Looking to purchase a basic hydraulic press (H-frame) for home use. Any recommendations on brand, capacity, etc...

i bought a chinesuim 20 ton floor model H frame press from hobo fright many years ago when they opened up a store in the next town over, and at that time it was only a tick over $100.00 if i remember right.
it works for anything i have done with it, including bending small strips of 3/8" thick x 1 1/2" steel. 1/4" steel is no problem up to 6" wide.
i made fixtures to do this by welding up plates and angle iron pieces.
i don't use it much, but it stands ready against the garage wall waiting.
i don't know how much they are today, but most likely way more.
an air over hydraulic [or maybe it's the other way around ?] press is better, but those are really expensive, and any i have seen advertised for sale look beat, and most need some kind of repair to make usable again.
it all boils down to what you have in mind to be using it for, and how much you will be using it.
my one buddy bought a chinesium A frame bench model press over 25 years ago to install the front control arm bushings [upper and lower] in his 70 super bee. it's a pretty chintzee 12 ton, bolt together deal, and he didn't pay very much for it, but it did the job he needed it to do with ease.
i really don't know how much he has used it since, if at all, so i don't know how it has lasted over the years, or if he still even owns it today.
hopefully, others will chime in with their results and experiences.

I, too, have the HF 20-ton and it serves me well. Only thing I've always intended to do is rig up a winch to raise/lower the table.

This handy attachment turns it into a press brake.

The cheaper (one piece cylinder) types work fine. The two piece(separate pump and cylinder) is easier to use and more stable. A gauge is nice so you can see how much pressure you are using.

My Look on marketplace for a decent used one possibly made in USA. I found a used Blackhawk USA made 20 ton press with extra plates for $150.

Gus

Have one of those, real handy accessory

That's what I did Gus and found an engine builder down around Litchfield that had a Made in USA high ton heavy duty press that was well worth what he was asking for it and it came with several two-inch-thick press plates. Heavy duty "H" frame with thick feet or base beams. No comparison to the lightweight "barging pricing" oriental models. Got lucky and hopefully you will too. Marketplace or Craig's List.

Mike

Another good reason to search for one fairly local on Marketplace or Craigs List is the persons listing them will say "pick up only" as the item is too large or too heavy and they don't want to ship it. This is why they may even reduce the price if you pick it up.

i made one of those, and it really comes in handy.
when i bought my chinesium press, there was no such thing as fakebook or market place, or i would have looked there first for a better piece.

Harbor freight 20 ton press for me. I Dont use it as much as I thought I would but for the 160.00 it cost it’s worth it.

I built mine.

Press Plans

I used to have one of their smaller presses, I bought new when I had my shop.

Sold it maybe 6 or 7 years later for almost exactly what I paid for it.

I didn't use it much, mainly control arm bushings and Transmission assy work ,,,,,but it sure comes in handy when you need one

You might be surprised what you can find on FB Marketplace, the only reason I joined FB. I found this Snap On 20 ton press 1 hour away. $200. Works fine. I like it so much I took it apart and had it powdercoated.

NICE!

Double WOW.

way back in the mid to late 1970's, i had a set of plans [still do, and they were free at that time] to build a press.
i was all set to do just that, but when the hobo fright opened, it was just way more cost effective to buy their chinesium version over buying the steel necessary, then spend untold hours cutting, welding, drilling holes, painting, then assembling a fabricated press, that one may or may not, only use occasionally.
as a fabricator and machinist for almost 50 years during my working career, and still practicing today many, many years after retirement, i still draw up plans and collect others for equipment i would like to build someday.
however, i need to keep kickin' for at LEAST another 75+ years, just so i can get half of that stuff done before i croak.............

B
No horror freight for me. I got a US made 15 ton on CL at least 15 years ago and it's plenty.

Besides the steel you would buy here to make it would probably have come from......................

Years ago, there were guys out of the Carolinas would run up and down the East Coast, selling shop equipment that was built down there, out of the back of their pickups. Bought a twenty ton unit from one of them one day. Walked away from him 3 times before I got him down as low as I thought he would go. Don't even remember the price.

Works great to this day. Find one of those for sale somewhere.

very true, as i have in my stash of "stuff", possibly enough of H and I beam material to build a press, plus more than enough angle iron, strap steel, etc. that i know for sure was produced here and canukiduh. [canada is ok in my book, as i have relatives that live there. i'm just being an a$$. ]