My brother and I had ordered a Harbor Freight press before we had someone tell us that you cant do shit with them. IE Cant even do Toyota axle bearings, too small. That kinda sucks since that is the original idea/project that spurred the need for a shop press, not to mention taht is on the SMALL side fo things we wanted to be able to press (D60, C14, 2.5 Rckwels, etc...)

Anyway, is there a decent press that we could get that could do anything up to One ton truck type stuff?

(Hand operated of course)

Thanx

Originally posted by TyTy
My brother and I had ordered a Harbor Freight press before we had someone tell us that you cant do shit with them. IE Cant even do Toyota axle bearings, too small. That kinda sucks since that is the original idea/project that spurred the need for a shop press, not to mention taht is on the SMALL side fo things we wanted to be able to press (D60, C14, 2.5 Rckwels, etc...)

Anyway, is there a decent press that we could get that could do anything up to One ton truck type stuff?

(Hand operated of course)

Thanx

WHich press are people saying doesn't work??? Their 20 Ton is plenty for bearings.

I am talking about their 20 ton. People told us that even that was to small. This is the press that I am refering to......

Originally posted by TyTy
I am talking about their 20 ton. People told us that even that was to small. This is the press that I am refering to......

Hmm, strange. My d44 carrier bearings and balljoints went on easy with one of those. What were these "people" trying to do with it?

I guess that if this does not work Ill just make one. But I would rather not waste a presious weekend on that. I want to go to Telico for Spring Break, deadline is aproaching fast!

Thanx

OLD JEEP...

Im not sure, it was actually some of my brothers buddies up at UGA (I go to Auburn). I emailed him and asked about it. Ill tell him about your D44 stuff.
Thank you for the info!

I have this press and it works just fine:confused:

Originally posted by TyTy
I guess that if this does not work Ill just make one. But I would rather not waste a presious weekend on that. I want to go to Telico for Spring Break, deadline is aproaching fast!

Thanx


hell yeah, tellico over spring break!

that press will work fine for toy bearings, how would i know?
because if you can pop a bearing loose by dropping an axle on the garage floor, then 20 tons sure as hell will take it apart.
i bought one of those yesterday and some bearing seperators, i am going to go tear into a 3rd this week to get some practice.
and have my bud weld me up an SST for pulling axle bearings too.
or if you dont go get a press you can always pay me 3 bills to change your wheel bearings :flipoff2:

20 tons is more than enough pressure for the toy bearings. the problem is the pass through the wheel mounting flange toy rear axle is ~7" and the base is only 4" inside. this is prolly why some one said it is to small. if you want to do toy rear bearings with it you can make a plate that bolts to the backing plate and to the bottom of the press base. that is how I do them.

I have this same press and am yet to find any thing I cant do with it, I did have to build a taller stand and several custom jigs and spacers.

mike here has that press and I have usec it alot for balljoints
and some other bearing pressing needs.
It even crushes beer cans.

That's pretty much what I was looking to get for doing R&P and other fun stuff..

My buddy uses just an arbor press with good success so I doubt 20T would be not 'nuff. :D

BTW, anyone have the 12T version instead? I always like to go bigger than I need.. but OTOH, it's just a waste of money if i'd never use it.

I don't suppose it would be too convenient to try pressing axle tubes in with this 20T press - 1) could you get the diff into place and 2) is 20T close to enough?..

Problem is I don't see too many 50T presses for sale, and none near the $200 mark of the 20T HF unit. :D

Originally posted by tsm1mt

BTW, anyone have the 12T version instead? I always like to go bigger than I need.. but OTOH, it's just a waste of money if i'd never use it.


I've never used one, but looked at one at Northern - and it looked really cheesy, maybe just because it was standing next to their 20 Ton model. The Northern 12T Press was something like $80 less than the 20T. Not sure it's worth saving the money.

