shop press advice?

[Rick B]

I am thinking about buying the Harbor Freight shop press ($119). Would this 12 ton press be adequate for most pressing tasks?

[mepstein]

Our shop has the 20 ton. Works well. Not much more than the 12.

[911obgyn]

I have used the 12 ton, a friends, and some parts were bent. If the structure of the 20T is better it may hold up better.

[john walker's workshop]

It will do some stuff. Better get the 20T

[flyingjay]

1+ on getting the 20 ton. You'll thank yourself in the long run!

[john walker's workshop]

Craigslist probably has a lot of top quality ones for cheap.

[mikesarge]

I used a super coupon and got the 20 ton. I use it so much, I don’t know what I did before I had it. Great tool.

[MBAtarga]

There are several threads on the Garage Journal and other forums about the different models of HF presses. There are quite a few improvements that many have documented.

[reclino]

I have the 20 ton, mounted it to one of there furniture moving dollies, so I can move it around the garage if needed. The 12 ton is much weaker, The 20 ton is really nice tool for the money.
David

[dennisO]

I bought the HF 20-ton when it was on sale and I had a coupon, so it was real cheap. It was the best investment and I have use it a lot and never had an issue.

-Dennis

[kevingross]

Rick, you can get a lot done with a 12 ton press. You'll only need more pressure if, for example, you take on challenges like a 996 transmission. I've used a 12 ton press to r&r Cayenne wheel bearings, which are darned big. I don't think there's anything on your '70 that will be a challenge for a 12 ton press.

The Harbor Freight stuff comes with caveats. Friends at another local shop got one of their 50 ton presses (or thereabouts), seals leaked in the first year. They replaced the seals, it's okay now. Me, I am really reluctant to buy equipment that is of questionable quality when its failure could seriously harm me. I like my fingers, eyes, genitals, etc.

OTOH, I saw today that HF has donated their inventory of masks, gloves, etc to hospitals in need. Big props to them for that. We should patronize them!

[patkeefe]

I had one of those 12T presses. I welded up a new frame for it to stand on, because the original was flimsy angle iron. I also had it on a car skate, so I could move it around the garage.

If I ever felt it was doing something for which it was stressed, I stood on a small ladder in front when I pumped it. That way, when it ruptured, I wouldn't get a direct hit from the shrapnel.

[chrisbalich]

The VW/Audi shop I used to work at has been using a 12T HF press for over 10 years. It's yet to fail. If you have a big 4x4, or a diesel truck that you work on, sure buy the 20T. For a classic 911, the 12 should be just fine. (that's what I have.)
Mine is on casters and I put a SWAG Offroad printed knob on the release valve. It's not a complicated machine and can be fixed/modified for cheap.

[yelcab1]

I have that 12T press for close to 10 years now. There has been only one time when it needed a larger press. Having said that, if I bought another press, it would be a 20T press.

[porsche930dude]

Iv got the 20 ton for 6 or 7 years now. Its great never had any trouble with the ram other than leaking out the handle pump. The plates broke but they were the cast ones i think they sell better ones now. Also the top beam started to buckle so i replaced it with a huge I beam. I very much abuse it. I might box the bottom beam next but i flip it occasionally. Recently upgraded to the air assisted ram and its very helpfull for repetative work