Is this a good deal on a floor press? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Schly · 06-19-2004, 01:02 PM

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.

A frame press

slowJEEP · 06-19-2004, 01:05 PM

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 · 06-19-2004, 01:08 PM

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

Schly · 06-19-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arya Ebrahimi

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 · 06-19-2004, 02:45 PM

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 · 06-21-2004, 07:39 AM

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 · 06-21-2004, 10:02 AM

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 · 06-21-2004, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schly

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 · 06-21-2004, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D60

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 · 07-26-2004, 05:01 PM

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 · 07-26-2004, 09:57 PM

You could lift it...

Lifted HF press

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 · 07-26-2004, 10:17 PM

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.

06-19-2004, 01:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2741 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 2,098	Is this a good deal on a floor press? 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. A frame press __________________ [SIZE="2"][FONT="Arial Black"][COLOR="Wheat"]"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." Patrick Henry "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'" Radmacher[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

06-19-2004, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
slowJEEP Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11757 Location: florida Posts: 166	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. __________________ 97 TJ 85 k10 383

06-19-2004, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Arya Ebrahimi Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7876 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 4,214	Might try deleting this and posting it in the shop and tool talk forum __________________ DD/Tow-rig: '06 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax Classic Rig: '88 FJ62, 100% stock In the weeds waiting for resurrection: '94 FZJ80, 33s, locked

06-19-2004, 02:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
glfredrick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16024 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 934	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. __________________ Check out UCORA.org VOTE or SHUT UP!

06-21-2004, 07:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
motrhedx81 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Member # 30615 Location: Lexington, Ky Posts: 63	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. __________________ 1989 toyota pickup, 4x4, 22re 2001 chevy 2500hd 4x4, 8.1/allison Many BIG plans but me and my wallet disagree a little!

06-21-2004, 10:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Schly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2741 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 2,098	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. __________________ [SIZE="2"][FONT="Arial Black"][COLOR="Wheat"]"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." Patrick Henry "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'" Radmacher[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

07-26-2004, 05:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Schly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2741 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 2,098	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. __________________ [SIZE="2"][FONT="Arial Black"][COLOR="Wheat"]"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." Patrick Henry "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'" Radmacher[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

07-26-2004, 09:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
Cresso Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16296 Location: CO Posts: 29	You could lift it... Lifted HF press 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

07-26-2004, 10:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
bulletproof Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Member # 15689 Location: garland, tx. Posts: 745	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. __________________ not bad for home grown it's a little more than that sonny

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