Harbor Freight Press

I'm getting ready to do the brakes on both the CJ and the wagon so I'm looking for a press to handle the studs, plus future uses like u-joints, etc. I know harbor freight is hit or miss, so what are y'all's experiences with their 6 ton bench vs 12 ton vs 20 ton? Thus will just be for my use on these Willys and maybe something may come up in the future where I could put it to use.

 

My press is an off brand Cummins 10 ton that has done some crazy stuff. It is hydraulic and dollar for dollar is one of the best buys I have ever made.

 

I have the H/F 20 ton that I have used for about 10 years. No complaints at all.You will be surprised how many uses for it.
Not sure about the hit or miss thing not much to go wrong.

 

I meant hit or miss on quality of various tools they sell. I'm thinking the bench won't give enough room to move hub/drum into place. Not sure on the 12. Going to go buy with my drum and see the floor model I guess.

 

The HF 20 ton at $149 on sale is tough to beat..............and almost indestructible.......more power in a press is always better.

 

Never needed a press for U-joints, or for studs either.

 

it's a handy tool to have around . but tends to take up space and sit around , and collect stuff

 

I have the 20 ton version.I don't use it a lot but sure is handy for certain jobs. Had mine for about 10 years.

 

I have the old 12 ton one. Its fine. Not wonderful. The 20 ton newer version is better and for the sale price its hard to beat. I NEVER use a press for Ujoints. I almost always just use a vise and some sockets. A press would wreck stuff if everything isn't perfect. I have used my press for studs, but just as often I have just used a socket on one side and a drift with a 4# sledge hammer with the same results. Its a great tool if you make parts that have an interference fit.

 

We've had one at work for 10-12 years...the 20T. Beat the crap out of it AFAIC. Still there and working fine. I bought one about a year ago for my next garage. Haven't unboxed it yet.

 

Always get the bigger one! With these presses, bigger gets you more margin of not breaking the tool, though you can break more parts. The bigger tonnage gets you a larger frame which is more capable of working with larger parts, like axles that are long.
Get the 20 ton and don't look back.
-Donny

 

That's my thought too.

 

"Here you go…"
I like the way that was converted to be "portable."

Here's a 30-tonner I built from scrap to work on my bridge.

 

We have (2) 4,400 ton presses at work, pretty much nothing we can't crush. That looks like a toy by comparison.

 

I think it might just be a bit of overkill for my wheel studs. Just a little.

 

"When it absolutely posiively has to be flat today."

 

I think we need pics!

 

Yes....