ltoolio

I've got a $100 HF Gift Cert burning a hole in my pocket, and with the 20% off coupon for this weekend was planning on using it on Saturday.

I've narrowed it down to 2 items I'm considering, and am trying to weigh what I think I'll get the most use out of.

I'm leaning towards the Press, as I know I can build the support for ~$25 per Dwayne's write-up, but am interested as to if the community here has better ideas of what it should be burned on.

I did recently pick up one of their 5 drawer tool boxes, so I'm good there for the time being.

Engine Support Bar
12 Ton Press

Rob Edwards

A cherry picker will do everything an engine support bar will do, including taking up more storage space. But it's very useful once engines start getting pulled, mounted on stands, transported, etc. Unless you already have one!

ltoolio

That I don't have, and I have thought about it, but right now the better half would kill me if I took up more space in the garage

Rob Edwards

That's just one of those things you'll have to work past, together, as a couple. Or unilaterally by yourself. . Remember- forgiveness, not permission.

Wisconsin Joe

Since you asked for opinions,

I'd go with the press. The engine support bar is "nice", but you can make one that's perfectly serviceable (and actually better in some ways) for a few bucks.

A press is really handy for a lot of things.

BUT...

Keep in mind that the press is only part of the "tool". You can spend a ton of money on all the "extras". All the different arbors, v-blocks, all the stuff you need to actually use the press.

ltoolio

Yes...opinions is exactly what I wanted. Thanks!

Regarding your BUT statement:

Valid point, but easier to nickle and dime my way along and keep the $$$$ amount below the wife threshold of awareness versus big-bang.

Good point, and I do live by the Forgiveness not Permission. But, with winter on the horizon and some necessary garage re-organization ahead of me, the time is not right currently. But, it will be at some point in the future, and forgiveness will be asked at that time.

SeanR

I'd say the press. It gets 10x the use the other bits do. The cherry picker, engine stand and the engine support just take up space.

Rob Edwards

Sean- I don't own a press, and I've always been curious- What are the most common things you use a press for? Rear wheel bearings, I'd guess, and transmission seals and stuff, but what sort of plates/blocks/adapters/etc did you have to buy to make the press useful?

69gaugeman

They have folding ones that take up about as much space as a press.

You end up buying all sorts of things to help you press things.

The single most important thing is that a 12 ton is too small to be very useful. The structure will flex and when it comes to removing stubborn bearings it just is a little too small. I recommend at least a 20 ton model. Plus makes sure you get one with a gauge on it to let you know how much tension is on the part you are pressing. You will thank me later.

dr bob

If you are managing just one car project, IMO the space taken by any of these tools is more precious than the use you'll get from them. As handy as a cherry picker is, I can rent one when I need it, then return it and not have to store it. The engine support bar is also handy, as is a good coil spring compressor, and undoubtedly that list could get long really fast. Reality is that I need those things very infrequently, so renting or paying someone to do the press work isn't a bad deal. The only big thing that would be handy is a folding heavy-duty engine stand, since those projects tend to go out into weeks or longer. Rent would end up costing more than buying one. I wouldn't buy that until I actually need it though; the gift certificate is a LOT easier to store, and offers some use flexibility should another need arise.

Rather than deciding what big once-time-use tool you need, remember that your gift certificate might get you several smaller tools that you would use regularly. I could easily make a list of smaller H-F items that are very handy on a regular basis for the work I do on my own car plus those of a few guests during clinics. You don't need to decide today either; there's usually a 'sale' at any given moment. I gather up 20%-off coupons and combine them with sale prices when I decide to shop for anything substantial.

SeanR

The 20 Ton is just perfect and gives you the option of getting a bottle jack that you can hook up to your compressor.

I use mine for clutches, shocks, wheel bearings, rear shift coupler rebuilds, squishing things that annoy me and various other things I can't remember. It's also a handy place to store stuff when you aren't using it, sets flat against the wall so not much space is taken.

Mine came with two sets of heavy pieces of metal that do everything I need. I'll get a pic in a few.
ETA: just posted it to FB for you Rob.

Eplebnista

Another vote for the press. I got one and have never regretted it for a second.

V2Rocket

Press is always so nice to have at my disposal, on a Sunday in critical time to get back on the road when shops are closed.

Looking forward to using my HF press this weekend for my Subie wheel bearing replacement.

Jim Devine

If you have a $100- gift cert @ H/F this is your lucky weekend- the 12 ton press is $ 99.99
Click here to print the coupon:

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wsw...l_s1022_c3615b

ltoolio

Did you guys go 12 or 20?

If I go the press route ( I've got ample space in my basement workshop) I'm leaning towards spending the extra$50 and getting the 20 ton.