I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble" units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

Those come up for sale used in my area all the time. I saw a 20T US-made
one on the Seattle craigslist this morning for $90. Have you checked your local
craigslist.org? Classifieds? These take up a lot of room and don't get used
very often and as such get sold off pretty regularly. - GWE

Pete C. wrote:

I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble" units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

There seems to be one in the general area for $100. Looks the same as
the others from the pic, no brand name seen. Not sure if it's still
available, have to check.

The Arcan on at least claims to be US made, other than the jack of
course. Not that this is a deciding factor though.

Pete C.


Grant Erwin wrote:

Those come up for sale used in my area all the time. I saw a 20T US-made
one on the Seattle craigslist this morning for $90. Have you checked your local
craigslist.org? Classifieds? These take up a lot of room and don't get used
very often and as such get sold off pretty regularly. - GWE

Pete C. wrote:

I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble" units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

My project considerations would be: Not more than a full weekend of work
to build, cost in the same ballpark as the commercial ones, and quality
at least as good, preferably better.

One comment on your suggestions is that I think drilling additional
holes for the table could weaken it a fair amount. I'd think it would be
better / safer to make a set of bushings from heavy wall pipe or bar
stock that would sit over the pins and raise the table to the halfway
point.

Pete C.


DeepDiver wrote:

"Pete C." wrote in message
...

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know
the Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding
gear (TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble"
units and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I
better off trying to build one from scratch myself?

What do you consider to be "better off"? Some people here are seeking
projects to keep them busy, so cost isn't really a factor. Others are
seeking the most economical solution. Again others are looking to design
something that is not commercially available. What are your priorities?

If it's economy of time and or money, you should probably buy a commercial
unit. Just from a dollar perspective, it's difficult for individuals to
compete with the economic power of mass production (particularly when that
production occurs in China). With the high-cost of steel these days, the raw
metal alone for a DIY press will likely rival the cost of a commercial unit.
Then you have to factor in the cost of welding supplies, wear on your
bandsaw blades, grinding disks, wire brushes, and the parts you cannot make:
the hydraulic cylinder, the press plates, return springs, fasteners etc.
Finally, you'll have to powder coat or paint the press. And we haven't even
discussed the value of your time. Of course, if you're looking for a project
you can proudly show off, perhaps all the expense and work is not a factor.

Regarding the commercial presses, you should not need to "reinforce" them:
they are designed to handle the loads for which they are made. If you're
doing something that could bend or damage one, then you've exceeded the
capacity (and safety) of the unit.

That said, there are some modifications you may want to consider:

1. I find that the holes for positioning the press table are usually spaced
too far apart, leaving your work either too close or too far away from the
press ram rod. My suggestion is to drill a new set of holes mid-way
(vertically) between the existing ones.

2. Often, the ram rod on these units tend to wander and wobble as the
tolerances on these units are rather loose. On an H-frame press, you might
want to consider modifying the traveling ram support to adding close
tolerance rubbing blocks. I would make these out of UHMW plastic which is
slick like Teflon and tough like aluminum.

3. The press ram rod is typically too short. You can either cut it off and
weld on a longer one, or you can fashion a set of extensions with a sleeve
that secures the extension rod to the existing short ram. Just realize that
if this sleeve is not strong enough, the extension could buckle under the
force of the ram and shatter your sleeve with explosive results.

Perform any of these (or other) modifications at YOUR OWN RISK. And be safe.

Regards,
Michael

"Pete C." wrote in message
...

One comment on your suggestions is that I think drilling additional
holes for the table could weaken it a fair amount.

I doubt it. I don't think you're going to be pushing through, say, 2
vertical inches of steel channel any easier than through 4 inches. But do
what you think is safest.


I'd think it would be better / safer to make a set of bushings
from heavy wall pipe or bar stock that would sit over the pins
and raise the table to the halfway point.

That would work, although you may find it akward raising and lowering the
table while getting all the bushings assembled onto the pins.

