Shop Press

[Highpower]

I have one of the 20 ton presses. It comes fully disassembled - I brought mine home in my Accord wagon.
HF is extremely generous with the rating on their bottle jacks IMO. The 20 ton is probably about 12 ton actually, so the 12 ton is probably around 6 in the real world.

The cast iron (arbor) plates are dangerous (again, IMO) and I won't use them. I certainly wouldn't use wood! I picked up several pieces of 1" hot rolled to use instead.

[f350ca]

Bigger is always beter. Doesn't matter what you get you'll find something it won't move. I do like the design of the 6 ton. The ram below the jack is guided in two places, should make for straighter pushes. The other ones look like they could wobble around and let you push off on a slight angle, which matters at times. Pretty sure that's what happened when I broke that cylinder while pressing the guides out, my C Frame press flexes way to much (POOR design on my part)

[EdK]

(04-02-2013, 05:18 PM)Highpower Wrote: I have one of the 20 ton presses. It comes fully disassembled - I brought mine home in my Accord wagon.

HF is extremely generous with the rating on their bottle jacks IMO. The 20 ton is probably about 12 ton actually, so the 12 ton is probably around 6 in the real world.

The cast iron press plates are dangerous (again, IMO) and I won't use them. I certainly wouldn't use wood! I picked up several pieces of 1" hot rolled to use instead.

When did you get yours Willie? The manual that is currently online indicates all you have to do is bolt on the feet and that's it for assembly.

Ed

[Highpower]

It was several years ago Ed. I should point out that by "fully disassembled" I mean it comes boxed as several different assemblies that you have to put together, obviously.

The press frame is welded together and is one part. The apron consists of two pieces of channel that are also welded together and is another part etc.
The whole thing goes together in 10 minutes though.

I made a simple hand lever that I pinned to the release valve on the jack to make it easier to release the pressure on the jack. More control and faster to use than the jack handle. I also welded some large flat washers to the front of the apron pins to keep them from sliding all the way through the holes in the frame. I just about lost the apron a couple of times not realizing I bumped into the pins and almost pushed them out from under the apron.

[Mayhem]

I'd also advocate going with the largest one that you can.

[EdK]

It looks like the consensus is to get the 20 ton so that's what I'll do. While checking my mail last evening I discovered a coupon for the 20 ton at $160 so that makes it a done deal.

Thanks for all of the advice.

Ed

[Mayhem]

well off you go then...

[henryarnold]

(04-03-2013, 06:47 AM)EdK Wrote: It looks like the consensus is to get the 20 ton so that's what I'll do. While checking my mail last evening I discovered a coupon for the 20 ton at $160 so that makes it a done deal.

Thanks for all of the advice.

Ed

Ed,

That is the same 20 Ton shop press I bought. It works great and can't be beat for the price. I bought mine 6 months ago and it did require assembly and it came in 2 boxes. Make sure you get the correct 2 boxes. They sent my home with accessories for the 12 ton press so I had to make a return trip.

Henry Arnold

[EdK]

(04-03-2013, 07:59 PM)henryarnold Wrote:

(04-03-2013, 06:47 AM)EdK Wrote: It looks like the consensus is to get the 20 ton so that's what I'll do. While checking my mail last evening I discovered a coupon for the 20 ton at $160 so that makes it a done deal.

Thanks for all of the advice.

Ed

Ed,

That is the same 20 Ton shop press I bought. It works great and can't be beat for the price. I bought mine 6 months ago and it did require assembly and it came in 2 boxes. Make sure you get the correct 2 boxes. They sent my home with accessories for the 12 ton press so I had to make a return trip.

Henry Arnold

Thanks Henry. I'll be sure to check the boxes prior to loading them in the car. I hate going to the HF store here since it's located in a northeast suburb and I live way west of the big city.

Ed

[Mayhem]

Tell me about it Ed. Do you know how far away from me the nearest HF store is?