Harbor Freight 20 Ton Shop Press Unboxing, Assembly, and Use - Is it Any Good? - Central Machinery

[@LordLoMR2]

I’ve never bled mine and it’s worked fantastic for the last 10 years. 😂

[@1lowrado]

I just picked one up today. The main “H” section comes fully welded now. It’s pretty sweet.

[@agentcovert]

There's actually different manufacturers for them and usually 2 different model numbers for nearly every item HF sells.. the older ones were the welded ones, the newest versions are bolted together..some variants of each model of an item can be better or worsethen each other.. there's a video on YT showing the 2 completely different 12 ton HF presses that are way different than each other yet sold as the same product..

[@Dan-oz4qb]

I've had my HF 20 ton for many years. It's more than earned it's keep. Unless you're using it all day every day this is all you need.

[@victoroneill7924]

I bought one of these a couple of years ago to press in 16 wheel studs on the DYNATRAC locking hub kit I bought for my Dodge Ram 2500. Assembling It would have much easier with 2 people but I assembled by myself on the floor (except for the jack) and stood it up with my engine hoist. I added four 15" angle iron braces on the bottom in addition to the little 4" braces it came with. To press the wheel studs in the hubs I bought two 6" long pieces of 2" galvanized pipe to get the hubs high enough for the studs to clear the press base. I'm restoring a '68 El Camino so I'll be using this press a lot.

[@stevehansen5477]

Great video. I solved the "where to store the jack handles" this way. I drilled two #7 drill holes on the lower lip of the top crossbar and tapped them 1/4-20. Then I a ran couple of 1/4-20 threaded full thread bolts up from the bottom bottom. The holes should be drilled about 1/2" from the lip of the beam. How to use should be obvious.

[@lifetimeofworktodo]

Thanks for the video! I took a purchase slip to the counter for a 12-ton and ended up being loaded up with the 20-ton. The 12 was on-sale for $139 with ITC so… score!

[@dennislambert7336]

Make some wedge blocks (on the R&Left ends under the 1/4 strap) to stop expansion of the frame while pressing at maximum pressures. My frame is out 1/2” on both sides.

[@Nobamaable]

This will be helpful in rebuilding my front control arms on my 71 Vette 👍

[@jasonk5979]

I bought one to remove the bearings from my Toyota truck axel. I didn't want to spend the money for it or the special tools to separate everything. But it was still cheaper and faster than waiting for dealership to do the work.

[@TheDaninator]

It will surely come in handy for future repairs!

[@yoniiboi707]

I am currently in the same situation! A shop charges me 1k and a new cv axle goes for 700$ and the bearings kit cost me 45$ each, I really just wana go with this and do it myself 😅

[@EthanCopple]

You can get magnetic strips from HB to hold that jack handle on the press, I think there is various sizes but can’t remember for sure

[@TheDaninator]

Thanks! 👍

[@adrianshumate4564]

I've almost pulled the trigger on one of these many a time, but luckily have some friends with one fairly close by and have always been able to just stop by and use theirs. One day I'll break down and get one though!

[@TheDaninator]

Save the money and use your friend’s! 😂

[@PCFithian]

Nice video, thanks for posting!

[@TheDaninator]

Thanks for watching!

[@3Wheels1Block]

One of the handiest tools in the shop. Gives you the power of 10 Daninators 😂

[@TheDaninator]

😂 if only I could combine the brain power of 10 Daninators!

[@craiggoodwin9704]

I've been looking at one of these for a long time. Among other things I've been wanting to see how flat I can press a beer can! Ha! I think you may have moved me along the way toward a purchase as an addition to my shop. Be careful. Thanks for Sharing!

[@azriab]

I bought mine one online from china, just arrived today and looking forward to install it / and hows it work

[@TheDaninator]

I really could’ve used this back when I was trying to get that cv axle out of the hub of that Sienna minivan! 😂

[@XPFTP]

a year later. has the legs caved in yet? in the center of them ?

[@mallninja12]

interesting... I just bought this and its sitting in my garage and im waiting to go out and assemble it; mine is in 3 boxes.... one is large and flat so im assuming the frame is now pre assembled; probably why that one was on sale ? watching it wobble on the wheels was kinda sketchy haha. nice video

[@elttabykcir]

They are great! I have one too, I can finish my work so much faster now!

[@joeycaldwell8015]

does it work?! The is it any good? to me suggested you were going to address if this product works for us beginner forging people.

[@BigBadWorf]

Put a couple of strong magnets on the top and the handle with stay right there.

[@marioh_flores]

I just got one when I build my dab press years ago… I want to repurpose is as I’m older and don’t want to do anything illegal to make money, any manufacturer uses I can I use this for?

