At first I was just going to go to Harbor and get a 20 ton for $200. The website said my local store had them in stock, and when I get there its only the floor model (which they wouldn't sell me. My guess is they were too lazy to put another one together when it was back in stock). I called around to the next 3 closest ones and same thing. Northern tool company is out of stock for months. So the search begins....and its been ridiculous.

I don't think most bench tops will provide the space needed for what I might have to do, so those are out. I try to find the best model available at the 5 or 6 big box names I know. Then search that model and see what else those retailers sell, then back and forth several times and eventually search ~50 different online tool sellers and find all these new brand names I have never heard of. A long story short, nearly everyone of these I find that is cheap (under $400) is chinese made and they ALL have bad reviews. The welds are cheap and break, the bottle jack leaks, they are wobbly, and the most obvious detail is they are all under 100 pounds, (I found 53-96lbs).

There were several USA made options, but they aren't reasonable for a low level DIYer like me. The three main options I found for a quality press were the Sunex 12 and 20 ton ($545 & $689), and the Ranger 20 ton press for $455. The American made products are over 200 pounds, (and because of that you also are going to pay more to ship, (pick up at the freight terminal, or $100 for lift gate)).

I really don't want to, but I think I am going to just go ahead and plan on doing a couple things and getting the strongway 12 ton from northern tool for $139. It has a 1 yr warranty, and thinking I might be worth just getting it, and then selling it off for $100 or so right after I'm done with it.

 

Silly question but have you been looking for used? Craigslist or FB marketplace?

 

Clist, offerup, and two auction sites. On craigslist, there are people selling used Harbor freight ones for more than what HF is selling them for. On ebay they want $250 for a used one that HF is selling for $200. Not silly, I forgot about Fbook marketplace, I never use that one. Thanks, but couldn't find anything good there. Am I wrong for not wanting to pay $350 for a rusted up Walmart 12 ton press made in taiwan?

 

These prices blow my mind. Can't say you're crazy cuz I'd never over pay for it.

 

I think it has a lot to do with the pandemic. More people are buying em to do their own repairs since they are home more. Not sure if production has slowed down for same reason. Just a guess though.

 

Don't forget the ports were shut down as well as china shut down. Not to mention the raw material needed as well.