So you want to buy a shop press...

[LESchwartz]

So you want to buy a shop press.

There's a lot of them to choose from at the low end.  This review will focus on two of the better values out there:  The Harbor Freight 12-ton H-Frame and A-Frame.  With either should be ready for your AK building activities.  I've never seen a heads up comparison of these units, so I set out do one.  There are differences and you'll want to choose the one that's right for you.

I've never had an issue with a lack of power with my 12-ton unit, so I limited my reviews to 12-ton units.  If you think a 20-ton unit is right for you, you can use the items in these reviews to evaluate them for yourself.  My experience tells me that when I think 12-tons isn't enough for AK or automotive work, I should think again.  I've bent or snapped more than my share of items, so I would never consider anything more than 12-ton for home shop use.

I also didn't bother with any other brands:  As they were either clones or significantly worse.  For example, the 12-ton H-Frame press sold by Northern Tool had significantly more play in the frame and ram.  Presses sold in local auto parts stores were identical to the Harbor Freight models -- but at a significantly higher price.  Note that clones sometimes will have the header pre-welded to the side rails.  You should look for a welded frame if you intend to buy locally, but this typically adds a lot to the shipping cost when buying online.

Some other presses have a guide post which slides into a guide tube.  While these prevent the ram movement issues, they can still have frame slop issues and will need to be welded.  And they typically run significantly more more money -- approaching the prices of low end piston driven presses.  The Northern Tool 20-ton H-Frame is typical of the construction of such presses.  I found the Harbor Freight A- frame to be every bit as good as these presses, and at significantly less cost.

Finally, there are the low end piston driven presses.  These are true industrial machines starting around $400.  But they're are in a whole other league from the jack powered ones reviewed here.  The Northern Northern Tool 20-ton H-Frame Piston Press is typical.  Too expensive for most home shops.

Bottom Line:

Buy the Harbor Freight 12-ton H-Frame if you just want 12-tons of power at the lowest posible price.

Buy the Harbor Freight 12-ton A-Frame if you want 12-tons of power with precision.

[LESchwartz]

Harbor Freight 12-ton H-Frame.

My first impression was "what a spectacular machine!"  Then I put it together and used it.  The frame wiggles and the ram flops around with over 1/4" of play in both directions.  But the frame can be welded to remove the slop, and the rails can be shimmed to reduce the ram play to under 1/16" (I used paint sticks as shims.  The press apron does not fit tight again the rails.  But this is usually not an issue, since you can use door shims to steady it if you need (I've had to do this exactly one time).

I've build a lot of AK's on mine and it should work fine for a budget conscious builder or home mechanic.

Here's mine.  (The original jack got "borrowed" to someone who never returned it.)



Almost 1/16" of space between the rail and the head piece.  This thing had to be welded:




Shims had to be added between the jack plate (ram) and the rails.  Even after this, the ram still had just under 1/8" of play:



The 5/8" apron pins were nice and sturdy, but they don't secure the apron:



It has over 34" of working area under the ram.  Unfortunately, the brace is in the middle, so you can't do anything longer without removing the brace:

[LESchwartz]

Harbor Freight 12-ton A-Frame.

My first impression was "what a piece of junk!"  Then I put it together and used it.  The frame is solid despite the angle and flat stock used in the construction.  And the ram had virtually no play at all!

This is a new unit for me, but I foresee building a lot of AK's on it.  It should work fine for a budget conscious builder or home mechanic, and seems to be a definite step up from the H-Frame.

Here's mine.



The rail and the head assembly is tight.  But it can always be welded if need be:



The ram has virtually no play.  But it should be easy to make some bushings if I need to tighten it up further:




The 12mm (0.475") apron pins seem somewhat light and kind of questionable -- only time will tell if they will hold up.  However, the apron is held securely in place:



It has over 34" of working area under the ram.  And the placement of the braces allows you to put the press on blocks and let the work hang out the bottom (handy on long builds like the PSL):

[Bullseye57]

I have had a HF 20 ton for a few years now that I got at a great price plus one of their additional 20% off coupons, so it turned out to be a "super" deal. All things considered and having to shim the apron support post level on one side, I have no complaints. Didn't have to shim my jack plate either....musta been made on a Tuesday instead of Monday!

All in all, I knew what I was getting my self into (Harbor Freight that is) and am pleased w/my purchase.

[Greatguns]

We used a HF 20 ton press at the shop I worked at and had all the issues you mentioned. The biggest of which was the brace in the middle interfering with barrel work like pressing the FSB off of an SKS. I have been looking into getting something to start doing more stuff at home and I think the 12 ton press will fit the bill. Now where did I put that 20% coupon I had for HF????

[LESchwartz]

I have had a HF 20 ton for a few years now that I got at a great price plus one of their additional 20% off coupons, so it turned out to be a "super" deal. All things considered and having to shim the apron support post level on one side, I have no complaints. Didn't have to shim my jack plate either....musta been made on a Tuesday instead of Monday!

They must have changes their supplier since you purchased yours . . . every one I've seen requires shimming the jack plate.

Larry

[Bonesaw]

I had a HF 20 ton H-frame press and tried to press out a wheel bearing from a hub on my 00 celica. The press ended up bending the top I beam. Yes, the I beam on the top of the press bent (maybe went an inch up in the center). Sent it back, got my refund. Used that money to have a shop press it out. Took them 30 seconds and cost me 10 bucks.

Is the power there? yeah, there's 20 tons there. But I have my doubts about the structural integrity of the press. If those welds wouldn't have held someone would have been seriously hurt.

I'm slowly learning not to try and do everything myself lol.

[beachbumwithagun]

My buddy has a HF12 and has had the same issues as you Larry. I have a HF20 which he has used and now wants one. I've seen his even with modifications and there is no comparison between the two.

[GUDERIANSDOG]

Thanks for the great info and pictures Larry, IMHO this should be a sticky. My HF-12 needed shimming in all the usual places, it has been very useful for everything I've needed to do thus far gunsmithing related. Personally I have found that if this press does not have enough power to perform my assembly/disassemble tasks something usually isn't right on my end. My SOP is measure everything at least twice with the mic, use the proper amount of lubricant/anti-seize, stay slow and steady, and most importantly if it doesn't fit, don't force it. (I ruined an AMD barrel to figure that one out. )