10 Best 20 Ton Shop Press Reviewed in 2023

Having the best 20 ton shop press can significantly impact your workflow, just like any other too.

We know how tedious it is when you get a cheap ton shop press, and now you have to hand pump. Don't worry, though.

With the powerful shop presses we have chosen, you will be able to smash all the materials you need to press.

The machines we have chosen are suitable for wheel bearings and bending materials if you need one for that sort of thing. They're made of durable designs so that they will last a lifetime.

Top 5 Best 20 Ton Shop Press Comparison:

Our 10 Best 20 Ton Shop Press Reviews:

The shop presses we have chosen are trusted by thousands of customers all over the world. With them, you'll get exceptional results. Without any further ado, let's take a look at those machines.

1. Baileigh HSP-20A 20 Ton Shop Press

If you're in the market for a high-quality ton shop press, then this is your machine. It has everything you need from a shop press.

When you first unpack this bulky shop press, you'll notice how well-built this shop press is. The people behind this strong shop press did a good job when building it, and it shows.

It has a sturdy design, and it looks great at home. Also, this ton shop press is built to last for many years. The company behind this product did not lower production costs when making this massive machine, and you can tell by how bulky it is.

The benefit of having a pressure gauge is worth your money. Without a pressure gauge, it is hard to prevent yourself from over and under pressing, which you want to avoid when smashing stuff.

Moreover, the pneumatic press also comes with a strong and durable standard block. And, it won't get warped after smashing something.

The working table of this shop press is completely adjustable. It is made of high-quality materials, and it holds up pretty well over time.

This model can easily reach 20 tons of hydraulic pressure, which is plenty of power for the wheel bearing. It's not an uncommon task for a mechanic to have to press wheel bearings in and out. So, this ton shop press will come in handy if you're faced with such tasks.

Installing this hydraulic shop press is pretty straightforward. You don't need any videos to set it up. You'll figure it out as soon as you get this ton shop press out of the box.

Overall, this is an excellent shop press for the standard hobbyist and DIYers who need one of these at home for home projects.

2. Performance Tool W41063 20 Ton Shop Press

Our second choice for the most efficient shop press is the Tool W41063 from Performance Tool.

To control this powerful hydraulic shop press, you have a relief valve that operates the ram. It is pretty simple to use, and you don't need to use your body weight to use it.

This model is a 20-ton machine; you have more than enough power for most projects you might want to work on in the future. On top of the shop press, you can find a gauge. This gauge allows you to have more control over the press, as you can see the pressure you're applying with it.

The shop press is quite heavy; it weighs about 220lb. And because of its weight, this shop press does not shake when you're applying hydraulic pressure.

Moreover, the product itself is super durable. This model is not a shop press from some questionable brand. The people behind this product put in a lot of time so that you can have a stable shop press.

The design of the press is pretty straightforward. There is not much to it, but you have plenty of features to step up your game.

Another excellent feature this hydraulic shop press has is that you can adjust the table plate up and down. You have nine different areas where you can adjust the height of the shop press. There is a hole on each side that you can use to change the size.

We believe that this is the right hydraulic shop press to get into the game as soon as possible. It provides the right amount of hydraulic force, and it won’t disappoint you with all the features it has.

3. Baileigh HSP-30A: Best 30 Ton Shop Press

Can't seem to find the best 30 ton shop press? Then the HSP-30A from Baileigh will do wonders for you.

There is nothing more annoying than some low-quality ton shop press. Those shop presses are not suitable for accurate jobs, which is why we chose this excellent shop press. It has a fully-responsive control, and it allows you to have more precision when dealing with fragile jobs.

The 30 ton hydraulic shop press also includes two blocks that are super helpful when smashing stuff. Also, those blocks are super durable. They won't bend when you're applying too much pressure, nor will the machine be affected in the process.

Furthermore, the feature we like most about this shop press is how easy it is to move the cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is super easy to handle, and you can move it around if needed. You can either move it both right and left, which gives you a lot more control than other machines.

