got the 12 ton and it has been fine so far, but all my cars are little British ones. I'm just a hobbyist that wouldn't use the 20 ton enough to justify the extra footprint, cost, etc.

 

[pattenp]

Get the 20T.....

Here's a current 25% off coupon..... http://www.harborfreight.com/20off-...medium=aff&utm_campaign=wts-coupons&hftref=cj

 

[53 hemi]

Another vote for the 20.

 

[rslaback]

If you get the 20T press you should know that the jack in it is incredibly slow. I replaced mine with a fast lift 20T from Northern Tool and it made the press much more usable.

 

[Falcon67]

I have an early 12T unit with the A frame top. It's done everything I ask, including pressing axle bearings on 31 spline axles for the race cars. First 9" rear I set up with it paid for the press in $ saved.

 

[bad_idea]

Go for the 20t.

 

[DpSyChO]

I got a 20t off cragslist that a guy bought six months prior for a transmission rebuild, guy said he bought it since his work hours made it hard to get to a shop and have what he needed pressed. He had the receipt from where he bought it. I was able to pick it up for about 10 dollars cheaper than the 12t would have been at HF after using a coupon. We were over an hour away from home one day, the wife was doing some shopping when I checked craigslist and seen it posted. We swung by "just to look at it" as I told the wife but after looking at it I made a deal with the guy that if we could fit it in the car, I'd buy it, if we couldnt I'd put it back together for him. We managed to take the press apart, which took about 5 min, lay the seats down in my wifes Honda Civic and fit it in there somehow through the trunk. I dont think I would have drove back the 2 hr round trip to have bought it. It's been well worth what I paid for it.

 

[oil man]

I have the 20 ton and it has done everything I needed it to do so far

 

[ratdoggy]

I've actually been kicking the idea around myself. Their website shows 2 20t presses at the same price are they different besides the color?

 

[brownbagg]

i was looking at the free fishing magazine, the paper one at convent store , its like a shopper for bait shops and tackle. It had a 25% coupon for harbor freight, those are rare compare to the 20% in auto magazines

 

[sloppy]

I've actually been kicking the idea around myself. Their website shows 2 20t presses at the same price are they different besides the color?

Yes.. The new grey color one no longer has the deadly cast iron plates. They are steel now.

I would go with the new grey one..

 

[ChevyEFI]

depending on what you're doing, the seal driver set may be really handy. I've gotten a ton of use out of the balljoint c-clamp (3 diff. sized sleeves and 2 step discs) plus random steel bits I've collected.

If you're going to bother getting the 12t, just get the 20t.

 

[99raptor]

I have a 12T and its great

 

[Wangstang]

There are two 20 Ton models now. Do a search for threads started under my user name and you'll find more details. The newest 20 Ton version uses a bolt together design that doesn't have the huge welded frame in a single large box. You'd probably be able to fit that model in most any 4 door car with fold down back seats or even a large 2 door car with fold down back seats.

Wes

 

[brihvac]

The 20T is $149.99 with the most recent ad coupon. Only $20 more than the 12 in the same ad. Was thinking about getting one, even though I probably will not use it much. But there is always that one time you wished you had it.

 

[DCarr]

I have the 30 ton model, same frame as the 20 ton just a different jack. It works pretty good, I like having it around.

 

[PoorOwner]

I think I'm going to get the 20T guys, it says it is 26" wide is that right, because I just moved one of my 26" box out of the spot I think it can sit right there.

My buddy told me they usually use sockets as a die to press things out, is that true.
I looked at my seal driver unfortunately it seems to be the plastic pieces kind, so that's not going to work.

 

[rslaback]

I usually use sockets personally.

 

[ssentt]

New gray/silver model is hard to find. Manager at my closest store says the new silver version is the replacement for the orange model when its out of stock. Occasionally they get one or two in but they sell them as fast as they get them. Been trying to get one for three months now.

 

[ClintNZ]

. Was thinking about getting one, even though I probably will not use it much. But there is always that one time you wished you had it.

You might be surprised... I built myself a 20T press a month or so back, I have yet to get to any of the jobs I was thinking of when I made it, but I have have found quite a few other uses in the meantime, it sure saves a lot of smacking stuff around in the vice with a FBH!

Cheers
Clint

 

[rslaback]

Regardless of which model you get, buy some stem casters for it. It makes the press a whole lot more usable.

 

[70C-10]

Look at these press kits etc.
http://www.swagoffroad.com/Metal-Fabrication-Tools-_c_7.html

 

[Brunow]

I bought a while back a 12T press, Once you have it it's a great tool!
So far i have build a small bend tool:

Used it to split ball joints!

Press bearings out:

And lot's off stuff:

I do like the pressure gauge & side pump.

Great shop tool!

 

[Angelfire]

The orange version has been around a long time with decent reviews. Just make sure you ditch the cast iron plates they provide and find steel ones.

 

[Zrexxer]

Do some soul-searching first about whether you really really need one or whether it just seems like a cool thing to have. I thought I had to have one and bought the 20T... I used it to press in a couple of bushings that I could have done with a vise, then I used it to stack **** on for the next three years.

When I'd stubbed my toe on it for the 13,000th time, I put it on Craigslist and got rid of it.

 

[Blue XJ]

I have the 12T, I would recommend welding all the joints together to stiffen it up. It seems a bit flimsy when its just bolted together. I haven't come across anything yet that it hasn't been able to do in terms of general car repair work. Get a good bearing splitter too, I bought a cheap one and it isn't the best.

 

[PetesPonies]

I have a 12 ton that I welded the joints as well. There hasn't been anything I could not press on or off with it.

 

[its840]

I recently picked up the 12t unit on sale with a coupon for 69.99
(might have been 79.99)
But for the price you can not beat it.
I've only used it for small jobs which its worked perfectly for.