I actually have the 12t version. Works fine for bearings, both on axle shafts and on differential carriers, transmissions, tcases etc. It's all about making your own plates and drifts at times, but I havent seen a press that'll do absolutely everything out of the box yet.

Originally posted by oldjeep


I've never used one, but looked at one at Northern - and it looked really cheesy, maybe just because it was standing next to their 20 Ton model. The Northern 12T Press was something like $80 less than the 20T. Not sure it's worth saving the money.

Just curious. I've never had a press handy to play with.. and I think I could probably get away with a $40 arbor press for most of my needs (setting up gears n' such)..

But like I said... bigger is better. :D

Bigger is better, indeed... which is why I'll find a 50 ton one next ;) and then have both! HAHA :D :beer: :smokin:

Originally posted by mike
I actually have the 12t version. Works fine for bearings, both on axle shafts and on differential carriers, transmissions, tcases etc. It's all about making your own plates and drifts at times, but I havent seen a press that'll do absolutely everything out of the box yet.

That's good to know, I've been running over to a friends house and using his 20T. For the $120 that a 12T costs I think I'll have to pick one up.

the 20 ton is on sale for 159 right now

wow, for $159 its definatley worth it!

Originally posted by gnob
the 20 ton is on sale for 159 right now

Where? I looked at harborFreight and the normal 20T is 229, and the a-frame version is 179

Originally posted by oldjeep


Where? I looked at harborFreight and the normal 20T is 229, and the a-frame version is 179

i did'nt see it either:confused:

I've been using the 20 Ton Press and have yet to find anything I can't do. I did put it on a box with a hollow top made from 2x12's so I wouldn't have to get on my knees to see what I was doing. Plus it give me an extra 11 inches of working space.
I picked mine up from Northern on sale and it's one of the most used tools I have. Aside from the Miller and Sawzall. :D
CJ

The 20-ton unit is on sale at Harbor Freight. I picked one up on Sunday. Went to get a 12-ton, but couldn't see not spending the extra $40 to go with the 20. It may not be the best press out there, but I don't see why I'd need one like the $800 Snap-On unit. Mine's for personal use.

i got mine yesterday.
my new sales add says prices good through 2-25
i am in oregon and it looks like these prices are good throughout the nwest
i dont know if they have national sales but i wouldnt see why not.

and i just got done playing around with it, removed and replaced a pinion bearing and carrier bearing with no problem.
it sure is going to make axle bearing a breeze next time

Which model are we talking about here?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32879

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=52837

Anybody? It looks like the A Frame is on sale for $179 but the H Frame is $229


Help :confused:

TyTy and I had ordered the H-frame 20-ton model but then heard that it doesn't open tall enough to press the bearing off an axle shaft. So I cancelled the order. Since this is the main job we want to do with it it is a big concern to us. The ad says it opens up to 32", which isn't even 3 feet. I'm pretty sure that his Toy rear shafts are at least 3' long. And then imagine if we ever needed to do something with a full-width axle!

J. J.

Originally posted by Matt K
Which model are we talking about here?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32879

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=52837

Anybody? It looks like the A Frame is on sale for $179 but the H Frame is $229


Help :confused:


The first one - H-frame. There is a sales flyer out with a price of $159. I'm not sure if it's on sale thru the webpage tho. You might call and ask.

I figure I can lengthen the legs on it if I need to press something longer than the 32" opening.

I have the HF 20 ton. Bought it for $160. Twice the price of the 12 ton one, but way better and I have been very pleased with it.

Done Toy pinion and carrier bearings and axle shaft bearings. Works great.
Jay

Don't get all worked up about a press being on sale. We have one on sale at least 2 weeks out of the month, every month. And that's just the storewide sales add. The internet has different sales, and the catalog also has different sales. Both of which can be redeamed at the store when you bring the page/printout showing the sale item and expiration of the add.
And don't be fooled by thinking any $800 press is 10 times better than the HF press. I'm not saying that the HF press is always better. But I've seen so called high quality name brands (*Coughsearshmhmcough*) fail quickly, and the HF tools are still going strong.

