Shop press....what capacity???

[LSUfj]

I am thinking about getting a shop press, which I wont use all that often. What is the smallest capacity you would recommend? I will only be using it for cruiser/auto related stuff. Can i get by with a 12 ton? 20?

Thanks.

 

[e9999]

the impression I got from discussions about putting in control arm bushings on the 80 is that 10 tons may not be enough for that job and 20 is preferred. (I don't know that for a fact.)

I would imagine it's probably one of those things where you should figure out what you really need and then go a tad overboard?

 

[dgangle]

I have this 20 ton. - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices



What I have found since using the press is they are a pain in the rear and I find myself using my 8" vice as a press for 99.9% of what needs to be done. It's not so much the capacity but morso the area to work in. I pressed new studs in my rear axles a while back and what I pain. On the second one I used a 1/2" impact a lug nut and a stack of washer to pull them into position with compressed air. For removing the old studs a firm whack with a 2LB hammer did the trick..easier, faster, less effort. For wheel bearing races a brass drift and a deadblow hammer do just fine.

For me I think the $200 would have been better spent on other things like a good quality 1/2" impact gun or whatever is your poison. I never use the thing other than to collect dust and stickers.

 

[LSUfj]

My immediate need is for pressing studs. I got them most of the way in with the impact, but lack about 1/8" that the impact wont do. My compressor only goes to 125lbs. Do you think a better impact might do the trick?

 

[denis]

the impression I got from discussions about putting in control arm bushings on the 80 is that 10 tons may not be enough for that job and 20 is preferred. (I don't know that for a fact.)

putting them in is not the issue, getting the old ones out after they've been seized up for 20yrs is the tough part
mini style rear bearings may be another though work I could think about.

 

[denis]

For me I think the $200 would have been better spent on other things like a good quality 1/2" impact gun or whatever is your poison.

...or a real professionnal grade press. I have a quite old 30ton I picked up at an auction for about $100, it leaks like crazy but gets the job done. Bearings, bushings, transmissions, studs, homemade brake, bending or straightening misc crap and whatnot, you name it. I have a friend who has the exact same one as pictured above and its a joke indeed.

 

[Mace]

BTW, if you "pull" your lug studs into the axle you can be over torquing them significantly. That is Bad.


I would do the 20 ton press..

 

[KLF]

I have that same exact 20-ton press that dgangle posted above, I've used it a LOT, and a few times I have pushed it to the limit, I'm glad I don't have something smaller. I've rebuilt a complete tranny, several t-cases, done quite a few diff re-gearings, etc. It works great for me. I have heard people on Pirate say they have seem the press plates that come with it bust in half, so be careful with that.

 

[dgangle]

Whatever.

The point I was attempting to make It's not the strength, power, usability or any other aspect of the press' use or design but the majority of things THAT AT LEAST I USE IT FOR it works fine but the need can be fulfilled with other more common means. A limited work are applies to ANY press and I have had many at my disposal to utilize in the past.

Regarding the questions about driving the studs in further this can be done with a BFH or more torque applied with a breaker/cheater bar but be careful with overtorquing as previously noted. I wouldn't go out and buy a press just for this purpose but that's just me.