6 ton press

[Oklahoma]

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a 6 ton press, and was wondering if that would be enough to press bearings, ball joints, ect. I don’t want to buy one that wont be big enough to do the job, and I don’t want to buy one that will be more than I will ever nee. What's your opinion?

[HotRodYJ]

6 ton sounds very small. I have a 12 ton and it's almost not enough sometimes. When the presss wont do it, I end up adding heat to get the job done. I imagine a 6 ton would only handle the easiest of jobs.

[Oklahoma]

Thanks HotRod, that's what I was looking to know.

[Fred T]

Most of the pressing that I have done could be done with a 10 or 12 ton press. That includes bearings up to 4" and ball joints. But it does not include wheel studs. IIRC, we were up around 30 tons to get some old studs out of a 9" rear.

With an 80 ton press, the only time I had too much press was putting a gear on a camshaft. Bigger isn't always better, but it certainly helps.

[HotRodYJ]

Originally Posted by Fred T

...we were up around 30 tons to get some old studs out of a 9" rear...

You should have removed the wheel and lug nut first

[Oklahoma]

Thanks Fred

[Oklahoma]

Yea, I just used a BFH, to get the studs out.