Shop Press
 

So I think I want to pull the trigger and get a shop press for pressing things :) I have done 5 ring and pinions and now am going to be doing 2 more and have been getting along by borrowing everybody elses press when I gotta split or install bearings. I think its time I got my own ;)

So in the world of shop presses what do I want?

Its primary purpose will be to remove and install bearings (axles, ring and pinions, etc..) possibly be used as a press break but thats a long ways off...

What size should I be looking at? Will a 12T be enough? Should I go for the 20T or bigger?

I dont want to break the bank, but I dont want to get a turd eather... What say you guys?

AARON

i get by with the 20 ton HF model.

i also get by with a cheap 20T model

For once a month usage, weld up an I beam with a 20 ton bottle jack.

i looked into this before i bought my 20 ton, and it would have cost me much more in the steel and jack than i paid for my whole press with adjustable table, arbor plates, etc.

And, obviously, the press will do a lot of things that a makeshift one will not do.

Do you know there was a day when steel was so cheap you could pick up scraps from structural steel jobsite fabrication and no one would object. Thats where my first press came from. It started with a six foot section of 6 inch I beam that probably weighed 100 pounds and was free to pick up. Nowdays, you'd get a felony for walking off with that scrap. :)

Saw this on Pirate, make sure you replace the plates on the HF press if you get it.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=707418

i was gonna bring that up as well...

I haven't had any issue with my, can't say that i have used it to its full 20 ton capacity tho either...

I usually have 2x6 rect tubing in mine as plates anyway, using it to brake aluminum, etc.

Better late than never...

I have the 12T HF and have used CW's 20T HF... get the 20T.

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http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/tls/781902432.html

Got a HF ad a couple nights ago, they have to 20ton for $50 OFF, said it is usually $249 and on sale is $199. I didn't really pay attention to the 12ton

Later

what HF did you go to and get one for 50 I want one for that price.

Guess I was trying to type to fast and not paying attention. I missed one key word "OFF". They are $50 off. Sorry

I have been watching craigs list and saw that press, but its about 2 hours north of here and it would be cheaper to buy one new than drive up there and get it! :rolleyes:

I think I am just going to get the HF 20T press since I got a 15% off coupon from my neighbor :D

That post about the arbor plates is SCARY! We had thoes same plates at the rock shop and my buddy cracked one pressing out a seized bushing. Scared the **** out of us enough that we threw them in the scrap pile and got some cold rolled bar. When the bar bends, its time to stop :eek:

Thanks for the replies. Now all I need is a spanner wrench for a 9" and I will be good to go for my gear install :cool:

AARON

Harbor Freight has a 15% off coupon going until the 27th. I think I'll get one in a couple of weeks since I just dropped a load on some parts.

15% coupon
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...4_RetailC.html

I picked up the last 20ton one in stock at the Dayton Mall HF yesterday evening. $50 off plus the 15% coupon was good for another $30 off. Can't beat $169 for a $249 press, even if it's cheapo china made.