How to use a Harbor Freight Press for Jewelry Work

[@Jerseysoycandles]

You’re amazing. I can’t afford the press. I also don’t do enough work to justify a purchase, but you’re kindness and sincerity make me want to buy only from you.

[@christina6656]

I think it's really cool that you took the time to make this video. Not only are you honest about what this machine can do beside your obviously much more capable and specialized tool, but you stress safety for those who may choose to go the cheaper, economy route. I'm a bit fussy about my tools. So I am no doubt saving to buy one of your presses and will do things by hand in the meantime. But thought this video was really cool. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and tips!

[@mikeedelman3377]

I have that Harbor Freight press and I heavily modified it: I welded 45 degree braces from the top bars to the sides as well as welding the top bar in place. I drilled and tapped the guides for the bar that goes up and down as the jack is engaged. The bolts that snug up the fit were tipped with bronze and greased so it could have the slop removed yet slide. I lifted the bottom bars where the work is supported to their highest setting and instead of using the pins under it, I used grade 8 bolts. Using the holes underneath, I used metal plates and firmly bolted everything together. I left the pin sticking out below the jack. I fitted a pipe with a set bolt to it. Welded to the pipe was a 4" x 2" chunk of 4140 steel. In the center I drilled a half inch hole and added a set screw to hold tooling. Those improvements allowed me to use almost the full 20 tons without over stressing the frame. Even with the improvements, there is no doubt your press is much better.

[@leahannwhite1111]

Wow! I wish I could just hire someone to do these modifications because whatever you just said sounds SO intelligent, though totally went over my head! Lol! Thank you for these details. Also, do you find this setup to be really accurate in getting a really clean stamping on small projects like jewelry pieces?

[@eivindkofod1774]

Kevin! That was a brave and fair comparison to your competitor. I respect that.

[@leahannwhite1111]

I agree! ❤

[@samuellaramsey5963]

My skills aren't worthy of a press right now, but when I do get one I'm buying from you. Not because I've heard you're the best but because of your selling ethic. Thank you for your honesty and good will . I pray your company and employees makes it through this pandemic.

[@TheNuyorker]

I have a HF press and I love it. I don’t even have that behemoth I have the smaller one down and it does phenomenal with all of my pancake dies and impression plates most of which are PotterUSA. I hope you do make and sell the modification cause I’d buy that and make it even better. I appreciate what you do and it’s gracious to admit that it doesn’t need to be high priced to get the job done. I think you’re presses are great looking but that’s not everyone’s budget or even enough projects to justify the price.

[@lyndahatches765]

Love my potter press and very happy I saved up to get one. My jewelry is not the same and my time spent making it cut in half. Thank you Kevin for going over this. I was not aware HF press was so big. Your press fits so much better on my bench.

[@leahannwhite1111]

Yes!! PLEASE! I would LOVE to purchase your custom attachments,.. whatever you have added on there to modify. I bought the 20-lb hydraulic press from Harbor Freight a few months ago but I've been CLUELESS on how to tweak it. I just *knew* it could be done! Prese let me know how & where to purchase this from you.

[@joannewagner4093]

I have that very press from Harbor Freight. It had so much slop that I shimmed it up with thin pcs. of aluminum attached with double sided tape and it is much better but it still scares me when I use it. I will buy a Potter press when I can afford it but for now I'm stuck using this one. I do appreciate you showing how you set it up to be more sturdy and I will adapt mine the same way. Thanks alot Kevin.

[@kimlyons8550]

Thank you Kevin for taking the time for some clarification and safety tips.

[@pamkriner5945]

Thanks, Kevin. Much appreciated. Would love to hear more from folks who’ve used it.

[@360vintageco]

Really appreciate this video. I love your products and one day I’ll get one of your presses but for now, I’m stuck with Harbor Freight. I really appreciate your honesty. You’ve definitely earned by business 🤙🏼

[@crystalfabulous]

I just got my hydraulic press A few months ago and it’s the Most wonderful thing I own I’m 78 and wish I could’ve had that when I was in my 20s

[@rogerlibby14613]

Kevin, put some zip ties thru the springs for when they break. Great thinking on updating the HF press with a bolt on fix! You and Craig Dabler come up with the best ideas.

[@ClaudiaEstradaHarmonyLavender]

Well that was very informative. I own a Harbor Freight 20 ton as I could not afford your lovely machine sadly, but what are the details on getting this attachment you made for it? Thank you. Claudia

[@abrahampetrow6750]

I appreciate you explaining the Harbor Freight Press. Because of your honesty, I would buy from you. And the Harbor freight takes up too much floor space.

[@Nancy4133nope]

Thank you for this video, do you sell the modification hardware like you are showing ? I am just hobbyist and really don't use the press that much to make it worthwhile to purchase a wonderful press like yours which I am sure is fabulous . So i figured Id start off with this cheaper model thank you

[@jamesshelleywijnhamer19]

Thank you for your honesty and video. I am also looking in purchasing a hydraulic press. I'm just starting out as a hobbyist. I see others use a 20-ton press. Is there a reason for using a bigger press. I see some presses that are 6-, 8- or 10-ton.

[@butterflyj685]

I like your press better; however, I need a 50 ton press. Do you make custom presses or do you just make the 20 ton press? Thank you!

[@leahannwhite1111]

Can an impression die be made of STEEL in order to press strong enough into other metals such as aluminum, copper, gold, etc? I have a 20-ton hydraulic press i would use to press. I am trying to find out how to make my own impression dies (without using titanium).

[@HermanMartinez-i2x]

Where do I buy one? I want to press our conchos

[@orenishilewis2695]

thank you; Potter tools is incredibly kind and selfless for making this video. I can’t wait to start selling my stuff so I can buy your press. Until then …

[@potterusa]

Best of luck!

[@HermanMartinez-i2x]

So where do you buy this press of yours?

[@bigredsbait]

you rock,, I want to learn, And I don't have the budget

[@lizmathyssen6462]

Hello from Tasmania Australia, I have a chepy press from a car tool store which has the round price in the middle! Would you advise getting that cut to put up the flat spacers! I would love to be able to afford your press but shipping to the other side of the world 😂😂 Thank you in advance, cheers

[@rogelioramirez7516]

Hello how I can communicate with you

[@frankbegaye7258]

How much does your press cost and dyes

[@potterusa]

You can visit us at www.potterusa.com to see everything we currently have available!

[@brendam44]

Are you still in business

[@potterusa]

Yes. you can find our work at potterusa.com

[@PokerGuts]

Hey I just wanted to say you're a cool guy that's all

[@nicolacameron8439]

I'd rather just save up and buy a proper press from you.

[@FatKidBrody]

Dake makes one of the best H-frame presses on the market and their tables have slop in them. Your picking on Harbor for the same thing means nothing.

[@kimlyons8550]

I think he chose the HF one because there has been much conversation and questions regarding that particular press. I don't think he was trash talking it.

[@FatKidBrody]

@@kimlyons8550 I know why he picked it and yes he was picking on it. I was pointing out the fact that even the best made press has slop in the table.

[@juliesmith7565]

@@FatKidBrody I think he is just a great guy who want s to help artists, just my thought

[@water-sorb7899]

You are not even a member of the FB group so how could you even know his motivation! There are a lot of people in the group who us HF presses and I have not one time hear of Dake mentioned at all. I did a search and neither you nor Dake comes up so NO, you are wrong on your presumption.

[@eksine]

$189 for the paint job and for the hydraulic press alone is a huge rip off

[@KimSmith-dy5og]

This is a commercial.