- Michael

I've had the HF unit for several years, infrequent use. I've loaded it
up pretty well several times. Never a problem, never scared me. I'd buy
another.
- -
Rex Burkheimer
WM Automotive
Fort Worth TX

Pete C. wrote:
I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble" units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

"Pete C." wrote in message
...
I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble" units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

I just went through the same make/buy decision process with a little twist.
I bought the NT Arcan 20 ton as raw material for a custom machine. I am
better off with the press and throwing away the jack, fixtures and stage.
The rest of it is well made and cheaper than building it myself and it's a
pretty red paint job! So, I can't make the frame for what it cost...need a
jack?

The last "H" we built from stock and it was a PIA. It is heavier but it's
not perfectly square like the Arcan...never again when I can buy that
quality.

Tom Gardner wrote:

"Pete C." wrote in message
...
I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble" units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

I just went through the same make/buy decision process with a little twist.
I bought the NT Arcan 20 ton as raw material for a custom machine. I am
better off with the press and throwing away the jack, fixtures and stage.
The rest of it is well made and cheaper than building it myself and it's a
pretty red paint job! So, I can't make the frame for what it cost...need a
jack?

The last "H" we built from stock and it was a PIA. It is heavier but it's
not perfectly square like the Arcan...never again when I can buy that
quality.

So the verdict is to see if I can get that used one for the $100,
otherwise buy the semi-US made Arcan and tweak it a bit.

Pete C.

"Pete C." wrote in message
...
Tom Gardner wrote:

"Pete C." wrote in message
...
I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While
I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble"
units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

I just went through the same make/buy decision process with a little
twist.
I bought the NT Arcan 20 ton as raw material for a custom machine. I am
better off with the press and throwing away the jack, fixtures and stage.
The rest of it is well made and cheaper than building it myself and it's
a
pretty red paint job! So, I can't make the frame for what it cost...need
a
jack?

The last "H" we built from stock and it was a PIA. It is heavier but
it's
not perfectly square like the Arcan...never again when I can buy that
quality.

So the verdict is to see if I can get that used one for the $100,
otherwise buy the semi-US made Arcan and tweak it a bit.

Pete C.

What do you want to tweak?

Tom Gardner wrote:

"Pete C." wrote in message
...
Tom Gardner wrote:

"Pete C." wrote in message
...
I'm in need of a mid sized H frame hydraulic press for my shop for
replacing a warped brake rotor on my truck among other things. While
I'd
love an Enerpak press they're a wee bit too pricey for my budget.

I've got Harbor Freight and Northern Tool retail stores in my vicinity
so I've looked over what they have to offer.

For an inexpensive 20T press I found:

Harbor Freight item 32879 for $199.99 (Current sale, house brand)
Northern Tool item 145900 for $239.00 (House brand)
Northern Tool item 1459 for $269.99 (Arcan brand)

All three look about the same from the pics on the web site. I know the
Arcan branded stuff is usually decent quality. I've got welding gear
(TIG / Stick) and a decent steel supplier nearby as well.

So the question is do I buy one of these three "ready to assemble"
units
and perhaps reinforce it a bit and if so which unit, or am I better off
trying to build one from scratch myself?

Thanks,

Pete C.

I just went through the same make/buy decision process with a little
twist.
I bought the NT Arcan 20 ton as raw material for a custom machine. I am
better off with the press and throwing away the jack, fixtures and stage.
The rest of it is well made and cheaper than building it myself and it's
a
pretty red paint job! So, I can't make the frame for what it cost...need
a
jack?

The last "H" we built from stock and it was a PIA. It is heavier but
it's
not perfectly square like the Arcan...never again when I can buy that
quality.

So the verdict is to see if I can get that used one for the $100,
otherwise buy the semi-US made Arcan and tweak it a bit.

Pete C.

What do you want to tweak?

At a minimum a cylinder pressure gauge. I got a bit spoiled by the 50T
Enerpak we had at a place I worked at years ago. Being able to gauge the
force applied would be very nice and I should be able to add that
feature for perhaps $20 in parts. Probably also a little hand winch for
table adjustments.

Pete C.