Is this a good deal on a floor press?

[Schly]

I'll delete this in a few days if it's not "tech" enough.


Price seems too good to believe or maybe it's not all it's cracked up to be?

I know it's just Harbor Freight, but the price seems REALLY low. :confused:

A frame press (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=1667)

[slowJEEP]

I wouldn't buy anything from harbor freight. I have had nothing but bad luck with them lately. Everything is junk and its beat to hell when I get it.

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Might try deleting this and posting it in the shop and tool talk forum

[Schly]

Might try deleting this and posting it in the shop and tool talk forum

More people will see it here over a slow weekend. Like I said, I'll delete it permanently in a few days.

[glfredrick]

I've seen that press in person at a local HF store... It is smaller than it seems in the pictures and description. It would likely press out U-joints, but that's about it...

I'd go for a heavier one (I am going for a heavier one!) Another local "liquidator" type store is getting rid of all their "heavy tools" and have cut the prices a lot... They have some nice 20 ton presses for about $125 that beat that HF press by a mile. Actually some steel in them - though they are still Chi-com stuff.

They also have Chi-com floor model drill presses for $85. I got one - the chuck sucks but the rest is usable - especially for that price. Same as the one others are selling for $175+.

Store is in Louisville, KY.

[motrhedx81]

I've got a different model HF 12 ton press but pretty much the same thing, just not A-frame. I used it to press bearings on my gear change. No problems at all. But it is no "precision" machine by any stretch of the word. I had to enlarge one hole to make it go together. But that said, I do like it.

[Schly]

Thisi will be for light duty work. U Joints, wheel bearings, a few parts on the the wifes car...

I went ahead and ordered it. 116 bucks including shipping. I think that's a pretty good price and I think it will do exactly what I need it for.

I'll let everyone know how it works.

[D60]

I went ahead and ordered it. 116 bucks including shipping. I think that's a pretty good price and I think it will do exactly what I need it for.

Harbor Freight used to do free shipping on any web order over $50?

[Schly]

Harbor Freight used to do free shipping on any web order over $50?

That's what I meant. 99 bucks plus 7.50 tax plus 6 bucks or so for handling. No actual shipping charges.

[Schly]

UPDATE!!

Well, first, this thing was delivered in 3 days flat. WOW!

Put it all together and kept the bolts loose so I could square it. It was difficult and was pretty much a two man job if you didn't want to clunk yourself in the head or pinch fingers. There were also some parts that just would not sqare up. Both legs cant inward very slightly. No big deal but it was a little tougher to square and level.

Got to use it this last weekend and wow, all I can say is that I can't believe I went this long without a press. What a difference. This is my first and only press and I'd give it a C for quality and a C for usability. It's only five feet tall so I really have to get on my knees to use it easily. :(

It's definitely worth the price, but it is definitely not for precision work. Typical Harbor freight stuff but it will hold together just fine for my uses.

[Cresso]

You could lift it...

Lifted HF press (http://64.81.100.86/~dtabb/images/press03.jpg)

Disclaimer: it's not mine, but I know the owner and it's been in heavy use for a long time now with zero accidents stemming from the modifications shown. YMMV

[bulletproof]

i got that same exact press awhile back and have since upgraded.

i have to say it is the best one for the money. it doesn't have the slop in the bar like the other HF model.