hydraulic floor mounted press?

Hi Gang,
How many ton press should we get to press axle bearings and ball joints off/on in cars and light trucks
what range of stroke would be handy
is a gauge necessary?
thanx
hank

I doubt if you can go to big with a press, but you sure can go to small. I built a press with a 6 ton bottle jack, and it was at it's max. I have a 10 and a 20 ton floor models. I bought both of these, they are off shore jobs, but they work just fine. The 10 is quite tall, great for the long items like axle bearings. The 20 is a bit shorter, has enough grunt to make brackets and the like with a homemade die, as well as provide the push needed for bearing removal and installing. If you only have room for one press, go with a bigger one.

I finally just bought my very first hydraulic press. I had talked about it forever, but for some reason never bought one.

I didn't want to spend a fortune as I was just buying it right now to do one particular job.....press my Sons wheel bearing races into his new hubs. So I bought Harbor Freights 12 ton one that was on sale for $ 109. The 20 ton was $175 or so, but I didn't want to lay out that much right now.

I've got to tell you, this thing is handy as h***. Not only did I do the job I bought it for, but I've used it several more times to bend some steel and press some Model T spring perch bolts out. I had been beating on those with a hammer and punch, with no luck. The press took me all of a minute and two different sized sockets and both were out.

Now that I know how handy these are, I may add the 20 ton, just because. I can see lots of uses, and even though this one has been up to the job, a bigger one probably will have even more uses.

I would recommend every shop should have one of these. Too bad I got smart so late. :mad: :mad:


Don

Like a lot of shops, mine gathers dust a lot of the time but when you need a press most times nothing else will do. Like Don I believe it's a tool anyone who builds cars should have.

Another handy item is an arbor press. The smaller size and quicker action makes it very handy for things U Joints and alternator bearings, small bushings etc.

Ya thanks guys,
I figured the one we get will just collect dust until it is needed but then so do a lot of our other tools like the MIG and plasma cutter but when they are needed you can't beat them.
I'm going to get a 20 ton for <$250cdn.
I've wanted one for so long it is about time-
thanks again for the replies
hank