Its sturdy design makes it a durable ton shop press. The people behind this ton shop press made sure this shop press would last for a very long time while providing satisfying pressure.

If you're someone who plans on using this shop press to deal with challenging projects, this shop press is for you. Since this is a 30-ton machine, you can handle all those formidable projects that you wouldn't be able to do without the right tools.

4. Dake 972200: Best 10 Ton Shop Press

If you're looking for the best 10-ton shop press, the 972200 from Dake will take care of every project you want to work on.

Based on this machine's first impression, we can safely say that this is a well-constructed machine. It looks clean, durable, and overall, it gets the job done.

Moreover, the attachment that comes with this product for the ram is pretty good. The extension is threaded, which makes it suitable for getting stuff seated the right way.

Like the other shop presses we have gone covered, this one also has a reliable gauge on top of the press. It is good enough to tell how much pressure you're applying.

They used iron on this shop press, and it couldn't be better for this ton shop press. Iron is a solid material. It also exceptionally resistant and can withstand huge impacts without it bending in the process.

If the ton shop press ever breaks, you also have all the parts you need to fix it. Having all the parts comes in handy as you won't have to order anything in the future.

We can't stretch this enough, but we love a straightforward ton shop press that is easy to assemble. When you begin putting everything together, you'll realize how simple it is to get it running.

You can also adjust the height of this model. On each side, there is a rod you can use to adjust the size. All you need to do is pull out the table plate, lift it up, and then move it to the desired height.

For projects that you might have in the future that require a firm press, this model will come in handy. It's suitable for those that need an affordable and powerful press at home.

5. Black Widow BD-PRESS-20A

The BD-PRESS-20A from Black Widow is a perfect choice if you want efficiency.

Whether you're a mechanic or a standard hobbyist that needs a press for home projects, this model got you covered. Its size makes it a reliable choice if you don't want a bulky ton shop press that takes up too much space.

Like the previous models we've reviewed throughout this article, you can adjust this machine's size. It is easy to adjust the height, and it also gives you a lot more control over the device.

It is durable. This ton shop press is not a cheap machine by any means. It is built to last and performs incredibly well, making this shop press an excellent choice if you need a durable ton shop press.

Moreover, the legs of this shop press are pretty solid. The legs also feel strong enough to handle most of your commercial projects. However, the shop press might shake if it is on an uneven floor space.

It also comes with a useful gauge, which you can find on top of the shop press; it measures precisely how much pressure is being applied when smashing materials.

The shop press also includes two durable blocks. And the blocks are strong enough to withstand the machine's hydraulic pressure, and they won't bend when you hit the trigger.

In conclusion, this ton shop press is more than enough for removing wheel bearings and straightening materials that you have at home. The ton shop press also provides accurate results and can go to 20 tons, which is a lot of pressure for most projects you might want to work on in the future.

Read our take on Best Knife Grinder For Beginners as well!

6. OEMTOOLS 24810 Shop Press

There is nothing better than a good shop press that straightens out materials — that is exactly what this machine has to offer.

Adjusting the height of this shop press is surprisingly comfortable and easy. All you need to do is remove the beams from the shop press itself, and then move it to whatever size you need.

As we've said before, press blocks are an essential tool that you need when smashing stuff. And just like the previous shop presses we've covered, this one also includes press blocks.

Replacing bearings is not an issue with this shop press. Its powerful pressure makes this tough job look like a simple piece of cake. You'll breeze through it in no time.

Its design is pretty straightforward; there is not much talk about it, other than the vast handle it has connected to the hydraulic jack, which you can use to pump it up and down.

The company responsible for this product used high-quality materials to provide a resistant yet robust press for those folks that need magnificent shop presses.

Moreover, the assembly process is quite simple. The owner's manual does not explain how to set it up, and it's pretty much useless. However, looking at the shop press should be more than enough to assemble it.

The size of the ram is large enough for most of your projects at home. It provides excellent results, enough pressure, and it is quite durable.

