The 6 Best Arbor Presses
Special Honors
Dake 1-220 This air-powered model has a non-rotating double acting ram that can be easily adjusted for speed, pressure, and stroke length. It is made in the United States, has a maximum capacity of 2,000 pounds, and as a safety precaution, requires two hands for operation. Also, it is equipped with a rust-resistant chrome-plated piston rod and a polyurethane wiper that helps to protect cylinders from dust and contaminants. dakecorp.com
Greenerd No. 4 Capable of producing up to seven tons of force, this should be able to handle any need. It is an industrial-quality model that features a ratcheting mechanism to help the operator produce consistent pressure, and it is equipped with a pilot wheel for rapid ram advance when needed. greenerd.com
Editor's Notes
September 04, 2019:
Arbor presses are designed to handle a variety of press fit jobs, such as staking, riveting, and installing and removing bearings. Most can also be fitted with some kind of bit for punching holes in materials or stamping. Essentially, if it an item fits within the throat of the press, you can apply pressure to it. Because of this, the bigger the throat, the more versatility a particular tool will have.
If you want to be able to work with a lot of large items and need to produce a lot of force, a bigger model like the Palmgren RP30 or Jet AP-3 will be best. Both of these have a three-ton capacity, however the Palmgren RP30 has the edge because of its ratcheting mechanism that allows you to produce very consistent pressure. It also offers an impressive 17.75-inch maximum working height.
For precision work though, sometimes a large model can be overkill, especially on objects where too much pressure can cause damage. If you will only be working on small objects, you may be better off with a half-ton model like the Palmgren AP0 or HHIP 8600-0031, or a one-ton option like the Dake 901004 and Palmgren AP10. Of these, the Dake seems to be the best quality, but the Palmgren models aren't too far behind and offer better bang for the buck.
As with any tool, it is important that you follow safety rules when operating an arbor press. These include, but are not limited to, wearing eye protection, ensuring the tool is secured in place and your stock is lying flat on the anvil, and only using bits and other accessories specifically designed for presses.