Homemade Shop Press Material?

admin

hey guys, i haven't been around in a while, i just finished taking a basic welding course, i tested for my CWB tickets, i tested 4 position stick and 4 position flux core, i passed them all, and i must say i was kind of proud of myself lol considering i went in the course with a paralyzed arm from and accident about a year earlier and is still currently 80% paralyzed  anyway i was talking to a few guys on here a while back that gave me a few pointers, and wanted to say thanksso i need a shop press for my car i am restoring, it needs new wheel bearings, and i have a 70 pc bushing set for the suspension and alot need to be pressed in&out as well. what size material would you recommend,something thats easy on the wallet, but fairly strong, because i could buy a press for around $150, but would have more fun buildingSomething like this would be perfect, the guy who made this said in his write up he was using 1.5x1.5x1/8 square tubing, and it started flexing with a 3 ton bottle jack. what size square tubing would be safe for around 6-12 tons, any other info you would like to point out im all earsThanks
Reply:I was just about to say that press looked a bit on the "meek" side for tubing size..there is a homemade tools thread around here somewhere with many pictures of home made presses.  Many of them used big I beam for construction.
Reply:Harbor Freight has a 6 ton press that is currently 89.99 and a 12 ton for 129.99.  With a 20% off coupon printed from the web you could get the 6 ton for 72.00 + tax or the 12 ton for 104.00 + tax.  Considering cost of materials and time to fabricate, it would be less costly to simply purchase one at these prices.  Link: http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...press&limit=32
Reply:H( there are many many ways to build a press like you want.  Google home made hydraulic shop press and check them out. here is one http://www.spaco.org/Press.htmJust remember to use big enough stuff when building one, if the thing lets go under pressure you could get hurt bad!  Make sure all is square if there is any unevenness of the frame that causes the press to apply pressure more in one dirrection.  Harbor Freight's air/hydraulic 12 or 20 ton may be better for you wiht you arm.A press is great to have and when you need it there is no substitute for one but most of the time it just sits there .have funTom
Reply:im in Canada so no harbor fright around me, princess auto has the 12 ton's for $179 but its a 6 hour drive away from me. i have a few idea of the way i want to build it, i don't want a big one, i just want to know what the best size steel to use. like would 2"x2"x1/4" square tubing be alright for what i need it for. i'll have to stop in the metal scrap yard and see what they have there before i decide i guess.
Reply:I got lots of help from the board on my thread when I started building my press. The goodness to come from my "beating" is the thread has lots of good sizing suggestions in it for someone at your stage. I haven't finished mine yet but should soon. have a read: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=40953
Reply:I just did that math and it's was much less expensive to get the HF press.  If I were going to make one, I'd be using channel and not tubing.
Reply:Hey if you have enough scrap and odds & ends its just more fun to build your own