Looking at buying a Harbor Freight shop press for occasional bearing work, etc. 12T is $130, 20T is $200. Recommendations &/or comments?

 

Chineasium

 

I've seen coupons for the 20 ton for as low as $149 in Hot Rod/Car Craft magazines. I too been meaning to get one unstead of using a vise. I've heard, get the newer grey one unstead of the orange one. I heard the grey one has forged plates vs cast plates. Use it a few times and it's paid for itself. Jmo, Ken

 

I'll sell you mine. USA made tough as nails mechanical screw press with hand wheel and ratcheting handle. Works good and a piece of history. Steampunk.

 

I've had the HF 12T press in my garage for so long the price has more than doubled in the meantime. I originally bought it to press bearings in my various dirt bikes. I use it at least three to four times a year on many things. Most recently in removing the control arm busings for my '68 442. It will be used again in the coming weeks to press the new bushings in. I have never had a problem with it. The only shortcoming in my opinion is that it was a few inches too short to press off/on the axle shaft bearings. I had to drill a few more holes at the very bottom for the press surface to be low enough to get the shafts to fit. Other than that, no issues in more than 10 years of occasional use. It has paid for itself in saved shop labor fees.

My theory on HF equipment: It's great for the garage mechanic, but I don't think you could use any of it to make a living.

 

I have what is the same press with a different name on it. I got it as trade for doing work for a friend. Didn't take long to build a heavy duty bed and solid steel bed plates for it. The original cast steel plates shattered while pressing out the first u joint with it. Now need to build a heavy duty top cross member for it so the ram will stay square to the bed. They are just way too light duty for the amount if pressure the ram can produce.

 

I am happy with the small one I got a while back to press pistons off rods

It takes 72 strokes to do one piston, so the next upgrade was the air/hydraulic jack for power. It's no real WWII USA made tool, but it works for small light jobs.

 

Same experience as BackInTheGame. Works great for a garage mechanic. I wouldn't buy Chinese tools that are more complex or ones where using them could result in $$$$ damage (ie line wrenches).

 

Thanks for all the prompt replies. I'd love to find a "Made in the USA", but not willing to part with $500+ for something I'll use 2x a year.

I'm probably going for the 20T gray one, found a coupon for 25% off, so $149.99.

 

I bought the 20T model about 10 years ago for ~$100 to do rearend bearings: axle shaft, carrier, and pinion. I have no complaints.