Harbor Freight 20-Ton hydraulic press mods

[tjkubota93]

Where is the best place or what is the best way to get some good press blocks cheap? Figured people looking at this thread might know.

 

[BukitCase]

SWAG offroad has 4 different sizes, not cheap though

Arbor Press Plates

The price shown is replacement for the 20 ton HF, click the "options" arrow for other sizes. Keep in mind these are not basic mild steel and they're thick...

If "cheap" is more important than "good", minimum 1" thick scrap steel is probably your best bet. As I mentioned earlier, I had a semi-circular "half donut" piece of 1" I cut in half to make two "thick crescent" shaped plates, worked fine with the jig I was using.

If you have any scrap steel yards locally, I'd ask for 1-1/2" thick scrap if you have a 20 tonner... Steve

 

[tjkubota93]

I have a lincoln. Don't remember what ton.

 

[CalG]

I've got a similar press. Not an import though, still just a bottle jack in a frame.

It has no cable hoist for the bed rails. When a change is needed, I just reach over and grab the hi-lift tractor jack and use that to reposition the bed.

I used to do it by hand, but that meant taking all the press plates off the bed. The hi-lift jack makes the task easy. Plus, the jacks are stored by the press anyway. Maybe that's where the idea came from , association ;-)

 

[KubotainNH]

I have the smaller A-frame version that's supposed to have the plates that don't explode. I'd like to put an air jack on it but not high on the to-do list. I ziptied a short pipe onto the frame that the jack handle fits in so it doesn't get lost. The unit was way to short so I used a homemade stool I build from 2"x12" scrap pieces I had left over when my house was built. I flipped the stool over, screwed it to a moving dolly and bolted the press to the box. This gave me a movable unit with storage at the bottom. I use this press more often then I thought I would. Straighten bent metal, pushing out bearings etc. Good stuff.

 

[vidio1]

Cheapest steel plates I've found:

Arbor Press Plate 12" Dia x 1 1 4" Thick w Four Slots 1" 1 1 2" 2" 2 1 2" | eBay

 

[Big Barn]

Cheapest steel plates I've found: Arbor Press Plate 12" Dia x 1 1 4" Thick w Four Slots 1" 1 1 2" 2" 2 1 2" | eBay

That one MAY work okay for a small HF press. It's a "daisy wheel" designed for a large ARBOR press.

Might be difficult to take full advantage of the slots.





Terry

 

[vidio1]

I bought 2 of them and rotate them to suit my needs. Most of the time I just need something solid to press against though.

 

[Big Barn]

I bought 2 of them and rotate them to suit my needs. Most of the time I just need something solid to press against though.

That's a good price!

Terry

 

[gwstang]

Oh man, I love the wheels. Never thought about doing that to mine. I have used it so many times over the years to change out U-Joints/bearings/wheel studs etc. I have gotten a little nervous when really applying some serious pressing force on something tough to break loose. I've had stuff fly out and go into the unknown area of the shop, where all things/tools that seem to get lost/missing/dropped are never to be seen again...still haven't found that place yet. :confused2:

 

[Sodo]

Wheels are from Harbor Freight too. They are 150lbs capacity. They don't come with nuts, you need to get metric M8x1.25 nuts. Didn't occur to me at the time but at 150lbs capacity you can't ride it as you scoot across the shop.

I made another knob for a friend. This time with the TIG.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Subscribed

 

[dragoneggs]

Yep should continue to be an interesting thread for sure... After a bit of research and reading other's reviews. I bought the grey 20T HF vs. the orange even though both were available in the store... don't remember the details but easily googled. I believe the grey is a newer version. First thing I did was swap out the mechanical jack for a HF pneumatic one... I enjoy that... I'm lazy. I did not have the patience for all the arm pumping.

Sodo, I like your T handle... might have to fab one of those up... got scraps for that. I hurriedly made up a dolly to move mine around but I'm not proud enough to show pics as it was a 'temporary' attempt made out of wood!

I also have been drooling over the SWAG DIY press brake, especially the fingers version. Looking forward to seeing other mod ideas here!

 

[downsizingnow48]

I put old Delta Rockwell or Craftsman tool stands on casters for several bench top tools. They are found around here for $25 or so. Easier than making from scratch. I make the top and bottom shelves from 3/4" 11-ply plywood which is very strong and then can be loaded up with other stuff. Casters are HF.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I bought mine about a year ago and it is the gray model. It did come with steel plates.

I also picked up their air operated 20 ton jack a few days later. 20% coupons on both.

My only complaint is that it's about 12" short for my liking. I think I will build a new base with BA casters to raise it and make it portable. I don't use it often so being able to easily move it out of the way would be an advantage.

 

[dragoneggs]

I bought mine about a year ago and it is the gray model. It did come with steel plates.

I also picked up their air operated 20 ton jack a few days later. 20% coupons on both.

My only complaint is that it's about 12" short for my liking. I think I will build a new base with BA casters to raise it and make it portable. I don't use it often so being able to easily move it out of the way would be an advantage.

Yep what I did... the casters and platform raised it about 4in. Still wish it was a little higher for me. I'm 6'2".

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep what I did... the casters and platform raised it about 4in. Still wish it was a little higher for me. I'm 6'2".

DE, I am thinking of the big 8" casters at HF. A pair of the swivel version with brakes on front side and fixed ones on back side.

8 in. Rubber Heavy Duty Cushion Tire Swivel Caster with Brake

8 in. Rubber Heavy Duty Cushion Tire Rigid Caster

I considered their 10" caster with pneumatic tires but, they don't offer them with brakes. Foam fill tires to avoid flats.

 

[Big Barn]

Wheels are from Harbor Freight too. They are 150lbs capacity. They don't come with nuts, you need to get metric M8x1.25 nuts. Didn't occur to me at the time but at 150lbs capacity you can't ride it as you scoot across the shop.

I made another knob for a friend. This time with the TIG.

I wish I had thought of that design. I drilled a hole to match the roll pin on the bottle jack valve, and of course the holes didn't line up.

Hole for the OEM roll pin wasn't drilled perpendicular to the axis and of course I didn't notice. Had to 'fine tune it'. A hammer was involved..

.

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

DE, I am thinking of the big 8" casters at HF. A pair of the swivel version with brakes on front side and fixed ones on back side.

8 in. Rubber Heavy Duty Cushion Tire Swivel Caster with Brake

8 in. Rubber Heavy Duty Cushion Tire Rigid Caster

I considered their 10" caster with pneumatic tires but, they don't offer them with brakes. Foam fill tires to avoid flats.

Hi Rick, that would be an improvement for me. Bigger casters roll better than smaller ones, especially over small debris on the floor, it would raise up my press much more to my liking too. I will say that I don't like a combination of fixed and swivel casters in general under my benches and tools. I often move my stuff into tight areas when I am not using them and having only two of the four casters swivel makes maneuvering much harder. I have this problem with my tool chests and my BH dolly. Don't know your needs but I would go with all four swivels. I'd skip the pneumatics as that is more maintenance but you could fill them as you say. Brakes are a must.

Thinking about it... at my local HF store the shopping carts are swiveled on all four! It's fun cruising through the aisles and drifting to avoid crashes. Wondering if those carts are the same countrywide?

 

[BigBoyToys]

I have wheels on mine and it makes all the difference in the world! All are swivel for maneuverability. I also made a brake which is great for fabing parts.
Can't beat the price when it's on sale and then use a 20% off coupon to boot. :thumbsup:

Here's a picture of my son learning to do some bending...