Besides, who am I to turn down the occasional freebie and 20% off?
Hehe;)

So, you are saying for the rest of the country that does not live near an HF store will have to pay the $229 price? Great.

They told my bro and I that shipping is free though:D (At least at the 229 price tag.)

so tyty hopefully you are on it.
here are two measures for you
a late toy axles end up being about 30.5" fron the end of the lug studs to the end of splines
the press will allow36" from the highest table to the ground
so it looks to me like you can do axleshafts without even blocking the press up at all.
since you really only have to press about 3 or 4" anyway

I called HF. Here is the scoop. If you pick up the 20TON you pay $159.00 if you buy it and have it shipped for $0.00 it will cost you $229. So as it stands the shipping is really not FREE. Which to me means if you are shopping at the store during a time when items are NOT on sale you are overpaying for those items, because you are actually paying for shipping. :rolleyes:

I don't know. If shipping is FREE it should be FREE. Which means the sale prices should be good for people who buy online and those who purchase items locally. Otherwise don't call it FREE shipping.

You guys have a part # from the flyer with the 20 T on sale for $159? A lot of times they put a different suffix on the part # for the different sale prices...so its possible you could put that in on the web site and get it for that price and still get free shipping.

Just went out and measured both of my axles out of a 9" from a F-150 4x4. 31 1/2" from the end of the splines to the back of the flange.
So I think the 20 ton H frame just might work may have to make some kind of floor riser for it, if this issue is still unresolved on monday I'll let you know, plan on buying one over the weekend and pressing bearings on these axles.

I just called HF yest.

The 20 TON is $159 if you come pick it up.

Or

The 20 TON is $229 if you have it shipped to you for FREE :flipoff2:


FREE SHIPPING??? Ok......, if you say so..

Originally posted by Matt K
I just called HF yest.

The 20 TON is $159 if you come pick it up.

Damn!! guess I'll be buying a press this weekend :D $70 savings is worth a 15 minute drive :D

Thanks everyone. Glad to see that the HF press is gonna be a viable option.

My bro and I decided to wait on the press for a little while. We have very fast paced minds I guess you could say. If we agree to buy anything it is kinda like, DO IT QUICK BEFORE WE CHANGE OUR MINDS!

Anyway, we decided to make sort of a mass purchase of metal and springs this weekend making trips to both the metal store that is worth a shit (30 min. drive) and Atlanta Pull a part. (1.5 hrs.)

We decided to keep an eye out for a used press for a good price and if that dosent prevail by the time that I am dying to get one, go for the HF.

Thanks again

keep watching the front of the catalog it will
be on spechial sooner or later,


ps got my harbor freight press at a pawn shop

it works fine and has been sitting out side for
about 2 years. (no room in shop )

Watcha lookin for at pull-a-part? I'm stoppin by there this afternoon on my way home, just ot see if they hae anything good. they usually don't, but i'm keepin an eye out for a waggy 44 for my buddy's taco.

Ryan, my brother is looking for some springs to mix, match and cut up for 1/4. Im just gonna get some 1/2 ton chevy rears for my Toyota.

We might nto go now. Were not sure. I have to work on Sunday so it will pretty much shoot saturday for me. Might wait and do it later.

Are they open on Sundays?

yeah, i'm pretty sure they are open on sundays

They're open 7 days/week 8am - 6pm. If I can egt there in time today, I am going to take a look thorugh the Norcross location for when TyTy and I go this weekend. I'm also going to have my eyes out for 6-cylinder TBI's . . . and d60 fronts! Haha!

J. J.

PS: Ryan, if you need a d44 front I have one from a Chevy that I would be glad to sell to you cheap. It's only got one good lockout hub. Needs some work and has a 3.02 ratio, but that's why I say CHEAP.