Harbor Freight tools thread.

They're some 15" x chinese trailer rims, they're pretty cheap and as good as most of the other alum trailer rims I was checking out. I tried to include a link but they're no longer available. The tires are some inexpensive LT tires.

$95 Haida Puma HD818 M/T Mud Off-Road Light Truck Radial Tire-LT215/75R15 215/75/15 215/75-15 106/103S Load Range D LRD 8-Ply BSW Black Side Wall

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NVMSJGN

 

what did you go with? most of the sub $2,000 50 tons seem to be made in the same factory from every company, or at least rips offs of one another. HF just doesn't make one.

 

Nothing yet, I'll be building my own

 

right on! that option is on the table as well. i don't really need a ton of width, so it would be a great option to build a super beefy 24'' 50-75 ton to save shop space.

 

Nice!! I broke down and ordered a new kit from the website. I might even get another in store when coupons are available.

I think they did a good job of building a kit that will make you want to buy both kits. They could have used the OG style ratchet and extensions and eliminated the screwdriver handle driver, and added more bits. But they didn’t, probably the right call to maximize revenue.

Also, the fact that you can swap between the two kits was a good idea on their part. People love to “hack” stuff.

 

I love this concept, we need someone to make a 3D printed case that holds the OG meme tool plus some Knipex pliers and some 1/4” sockets. The kit HF should have made lol.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g5LZ-pcTVdY

 

I've had an old HFT 20 ton since around 2011 in the shop and used it for all sorts of things, it's always gotten the job done for me. Sure its a little flimsy and cheap but it still works and it WAS cheap lol. I use dimple dies up to 3" into 14ga steel with it, and thicker material with smaller dies and it always fully presses them. Used it for pressing plenty of bearing assemblies, and even used it with the Swag brake kit for small brackets and tabs until I got a full sized press brake in my shop a decade ago. With an air over hydraulic 20T jack swapped in it saves a lot of manual pumping, and seems like it presses over 20T a bit too. No regrets in getting it, though if I found a used 50T electric hydraulic press for a good deal I'd jump on that

 

I dimpled 1/8" no problem on my 20 ton press. Not sure of the size but I think it was 1".

20 ton hasnt been a limit to me at all other than wanting to bend wider than the swag press brake allows. Tossing the idea around of making a 60 ton 50" press brake for skids and a bunch of random stuff like that.

 

I would buy one

 

I just got this same set up and am pretty impressed so far! It does buckle a little bit on the thicker stuff I was playing with so I’m thinking about adding a little bracing/reinforcement, but think it’s gonna work just fine for 90% of my use case.

 

Thank you for the feedback guys, really awesome!

I asked because the only thing I need more than 20 tons for is pressing apart CV axles to install long travel shafts. It took nearly 100tons on a buddies press that he got from an old rail car manufacturer the last time I did it. I definitely dont want to buy a press that massive, so just trying to judge the things I don't need his press for.

 

For pressing parts, I doubt you'll have any issues with a 20T. I had gone air-over-hydraulic and it was awesome (old pic).



Just knowing that you're also fabricating stuff, you could see a big benefit in having a bit more tonnage as well as a wider working area.

I used the shit out of my 20T, but quickly outgrew it as far as making parts with it.

 

Looks like you already got a few responses but I’ve had the 20 ton press for years too. Added the swag brake kit as well. I’ve used it to bend 1/4” aluminum and 3/16” steel in as much as 5” widths. I feel like it could bend more than that but I haven’t had the need to try (yet). Also use it to punch up to 3” holes in 1/8” steel and dimple those same holes. I haven’t had a need to upgrade to a bigger press for my small shop but use the shit out of what I have. If anything I’d probably want the air over hydro jack as an upgrade but I’m super cheap and I get a free workout when I make dimple plates for my sliders. So, win-win. Also used it press in random bearings and junk that a hammer can’t handle.

 

Got myself a present

 

When the lid is closed, there is a hinged mechanism that folds the bits flat instead of pointing straight up

 

What punches are you using? I drill all of my plate holes 3/4" and larger with the mag drill. Super fast, but the mess is a bit annoying.

 

On my 20T I've done dozens of LT CV shafts, it's always done the trick. Sounds like that one you experienced was an oddball that just wanted to be difficult for some reason. Nearly 100T is crazy, I would have been ducking for cover

 

Picked up a Badlands 3 Ton of road jack. Love the height it gives! So much better than using the low profile jack and spacers I was doing for years. Needed to jack the rear frame of the JK up for the control arms to articulate down enough to reach a bolt hole

Got it for $320 because they forgot to remove an old floor tag. They removed it after I bought it but gave me the discount no issue. Regular price is $350