Hey there... just curious if anyone out there took the time to build their own 12-ton shop press. To me, it appears to be a simple design that I can weld together in an afternoon's time, but is it worth it if I can buy this one from HF on sale now via an emailed coupon for only $89?

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_240.jpg

I already have an 8--ton bottle jack and some hood springs. I know it's not a 12-ton ram, but would it be effective and worth building? Would it be strong enough to press in control arm bushings at 8-tons or do I "need more power captain?" (sorry--cheesy Star Trek Reference there... slipped out):D

I have the 20 ton HF version and it's great for home shop use. I'm not sure you could build your own 12 ton for $89 if you had to buy the steel. The 8ton ram should be enough for front end bushings, etc. The press plates that come with it are really handy.

Get yourself a copy of carcraft there is a 20% off coupon that will work even if the item is on sale. I got my 20 ton for $180 this way.

You might save,what? 30 40 50 bucks? It depends on what you think its worth.
How often would you really use it?
I'm not trying to be Negative Nancy, just Realistic Roger.

I like doing projects like that, but for $90 to your door, I'd only build my own if I had the scrap steel laying around and I was hard up for something to do.

- My experience with HF tools is the fewer moving parts the better. The shop press looks simple, and the bottle jack would be the most likely failure point. I spent the better part of yesterday making a custom spindle nut for my HF bench vise as the supplied cast iron POS nut stripped the theads the first time I really cranked on it. Gotta love the C&H Ina Co.

Thanks for the input guys... I forgot to subscribe to this thread when I first started it and am hooked in the body shop forum lately. The tip on that 20% off coupon in Carcraft mag. is helpful--thanks! I can see it would be worth it to just buy it, not make it. :)

Thanks for the input guys... I forgot to subscribe to this thread when I first started it and am hooked in the body shop forum lately. The tip on that 20% off coupon in Carcraft mag. is helpful--thanks! I can see it would be worth it to just buy it, not make it. :)

They have them in "Camaro Performers" Mag now too if you prefer. :thumbsup:

We use a 3 tonne press which will move most anything. 8 should be enough to push it to pieces.

On my HF 12 ton, I found that the framework is a little too small/weak. Without even reaching the jack's bypass valve pressure, I can see the frame getting all twisted and warped from the pressure. I think the 12 ton jack would work better on the 20 ton frame.

On my HF 12 ton, I found that the framework is a little too small/weak. Without even reaching the jack's bypass valve pressure, I can see the frame getting all twisted and warped from the pressure. I think the 12 ton jack would work better on the 20 ton frame.


Do you have the square frame or the A-frame version?? I would think the A-frame version would be much more rigid than the square frame.

how many ton press would be reqired to rebuild your average muncie, or to press in and out piston pins ?

how many ton press would be reqired to rebuild your average muncie, or to press in and out piston pins ?

Not sure about a muncie. But I'm pretty sure to "properly" press in a piston pin the rod needs to be heated first then the pin pressed in.

Do you have the square frame or the A-frame version?? I would think the A-frame version would be much more rigid than the square frame.
Just like the one pictured above. I don't think I have seen an A frame version.

Just like the one pictured above. I don't think I have seen an A frame version.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-a-frame-industrial-heavy-duty-floor-shop-press-1667.html