Arbor press recommendations.

[Grant Gunderson]

I finally need to invest in an arbor press. Ideally I’ll find some old USA iron on craigslist. Who makes the best units? Dake? Jet? etc?

I’m leaning towards a 3ton model as it will mostly be used for our vehicles, Mountian bikes and shop machinery.

 

[Earp69]

Can't go wrong with a good old dake.and Bigger is always better

 

[bob15]

Dake or Greenerd

 

[davethorik]

Dake, Greenerd, Famco seem to be the USA "big 3" of arbor presses. I could be wrong but I think all Jet stuff is imported.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have an old Atlas which Dake now owns the name to. It’s a very nice press. Can’t go wrong with Greenerd or Famco either.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I'd look for one with a quick adjust handwheel and ratchet handle like this Dake. So much quicker and easier to set up than a plain spin the handle model. Ed.

 

[nutjob]

I'd look for one with a quick adjust handwheel and ratchet handle like this Dake. So much quicker and easier to set up than a plain spin the handle model. Ed.

I'll second this. I have a Dake 3 ton that does not have the ratchet handle and it seems the bar is always in the wrong position for leverage.
The ratchet model could be more cost but it is worth it.

Kevin

 

[ndnchf]

Concur with the Dake recommendation. Mine is a model 1-1/2 (3 ton) with ratchet and compound leverage. I use it a lot.

 

[jrobb316]

I am a Famco fan. I agree ratcheting presses are a little nicer. Or if you can find a Famco with a ships wheel, those are great. Current press is a Famco 3 1/2R, also have a 3R that will probably be sold. Once you have one, its a great go to tool in the shop for a lot of jobs.

 

[Showkey]

I get the romance of the arbor press..........but..........can’t think of one job it does that a decent 20-30 hydraulic press won’t do with the hydraulic able to do much more especially when it comes to large part pushing.

 

[dr_clyde]

I get the romance of the arbor press..........but..........can’t think of one job it does that a decent 20-30 hydraulic press won’t do with the hydraulic able to do much more especially when it comes to large part pushing.

I find arbor presses absolutely essential for small dowel pins, bearings, broaching, and other general low tonnage work. You have more feel and control. I would hate to have to put press fit assemblies together with a hydraulic press. Way too easy to damage things.

Hydraulic presses have their place, but they don’t replace a hand arbor press in a well equipped shop.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I get the romance of the arbor press..........but..........can’t think of one job it does that a decent 20-30 hydraulic press won’t do with the hydraulic able to do much more especially when it comes to large part pushing.

There is no way I would insert press fit bearings into a $5k carbon fiber Mountian bike frame with a hydraulic press. Way too much potential to destroy the frame.

 

[matt_i]

The Dake has an arbor that can be shimmed (removal of shims really) to tighten it up again.

The Greenerd, once its worn, its going to be sloppy, because there's no way to tighten up the round column without boring & sleeving a giant part. Have one where I work and its mildly dreadful to use because the end of the ram is dancing around under pressure.

The imports just use a couple of bolt-ends bearing on the ram (maybe bronze slugs if you're lucky) to takeup backlash between the ram and cast housing. It works but its not the greatest design. But then again, how many parts are you planning to press?

I agree that a hydraulic press is a great asset and not the tool for every job. It excels at chassis work on automotive parts and would smash sensitive stuff to the point of ruin. Keyway broaches which get "stuck" need some help to stay alive and not more pressure. The mechanical "feel" is the only way to stop before the critical moment in my opinion.

Ratcheting and then compound leverage are both nice upgrades in your arbor press.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

The Dake has an arbor that can be shimmed (removal of shims really) to tighten it up again.

The Greenerd, once its worn, its going to be sloppy, because there's no way to tighten up the round column without boring & sleeving a giant part. Have one where I work and its mildly dreadful to use because the end of the ram is dancing around under pressure.

The imports just use a couple of bolt-ends bearing on the ram (maybe bronze slugs if you're lucky) to takeup backlash between the ram and cast housing. It works but its not the greatest design. But then again, how many parts are you planning to press?

Thats exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Seems like Dake with a ratchet is the way to go. Thanks!

 

[bob15]

Thats exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Seems like Dake with a ratchet is the way to go. Thanks!

Try it with the ratchet first.

Personally, I don't like the ratchet, nor do I care for the captain wheel style 3 ton press (don't mind the 2 ton as much). I like the single sliding handle press the most.

 

[ndnchf]

I have both my 3 ton Dake compound arbor press and a 20 ton hydraulic press. They both have their place. The Dake is quick and easy to use. The 20 gets the call for heavy duty work. Sure, I could get by with just the 20 ton, but I use the Dake more often. I love them both.

 

[LNKMK8]

I have an old Dake that I really don't care for. It doesn't have a ratcheting handle, nor can you slide it out to reposition it. You end up having the handle in an awkward position much of the time while trying to use it. Something to keep in mind (many Dake's have ratcheting handles, not sure why this one didn't)

 

[Shadowdog500]

Everyone here gave the top names. I also wanted a top name but after looking high and low for a used one I wound up getting an import ratchet handle 3 ton press from Enco for $147 delivered. The thing does everything I want it to do and more. I also have a 20ton hydraulic press but in my opinion you need both. The arbor press is quick and easy to use for quick jobs and gives you tactile feedback to your hand.

Here is a video of mine being set up.

Here is a video of it doing a really rusted in U joint with it using a home made joint adapter.

What I have works great and I would only upgrade if I found a decent 5 or 6 ton for a smoking price.

 

[Jason280]

Concur with the Dake recommendation. Mine is a model 1-1/2 (3 ton) with ratchet and compound leverage. I use it a lot.

Damn, I'd love to have that arbor press!