7. OTC 1824A 1824A Shop Press with Bottle Jack

Next, we have a 20-ton press capable of making your dream projects come true.

OTC is a brand that has been in the market for a very long time. They make excellent machines, and they have proven several times why their products are the best.

For bending and straightening, you really cannot go wrong with this shop press. Its incredible strength is more than enough to bring to life whatever project you might want to work on.

Pressing the pinion bearing in and out is super easy with this ton shop press. It applies the right amount of hydraulic pressure to push the pinion down, and it won't damage the pinion in the process.

Another thing we love about this shop press is that it has a compact and durable design. The company clearly cares about their customers. So they made this ton shop press as stable as possible.

The bottle jack of this shop press barely takes up any space inside the shop press. It is highly effective, and it is less likely to get corroded over time.

Another excellent feature of this well-built press is that you can extend the jack all the way up to 7", which ultimately leads to more accurate results and allows you to have an easier time smashing stuff.

If the default height is not enough for you and you need to get closer to the bottle jack, you can easily adjust the machine's size to make this process less tedious.

For most of your needs, this ton shop press will come in handy if you need a resistant and efficient shop press at home.

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8. Sunex 5720 Manual Hydraulic Shop Press

This company has outdone itself with this well-built shop press. While it doesn't look significantly different from the other we have reviewed, so far, it does stand out when smashing.

With sophisticated strength, this ton shop press can pull off any project you need to take on in the future. Plus, it has proven to be an excellent choice for those that need accurate results without wasting their time.

When it comes to smashing and straightening, this shop press is a great choice. That said, it can also be used for installing and removing wheel bearings.

When you consider that this model is welded to enhance this press's durability and its overall strength, you really can't go wrong with it if you need a sturdy yet durable shop press.

This ton shop press also includes a few accessories, such as a bearing shield, a plate, and much more.

Even though this machine's pistons need a little more improvement, the strength and robust performance make up for that minor inconvenience.

Excessive bending is a common issue most shop press experience, which, unfortunately, ruins your shop press. However, because of its welded design, this press can withstand extreme bending.

And like any high-quality press, this one also includes a gauge to help you keep track of the current pressure.

The Sunex 5720 looks great, performs beyond anybody's expectations, and most importantly, it gets the job done in a short amount of time. If you were to buy this ton shop press, you wouldn't regret your choice.

9. Rage Powersports BD-PRESS-20H Hydraulic Shop Press

Having a flexible ton shop press that allows you to get outstanding results makes a great press, which is why we chose this model in particular.

Consumers know exactly what to expect from this well-known brand — a decent and adjustable shop press.

This model from Rage Powersports has a fantastic all-around design that makes this model durable and robust, unlike other alternatives out there.

For the majority of jobs that require a highly-functional press, this model is a fantastic choice. It is easy to use, does not require a lot of time to put together, and most importantly, it provides excellent results.

The machine's height can be adjusted in the blink of an eye. Adjusting the machine's size is not hard to do, and even if you have no prior experience doing so, you'll figure it out in no time.

Also, the adjustable-height feature gives the user more flexibility when smashing objects. The way this shop press is constructed makes this press incredibly precise when perfection is needed.

Instead of a single and weak block, this company has included two durable blocks with the shop press. Also, the blocks are strong enough to handle excessive bending.

Another thing we love about this model is how easy it is to pick up the basics. It is a reliable press, easy to use, and you don't need to spend countless hours figuring out how everything works.

And finally, while you might not have every single feature available with this model, this is more than enough for those who need a high-quality press.

10. Sunex International 5720AH Air Hydraulic Shop Press

We care a lot about durability and efficiency when choosing a shop press, which is why the 5720AH is so good.

This model is an incredibly accurate shop press. Seriously, when it comes to pressure and precision with little to no effort, this model deserves some credit.

With the help of this stunning press, you can straighten, bend, and even install wheel bearings in no time.

