Grizzly hydraulic press

[FSH 210 Sport]

My friend and I just ordered one of these presses

Grizzly T34347 - 20-Ton Hydraulic Shop Press - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>T34347 20-Ton Hydraulic Shop Press</h1> <h2>A heavy-duty shop press with superior stability and versatility for tasks from pressing to bending.</h2> <p>This industrial hydraulic press offers solid construction for the reliability you need whether you are pressing bearings, riveting parts...

www.grizzly.com

He needs one for his business and I need one for my jet pump / intermediate bearing rebuild project. Looks like a really nice press, the piston is held securely in place and the table looks very secure. It will be a great addition to our tools.

Previously…
I tried to buy a 20 ton press from harbor freight, they were out of the 20 ton press, waited until they were supposed to be back in stock, went there and saw a floor model great they’re back in stock, grabbed one of the little paper tabs with the bar code on it, there were about 5 of them in the little pouch, went to the check stand to buy it, sold out according to the salesman, they sell out the same day they come in he said. I asked if there was a way to put down a deposit to hold it=no, any way to be alerted they were back in stock=no-but you can call here next Thursday and I’ll be here, is any way to order it=no. Can I buy the floor model? =no harbor freight doesn’t sell floor models, really? Then how come the previous floor model was not here anymore? He then ignored me and started helping the person behind me.

Checked on line, yes you can order them for an additional $138 for shipping, and it is shipped to the store, so I get to pay for the freight on a press that gets shipped to the store where these presses sell out the same day they arrive? F that. If I need moving blankets I’ll go back there otherwise I’m done with them.

 

[qwikkotatx]

I didn't know they were such a hot commodity. I have always wanted one but not enough space in the garage. We have one at work but not sure if they would let me do anything personal on it.

Northern Tool is good for things like this if you have one near. They have made in China as well as domestically made options.

The last time I pressed out a bushing I used this contraption with a steel puck from a brake piston service kit. It was ugly.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I didn't know they were such a hot commodity. I have always wanted one but not enough space in the garage. We have one at work but not sure if they would let me do anything personal on it.

Northern Tool is good for things like this if you have one near. They have made in China as well as domestically made options.

The last time I pressed out a bushing I used this contraption with a steel puck from a brake piston service kit. It was ugly.

Pretty difficult to find anything that is not hecho en chino…. These days.. but there are some decent products out of china as long as they are held to a standard that is good.

 

[qwikkotatx]

Pretty difficult to find anything that is not hecho en chino…. These days.. but there are some decent products out of china as long as they are held to a standard that is good.

A new hydraulic press made in the USA for a homeowner or small shop would be nearly impossible to find these days. Maybe an arbor press made here but not much else. Sometimes it's not the workmanship of the Chinese tools, it's the quality of the steel. It tends to be softer than tools even sourced from Taiwan.

When I worked for an international bulk logistics company, the steel structures we had a vendor in Shanghai make were routinely 10% thinner than we requested. They charged us based on weight but were using full thickness for the math. Things bent when they shouldn't have.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

A new hydraulic press made in the USA for a homeowner or small shop would be nearly impossible to find these days. Maybe an arbor press made here but not much else. Sometimes it's not the workmanship of the Chinese tools, it's the quality of the steel. It tends to be softer than tools even sourced from Taiwan.

When I worked for an international bulk logistics company, the steel structures we had a vendor in Shanghai make were routinely 10% thinner than we requested. They charged us based on weight but were using full thickness for the math. Things bent when they shouldn't have.

Yeah it’s all about the standards they are held to. There is one tire company that used to be good, Salun I think was the name, they make over the road truck tires, medium duty truck tires and some RV tires.

The steel is another thing, A105 carbon steel should be A105 carbon steel…I dealt with a lot of crappy steel making it to the job site back in the 80’s, main problem was porosity or voids. The Japanese pioneered the continuous pour and there was some initial problems but they got it figured out.

So as long as the company having their stuff made in china has their specs figured out and makes the manufacturer adhere to those standards they can be good products. The thing that’s nice about this one is at least there is a parts list and it appears that parts can be ordered.

