Shop press

[Wyattboche]

Looking at geting a new shop press. Be looking at fabrs fav site and found a 20 ton shop press. http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html I do alot of pressing bearings and misc shop work. Would this work or do I need to go to an arbor press? http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html

[Engineer]

I like an arbor press because you can feel how much pressure you are putting on.  Depends on your applications.  If you are needing to remove things that are stuck and you have to choose one then I would get the hydraulic 20 ton.  But for pressing bearings and bushings in I would prefer the arbor press.

[BDKW1]

The ram isn't all that stable or square on the 20T unit. Also, if you really put the tonnage to it the mounting holes for the table elongate.........

[Wyattboche]

The ram isn't all that stable or square on the 20T unit. Also, if you really put the tonnage to it the mounting holes for the table elongate.........

What do you suggest?

[Doug Heim]

That one ton arbor is usless, look into a better quality minimum of 3 ton. I have a 3 ton and wish I had a 5.

[Wyattboche]

Been looking at northern tool and found this.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326417_200326417
Next thing is, I'll need press plates and blocks.

[chrishallett83]

That one looks much better Wyatt!

[LiveWire]

My press has a gauge which I use in place of being able to feel how hard I am pressing.

[trans man]

Been looking at northern tool and found this.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326417_200326417
Next thing is, I'll need press plates and blocks.

Built your own, that's what I did.

[BDKW1]

What do you suggest?

Well, I don't really know. I just reinforced the 20T holes with some tube and shimmed the slide so that it didn't wobble all over the place. It's still not all that square and can be a PITA to get bearings started strait. We have a large 100T Drake press at work with air over hydraulic ram. Now that would look nice in My garage..........

[BDKW1]

If I do upgrade, it will probably be something like this one. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332759_200332759

[Wyattboche]

Built your own, that's what I did.

Have any plans?

[fabr]

If I do upgrade, it will probably be something like this one. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332759_200332759

I usually reallyu respect your opinion but that press is a POS. It will never be square and just don't ask me how I know. Those bolt together for easy shipping things are just garbage. IMO that is.