What does it take to blow up a 20T press?

[Kevin B.]

Noob question, I know, but I'm using my new-to-me Harbor Freight 20T press for the first time. I'm trying to press an axle bearing off and I've almost reached the point where I'll need body weight to move the lever any more, and I don't know how much more force I can safely exert?

If/when it fails, will it just blow a seal in the jack and release pressure, or what?

 

[frieed]

I've had a couple of welds break on mine. Made one heck of a bang when it did.
Also, make sure your arbor plates are the cut steel plate ones and not the cast ones. The cast ones are known to shatter.

 

[BlueWolfFab]

You'll break the frame long before you break one of the seals in the jack. The top of my frame bows from trying to dimple-die some 1/8" steel plate.

And X2 on the cast iron arbor plates, throw them away immediately. People go to the hospital when those blow.

 

[bryson]

Tap on the shaft with a hammer to help release the bearing. Just don't tap hard enough to damage anything, and don't tap on any important surfaces. in the center of the face of the shaft is probably a good spot. Be prepared for some loud noises when it finally breaks loose too!

 

[bryson]

Minor derail - where does one source new non-cast arbor plates?

 

[BCGPER]

No need to damage your press, just apply a little heat to the bearing once you've pressed it as far as you dare.

 

[Kevin B.]

You'll break the frame long before you break one of the seals in the jack. The top of my frame bows from trying to dimple-die some 1/8" steel plate.

Oh goodie. I was kinda hoping that the jack handle would bend or the seal would blow before it developed enough force to fail the frame, but I guess that's what I get for running HF stuff.

This is my setup:

No arbor plates necessary (yah they're cast, and no I don't trust them. A set of SWAG plates would be awesome). It's welded up pretty well. I wanted to plate the sides but I ran out of scrap, I think I'll do that though before I really crank on it. I don't know if you can tell from the pic, I don't have access to the bearings or most of the shaft while it's bolted up and in the press. I'll keep fiddling with it.

 

[Kevin B.]

I cut my own but SWAG makes a set, Grainger (and competitors) sell them. If Carl can cut thick stuff and you can source some thick scrap, that could work.

I've seen superthick plates at Metal Supermarkets in Salt Lake. I'm not going to try and cut those with my angle grinder though.

 

[Gravy]

I need a cut set. I cracked a cast set. sketch.

 

[YROC FAB.]

40,000.0000000000000000001 LBS

 

[YROC FAB.]

looks like a yota 8" setup right? You took the snap ring off i assume? I have the same set up and have never had one be stubborn coming off. I forget is there a pressed on spacer between the snap ring and bearing? maybe drill the spacer and split it with a chisel.

 

[Kevin B.]

looks like a yota 8" setup right? You took the snap ring off i assume? I have the same set up and have never had one be stubborn coming off. I forget is there a pressed on spacer between the snap ring and bearing? maybe drill the spacer and split it with a chisel.

'99 Toyota. Doesn't appear to have a snap ring like the earlier axles, it goes retaining collar/ABS ring/retaining collar/wheel bearing.

 

[Kevin B.]

'99 Toyota. Doesn't appear to have a snap ring like the earlier axles, it goes retaining collar/ABS ring/retaining collar/wheel bearing.

It's probably about time to mention that when I say "doesn't appear to have a snap ring" and "it goes retaining collar ABS ring/retaining collar/wheel bearing", what I really mean is F@$% THAT SNEAKY LITTLE SNAP RING HIDING UNDER THE ABS RING.



Comes out like butter once you get the snap ring out. I gotta get a better set of snap ring pliers though.

 

[Jinx]

YROC FAB for the nice save.

Classy way to bring it up too!

 

[ID Bronco]

YROC FAB for the nice save.

Classy way to bring it up too!

X2

 

[I Lean]

Now that it's all done--the top "beam" is where it will bend first. I have a piece of I beam I intended to replace my bowed one with, but then I got a different press instead and sold my HF one. Want a piece of I beam to reinforce or replace yours?

 

[Kevin B.]

Now that it's all done--the top "beam" is where it will bend first. I have a piece of I beam I intended to replace my bowed one with, but then I got a different press instead and sold my HF one. Want a piece of I beam to reinforce or replace yours?

Sounds like Chance could use it more than I.

 

[BlueWolfFab]

Nah mines only bowed about 1/4". I'm not too worried about it with as little as I use it

 

[bryson]

Now that it's all done--the top "beam" is where it will bend first. I have a piece of I beam I intended to replace my bowed one with, but then I got a different press instead and sold my HF one. Want a piece of I beam to reinforce or replace yours?

You have a lot of beam? Seriously though, I'd love to reinforce my press too if there is mucho beamage.

 

[I Lean]

You have a lot of beam? Seriously though, I'd love to reinforce my press too if there is mucho beamage.

Not mucho beamage, but enough for one press.