HF 20 Ton Press....

[Dredwolf]

So before anyone points out how :crazy: I am for buying tools without a job, I started a new career this past Monday.

So anyway, I was trying to get the DD Altima ready for the regular commute and needed to replace the front wheel bearings....
I watched a Youtube video, and got only so far with a drift punch and hammer before things refused to budge.

I went to HF to pickup their version of the FWD bearing removal/install tool for $99, and walked past the 20 ton press...that I had a $149 coupon for. A little bit of thought about the gear change work I need to do, u-joints, etc, and I came home with a 20 ton press for $149 instead of a $99 single-purpose tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_14133.jpg


I got it put together in less than 20 minutes, and got the Altima work done before dark.

Admittedly, you can see where they cut corners on this thing, but it does work well for $149. I can see some things I want to improve ASAP (longer grade 8 fasteners for more thread engagement, and get rid of the cast arbor plates, they are NOT what is pictured), but this is much better than no press, and worlds better than the 12-ton press HF offers for about $129.

Who else has a HF press, and what have you done to improve it?

[4.3LXJ]

Nothing like having a good shop press when you need one

[Dredwolf]

Nothing like having a good shop press when you need one

No kidding, it's like finally bolting down a good vise...."why did I not go ahead and get this done?"

I'll admit the cast arbor plates are poor quality, and on my list to change ASAP.

SWAG Offroad has the solution... and other good ideas...
http://www.swagoffroad.com/assets/images/arbor%20plates/p1010298-1.jpg

http://www.swagoffroad.com/Arbor-Press-Plates_p_7.html

[4.3LXJ]

Those are nice looking plates

[tommy guns]

HAHA get a bigger hammer!

[Dredwolf]

HAHA get a bigger hammer!

I own quite the assortment of BFH's, however, after destroying 2 drift punches trying to remove the bearing, something more....refined was in order, since I needed to drive the car the next morning.

[KMW-NWXJ]

I have one. I have the SWAG brake kit for it. Definitely junk those cast plates! The web is full of stories of them exploding on people.

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[bluedragon436]

I wish I had the garage to put a press in, but have looked at that press many times befoer and will get it once I have a place to store it.. But would much rather have the plates like the ones from SWAG anyways, as I think they'd be more useful the ones that come with the press, and they won't explode on ya...

[Dredwolf]

I wish I had the garage to put a press in, but have looked at that press many times befoer and will get it once I have a place to store it.. But would much rather have the plates like the ones from SWAG anyways, as I think they'd be more useful the ones that come with the press, and they won't explode on ya...

According to the web rumors, HF is redesigning that press somewhat, and the new plates are rumored to be plasma cut......

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-60603.html?hftref=cj

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_23187.jpg

My local HF store generally struggles even to get items pulled for you in 30 minutes that you have cash in hand to buy, so I did not push the issue. But if I had time to wait, I would try for one of these new models.

[07Negative]

If I'm not mistaken, I thought I found a Youtube vid of a fella that made this into a brake press as well? He had to make a few improvements. But did 90* bends really clean.

[Dredwolf]

SWAG of road makes great press brake kit

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[XjJeepacorn]

Yeah I've been told you can use your shop press for a bender, you just have to buy those thing a ma bobs that are bendy u shapes and different sizes lol! Something I've yet to try with mine! If I actually had a welder I would probably have tried by now

[Dredwolf]

Got to see one of the "new model" gray presses up close the other day, and while the arbor plates ARE flame/plasma cut and not cast, the rest of press was rather......."meh" I guess.

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[Dredwolf]

Just wanted to update this. Since "real life" has been safely corralled into it's proper holding pen for a little while, I am trying to get back to the XJ.

The HF 20 press has been very useful on the farm, and paid for itself several times over.

I still need to get rid of the cast plates, but I did upgrade to a pneumatic 20 ton jack in it. I post pictures later, but here is the jack I used:
http://www.harborfreight.com/http-www-harborfreight-com-20-ton-air-over-hydraulic-jack-95553-html.html

It works great, and makes it easier to operate, honestly. I do need to fabricate a knob for the release, and maybe weld some locating brackets.

[XJ Wheeler]

Thinking about picking one of these up so thanks for the review.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[Carves]

Damn that, interfering, real life, stuff huh ?? .. :D

So you bought a compressor as while ??

Press is definitely a handy thing to have ... I almost set up the little 3 legged bench with a low one ... but I wanted the angled legs, so I didnt get stuff caught on them.

We have lots of those "mehhh" presses that you mentioned ... down here,

... for $250.oo or more .. :rolleyes:


Much as I would like the convenience of having one gathering dust in the shed corner for those - geez Im glad I bought that, moments,

... tis cheaper to nick down to ol mates workshop and ask if he can do a little job on his press for me ..

Its a bit of overkill for most of my requirements tho,

... so I keep offering him $50 for the arbor press alongside it,

Apparently ... he's still laughing - 30min after I have left the building .. :D



http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Press01b_zpscdbcf15e.jpg

[Dredwolf]

I've had the 80 gallon compressor for awhile now, but I still use the 20 gallon more often, and it's right next to the press.

And yes, that is indeed a press....and when you have access to that, nah, you don't need the little 20 ton...