Arbor Presses

[ATC]

I'm looking for a 3-ton unit for some smaller projects when I don't want to fool with my shop press, and my budget has me in the China-special category.

Currently looking at:
Grizzly T26415
Jet AP3-M
Dayton 3Z949

Anyone own one of these? Are you happy with it?
Any other brands around the $300 price range I should be looking at?

Yes, I'm keeping an eye on CL and Ebay for vintage USA brands. There's a nice restored Sears & Roebuck for $125 on CL...but it's too far away

 

[ndnchf]

Sometimes its worth a drive to get a good tool. I drove up past Frederick MD to buy my 1-1/2 Dake (3 ton) arbor press for $75. It was a couple hours each way, but well worth it. It was a bit scruffy, but cleaned up nicely. Between it and my 20 ton H-frame press, I can do most anything I need to.

 

[westcoastkevin]

What paint dis you use on the Dake? I just got the exact same arbor press. I am going to pick it up next week. It could benefit from a coat of paint.
To the OP. Used ones are out there if you have time to wait.

 

[ndnchf]

I'll check the paint when I get home. I got it at Home Depot. It went on nice and is holding up well.

 

[454ragtop]

Too bad you're so far away, have an extra Greenerd #3 on a stand I could part with......

 

[ndnchf]

The paint is rustoleum professional high performance enamel, Dark machine gray #7587.

 

[matt_i]

A press with a ratcheting arm driving the pinion instead of the geared-only pinion is a really nice feature when it comes to the ergonomics of using the press in any serious situation, or if you are broaching a keywy. Plus 1 if you can find a compound leverage press.

I would simply keep looking, it might take a year or maybe some driving, but in my mind that wait would be worthwhile.

Also look for Eames and Atlas, which are nearly identical design predecessors of the Dake. Over the years I've had a #1-1/2, a #1-1/2B, a #2-1/2, a #3 and a #4 in my shop. Pruned down to the 1.5 and 4 and a cute little miniature Famco which is just for show.

 

[1982fxr]

I'm looking for a 3-ton unit for some smaller projects when I don't want to fool with my shop press, and my budget has me in the China-special category.

Currently looking at:
Grizzly T26415
Jet AP3-M
Dayton 3Z949

Anyone own one of these? Are you happy with it?
Any other brands around the $300 price range I should be looking at?

Yes, I'm keeping an eye on CL and Ebay for vintage USA brands. There's a nice restored Sears & Roebuck for $125 on CL...but it's too far away

I’ve had all of those. I think of them more in era of manufacture than brand. Older ones can be heavier, not saying they are necessarily stronger. I’ve never pushed any to the point of failure. Newer ones are ok. If you can’t find a used dake, famco or greenerd then there’s not much choice.

As mentioned wheel is a big plus. My best set up was when I had a good US arbor press next to a shop press.

 

[ndnchf]

If you are lucky, you'll find one with compound leverage. This makes it quite a bit more powerful. I was fortunate to find this one. It was only missing the daisy wheel. I called Dake and ordered a replacement.

 

[Whitworth]

I have three import arbor presses, 1/2, 2 and 3 tons. From the look of them, honestly I think they all come out of the same foundry. Plates on the 2 and 3 ton are identical.

Good luck finding a used Famco or Dake, that would be nice, but you may be waiting a while.

Arbor presses are such a rudimentary technology, I don't think it matters. Just a rack and gear.

 

[ATC]

Sometimes its worth a drive to get a good tool.

I'm no stranger to drive for a good deal. However, I'm not going to go 3hrs+ away unless it's one of those "too good to be true" deals.

I would simply keep looking, it might take a year or maybe some driving, but in my mind that wait would be worthwhile.

Also look for Eames and Atlas, which are nearly identical design predecessors of the Dake. Over the years I've had a #1-1/2, a #1-1/2B, a #2-1/2, a #3 and a #4 in my shop. Pruned down to the 1.5 and 4 and a cute little miniature Famco which is just for show.

Yeah, I've got time. I've gone this long without one
Thanks for the new names!

I have three import arbor presses, 1/2, 2 and 3 tons. From the look of them, honestly I think they all come out of the same foundry. Plates on the 2 and 3 ton are identical.

Good luck finding a used Famco or Dake, that would be nice, but you may be waiting a while.

Arbor presses are such a rudimentary technology, I don't think it matters. Just a rack and gear.

I'm agree for the most part. It's kinda like a hammer...$1 or $100, they both will probably do the same thing for as long as you want. And like I said earlier...I have a 20-ton press if I need it, so there's no reason for me to abuse an arbor press...

 

[ATC]

Better late than never. I'm going to look at this one Saturday and will probably bring it home...