Arbor Press or Hydraulic Press

[Lucid Moments]

So for general automotive use what is the better option? From what I understand a good arbor press gives much better "feel" for pressing in parts where obviously a hydraulic press gives better ultimate ability as well as much lower price. I mostly do automotive maintenance in my shop but am willing to undertake almost anything given a little support. All hobby though, no production work.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I use the arbor for small tasks, the hydraulic does stuff like press in wheel bearings....dont think the arbor could handle those. If I had to pick one, it would be hydraulic but NOT air powered. I prefer the feel of a manual hydraulic press....also nice to have a guage on it.

 

[lafester]

I like my small dake hydraulic. Plenty of 'feel' and can do pretty much anything I need it to.

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[Ign]

I'd probably start with a 20T hydraulic if I had to choose one on a limited budget.

I love my big Dake 3T arbor press but even as one of the biggest arbor presses readily available (I'm sure there are larger, less common options somewhere ) it really doesn't exert THAT much force.

My Dake was given to me, so that's a no brainer but if I had it to do over I'd LOVE a ratcheting arbor press.

I honestly don't know what you could do with the little arbor presses sold at HF except maybe assemble model trains or jewelry work or something....

 

[619DioFan]

I have only ever used a hydraulic press so can not commit on the usefulness of an arbor press. that said , my hydraulic press is one of the most useful tools I own. from removing and installing bearings , bushings , ball joints , etc to straightining bent items and making bends in flat stock. I also use it to hold small tires while changing inner tubes.

 

[bwringer]

Yep, an arbor press isn't going to touch FWD wheel bearings, which is one of the most common tasks. My 20T hydraulic press sometimes struggles with really crusty knuckles, but so far has always prevailed.

As mentioned above, a press is also unexpectedly handy in a zillion other ways, whenever you need to apply large amounts of force with fine control. You find yourself reaching for a hammer a lot less.

A hand pump hydraulic press gives a surprising amount of feel and control with a little experience.

 

[matt_i]

I'm going to throw out if you are doing automotive repair then a hydraulic press will be best. If you are a machine shop or doing machine repair then the arbor press is probably a better bet depending on the size of the machine. If you ever intend to use a push-broach then arbor press is a requirement imo.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I use an arbor press on high end composite bikes. Would never dream of using a hydraulic press on them. Like wise I wouldn’t dream of using my arbor press on the wheel bearings of my super duty. That’s hydrolic territory

 

[anndel]

I have a 10 ton Benchtop Dake press and it removed/replaced press fit wheel bearings like nothing.

 

[royce]

So for general automotive use what is the better option? From what I understand a good arbor press gives much better "feel" for pressing in parts where obviously a hydraulic press gives better ultimate ability as well as much lower price. I mostly do automotive maintenance in my shop but am willing to undertake almost anything given a little support. All hobby though, no production work.

Lucid,
While there are jobs that require the "feel" of an arbor press, a hydraulic press can be felt through the gauge, if kept an eye on.

For me, the ultimate is a KRWilson press.
They have a 3ton arbor with a 2speed hydraulic ram all in one.

Anyhow here's a pic of a 60 ton KRW

Royce

 

[rsanter]

I have both and use both

 

[seber]

I have a small arbor press at home but it gets very little use. At work I had access to a large hydraulic and a ratcheting Dake. That Dake got used so much there were times I needed to wait till someone else was done with it.

 

[sz0k30]

For home use; for the money, capacity, usefulness, adjustability you can't beat the HF 20 ton for about $150. And I definitely disagree with the guy that said "No air". Air over hydraulic jack is one of the 1st and best modifications I made. You don't lose the feel. Just air power it to a point, then use the manual handle to get it the rest of the way.

 

[Ign]

I have both and use both

This is definitely the GJ answer (and I don't disagree): GET BOTH

 

[Renegade1LI]

I agree, get both, I have the HF 12 ton & have been looking for a nice used arbor press.

 

[BD1]

Agreed on the HF 20 ton. Had mine 12 years and still going. I added a valve handle for the release and made various tooling for it. Definitely a deal for the money.
My arbor press is a 3 ton Framco. That's even older !!
Both have there place.
I've used the HF for bending, spreading, and straightening. Really handy for my welded Artwork .



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[ez-duzit]

I have both and use both

This. It is not an either or choice; one needs both.

Here is a photo that shows my press brake conversion to my Carolina 50-ton press. Try that with your arbor press.

 

[RTM]

I've not seen too many arbor presses in auto shops, but lots of hydraulic presses. I think the $/useful value ratio drives the arbor press away from auto shops.

I love my little Dake, but can't imagine doing too much on a car with it.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I'd really LOVE to say get both, because heck yeah. I'd also really love to say get the arbor press, but MAN are decently large ones really expensive.

If I was working in a 2 car garage, I'd have a Dake benchtop or a (painful to say) HF 20 ton.

I got my 40 ton Acco frame for free, otherwise I'd be in the smaller hyd press fun group too.

 

[lis2323]

I'd really LOVE to say get both.

Get both[emoji106]




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[Renegade1LI]

Get both[emoji106]




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That's an awesome looking set up!

 

[lis2323]

That's an awesome looking set up!

Thank you!


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