The remote control is an excellent addition to this shop press. You won't have to pump by hand, which is quite annoying and frustrating. Nobody wants to use their body weight to get a press to work.

Additionally, the superior resistance of this ton shop press makes it stand out from the average shop press. This model can withstand the excessive bending it might experience when handling some tough jobs.

For speed and comfort, this model from Sunex International takes the lead by far. When you grab the control to use the shop press, it will not take half a day before it goes all the way down, which we appreciate.

This model also includes a wide variety of accessories such as a plate, bearing protection, and a multi-tool sets of punch kits.

Another feature worth mentioning is that the frames of this model are larger than the average frame. The large and bulky frames make this press stronger.

And just like the previous model from Sunex, this is an excellent addition for anybody that needs excellent results, a durable shop press, and overall, this shop press improves your productivity.

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Best Shop Press Buying Guide [10 Ton, 20 Ton, 30 Ton & More]

As we have enlisted the top 10 shop presses that you can use, you may be wondering how did we pick them. So, here is the detailed buying guide for you following which we have picked the top 10 shop press recommendations for you-

Consider Your Regular Operations

Before selecting the shop press to go for, you must highlight all the job functions you do on a regular basis. This sort of list will be very handy when you check out the options you have. You should go for a shop press that can professionally handle your regular operations with the lowest amount of input possible. 

Map out what the activities are, usually a combination of processes like metal forming, drawing, molding, stamping, blanking, punching, and others. It will definitely help to have your list arrange according to the scale of preference. That way, you know the things you need the most and the things you can sacrifice.

Tonnage Is an Essential Factor

If you are replacing a mechanical press with a hydraulic press, the tonnage needed does not change. With that in mind, you must also consider the tonnage required for regular jobs, while having potential jobs in mind too. One advantage of hydraulic press over the mechanical one is that you can always reduce the tonnage to fit the current work at hand.

This has a lot to do with shear considerations. The rate of force needed to overcome material resistance in the plane parallel to force direction is known as the shear strength; it varies with different materials. For example, if you were able to punch a hole in a metal sheet, such a sheet has failed in shear.

These limits vary depending on the difference of materials, so you need to know the specifications of shear strength for the materials you usually work with. In this regard, knowing your maximum shear requirement covers for lesser jobs. 

Kilonewtons per square millimeter (KN/mm2) is the unit of shear strength, pounds per square inch (PSI) is another measurement format. You must know the range of tonnage you need for your punching and other activities.

To calculate your tonnage is pretty easy. Multiply the perimeter, thickness, share the material’s strength, and then divide the answer with 9.81. That will give you the tonnage; let us units be in millimeters for perimeter and thickness, then KN/mm2 for shear strength.

Flexibility

The professionals can never underestimate this factor. You don’t want to handle one job efficiently and then suck at the other. With the new hydraulic presses available these days, a wide range of functions are now available.

Most of them come with a flexible range of tonnage and a lot of other options. You can always go for the most versatile option that you can afford, except you are sure you won’t need those extra functions. If you do fixed jobs, you might also want to consider ruggedness over versatility. 

Working Temperature

Different materials are effectively machined at different temperatures. Without proper temperature considerations, metalwork can be a total mess. The extrusion processes that involve punches and dies often need varied settings of temperature and heat considerations.

Your press must be able to absorb high amounts of heat and a range of coldness when achieving your final products.

Choose the Appropriate Type of Press

After completing your operations and tonnage analyses, the press type that is appropriated for your duties must be decided. Hydraulic presses come in different styles for different job functions. C-Frame Presses and H-Frame Presses are the two common types of the hydraulic press; both of them are very versatile.

1. C-Frame Press

C-Frame Presses are very efficient in space, and they allow access from three sides. When juxtaposed with other presses, they can handle quite many jobs without necessarily taking much space. This versatility is the deal maker.

Power and capacity have been sacrificed to some extent, though, because of the relatively smaller size. It is applicable to shops involved in common press functions.

