Harbor freight’s hydraulic press

Kettleman said:
There are no beater trucks arriving on my jobs. I hire professional mechanical and electrical contractors driving company trucks outfitted with top quality tools and materials, driven and operated by professional union tradesmen. I try real hard to not hire mom and pops because they do not have the resources to provide the service I need and demand. In the past when I was the contractor i was often forced to hire a sub out for a part of a project and it is at these time I was referring. And like it or not but every shitbird Ive ever tossed off a site had a beat up piece of crap truck ( or better yet a F ing station wagon with a ladder strapped to the top) filled with harbor freight junk.
I also don’t need to be taught that the tools don’t make the man as a 30 year journeymen myself I know all to well what a craftsman can do with what’s available. However after a lifetime Ive learned that crap tools in the hands of anyone will result in lower quality work than good and proper tools will. I am paid to keep a 100+ million dollar facility up and running and that means quality every time no exceptions
Listening to every one here you would think using a Klein screwdriver is a bad thing and I should by a bag of cheap crap and save my money….pass thanks. I also own fluke meters, wear Redwing boots and carry CRK knives see a pattern?

Im out.
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I do see a pattern but probably not the one you're implying :rolleyes:

If a higher price means a better product then I have several knives that put your CRKs into "money-saving cheap crap" territory.
 
Ilikesharpstuff said:
I do see a pattern but probably not the one you're implying :rolleyes:

If a higher price means a better product then I have several knives that put your CRKs into "money-saving cheap crap" territory.
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I never mentioned money… I see that you have become triggered.

Good-bye
 
BD_01 said:
By “violation” I meant like getting bent over a barrel paying tool truck premiums, which are insane.

Copyright infringement & whatnot didn’t occur to me.

But yeah, now that you mention it, slogans like “Compare to Snap-on” are written all over the place.
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Yeah. Now I get the tool truck, looking back like how my family's shop used to buy a LOT of Snap-on. Looking back, that was insane.
 
Ilikesharpstuff said:
I do see a pattern but probably not the one you're implying :rolleyes:
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Kinda reminds me of the Ferrari guy and the Dominator X-1 in Ruthless People....
ixaCKxv.gif

 
I have had success with HF. I bought a jewelers digital scale that calibrates spot on the money (uses a 500 gram calibration weight) and has been an invaluable tool for measuring loose leaf tea. Very accurate. I also have an analog angle finder that is just fine, as well as Apache cases for knife storage and travel. Finally, I have one of their cheapo calipers and it is just fine if you do not need exact accuracy. Good enough for most tasks. Almost forgot, I also have their small clamp table vise attached to my knife work bench. Works just fine. So far so good.
 
Kettleman said:
I never mentioned money… I see that you have become triggered.

Good-bye
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Yes you did.

Why don't you go back and re-read your post. Nevermind, I'll save you some time - here's your quote: "I should by a bag of cheap crap and save my money."

Sure looks like you mentioned "money" to me.
 
shane45-1911 said:
Yes you did.

Why don't you go back and re-read your post. Nevermind, I'll save you some time - here's your quote: "I should by a bag of cheap crap and save my money."

Sure looks like you mentioned "money" to me.
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Context is important. But I wouldn’t expect any different from you.

Good-bye
 
Slice O Life said:
Sometimes paying more will break the bank less than buying the cheaper option and having it not do the job properly or break.
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I agree, just looking for opinions and suggestions from others who have a ton more experience than me. I have a friend who made a press from an old log splitter, unfortunately I don’t have his mechanical skills.
 
Lupien said:
Just getting into blade making and wondering if anyone has any thoughts on a Harbor Freight hydraulic press? I would like to attempt a canister Damascus but unsure if their machine will be adequate.
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I don't see any actual knifemakers commenting in this thread, but maybe I missed one in here somewhere. Odds are good that someone's experience in the trades doesn't have much to do with making Damascus.

I'm going to tag the moderator from the Shop Talk subforum Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith , with a request to move this thread over there. Then you might get some useful opinions from actual knifemakers.
 
I've used one for several years. Was a solid unit and did it's job well. With that being said, I think it would not work well for pressing billets. It's too slow and awkward to be able to do multiple presses before the billet cools down too much.

Now if you where able to obtain a motor/hydraulic pump with the right pressure and installed a ram, peddle or hand control you could make it work. But only if you had access to those parts for cheap. But by then your probably better off making the frame too. Plus the harbor freight one is ill designed for attaching dies.
 
Lupien said:
unsure if their machine will be adequate.
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Completely inadequate. Like Hoss said, you need speed and tonnage. You'll never get the speed with harbor freight presses, and while they might say "20-ton" or whatever, the frame is not designed to withstand the pressures generated during the forging of billets.
 
OK folks, lets back it down a bit. The OP asked a question about the HF hydraulic presses. Lets keep it civil - Moderator

As to the OP question, the HF presses are shop presses that are probably fine for automotive shops and places that need to press out bearings or straighten a bent rod, but not suitable for knifemaking. They are far too slow is the main reason. As with many things in adverting, their tonnage ratings are also unrealistic.
 
Obviously you can buy a press if you can't fabricate it yourself. People do good work with the small Coal ironworks press. Another option might be if available in your area to find an open forge night in the Phoenix area I know of two one is a shop that offers classes the other is a fabrication shop that also offers classes. Another option might be find a knife making or blacksmith group and ask around.
Good luck.
 
I highly recommend the Coal Iron press. It is easily movable around the shop, has plenty of power for doing damascus and forging, and runs off 110VAC. The 220-volt model and the bigger press are for full time shops.
 
Another vote for the Coal Iron press. Their 12 ton press (be sure to check if they're now using the required 3.5" cylinder. The press I purchased came with a 3" cylinder which is 9 ton at the spec'd 2550 psi.) Even at 9 ton it's amazing how well it works with the small dies used.
 
I love their tool boxes. As far as the press goes, it may be quality, but will not work for forging. You need speed for forging.
 
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