Harbor Freight 20-Ton hydraulic press mods

[Sodo]

Simple mods to make a low-cost press work much better.

A handle for the valve made of 1/2" sq steel tubing.

Spread it with a screwdriver.

Squeeze with vise grip.

I make the pump lever semi-permanent by drilling a little hole, for wire.

Wheels so I can set it against the wall but move it too. Required a crossbar.

4" channel. The crossbar is 1 1/2" sq tube with .065 wall.

 

[stuckmotor]

Nice work. If I'm not mistaken, there's a Yahoo group dedicated to that very press.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Thanks for the tips. Am looking at that press. Hope to make a press brake for mine to bend sheet metal. will use your T handle as well. Ed

 

[Ford850]

Very nice. This is going to be a long and popular thread.

 

[Big Barn]

Er...nice legs, Sodo!

Terry

 

[Sodo]

Hope to make a press brake for mine to bend sheet metal.

Good idea. A press brake would be a great accessory.

Very nice. This is going to be a long and popular thread.

Terry stay tuned there will be a lot nicer legs out there than mine. Yah before ya know it there will be LED lighting & sparkly streamers on the jack handle (stolen from granddaughters tricycle) and a shrapnel cage for the press plates. Then comes king of the forum who puts in a 30T jack...... and Shield Arc will have to post a pic of the big press they used on galloping Gertie (a bridge in Tacoma )

:shocked:

Its a great tool. Makes me wish I had more to press. A tough little brake for up to 6" wide would be very useful. I've been bending steel in the vise, pounding with a hammer. Ford850 I hope this thread is popular, interested in seeing the ideas!

 

[Billrog]

Nice post Sodo appreciate your ideas. One thing I did unfortunately no pics. is glue a plastic strip on either side of the up rites to take the side play out of the arm the jack presses down on.

 

[Sodo]

Billrog taking up that slop has been on my list too but I never thought of plastic. I've been envisioning roller bearings and all sorts of trouble (& bulk that get in the way). Low friction is good.

 

[Big Barn]

Billrog taking up that slop has been on my list too but I never thought of plastic. I've been envisioning roller bearings and all sorts of trouble (& bulk that get in the way). Low friction is good.

UHMW wear strips.




I use it on gym equipment I build

Terry

 

[Ed of all trades]

Soto
I am going to build a heavy break that is the width of the press. I will bend heavy narrow stuff in the middle and wide thin stuff all the way across. Ed