Here are some mods I made to my 20 ton Harbor Freight press:
Air/hydraulic jack, table winch, guide rollers, casters, pinned table plates, release knob, grade 8 frame bolts, finger brake, support pin shaft collars.
Also, I have found it obnoxious to give up my ability to use my press when it is occupied by my Swag finger brake. As useful as the brake is, it is tiresome to have to uninstall it every time the press is needed as a press.
I'm currently fixing this problem. If you have a winch installed to raise and lower the deck, as I do, my fix is to lower the existing deck (table) way down, and fabricate a second deck from a length of channel. It can be quickly inserted above the brake in the frame and used for pressing. The second deck can be made as sturdy as necessary for the pressing you intend to do. Use a wooden block to raise the support surface as needed, and distribute the pressure. I'm using 4" x 7.25 channel, which is in the process of being delivered. See second image.
Harbor Freight 20 ton press mods
Re: Harbor Freight 20 ton press mods
A post to compliment you on the modifications to your H-press
I also have a few remarks.
I also have a few remarks.
- The illustration in the second image appears to show:
- a single piece of channel
- positioned so that the channel's web section is horizontal and
- the channel's flange sections extend downward and
- each end of the channel's flanges feature two welded tabs to serve as load bearing points for the pins that go into the vertical legs of the H-press.
. - Consider adding some sort of cable retention device to the pulleys for the table hoist assembly. Commercial versions are known as cable guards and pulley traps. In its present configuration, a cable could come off a pulley while the table is being repositioned, allowing the table (and whatever is on it) to fall. A suitable method of retention serves the purpose of ensuring that the cable is unable to escape the pulley groove.
. - Consider exchanging Quick Link/Rapid Link chain connectors w/ threaded nuts in place of the spring-loaded snap carabiners shown in the photos