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Shop Press Too Short

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by wheelie, Apr 19, 2021.

  1. Apr 19, 2021
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    So, I bought a HF 20 ton press years ago. Never unboxed it until the other week in the new shop. The thing seems short. Like when the cross beam that the plates sit on is at it's highest setting, it barely up to my waist ( read: bad place to suffer an injury if something flies apart).

    The old orange HF unit we have at work seems taller as I remember. So, do you think it would be safe to set the unit up on solid cinder blocks to gain some height? I could maybe weld it to some I beam material if that would be a better option.

    I'd rather take a shot in the gut than in the jewelry store but that's just me. Plus, it's more comfortable on my back to have my work higher rather than lower.
     
    Dne007 likes this.
  2. Apr 19, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Yeah, I use mine on my knees, or on a chair. Some day I’ll build longer legs for it that have a few more holes for pressing longer stuff. I wouldn’t see an issue with cinder blocks as a temporary fix.


    As a side note, the older presses had cast iron plates which were prone to breaking spectacularly. They were replaced with steel ones at some point. Avoid using the cast iron ones if you have them.
     
    Dne007 likes this.
  3. Apr 20, 2021
    Dne007

    Dne007 Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Cypress, Tx
    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Messages:
    1,549
    I agree~ I sent my brother to buy a press thinking it was going to be normal in height, but the one he got me was from Northern Tools and I was little depressed at how short it is. I have a rolling stool most the time, but wind up working on my knees. However, it has a been a useful tool and use it more often than I thought I would. I mounted mine on some steel rollers left over from an engine stand. Makes moving it around much easier.

    Here I was pressing in bushings in the frame of my '68, had to turn the frame sideways while on my maxjax lift, worked great!
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Apr 20, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    That's pretty cool.

    Here's my home-built 20-tonner, pushing the pins out of my 1893 bridge. (Couldn't turn the bridge sideways.) :D

    With the threaded tension rods and a selection of spacers it has been handy in a number of situations.

    DSC01498 copy.jpg
     
    dozerjim, Dne007 and Fireball like this.
  5. Apr 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    normally people refer to their car by year, but i guess a bridge is the same?
    more importantly, you own a bridge??
     
    Dne007 likes this.
  6. Apr 20, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    There was practically no limit to the accessories you could get for a jeep. :D
     
  7. Apr 20, 2021
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    I put my press on a small set of wheels so I could push it around the shop easier. Remember, the pressure is 'inside' the press and not to the floor. Mount how you want as long as it's stable.

    For replacement press plates, I got mine from Swag. Cost more than the press, but they are machined solid steel and worked great for what I needed. They used to be less, may just be the Covid Impact right now as everything seems to cost more.
     
  8. Apr 20, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Um yeah.

    A historic Pin-Connected Pratt Pony Truss, built during the transition period from wrought iron to Bessemer steel. 80 feet long, approximately 40 tons.

    Once very common type but now is one of only two left in our state. So, when it was condemned, the State of NH wanted it preserved - and I was the only fool who raised his hand.

    Just had to move it twenty miles, repair and rehabilitate it, pour new abutments, and place it on my own property. Burned quite a bit of 7018 welding rod, and used 50 gallons of specialty paint (which required me fabricating a six-cylinder 5000psi water-blaster for the prep). :crazy:

    That was the easy part. The PIA was spending two years getting the DES permits from, yes you guessed it, the State of NH. :banghead:

    Interesting to consider, when I drive my Jeep over it, that it was designed and built before automobiles even existed. And obviously before planned obsolescence was conceived of.

    131016_D90_148_HDR copy.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2021
    mortten, dozerjim, AKjeff and 9 others like this.
  9. Apr 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    "yes, thank you for taking the bridge and preserving it. now let us make your life miserable and take your money."
     
    Dne007 likes this.
  10. Apr 20, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    You have no idea how right you are.

    In my naivite I had no clue that rather than cooperating, each division within the state regulatory system sees the other as a potential revenue generator. With me as the ATM in the middle.
     
    dozerjim and Twin2 like this.
  11. Apr 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    even if they don't owe you anything, they still want to make your life miserable and ESPECIALLY take your money.
     
  12. Apr 21, 2021
    OnlyOneDR

    OnlyOneDR Member 2023 Sponsor

    R
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2020
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    123
  13. Jul 5, 2021
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
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    293
    Put my Harbor Freight press on a set of casters. Can move it around the shop now and added height to it. Still seems stable enough it doesn't want to fall over and doesn't effect the working strength of the press.
     
  14. Jul 7, 2021
    earlswrench

    earlswrench Member

    Atlanta, GA
    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    Messages:
    135
    A few years ago, I saw a Craigslist ad from a guy who was closing up his shop and retiring. I asked if he had a press. He said he had a 20 ton he'd sell me for $50. When I showed up 15 minutes later, he was surprised I'd gotten there so fast. He said if he knew I was that interested, he'd have asked $100. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was expecting to spend $200.

    I'm pretty sure it's a Sunex. They go for $750 or so new. I use it all the time.

    I've got a few shims under mine to keep it steady on a not-level floor. As long as they're not in danger of falling on you, there's no reason not to raise it up on something.


    Screenshot_20210707-140733.png
     
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