Convert Harbor Freight 20 ton press to 32 ton

[redbeard]

Wish I had seen this thread before I "upgraded" to a 20T jack. The air-over looks pretty damn sweet, even if it doesn't break any speed records.

[everlastsupport]

If not doing just 90's speed it cool. I like slow in case something wants to give or needing to get something over 90. I still pump mine, but that would be a cool addition if I used it enough or just had extra cash.

[zoama]

Wish I had seen this thread before I "upgraded" to a 20T jack. The air-over looks pretty damn sweet, even if it doesn't break any speed records.

You can get this 20 ton air hydaulic jack for about $60 when it's on sale + a coupon. http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-...ack-95553.html

[Steve]

Wish I had seen this thread before I "upgraded" to a 20T jack. The air-over looks pretty damn sweet, even if it doesn't break any speed records.

I like the slowness of the air / hydraulic jack as it allows for possible problems to be addressed before they get out of hand. Now that it is air / hydraulic, I also do not dread having to pump it up to use it. I want to use it!

The 20 ton jack from Harbor Freight is a great little jack and if you get it for the right price, a really great deal. I went with the 36 ton jack because I wanted to be able to bend 1/2 thick x 12inch wide steel and the 20 ton was struggling with bending half inch. I do heat up larger 1/2 inch thick pieces to allow for smoother bending when going over 8 inches wide. I probably would have to go with a 100- ton press to bend the thicker wider metal without heating.

This press with modifications has exceeded all my expectations and has made my metal working life much easier. Weld a part crooked? Just put it in the press and bend it straight. Need to make a heavy duty bracket? No problem at all. I also have been pressing holes in half inch steel with a press die. The 20 ton jack won't punch holes like the 36 ton jack can. The 36 ton does punch pretty good but it is slow. Way faster than a drill though!

I am finding so many uses for this press that I am now wondering how I ever did without it.

[zoama]

What's the 20 ton's limit punching holes ?

[Steve]

What's the 20 ton's limit punching holes ?

Not sure but it was having a hard time punching holes in a 1/4 inch plate. It would work, but was getting to the point where the jack would almost stall.

I have to say that I would not have been able to do any of this without my Everlast equipment. The power plasma 50 and powertig 250EX has been great. I use them every day and so far have been problem free. They have more than paid for themselves and have made my metal working so much easier and a whole lot of fun. This press is just icing on the cake and helps in my fabrication abilities. If it were not for Everlast, I would not have any need for a hydraulic press!

[zoama]

Ever thought about putting a winch on it to move the bed up and down ?

[Steve]

Ever thought about putting a winch on it to move the bed up and down ?

Not necessary at least for me. I am strong enough to move it even though the bed weighs in at around 85 lbs. I do the pin walk.....you know......lift one side up and move the pin up or down one level. Then move the other side. I can and sometimes do remove the bed for other uses of the press and even at 85 lbs, I can lift it fairly easily.

[everlastsupport]

I do the same, I walk it if working alone, otherwise, tell someone to grab the other side. Mine's outside, old and rusty but gets the job done. When I bought it, it was outside at a electric motor repair shop. A monster compared to the first one we built. Air over would be cool if I used it more.

Steve, do you use the Henrob a lot? I have wanted one for years, but price always stopped me?

[redbeard]

I like the slowness of the air / hydraulic jack as it allows for possible problems to be addressed before they get out of hand. Now that it is air / hydraulic, I also do not dread having to pump it up to use it. I want to use it!

The 20 ton jack from Harbor Freight is a great little jack and if you get it for the right price, a really great deal. I went with the 36 ton jack because I wanted to be able to bend 1/2 thick x 12inch wide steel and the 20 ton was struggling with bending half inch. I do heat up larger 1/2 inch thick pieces to allow for smoother bending when going over 8 inches wide. I probably would have to go with a 100- ton press to bend the thicker wider metal without heating.

This press with modifications has exceeded all my expectations and has made my metal working life much easier. Weld a part crooked? Just put it in the press and bend it straight. Need to make a heavy duty bracket? No problem at all. I also have been pressing holes in half inch steel with a press die. The 20 ton jack won't punch holes like the 36 ton jack can. The 36 ton does punch pretty good but it is slow. Way faster than a drill though!

I am finding so many uses for this press that I am now wondering how I ever did without it.

Great to know, I'll have to save up for a hefty airover. I'd really like to do some bigger stuff. How large a hole can you punch in 1/2"? I've got a bunch of 7/8 holes to do that I am NOT looking forward to drilling.

BTW, I agree about the slowness when actually bending, I was more concerned about the time to take up the slack. Sorta like not having a 2-stage on your log splitter.

[Rambozo]

Great to know, I'll have to save up for a hefty airover. I'd really like to do some bigger stuff. How large a hole can you punch in 1/2"? I've got a bunch of 7/8 holes to do that I am NOT looking forward to drilling.

7/8" in 1/2" would about max out that 36 ton. Try a rotabroach, that would knock those out pretty easy with a good drill press or a mag drill.

Here is a tonnage chart, that will give you a rough idea of what it takes.

http://www.americanmachinetools.com/...punch_hole.htm

[Steve]

Great to know, I'll have to save up for a hefty airover. I'd really like to do some bigger stuff. How large a hole can you punch in 1/2"? I've got a bunch of 7/8 holes to do that I am NOT looking forward to drilling.

BTW, I agree about the slowness when actually bending, I was more concerned about the time to take up the slack. Sorta like not having a 2-stage on your log splitter.

I do have a spacer that I could use to take up the space between the post and the bender that would reduce the time. In the video I wanted to show how long it takes to get it to the bender from the very top. A lot faster than pumping by hand for sure.

I cannot overstate how much better it is having air over hydraulic on the press. It makes using it a lot easier and more accurate. Adding the carriage guides on the side of the carriage has made using it safer as the factory carriage was very loose and had a habit of moving a lot causing the whole press to bend to the side. By reinforcing the side rails, the bed, and using 1 inch pins, it now is a very sturdy press and can handle whatever I need to do safely.

Thanks Rambozo for the chart on punching holes. Yeah, 7/8 inch is a pretty big hole to punch in 1/2 steel. The biggest holes I have punched in 3/8 steel is 3/4 inch. The 36 ton does it pretty easily but I am planning on building a separate addition to the press that will leverage the 36 tons via a lever to punch thicker materials and larger holes. I have the plans in my head right now and have been looking into building a hole press for the 20 ...er I mean 36 ton Harbor Freight hydraulic press.

[Rambozo]

Yeah, that type of H frame press doesn't lend itself very well to hole punching. Keeping the punch and die in perfect alignment is really important. A lever type press like an Ironworker makes that much easier. I look forward to seeing your lever attachment setup. How do you plan to do the stripping action since this is a one way ram?

Another very nice thing about air over hydraulic, is that you can reach minimum safe distance and or put something solid between you and it, before actuating it for some of the scary things.

Frankenpress.