Harbor Freight 20-Ton hydraulic press mods

[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...