6 or 12 Ton Hydraulic Press?

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340inabbody

340inabbody

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Doing my front end currently and will need to do all my bushings. So I need a press. Not sure if I will ever use it again and wondering if the 6 Ton will do most everything automotive?? No clue what bushings and the sort needs. The cost trnd to be a lot more for the 12 Ton unit as opposed to the 6 Tonner….

Thoughts?
 
if you're gonna buy a press, don't even bother with the 6. get the 12, you can do soooo much more with it.

that being said, as @Professor Fate noted you don't need a press to do the bushings at all as long as you have the correct tools. and a vice. definitely want a vice.
 
I have done all of that work with a 12 ton press, it works ok. I myself upgraded to a 20 ton press, and it was definitely worth the upgrade, it makes everything easier. Both were Harbor freight pieces, so they’re not crazy expensive and sometimes you can use a coupon.

I have also purchased the American Muscle tools. They’re absolutely useless for the LCA work, they do not generate enough force and you will definitely strip the threads on what comes in that kit. For the UCA work, you can make a sturdier tool yourself at your local hardware store for a fraction of the cost.

I do all of my UCA bushing removals and reinstalls with this pile of parts.
IMG_4944.jpeg
 
I think the question is 12 or 20. I bought a 12 for $100 used. It doesn’t get used a lot but it is indispensable when you are doing diffs or wheel bearings (depending on the vehicle).
 
I’ve been collecting small pieces of round bar and pipe as well as old bearing races for various jobs. I just toss them into a milk crate.
 
Lift&Move said:
I just went there yesterday and bought the 12 ton too.
Reg price is $169, but $40 off if you're a HF member.
Click to expand...
Yeah I am a very good member lol. Since Sears closed HF has been a life saver for tools. I am grateful that we have at least one tool store in the US. People trash it but for me I love it. I treat tools correctly and usually don’t have problems. I can afford their stuff and the majority of my tools I get there then Amazon then ebay. Works well for me.
 
I’ve had all the above and went to a 50ton. I know not your question.
The truth is when using pipe or sockets or metal Be careful!

Metal can splinter like pipe nipes and split on the seams. You may not see it at first but when those seams break under pressure- they explode.
Metal shards fly apart, I’m not saying I too have not pressed things with my fair share of “adapted tooling.”
Wear gloves, go slow, lots of lube and for GOD’s sake wear safety glasses and a clear shield.
Okay- putting my Dad hat away now.
Syleng1
 
Syleng1 said:
I’ve had all the above and went to a 50ton. I know not your question.
The truth is when using pipe or sockets or metal Be careful!

Metal can splinter like pipe nipes and split on the seams. You may not see it at first but when those seams break under pressure- they explode.
Metal shards fly apart, I’m not saying I too have not pressed things with my fair share of “adapted tooling.”
Wear gloves, go slow, lots of lube and for GOD’s sake wear safety glasses and a clear shield.
Okay- putting my Dad hat away now.
Syleng1
Click to expand...
“Go slow with lot’s of lube”! Lol
 
Syleng1 said:
I’ve had all the above and went to a 50ton. I know not your question.
The truth is when using pipe or sockets or metal Be careful!

Metal can splinter like pipe nipes and split on the seams. You may not see it at first but when those seams break under pressure- they explode.
Metal shards fly apart, I’m not saying I too have not pressed things with my fair share of “adapted tooling.”
Wear gloves, go slow, lots of lube and for GOD’s sake wear safety glasses and a clear shield.
Okay- putting my Dad hat away now.
Syleng1
Click to expand...
Yep ^^^ I've exploded one socket, scared the hell outta me. Since then, I'm very careful choosing the tooling for the task. And if it has to be a socket, it's an impact socket and I always stand to the side. WEAR EYE PROTECTION.

Even "smaller" presses exert an insane amount of force, and failure is almost always violent.
 
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