Especially the 20 ton model? I've got several jobs lined up on both the Miata and the ix that would be much easier or require a hydraulic press, so I was wondering if these are any good for occasional use or if I need to go look for something else.
Especially the 20 ton model? I've got several jobs lined up on both the Miata and the ix that would be much easier or require a hydraulic press, so I was wondering if these are any good for occasional use or if I need to go look for something else.
have had a 16 ton for years. buy it.
DO IT. Especially if you have the $169 or is it a little more then that, coupon.
I have one of them (I think 12 ton) and it is pretty good. A bit on the loose tolerance side, but gets the job done.
I've used the 20ton extensively. A must-have for the price!
The press is great. The implements in between the work piece and the press are where it's at, though.
I once used a 4AGE crank to push out a Highlander wheel bearing.
I have the 20 ton and like it alot. Here are new HF% off coupons. Email me if the link does not work. T
Tyler H wrote: The press is great. The implements in between the work piece and the press are where it's at, though. I once used a 4AGE crank to push out a Highlander wheel bearing.
This.
You need a large collection of heavy steel plates, cylinders, tubes, pins, etc.
I think I have the 16T? great buy for the money. I never knew u-joints were so berkeleying easy!
I have had the 20 ton model for a few years. It has performed well for me.
I have one that's identical to the HF 20 ton press, just a different sticker. It works well for me.
Do be careful with it. 20 tons is A LOT of energy. When something lets loose, you can seriously get hurt. Figure 20 tons * 2000 lbs/ton / ~1sq inch = 40,000 PSI.
One thing to be careful with is the plates they provide are a "fine quality" chinese cast iron and not steel. The press is well worth the money and I've been trying to get one for years. Right now there is no space.
Bobzilla wrote: I think I have the 16T? great buy for the money. I never knew u-joints were so berkeleying easy!
Ain't that the truth! No more heating, hammering, cussing etc.
It is the accessories that could add up. I need a (good) bearing separator or could make something up. I would like a couple of press brake dies also.
I just bought a set of 6 dimple dies (1/2" to 3") off Ebay for cheap. Now I need something to dimple
I have a 20% off coupon parked in my email inbox at the moment, that and the decision if I were to change just the balljoints or the control arm on the e30 ix prompted the question.
Space is a problem at the moment, but I think I can just about make enough of it in the garage right now. Fortunately we're about to move into the new digs RSN and have much more garage space there.
Anybody got a suggestion for a good source of accessories, preferably not made of the finest quality extra-cheap Chinese pig iron?
I usually use pieces of black pipe, sockets, and I think they are called roofing washers? That seems to work pretty well for most jobs.
I am glad people like it. I have a 20 ton I picked up last weekend sitting in the garage waiting on me to put together.
I've got the 20 ton. It has enough force to scare you and question the Chinese quality checks. I've been meaning to get these, which a local guy makes, to replace the REALLY scary cast units it comes with:
http://www.swagoffroad.com/Arbor-Press-Plates_p_7.html
I really don't trust those cast plates. I also would like to get this, which would be handy and fun:
http://www.swagoffroad.com/20-TON-Press-Brake-Heavy-Duty-DIY-Builder-Kit-_p_42.html
Bryce
I broke one once, but I was completely inexperienced in using a press. I probably didn't have the pieces lined up right so I am sure I loaded the press pretty heavily. The failure was relatively graceful; a weld let go and the press went "tink!" HF accepted the return readily and nobody was worse for wear.
I don't think I loaded it beyond 20 tons but it's really hard to tell when using hydraulics.
I've been thinking about the 12 ton one for a while.
My understanding is that the 12 ton might not be powerful enough to press out the "non-replaceable" balljoints on the e30 FCA.
Bryce, those arbor press plates look really nice. I think they need to go on the shopping list if I end up with the HF press.
BoxheadTim wrote: Bryce, those arbor press plates look really nice. I think they need to go on the shopping list if I end up with the HF press.
I was just having exactly the same thought. I should probably make an agreement with myself to get them at the same time so I don't fail to get around to it and shatter the HF pieces...
I also didn't realize that Swag Offroad was local (to Nashco, and thus to me as well).
I have the 12 ton. I'm terrified of using it... you pump it up, wait, and then BOOM whatever you're pressing finally breaks loose. Pressing things back in is nice and smooth, but pressing stuff out - stand back!
mikeatrpi wrote: I have the 12 ton. I'm terrified of using it... you pump it up, wait, and then BOOM whatever you're pressing finally breaks loose. Pressing things back in is nice and smooth, but pressing stuff out - stand back!
Good to know. Thanks.
I'd imagine the behavior is common to all presses. Just that with a 20-ton, 50-ton, etc its got to be that much more frightening than my lowly 12-tons of force.
It seems like most people like them. I own a 12 ton but I like it OK. We had 20 ton HF units at all of our shops and they were all bent, off center, leaking, or otherwise non-functional.
It seems like an easy and simple thing, but they are actually pretty precision machines. The press plate has to be perfectly perpendicular to the jack piston or you get lots of frustrating (and dangerous) blowouts, and/or damage to the thing you are pressing. The jigs they use to drill holes, weld, and assemble things are pretty much what you'd expect from cheap tools.
If you're just going to occasionally use a press for bearings, ball joints, bushings, etc, it should be fine. You might have to do what I did and return a few until you get one that isn't crooked. And, if the bottle jack fails you should be able to replace it pretty easily with any bottle jack.
Its one of those frustrating things for me... I don't use a press enough to warrant spending a lot of money on one, but the HF presses I've used make me almost want to save up for a good one. Half the time if it can be done in a vice or with a hammer, I opt to not use my press.
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