Arbor / Hydraulic press

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I've been having more occasions where a small arbor type press would be handy. Not a lot of storage space to keep one., Ideas on something space saving or would a small one be worth the trouble?

[chips and more]

I have had a 50T hydraulic press for decades. Can't live without it! Got a 3t arbor press about 10 years ago only because it was cheap. Didn't think I really needed it because I have the 50T. Boy was I wrong! Only wish it had the rapid down hand wheel. Anything smaller than 3T for me would be toy size and not practical. I have very small ones for clock and watch work that's good enough. When I was a kid, I was using a bench wise, geez. Have you ever tried installing U joints with a bench vice, I have, or I did!

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I have had a 50T hydraulic press for decades. Can't live without it! Got a 3t arbor press about 10 years ago only because it was cheap. Didn't think I really needed it because I have the 50T. Boy was I wrong! Only wish it had the rapid down hand wheel. Anything smaller than 3T for me would be toy size and not practical. I have very small ones for clock and watch work that's good enough. When I was a kid, I was using a bench wise, geez. Have you ever tried installing U joints with a bench vice, I have, or I did!

Yes, and I was afraid of the vise breaking!!!!!!

[TerryWerm]

Matt, I have been considering an arbor press as well. I currently have a 20T hydraulic press but it is too much for some items. Keep us posted with what you decide to do. I would like the ratcheting handwheel style also, but they get pretty spendy. 

[mdlbldrmatt135]

At this point, I may just keep an eye out for a smaller arbor press. I think a 1 ton might be enough for most of my needs.  the New Grizzly ones aren't too bad, but something about saving older stuff is more appealing.

[chips and more]

The amount of force that you think you need is one consideration. One other factor and for me a biggie is the throat distance. The more the tonnage the greater the throat clearance. I have had the ram up all the way many a time. And when you add tooling to the business end of the ram, that takes up some travel distance. And I have added lots of tooling to my press that I thought would never happen, so handy!

[4GSR]

I wound up buying a Asian made one. A No. 3 size. I wanted one big enough that I could broach keyways easily. Works fine for 1/8 and 3/16 keyways but not tall enough for anything bigger. I have a 20 ton shop built press I use for broaching bigger keyways. It's a pita to use though.