What size press (12 or 20 ton) for automotive

[TX87R10]

Well I need a press and there is a 12 ton for under $200 at harbor freight. There is a step up 20 ton as well but it's about $250.

For now I am just going to use it to separate the rotor and hubs so I can redo the brakes but I'd like for it to work every everything I may run across once I get in to the front suspension work. IS 12 ton enough or should I just nut up and get the 20 ton?

 

[Radiohead]

Nut up for the 20. You'll be mad as he'll if you need those extra 8000# and the difference in price is negligible.

 

[Copymutt]

Have a 12, as said wish I had popped for a 20.

 

[Matt69olds]

I have a cheap 12 ton harbor freight press I bought probably 20 years ago. I don’t think I have ever needed more than the ram can provide. What I have needed is the additional “room” in the press.

For example, several years ago I needed to press the C-clip eliminators off my axles. The axles were too tall to fit into the press. On smaller things, I have had to get creative with stands and spacers because the area directly under the ram was bigger than the space between the bars.

I would agree, spend the additional money.

 

[Grit dog]

Don’t think I’ve ever needed more than 12T except once. And front axle u joints in our old 07 Dodge took everything a 20 (25? Idk) ton press had in it to pop them loose. With heat!
Never seen anything like it….
Personally I’d get the 20.

 

[Doppleganger]

My buddy has a small machine shop with the 20T in it. Uses it all the time for small jobs. My guess is being its HF, the 12T or 20T claims are a stretch anyways.

For the few $ difference, I'd go for the 20T.

 

[shanegtr]

While its probably rare that you'd need the extra capacity, as others have said the bigger frame size can come in handy. I've got a 12t press in my shed and I've never maxed it out for capacity, but I have run out of physical room to put some things in it

 

[Zelph]

$50 difference go for the bigger capacity

 

[Ricko1966]

I have a press I use this way more. It's too convenient.

 

[Rickf]

I eventually bought HF's air assisted 20T bottle jack for the press, it's a lot quicker than the hand pump. As an added bonus I've used the original to jack up my skid steer for installing winter chains and to prop up sagging floors in old houses.

 

[TX87R10]

Yeah thanks everyone for the feedback. I found this 20% off coupon too good starting today. I think it will make the price close to the $200 mark if I use it.

I'm going to head up there tomorrow and see if I can find this 20T one

 

[Don-T]

I want to get the 20 ton press at HF they are out of stock in my area. I am going to wait for them to be available. I am not willing to try the 12 ton press. Hope you can get the 20 ton press where you are.