[chevynut]

I am looking into getting a press for the shop and was wondering which way to go, 12 ton or 20 ton? What would guys say. Thanks.

[Kevin45]

If money is not the object, then bigger is better!!!!

[Bee4Me]

One good stuck axle bearing will sell you on the 20 ton.

If your looking at the Harbor one's,That 12 is kinda scary in it's construction.
'Course, that 20 is a little shakey too.
I'm here to reply to you,so it's not that bad.

[Nailhead2x4]

......go with bigger if affordable, you never know what you may need to squeeze and if you ever seen a press twisting cause of overload then that is when you wish you had gone stronger. I have a 50 ton and even then some things are tough.

[chevynut]

Thanks guys for the replays. Guess I'll go with the 20 ton. I was leaning that way but wanted to get more input on it. Thanks again.

[Canadian Charlie]

Has anyone ever made thier own press? If so please post some pics

[Ed ke6bnl]

Originally Posted by Canadian Charlie

Has anyone ever made thier own press? If so please post some pics

I made my own and put a 12 ton hydraualic jack with the screw extender and have wondered since how I got along with out it. I made mine extra wide and therefore that limited the pressure but can put in wider things. Will try to get picture when I am home to post nothing fancy but all the parts were free except the jack and that was 20$ and been working for some 7 years. ed ke6bnl

[julmer]

I've got the equipment to knock together a press fairly easily but I figured one from Harbor Freight on sale was cheaper than what I would pay for materials and it was quick and easy so I can work on shop projects instead of shop tools.
For the price difference, go with a 20 ton, for sure.

[miketheman]

I was also looking to buy a press and wasn't sure wich one was my best match until I came across the automatic transmission press, I believe its the only automatic press out there..works great around the shop,not to big and gets the job done..casibatools.com this might help you.

[DanielC]

Here are some pictures of my press.


Cylinder


Pump


Wider shot


The uprights, and top piece of the press are just some channel, welded together. The table just sits on two round pins, that go through holes drilled every six inches on the uprights. The cylinder has a 10 inch stroke. I wish the uprights were farther apart, but it is what I got. I believe the cylinder is rated at 10 tons. If it does not move what I want to, I heat the parts, and it had worked on everything I have used it for.