[fredrok]

So, with all the common chatter about pressing bearings, etc. and the nutty ways we go about getting the jobs done without the proper tool <a press>, here's a cheap opportunity to own one. If you've never owned a press, you'd be surprised how often you'll actually use it if you do your own wrenching.

Just bought one of these to replace a nice one I STUPIDLY sold a few years ago when I moved. Not a bad deal at all for the $ and will surely do the job of any Jeep tasks.

On sale for $199 20 Ton Shop Press

Add the 20% off on top of that http://www.harborfreightusa.com/html/SingleMagLanders/americanprofile/images/20_c.jpg =$159 for a 20 TON (in store)

Don't even bother with the cheaper 12 ton....

[MightyLampshade]

I'm debating if I want to try to get the carrier/gears/bearings out of my Dana 30 while I'm rebuilding it to replace the inner seals but it sounds like if you do that you should also replace the bearings and this might make it worth it because I had no idea how I was going to get the bearings pressed...

Thanks for the tip!

[CSP]

Be careful with the arbor plates if they are cast. The ones that come with the 12 ton unit are prone to exploding (literally) with pressure put on them.

I'm not sure if the plates that come with the 20-ton press are cast or not.

Craigslist is a great place to watch if you aren't in a hurry. I bought a 40-ton Dayton press last week for $65, which will replace my offshore 20-ton, though I do have air over hydraulic with the 20ton which is handy and I may keep it.

[fredrok]

If the bearings look good, no real need to replace them but if you do, this press will do the job. You'll need a bearing press plate and you can use the inner race of the old bearings to press the new on.

Yes, they are cast and you are correct. I've always made it a habit of standing a piece of plywood in front of me when heavy pressing.

[Eaglekeeper]

May not be the most powerful or the best quality press, but it will get the job done. My HF 20 ton press has done everything I've asked of it, including diff bearings, ball joints, etc. CL is a great place to find presses, but if you see one advertised, jump on it. It'll be gone quick.

[CJhollic]

I have a HF 12 ton, it gets me by but barely. I wish I had bought the 20. congrats.

[fredrok]

Originally Posted by Eaglekeeper

May not be the most powerful or the best quality press, but it will get the job done. My HF 20 ton press has done everything I've asked of it, including diff bearings, ball joints, etc. CL is a great place to find presses, but if you see one advertised, jump on it. It'll be gone quick.

Ditto. I monitored CL off and on for a year before i broke down and bought the HF cheapy.

Eagle, you stationed at Tyndall?

[Pathkiller]

I have a 12 ton I bought from Jeg's for $99 with free shipping (a huge savings cuz these things weigh a ton). It works fine for everything I've ever needed.

[mknight759]

Originally Posted by CSP

Be careful with the arbor plates if they are cast. The ones that come with the 12 ton unit are prone to exploding (literally) with pressure put on them.

I'm not sure if the plates that come with the 20-ton press are cast or not.

Craigslist is a great place to watch if you aren't in a hurry. I bought a 40-ton Dayton press last week for $65, which will replace my offshore 20-ton, though I do have air over hydraulic with the 20ton which is handy and I may keep it.

exactly my arbor plate with my 20t hf press exploded under full load lucky nobody was injured or seriously KILLED..

[fredrok]

Sucks they cost so much but they're pretty much the least expensive I found on a quick search..
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/s...lates-1020228/

Arbor Plates

[mknight759]

hOW MUCH ARE THOSE ARBOR PLATES BY SWAG

[ElZorro]

Originally Posted by mknight759

hOW MUCH ARE THOSE ARBOR PLATES BY SWAG

149.95, plus shipping it would appear.

[Eaglekeeper]

Check at local metal recylers for plates. I picked up some 1" steel plate and the recyler cut it to rough size of 1' sq. Took the plates to a metal shop and they used the HF plates as a pattern to plasma cut the new plates. The shop even ground and smoothed the edges for me. The smaller cutouts from the plates are useful for the press as well. Total cost $35.

[MightyLampshade]

I'm seriously considering picking one of these up to press some bearings for my front axle. I see HF has a plate for that. Does anyone know where I would get the plate or appropriate equipment to press rotors and hubs? If I can find the piece to let me do that then the press would basically pay for itself

[Redmanchew]

Originally Posted by mknight759

exactly my arbor plate with my 20t hf press exploded under full load lucky nobody was injured or seriously KILLED..

wow seriously KILLED... is that different just unseriously killed...JK