HF 20 ton press- Assembly or overall H frame shop press.

[countryguy]

OK everyone , Maybe someone here has the "grey" H frame 20 ton press (seen here: http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html )
The middle beam of the H sits on two pins. You can raise or lower this middle horizontal beam by sliding this up or down and simply putting in the pins on the vertical C beams. These vertical C (I think C) beams are so warped that I need to use a 3lb sledge to move it up or down. Obviously they are probably should be tight, and will loosen, but wow anyone else have one that tight? I went out and squeezed the vertical beams down a bit and they are better ,but now it's like a small s shape up and down. anyway, $154 and all a little banging around.... all good. thanks all!
CG

 

[kd4gij]

The cross beam should move freeley. Did you get it new or used.

 

[kizmit99]

I have the older(?) orange version of that press and the pins on mine easily slide through the holes in vertical members.
The holes on mine are maybe .100" "oversized" when compared to the pins.

 

[Falcon67]

Little late now, but if those came out of the box like that, I'd have dropped them back in the box and done an exchange. The "5 great, 1 sucks" rule of Chinese tools. I have an older 12 ton A frame and the cross beam slides easily.

 

[Malave16]

I would take it back. I got one and actually had to shim the H since there was bout 1/4" of play between the h and the c frame. Other then that it works like a champ. I added a hand winch to it to raise and lower the H. I mainly use mine as a press brake bending up to5/8" thick steel with no problems. Trow away the cast arbor plates asap, they will kill you. I had one crack under pressure, didnt do nothing, but scare the bejesus outta me. But i heard of those actually explodind and causing serious injury.