TheAMCForum.com Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > The Garage > Tool Time tool review and eval area
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Harbor Fright 20 ton hyd press -- any good?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Click for TheAMCForum Rules / Click for PDF version of Forum Rules
Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. Thank you.

Harbor Fright 20 ton hyd press -- any good?

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
tomj View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Jan/27/2010
Location: earth
Status: Offline
Points: 7522
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Harbor Fright 20 ton hyd press -- any good?
    Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 8:00pm
Seems suspiciously cheap compared to other inexpensive presses. I would like to be able to do axle hubs, but I doubt more than a couple times a year. Most other tasks would be fine with 10 ton.

Cost is a serious concern. I don't like buying junk tools, and dislike Harbor Fright in general, but I have a HF trailer and it's been fine. I am willing to work around limitations for infrequent-use tools.

Anyone use it? What are its limitations that make it so cheap? It's currently $189 vs $300+ for other cheap presses.
1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com

Back to Top
Mopar_guy View Drop Down
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Avatar

Joined: Jun/07/2009
Location: Ohio
Status: Offline
Points: 4805
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mopar_guy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 8:44pm
If you're looking at this one https://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html I've had one for several years and it's been well worth it for a number of things including pressing bearings on and off. They use to have 2 versions of this with the other one being junk. It had a stamped frame instead of C channel but I don't see it listed anymore. I bought an OTC bearing splitter to use with it and it works great.
The one I need to get for mine is a better set of bed plates because the ones that come with it are cast and are known to explode. As you said, for something that's for occasional use it works well.

I bought one of their 4 X 6 band saws about 8 years ago for a railing project and I've used it way more than I thought I would but it's held up really well. I use good blades in it and it cuts nice and square. (after I took the time to set it up properly)

"Hemilina" My 1973, 5.7 Hemi swapped Javelin
Back to Top
tufcj View Drop Down
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Avatar
Supporter of TheAMCForum

Joined: Jul/10/2007
Location: Watkins, CO
Status: Online
Points: 4065
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tufcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 10:00pm
I've had one for nearly 15 years.  I've used it a lot.   I recently converted it to an air over hydraulic ram (about $100) and it works even better.

Bob
tufcj
69 AMX
74 Javelin AMX
67 Rogue

If you need a tool and don't buy it...
you'll eventually pay for it...
and not have it.
Henry Ford
Back to Top
6PakBee View Drop Down
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Avatar
Charter Member

Joined: Jul/01/2007
Location: North Dakota
Status: Online
Points: 5454
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 6PakBee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 10:11pm
Originally posted by tomj tomj wrote:

Anyone use it? What are its limitations that make it so cheap? It's currently $189 vs $300+ for other cheap presses.


My advice to you would be to go to Harbor Freight and look at it in person.  Look at the lateral support in both directions for the ram.  Grab the ram and think to yourself how stable it would be under load.  This is the only way in my opinion to see how it meets YOUR standards.
Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler
1970 RWB 4-spd Machine
1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX

All project cars.

Forum Cockroach
Back to Top
1970390amx View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Jul/11/2008
Location: colorado
Status: Offline
Points: 3311
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 1970390amx Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 11:31pm
If your interested in removing hubs I would buy the tool designed to pull hubs and forget the press.
1970 390 4speed Bittersweet shadow mask AMX
1970 Amx missing most everything, or in a box
Back to Top
TheRambler View Drop Down
AMC Apprentice
AMC Apprentice


Joined: Sep/29/2019
Location: Idaho
Status: Offline
Points: 62
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TheRambler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2020 at 9:09am
My son has one and I've used it, works great. Right now there is a coupon for $149.
Back to Top
First_Gear View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Jan/18/2010
Location: Mukilteo WA
Status: Offline
Points: 644
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote First_Gear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2020 at 11:13am
I've looked at the same tool. Its not the money for me but the space it takes up. Sure would be nice though. Wish I could have the space for that, an english wheel, sandblasting cabinet etc etc.. 
Back to Top
tomj View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Jan/27/2010
Location: earth
Status: Offline
Points: 7522
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2020 at 12:21pm
Mopar_guy yup that's the one. that you have one means something.

6pakbee, yeah, eyeballs know :-) I will check it out. and tufcj and others, i'm fine with, and expect to, have to cleanup and tune the setup. I have a lot of improvised metal blocks and bars, I'll probably buy one of those bearing splitters but I'm OK with having to "finish" the tool.

I'm lucky to have my own building. Nasty illegal thing came with the property, not on any plots, if the city ever looks... Its small, 2/3rds of it is clean office books electronics computer, about 150 sq ft inside shop, but I have a covered patio with a metal bench, floor jack, the world's noisiest cheapo compressor. The press would live out there.

I acquire tools slowly. No room and like most of us, money. Pick at it pick at it... thanks for the info I will ahve to drive out and look at it.

HF stuff is hit and miss, lots of misses, but some stuff seems decent like my now 10 yr old trailer (was "1200 lb" when I  got it, now it's called "1000 lb", lol, same trailer! 1200 seemed optimistic...). It's been to Burning Man twice or three times, hauled many 195.6's, has about 5000 miles on it. No complaints for $300!


1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com

Back to Top
CARnivore View Drop Down
AMC Apprentice
AMC Apprentice


Joined: Jan/03/2020
Location: Houston
Status: Offline
Points: 92
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CARnivore Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2020 at 1:27pm
Yes I have that exact press and bought it 3 years ago specifically for axle bearings which it did very well and use it for pretty much everything now. I also have a a 20 year old HF arbor style press that has been abused quite a bit over the years and still works perfect. No complaints here on HF presses

Benchtop 10 Ton Hydraulic Shop Press - The Garage Journal Board
Back to Top
Steve_P View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar
Charter Member

Joined: Jun/28/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 3760
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steve_P Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2020 at 2:54pm
I have the 20T press and it's pretty good. Typical HF construction: not the best, but functional. The main drawback is that the bed depth (distance between channels) is too narrow to do FWD and 4WD hubs. IIRC the HF is only ~4". There are several in the $600-700 range, Arcan?, that are large enough with ~6" depth. Otherwise it's good, but plan on replacing jacks every few years if you mind them leaking.
I may eventually get the larger frame press, but with how little I use it, I just stack steel on top of it so it'll function for FWD/4WD hubs.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 1.672 seconds.
All content of this site Copyright © 2018 TheAMCForum unless otherwise noted, all rights reserved.
PROBLEMS LOGGING IN or REGISTERING:
If you have problems logging in or registering, then please contact a Moderator or