2. H-Frame Press

Heavy duty H-Frame Press is also known as 4-Column Press, and it is generally more prominent and more powerful. Four posts properly align the tools and pressing plates with the table. Some styles of H-Frame Presses come with two pressing guides instead of four.

The H-Frame is only not only powerful, it is also more precise due to the shape. Compared to the C-Frame, it has even pressure distribution, even at high tonnage. This type is suitable for business that required power, stability, and versatility.

Machine Specifications

There are a lot of specifications to check for, regardless of the type of press you choose. These details differ a lot in press machines, and the list to note is pretty concise. You logically have to go for higher specs if they don’t exceed your budget. The specifications to watch out for include:

• Speed
• Rigidity of frame
• Cylinder size
• Thickness of bolster
• Maximum system pressure
• Maximum dimension press is capable of handling
• Speed, Length, and Duration of the pressing stroke
• Horsepower rating

Speed

This is a very important quality. To a very large extent, the speed influences the impact force and pressure on the workpiece, especially in punching and pressing operations.

The speed of the pressing machine is mostly dependent on machine capacity and rating. Some operators are not fans of high speed as it is believed that sudden impacts are very destructive and harder to control.

This factor won’t be a problem if impact joints and pressing tools have extremely more shear strength than the material being worked on. Also, the speed can be varied for most of the modern-day shop presses.

The Rigidity of Frame

The frame can be considered as the skeleton on which everything hangs. You need this supreme framework to be very rigid and rugged. A strong frame maintains its own weight while carrying the weights of other parts. If this part of the press is not strong enough, it will be easily damaged by working vibrations and overtime usage.

Cylinder Size

While compact presses require less space and have smaller cylinders, bigger cylinder sizes provide more pressure to get work done, very suitable for thick workpieces with huge shear strength.

The bolster plate’s thickness is mounted on the press bead, and it is stationary. It holds a bottom cast or the workpiece itself. It is usually made of metal, and it must be strong enough to withstand the operating pressure. The bolster plate has cushions at times. Apart from withstanding the impacts, it must have a required thickness in order to ensure usability for longer periods.

Maximum System Pressure

The maximum pressure that a machine can give is extremely important. The pressure actually gets the work done. Don’t ever make the mistake of making the machine’s maximum pressure equal to the pressure you need to work on your strongest material.

The maximum pressure of machines needs to be more than what workpieces require. That way, the machine’s longevity is promised, and you avoid a lot of wear and tears, both for the machine and for the tools. 

Maximum dimension press is capable of handling: This is one of the most considered factors for operators. It is often considered over other factors, but that should not necessarily be the case. You need a shop press that can work on the maximum size of the workpiece expected.

Speed, Length, and Duration of the Pressing Stroke

The pressing stroke is the machine’s actual work. The stroke has three fundamental parameters; the distance covered, the time taken, and the speed. The speed is the ratio of the distance to the time taken. The speed’s impact is a very considerable portion of the machine’s total impact when at work.

Horsepower Rating

This is possibly the most popular rating on machines in general. On a general level, it tells how much power the machine has. More power is equivalent to more work capacity. On a more technical scale, the horsepower rating is a ratio of distance equivalence of work to the time taken.

This should not be confused with the work done by the machine itself. Horsepower rating shows how much work the engine that powers the machine can do.

Additional Tools and Accessories

Features like light curtains, limit switches, dwell timers, automated cycling, and others come with most hydraulic presses in modern time. Apart from those functions, they are other additions to watch out for. These extras can mean extra spending but can be very worthwhile over time.

Some of the extra accessories may include features like:

• Pressure reversal switches
• Touch-screen panel
• Die cushions
• Servo system feedback
• rotary index tables
• Dwell timers
• Automatic cycling
• Sliding bolsters 
• Ejection cylinders
• Electronic light curtains
• Distance reversal switches

Pressure Reversal Switches

This is an amazing electric component. It usually has four terminals that can be configured into two pairs, which can be switched. The direction of pressure is changed to the opposite if the feature is engaged. You can easily work on material in a forward or backward direction of impact, done easily with a switch.

