Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[MossRoad]

I just picked up the newer-style, grey 20-ton press last week, after looking at them off and on for quite awhile. 20 Ton Shop Press - Hydraulic Shop Presses on Sale Paid $159, with a 20% coupon. Yesterday got the mailer with the super coupon for $154.99, so I'll take the receipt and the coupon in within 30 days and buy myself something nice with the $5.00 refund. :laughing:

This press seems to be very nicely made for the money. Now I'm looking around for projects to use it on this week!

Its walnut season.... :laughing:

 

[Threepoint]

Its walnut season.... :laughing:

Ironic you say that! We have an whole grove of American Black Walnut trees that have gotten quite large over the years. They are dropping walnuts like crazy, and if one beans you, you know it! I've actually thought about using the press to crack some! :laughing: The taste is quite sharp, some would say bitter. Not sure I'd want to sprinkle them on my raisin bran.

Dragoneggs, yes, if I can ever find enough to do with the press, I may retrofit it with the hydraulic jack. But I've read that there is a trade-off in the degree of control when making fine adjustments. My uses will only be occasional, in any event.

 

[MossRoad]

Black walnuts in brownies are an acquired taste. Lots of work for sure.

 

[PhysAssist]

There was a recall on some of those early models....

CPSC, Bachtold Brothers Inc. Announce Recall of Brush Cutters | CPSC.gov

They sent me that recall, although mine was actually labelled as a DR product, it did have the "made by Bachtold Bro" sticker.

Per the CPSC, they wanted to send me a dead man switch (operator presence switch) that was either for engine cut-off or blade brake, I can't remember which, but I opted out.

MossRoad- We like it, thanks!

Thomas

 

[MossRoad]

Ironic you say that! We have an whole grove of American Black Walnut trees that have gotten quite large over the years. They are dropping walnuts like crazy, and if one beans you, you know it! I've actually thought about using the press to crack some! :laughing: The taste is quite sharp, some would say bitter. Not sure I'd want to sprinkle them on my raisin bran.

Dragoneggs, yes, if I can ever find enough to do with the press, I may retrofit it with the hydraulic jack. But I've read that there is a trade-off in the degree of control when making fine adjustments. My uses will only be occasional, in any event.

It was my understanding that the air just speeds the ram to a "close as you want" point, then you make fine adjustments with the hand pump. Never used one, but isn't that how it works? Keeps you from having to hand pump the slack?

 

[MossRoad]

They sent me that recall, although mine was actually labelled as a DR product, it did have the "made by Bachtold Bro" sticker.

Per the CPSC, they wanted to send me a dead man switch (operator presence switch) that was either for engine cut-off or blade brake, I can't remember which, but I opted out.

MossRoad- We like it, thanks!

Thomas

I read about a lawsuit with one of those things. A guy borrowed one from a friend, said he knew how to operate equipment like it, said he knew there was no blade safety guard on the side when set up for fence trimming, said he knew the blade was exposed, yet walked up next to the exposed blade, on a slope, slipped, and it ate his ankle.

Surprisingly, he actually lost the lawsuit. That was a shocker!

 

[PhysAssist]

I read about a lawsuit with one of those things. A guy borrowed one from a friend, said he knew how to operate equipment like it, said he knew there was no blade safety guard on the side when set up for fence trimming, said he knew the blade was exposed, yet walked up next to the exposed blade, on a slope, slipped, and it ate his ankle.

Surprisingly, he actually lost the lawsuit. That was a shocker!

Nice to hear that justice was served for a change.

No body will ever borrow mine.

 

[hutchman]

Yes, it is.

Here is a thread on it.

Cool. Thanks. I want to eventually build a firewood processor but I've been watching that one since it came out and it sounds like a LOT of machine for little money and could tide me over until I get a better setup.

 

[DFB]

I'd rather have a Lister but we all know who put the screws to that!

Interesting history...Lister manufacturing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R_A_Lister_and_Company

Thanks!

 

[mecan]

Bought one of the 20 ton presses a couple years ago mainly for bearings and bushings, fist time we used it instead of a sledge and pipe to do a set of bearings was very glad about the purchase. Believe I payed around 154 then. Would like a pneumatic one but the hand one still beats the heck outta a hammer! have had no problems with there 1/2 inch impact sockets either, 2 foot breaker with 6 ct pipe and 300+ pound boy on the end.... something gave but wasn't the socket.