I looked for quite a while for a decently priced 2-3 ton press, but they rarely (if ever) come up for sale anywhere close to me. I finally gave up and picked up a HF one, and it has been a lot more useful that I imagined.

 

[ndnchf]

Damn, I'd love to have that arbor press!

I lucked out, found this one for $75. Stripped it down, cleaned and repainted it. It was missing the daisy wheel, but I ordered a new one from Dake.

To make it more versatile, I have a 3 foot section of I-beam that I cleaned painted. I use with the the Dake to straighten out or flatten long pieces.

 

[930dreamer]

search "press" as a seller may not know they have an arbor press.

 

[ndnchf]

Related to the topic, but I have no connection.

There is a fellow over on the OWWM site who is taking orders until December 1st for arbor press daisy wheels. He will be cutting them on a water jet in several sizes. The prices seem very attractive. Details here:

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=209130

 

[lis2323]

Another vote for Dake. I use this one for light duty stuff




and this staking set for delicate jobs





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Ton ton]

We got a 3 ton Chinese arbor press. I like it but I am sure that there are better ones out there.

 

[BTL-A4]

What do these Dake arbor presses go for used? What is a reasonable price? They are about $120-$150 here in LA.

 

[L.Cheapo]

What do these Dake arbor presses go for used? What is a reasonable price? They are about $120-$150 here in LA.

I live in the NYC area. Around here, that price will get you a heavy duty nut cracker. 2-3 ton models are regularly listed for $500-$1000. They eventually disappear, don't know if they're being sold or if they give up.

 

[mc4life27]

What do these Dake arbor presses go for used? What is a reasonable price? They are about $120-$150 here in LA.

I picked up a 1 ton jet press basically brand new not a scratch on it for 50 bucks on cl. Didn’t even face surface rust.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[MileHighRover]

What do these Dake arbor presses go for used? What is a reasonable price? They are about $120-$150 here in LA.

$600-1,200 here. No way in hell you'll find a $150 Dake in the Denver area.

 

[LonestarLando]

I had the same question and found that the majority of the garage journal community said the same thing. Find a used Dake with ratchet if you can. It took some time, but luckily I found a fella willing to part with a 101 1/2 for the $350-400 price range. Pretty good find from what I read.

Must say...can be alot of coin, but it continues to save me time and effort on tasks that used to take alot of effort and hammering. I mostly do smaller engines and other stuff...but I feel the one I have gives me good power and control for my range of tasks.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57819&page=12

 

[RPH]

$800, Detroit area 11/2b with base.
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/d/new-hudson-dake-arbor-press-with/7123038329.html

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I get the romance of the arbor press..........but..........can’t think of one job it does that a decent 20-30 hydraulic press won’t do with the hydraulic able to do much more especially when it comes to large part pushing.

I used a hydro press for some years before getting a 5 ton arbor press. It makes a world of difference. It's been 5 months and I haven't touched the hydraulic press. The arbor press... probably 50 times.

 

[Lennyzx11]

I’ve had this one for at least 15 years from Harbor Freight.


https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html

It ratchets and has done what I needed.

Last use was installing grommets in a canvas tarp.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[davethorik]

$800, Detroit area 11/2b with base.
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/d/new-hudson-dake-arbor-press-with/7123038329.html

There was a Dake 1-1/2B on FB marketplace in VA somewhere, non-ratcheting and i think no daisy wheel for $150. Not a "you ****" but "not bad."

I found this Dake 1-1/2 for $150. The stand is homemade, extremely ugly but heavy. I'm jealous of the factory stand in your link.

Ratcheting arbor press is the only way to fly, although I've seen a couple non-ratcheting presses modded to use a 3/4 drive ratchet as a handle on here. Pretty slick.

View media item 91320

 

[BTL-A4]

So what does one look for in a used arbor press? No play in bearings? Some way to adjust play in the arbor? Rust? Do they all have an anvil or plate or Daisy wheel?

 

[darkzero]

I looked for height capacity & condition as well as price of course. Rust was not so much a concern of mine cause Cali rust will clean up easily, no way an arbor press is going to rust out down here. I'm in the SFV & I've never seen a Dake or Famco go for $200 or close to it when I was searching. Well in the size I wanted, they were all closer to the $1K end. Everything old USA around here people think are worth more than plutonium. Definitely wanted ratcheting, my old one didn't which was annoying. Also would have liked compound but those usually comes on models much larger than I could afford.

Older Palmgren is another brand to look for. Newer Palmgrens are import if that matters to you. I avoided looking for Greenerd cause of the round column mentioned but for my occasional use probably would have been fine. I've never seen a top brand name in person but I don't think there are any actual bearings in them, not ball bearings anyway.

I had a 1 ton HF for yrs cause it was dirt cheap w/ coupon but the thing was so small it was usually useless to me. Got tired of looking for used & didn't want to spend so much money for a name brand that will only get used in my home garage. Ended up getting an import 3 ton ratcheting from MSC. Was actually cheaper than Enco w/ 20% off because of freight. Local MSC had it in stock & my sales guy gave me a bit of a discount on it. Got it for $190. I've heard of some people breaking the ratchet gear so I bought a spare just in case but have yet to break mine.

3 ton is the smallest I would have bought because of capacity. I would have liked a 5 ton more for broaching. I don't actually own any broaches yet though.

 

[matt_i]

3 ton is the smallest I would have bought because of capacity. I would have liked a 5 ton more for broaching. I don't actually own any broaches yet though.

Dake makes the 1-1/2B model for Broaching. It has an XL ram so you don't have to keep jacking with the workpiece and can complete a stroke in 1 shot (several ratchets but just 1 setup). Imo the height is more important than the tonnage for broaching.