Thoughts on budget shop presses

[michaelwoodcock]

I'm considering a shop press for some engine work. I've used a 12 ton Harbor Freight model in the past and was less than impressed. The whole thing was a little rickety and swayed slightly to one side when doing hub bearings on a honda civic. Didn't like the loose tolerances it had in the pressing motion, that thing can go ever which way!

Considering this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-Ton-Air-...H_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4165827647&vxp=mtr

Anyone have experience with it? I was thinking it might be a little better than a bottle jack pressing down a beam with a bar welded to it, any thoughts? I just need a budget press to do hub bearings at the most but motocross engine bearings on a more frequent basis.

 

[fordbroncodave]

sunex or arcan are the brands that seem to have a very nicely built 20 ton press. yes kinda expensive for a china but the design holds up well.

i have seen them used from $200-450

 

[Eldogg]

I have a 20 ton Air over Hydro from Greg Smith Equipment and love it! The only thing it lacks is the arbor plates that come with it. Buy some some good ones and your good to go.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

At work we have a 50 ton with a dual stage pump. After using a dual stage, i'll never use anything else. Sure air over seems mint, but i'd much rather have the dual stage. Especially if your planning on engine work.

 

[Brad54]

Quality presses come up all the time on Craigslist and swap meets.

I paid $40 for an American-made welded press... I spent another $75 on a Craftsman bottle jack because the bottom of the cheap jack that came with it was slightly convex and let the jack swivel around.

For what you're doing, it really doesn't seem like you need more than a quality, low-cost, simple jack.

-Brad

 

[kyrbz]

Might be a little more money than you're wanting to spend, but this is a pretty nice 20 ton shop press for the money.

http://www.baileighindustrial.com/presses/hydraulic/hsp-20a.php

 

[DekeT]

http://www.woodwardfab.com/index.htm

 

[back2class]

One major reason cheap shop presses ****. Well, that and being stupid. Few weeks later I realized the press guide bent and caused the part to shoot out.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110823&highlight=press+thumb&page=2