Touch-screen Panel

This is not just a fancy component; it is very easy to operate a machine with touch-screen controls. There is no forceful punch required, and you don’t run at the risk of a button get clogged and hard to press.

Die Cushions

This is necessary to achieve draw-forming accuracy to a very high degree. It works well with servo systems and automation. Die cushions are support systems driven by individual motors to accomplish complex forms. The process is great for high-tensile steels' precision, and flexibility. The whole operation may also in data aggregation for multiple cycles.

Servo System Feedback

This is one of the greatest new-age innovations. This feedback system is mostly restricted to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. It allows the machine to do a job as instructed. The result is sent as feedback to the CNC unit, which makes further decisions progress towards the aim of the job.

Rotary Index Tables

Rotary Indexing is a process of coordinated angular displacements, done to ensure an instructed machining process on a material. A rotary index table infuses the motion system required by using controllers, sensors, and encoders, along with motor coordination.

Dwell Timers

Technical pauses occur in CNC operations, during which axis motion is stopped, but parameters of operation are still maintained. The pauses are known as dwells and can be accounted for by timers. That way, job flow can be efficiently planned with total execution time in mind.

Automatic Cycling

This is similar to the Servo system in a way. The artificial intelligence required here is less. The machine is instructed to repeat a certain operation for some time, not necessarily automatic feedback to alter instructions.

Sliding Bolsters

This can make all the difference when you need to work on multiple points on the same workpieces. Sliding bolsters can either run horizontal tweaks or vertical tweaks, or both. That way, you are in less trouble with getting the workpiece properly aligned for each process.

Ejection Cylinders

This is a two-step component actively involved in mold stripping. The operations are direct. It ejects the workpiece, and the ejection cylinder itself is retracted back, mostly controlled by an electromagnetic field and hydraulic power. 

Electronic Light Curtains

Accesses and operations are drastically enhanced by optoelectric devices, mostly for semi-automated moves. Operators are safeguarded from the dangers of winders, presses, palletizers, and others. It generally secured the vicinity of work.

Distance Reversal Switches

This is quite similar to the pressure reversal switch. The direction of working distance is a consideration. With the switching function, displacement controls are easy and instantaneous. Reversal systems are no longer a scarce commodity these days. It is obviously something to look out for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best 20 Ton Shop Press Used For?

20-ton shop presses are great for crushing objects, attaching auto parts, shaping, or bending them. Apart from these, you can do lots of other tasks with these machines, thanks to the freedom you get with shop presses.

What are the Advantages of Hydraulic Press?

The best advantage of using a hydraulic press is the quiet operation. They are soundless when you operate these manually. With the automatic motors, the sound is not annoying as well.

Apart from the noise factor, these are cost-efficient due to the availability of replacement parts, comes with overload protection mechanisms that extend lifespan, and have compact sizes that fit almost everywhere.

How Much Pressure Does a Hydraulic Press Have?

It depends on the product you have picked. Hydraulic presses come with small products with only 6 tons of pressure up to an infinity amount of pressure capacity.

Industrial presses can have thousands of tons of pressure while in workshops, you may see up to 200-ton presses.

How Many PSI is in A Ton?

1 Ton force per square foot is equal to 15.5555555555 PSI. So, a 20-ton shop press has a PSI value of 311.1111111107

What is the Strongest Hydraulic Press?

If you are asking about the world's strongest, then it's China's 80,000 Ton hydraulic press. It is a massive structure of about 10 story long. This beast is by far the world's strongest and the tallest hydraulic press.

How Long Shop Presses Last?

This entirely depends on the quality of the press you buy, how you are using it, and many other environmental factors.

Typically, a shop press lasts around 20 years.

Final Words

The best 20 ton shop press will change the way you work. So, it's important to prioritize a high-quality press rather than a cheap and questionable shop press.

But now, you don't have to worry about some cheap knock-off since you know what ton shop press you should get for efficiency.