[@silverdragontaylir8252]

I made wide bed for mine (can install at 45 ° angle ) copied smaller one

[@BobSmith-mc7uq]

Make the bottom platform a Square. I have an older model of this & the press would twist, so I made a squared based And also ran angle iron from the outer corners of the base to 30" up, much like a triangle. Your center section is different than the old ones. Replaced the jack once, has been a decent unit for the money.

[@TheDaninator]

Good tips 👍 thanks

[@bobrossi1185]

Definitely a great tool and bargain at harbor now do air over hydraulic jack upgrade and watch the other mods you can do for this .

[@michaelgreen6788]

I been looking at getting this press

[@ScottWalker-fd9sf]

Did you use it to press in the new ball joint? If so, how well did it work? I’m currently rebuilding the control arms on my 98 Camaro and I’m struggling pressing in the ball joint with the ball joint tool.

[@Dan-oz4qb]

I've used mine for lots of suspension parts. The only issue is sometimes getting the right set up to keep everything square and level for a good straight press. I use old rotors, steel scrap, etc to get the set up needed with each job. Most of the jobs only require a few hundred pounds of pressure so even wood blocks are enough.

[@lydiahubbell6278]

i bought a portable garage from Harbor Freight and took the pieces out of the box instead of trying to move that loaded box-i think they put it in my car, but I had no help to unload.

[@landrace2010]

Is the junction block completely necessary? My tractor is wired without one.

[@RA-lk1vz]

Thank you!

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

Nice 👍🏼 ! Thanks !!

[@emilyjust1189]

Great video ty for sharing 👍

[@KevinModz65]

I don’t know why they don’t just include the wheels on it, everyone adds them. Well, I guess they’d lose out on wheel sales

[@thrillbilly9785]

I hope you weren’t wearing the crocks when that ball joint popped! Look out toes! I’ve been wanting a press like this for a long time too. Many useful uses for a tool like this. No space for one currently.

[@TheDaninator]

Yep. Wore the crocs but it wasn’t my toes, it was my shin. 😂

[@elttabykcir]

Yeah, next time, he should wrap a cloth around it too.

[@richardkistner5549]

Thank You

[@jhuntosgarage]

Yeah, that press can save a whole lot of pain and agony changing ball joints and bushings. Ask me how I know. Thanks for sharing!

[@LoneScout1]

For all you Canadian blokes looking for a 20#er consider the King Canada KHP-20T-GGN as opposed to PA’s latest offering(9082555)which is actually different than their previous model(8604597)…the KC weighs in at 210#, compared to the Power Fist from PA which is literally 98#….no C channel uprights, and just lame. Shop & compare. Price isn’t always everything when you really only buy these once….especially when it’s only 10-20% more initial investment

[@JimLambier]

I'm in Canada and thinking I'm soon going to need to buy a press. It looks like the Princess Auto ones used to have decent frames but they really cheapened them a few years ago. I have been looking at getting a used old style version. Can I ask you who carries the King version? It's been years since I last saw their stuff in a store.

[@LoneScout1]

@@JimLambier PA is now mostly garbage and the next generation must have taken over there because the prices have gone crazy. Might as well buy name brand articles for same price as their cheap shite

[@Chickenhead2174]

Thank goodness you're wearing steel toed Crocks. 😜

[@hk07666]

"This is not a metal cutting drill" *Lubricates with WD40 and runs on fastest setting* 😂

[@Bigbopperairguns]

Use a strong magnet 🧲 to hold the handal wherever you see fit.

[@t34_guy90]

great thx

[@Bigbopperairguns]

I'm going to put one in my bathroom

[@chemicalspore]

Gotta give it till after warranty is up to see if it holds. 🤣

[@thalaribharath25]

How to buy this & how much cost

[@flyingjmerritt]

just got mine from harbor freight. think it was around $250

[@miketemple4160]

i use shopping cart wheels,

[@MotoModzofficial]

I’m jealous lol

[@Nitrious89]

How much did you buy it for?

[@marekkrepa9982]

$250 at harbor freight tools right now

[@atv55803]

USE A IMPACT HAND HELD WAY FASTER

[@misterhat5823]

Are you a HFT shill?

[@yoeycrack1]

Its a goood idea for budget press but you need some WAY bigger springs If the jack can push 20 tons but the springs rated at 10 tons then your only getting half the pressure I would just worry about those cheap Chinese springs see if you can get something thicker and ill bet my money one of those springs snapped somewhere in this world and someone died/hurt badly Please people if you buy this make sure you get springs that can handle that load and you dont have a half ass hook

[@andredesousa96]

Think for a moment, if you get 20+ ton springs, you wouldn’t be able to use the press, because the 20t pressing force of the jack wouldn’t be able to surpass the springs force, and in result the jack wouldn’t move downward to do its job. The springs only need to be stronger then the bottle jack weight, so that when you release pressure of pressing, the springs can counteract the bottle jack weight and bring it up to starting position.