Arbor or shop press?

soapii · Dec 17, 2013

What would be the advantages or disadvantages of using an arbor press versus a shop press? Is it simply a matter of how much tonnage is needed? Looks like most arbor presses are lighter duty compared to shop presses. This is for general automotive use.

Thanks.

--Joe

justanengineer · Dec 17, 2013

Arbor presses give you "feel." Hydraulic presses give you tonnage. JMHO, but they each have their place. I wish more people had arbor presses in the shop and used them, Id have had many fewer headaches from folks forcing thing together/apart.

zkling · Dec 17, 2013

Justanengineer summed it up very well for you. A good shop needs both.

Example of recent automotive projects, I used a 3 ton arbor press to replace studs in a hub.
I used a 20 ton hydraulic shop press to replace wheel bearings.

Here is a good read.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87322

zcar751 · Dec 17, 2013

You can't get tons of force on an arbor press. Its all about what your uses is. If you need to press out a baring race you may SOL with an arbor press but for putting things together if you need more then your probably screwing something up. JMHO based on my experience.

Should have said not going to get the same tons per dollar value. Personally I've never seen any arbor presses larger than 1 ton but for 9K you can get a 12 ton one.

paulsomlo · Dec 17, 2013

If you're pressing bearings, replacing control arm bushings, etc., you'll want a shop press - an arbor press will be inadequate. If I could only have one, it would be the shop press. I have both, and it is nice to have something with a lighter touch. Get the shop press, then leisurely "stroll" Craigslist for a used arbor press. For the most utility in an arbor press, look for something with almost 12" under the ram.

Paul

catsteve · Dec 17, 2013

An Arbor press is good for pressing bearings in water pumps and other small 'delicate' applications. i don't use mine too much but it has paid for itself many times over.

Falcon67 · Dec 17, 2013

I have both. My arbor press doubles as a valve spring checker, among other things. The 12 ton HF press has paid it's way many times over. I bought it to assembling the 9" for my race car - that one thing covered the cost of the press.

oldmxracer · Dec 17, 2013

I just have a China made 20 ton shop press that I repowered with a China made 35 ton air over hydraulic jack in 11 years of constant use never found the need to have a arbor press.

Charles (in GA) · Dec 17, 2013

Get an old K R Wilson hydraulic press, get the best of both worlds. It has a hand wheel that operates the ram as an arbor press, also has a pump to operate the ram. Wished I could find one, I sell the Greenerd arbor press and the Dake 25H that I have.

Charles

Bed is lowered all the way down in this pic. Cross hand wheel on the right is the handles for the arbor press feature. Winch on left raises and lowers the bed.

Arbor or shop press?

soapii

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justanengineer

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zkling

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zcar751

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paulsomlo

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catsteve

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Falcon67

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oldmxracer

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Charles (in GA)

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