We got the confirmation that it shipped this morning and it should be here no later than February 2cnd… we will see how it works out.

 

[Beachbummer]

They can usually check inventory of other harbor freight stores near by... I have the 20 ton model and it is a beast, only drawback is the space it takes. If you have a little time I'd wait a bit hopefully they start showing up.

 

[Neutron]

They can usually check inventory of other harbor freight stores near by... I have the 20 ton model and it is a beast, only drawback is the space it takes. If you have a little time I'd wait a bit hopefully they start showing up.

I have the same 20 ton press, its ok for occasional use but if it was used often with tough resistance it wont last long. I already have had the bottle jack fail and only used it 6 to 8 times. It was under warranty and i convinced the store to just let me swap out the jack which normally they make you bring the complete unit in for exchange.
The downside was the mounting holes were not the same. I had to drill and tap 2 new ones.
If it fails again i will purchase a better quality jack.
I have used far better presses in the past but for the stuff i use it for like pump bearings, its satisfactory

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

They can usually check inventory of other harbor freight stores near by... I have the 20 ton model and it is a beast, only drawback is the space it takes. If you have a little time I'd wait a bit hopefully they start showing up.

I appreciate your comment but They had their chance to sell me a press, I waited over a week for one to come in and then it was gone, and there was nothing they could offer me to guarantee I’d get one EXCEPT I ordered one to pay the freight for a $140 up charge. So, I bought one from a place that has them in stock and has a good reputation.

I stopped waiting on entities and people that don’t make me a priority a long time ago.

 

[qwikkotatx]

Yeah it’s all about the standards they are held to. There is one tire company that used to be good, Salun I think was the name, they make over the road truck tires, medium duty truck tires and some RV tires.

The steel is another thing, A105 carbon steel should be A105 carbon steel…I dealt with a lot of crappy steel making it to the job site back in the 80’s, main problem was porosity or voids. The Japanese pioneered the continuous pour and there was some initial problems but they got it figured out.

So as long as the company having their stuff made in china has their specs figured out and makes the manufacturer adhere to those standards they can be good products. The thing that’s nice about this one is at least there is a parts list and it appears that parts can be ordered.

We got the confirmation that it shipped this morning and it should be here no later than February 2cnd… we will see how it works out.

I would not trust a Chinese mfgr to follow a set standard. Only through factory visits and quality verification would I believe they are following a standard. They cut a lot of corners to increase profit and relationships (nepotism and friendship) drive the supply chain.

I think I saw Salun tires on a used vehicle when I was car shopping for my Son, had not heard of them.

I am not sure what standard the steel used in tools would be for say a screwdriver or a pry bar but generally, Chinese steel seems soft. That is not the end of the world compared to brittle tools. A friend had a Chinese sledgehammer that chipped off badly when used on a cold chisel, dangerous.

Hopefully the press works out.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I know several people who have things made there, out of aluminum and steel, they monitor these products closely and the manufacturers know if the metal quality is not up to par then they lose the orders. Who knows on this press, but Grizzly makes other machine tools, like lathes for example that I know are good because of the people who use them.

I will let yall know how it works out.

 

[qwikkotatx]

I'm sure it will be fine. Grizzly is a premium brand, IMO. I was mainly speaking to my experience with welded steel structures from a specific vendor.

 

[Exciter 220]

Word to the wise: if you're ever really cranking down hard on something in a hydraulic press (and you shouldn't have to do so with a bearing), be sure to wear PPE and even place a protective shield around the workpiece. Parts can shatter and fly out like bullets.

 

[Beachbummer]

If you are putting a lot of pressure on the press.... You might be doing it wrong. Stuff breaks at that pressure. Beware.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Assembled and tested to 5 tons and no leaks.

Seems like a good tool. The ability to slide the press head and table from side to side is a nice benefit.

 

[Beachbummer]

It for sure looks absolutely superior to my HF press. Very nice!

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Thanks we will see!