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Harbor Fright 20 ton hyd press -- any good? |
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tomj
AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7522 |
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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.
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1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com |
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Mopar_guy
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jun/07/2009 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 4805 |
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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)
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"Hemilina" My 1973, 5.7 Hemi swapped Javelin |
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tufcj
Supporter of TheAMCForum Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/10/2007 Location: Watkins, CO Status: Online Points: 4065 |
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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
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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 |
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6PakBee
Supporter of TheAMCForum Charter Member Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: North Dakota Status: Online Points: 5454 |
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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.
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Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler 1970 RWB 4-spd Machine 1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX All project cars. Forum Cockroach |
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1970390amx
AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/11/2008 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 3311 |
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If your interested in removing hubs I would buy the tool designed to pull hubs and forget the press.
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1970 390 4speed Bittersweet shadow mask AMX
1970 Amx missing most everything, or in a box |
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TheRambler
AMC Apprentice Joined: Sep/29/2019 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 62 |
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My son has one and I've used it, works great. Right now there is a coupon for $149.
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First_Gear
AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/18/2010 Location: Mukilteo WA Status: Offline Points: 644 |
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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..
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tomj
AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7522 |
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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! |
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1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com |
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CARnivore
AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/03/2020 Location: Houston Status: Offline Points: 92 |
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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 |
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Steve_P
AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jun/28/2007 Status: Offline Points: 3760 |
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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. |
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