The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Looking for an inexpensive press?

Hey guys,

It looks like replacing the shaft seals on my knee action shocks is in my future. I am looking for a press, but don't want to break the bank as I don't intend to go into business with it. HF sells a 20 ton floor stand model for pretty cheap...any feed back or other options? I don't relish the idea of purchasing Chinese crap, but don't want to take away any very limited Chevy wrenching time to fabricate a rudimentary press.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

HF press: $170 and save $89 on shipping if you have a HF nearby.

Mine has lasted over 15 years ago. I bought it for under $100 delivered (no shipping charge back then). It paid for itself the first time I used it to remove king pins from an axle - the local shops' quotes for the job was higher than the cost of the press.

You can usually install seals with a vise.

I have one of those smaller cheap bottle jack hydraulic presses at home and one at work... I do use them occasionally and they usually do what I want but I'm not sure I'd ever spend money for one. Looking forward to finding a good professional hydraulic press and giving away the little cheap one.

I too have had a HF press for at least 15 years. I don't use it a lot but it is invaluable to have when I or my friends need it.

Ever thought about building your own? Gizmoplans

An arbor press is a handy thing to have for pressing little things. I use it a lot. I bought a 100 ton ACCO press at an auction many years ago. It has 3 speeds and I have used it a lot. I have never used near its capacity. Several years ago I put camber in a dozen 5" OD 5/8" wall trailer axles. They all yielded at exactly 38 tons. Had I not bought the thing at auction many years ago, I would never pay what they cost new now.

x2 on the HF press for use and value. But we use the vise as Grigg mentioned as well.

Good Luck

Yeah, me too on the HF 20 Ton. You can use a vise too. I went with the press because in full restoration, you will need to press out several things so I just felt the money well spent.

Thanks gentlemen, I think I will begin my search for a press or arbor press. The jaws on my vise don't open enough to accommodate the shock and shaft. Have any of you replaced the shaft seals on a knee action shock? If so, where did you get the seal? BTW, This is for the front on a 1 1/2 truck, but they are the same on 1 tons.

A friend bought a HF 20T and it was not square. He bought it only to cut leather patterns with. He brought it to me and I squared and plumbed the bottom cross members to the top and welded it. Even the adjusting holes for moving the bottom up and down were off at least 0.25". Now it cuts evenly, is non-adjustable, but he only does one thing with it.

I have a larger straighter 20 ton that I bought from a tool supply--if you are around Charlotte you are welcome to come by to use it.