With the advancement of technology, blacksmithing tools have also evolved and are offering much better results than the traditional ones. It is 2020. People want machines that are efficient and can get the work done quickly, and hydraulic shop presses is one of the tools helping out.
Drawing with a traditional hammer is time-consuming and can cause pain in your wrists, elbows, or arms, especially during extended work sessions.
A hydraulic shop press uses a hydraulic cylinder to produce massive compressive force. You can use this for bending, twisting, or shaping metal stocks.
Many modern blacksmiths have already replaced their mighty sledgehammers, and it seems like you’re also planning to do so.
Here are some of the best shop presses that can make your work a lot easier.
- Use this press for at-home mechanics or your small repair business
- Measures 27.5" L x 26" W x 61.75" H; maximum 20 ton capacity; horizontal-slide ram extends from 2.75" - 10"
- Can be used with included manual hand pump
- Ram extends 2.75" - 10" from base; 8 height adjustments in 4.75" increments; includes 2 heel blocks
- Durable, powder-coated steel construction
Why do we like it?
This hydraulic shop press comes from a renowned manufacturer who specializes in cranes, hoist, and shop presses.
The 20-ton capacity can handle almost all of your projects and can save your valuable time. Drawing large metal stocks, shaping, punching, bending, or straightening, the BD-PRESS-20H can handle it all.
The ram can be extended from 2 ¾” inches to a whopping 10”. To crown it all, eight different height adjustments are placed 4 ¾” inches apart. With these different height options, you can easily work with any stock.
Okay, the 20 ton capacity is great but what about the press itself? Is it reliable? Is it Durable?
Yes, Black Widow ships this product with a high-grade powder-coated steel build. The 115 pounds weight is no joke.
Apart from the king-size height of 57.25”, the 27.75” x 26.75” base makes it compact and useable even in small workshops.
The workpiece is held by two heel blocks while the moveable work surface is fastened in place by metal bolts. With all these adjustment options, this press is quite versatile and facilities in handy usage.
Quick Note
The lever is used to adjust the pressing force, but unfortunately, the hydraulic jack does NOT come with a digital gauge. It might be problematic for some users, but you will get your way around after a couple of work sessions.
It is a workhorse with massive pressing force. If you’re just a hobbyist or novice blacksmith, this might not be the perfect fit. Experienced blacksmiths love to work with the BD-PRESS-20H as the amount of accuracy and efficiency is phenomenal.
Moreover, the press can easily be assembled. The build is very premium with a touch of elegance and style.
All in all, if you work with large metal stocks or deal with commercial projects, this 20-ton press is the ideal option.
And yes, it does come with a 1-year warranty. As for the price, we consider it a value for money item.
Pros
The working table can be adjusted at eight different heights.
Perfect for commercial and home settings.
The 20-ton load can handle heavy-duty jobs.
Cons
The ram is not removable.
Users have reported the header and press table to be defective.
Cannot be mounted on a tabletop.
- 【RELIABLE QUALITY】- Painting process to protect steel and made it anti-corrosion, ensuring long life, thickened column, strong and durable.
- 【6T CAPACITY】- The Stroke: 125mm and working width: 340mm. Capacity: 6T. It is very helpful and useful as a shop press. Strong enough to meet your demand.
- 【MANGANESE SPRING】- This is made of manganese steel thickened spring. Making sure it is easy to change, large pulling force, fast oil return.
- 【ADJUSTABLE BEAM】- In suit for different working environments, the height of the table can be adjusted by the support levers on both sides. So the flexibility can be ensured.
- 【BROADLY USED】- Easy to use press for large or small shops and many different kinds of metalworking jobs, including bending, stamping, and more.
Why do we like it?
If you’re a hobbyist or novice who works with relatively small projects, this 6-ton hydraulic shop press by Mophorn is the best option.
Like all other hydraulic presses, this one also operates on Pascal’s law. The pressure of the compressed liquid (oil) is used to drive this press.
The press itself is made of durable steel with a red anti-corrosion coating. The columns are thickened for extra support and durability.
The H-frame comes with an open construction that allows you to work with longer metal stocks.
The heavy-duty manganese spring is thickened to provide the necessary strength. It quickly returns the ram after pressing. Furthermore, the spring is easy to change and outputs a large pulling force.
The stroke is 125mm with a working width of 340mm. This gives you a lot of options to work with. Also, the adjustable working table can accommodate a wide range of metal stocks.
Note:
The length of the working table can be readjusted quickly using the support levers on both sides. Be it a wheel bearing or a metal stock bar; this press can bend it all.
The steel plates are also moveable and can fit in a wide variety of workpieces. The flexibility of this product is truly amazing.
And surprisingly, it is quite easy to operate. To use the 6-ton force, you just have to press down the handle and when you’re done, lift it up. Yes, it is that simple.
Overall, this is an excellent product for someone who works with relatively small projects. Users acknowledge that the pressing force is nowhere close to a massive 20-ton press, but what else should be expected from a budget-friendly shop press.
Pros
Can be used in large or small blacksmith shops.
Can handle the majority of the metalworking jobs.
Robust manganese spring for added durability and reliability.
Cons
Cannot handle big projects.
The middle rod is not aligned at a 90° angle.
- Heavy-duty H-frame constructed of high-grade steel and built to exacting standards for quality and durability
- Lead-free paint finish is applied after a thorough chemical wash to ensure a long-lasting finish and to help prevent rust
- Paint is oil, grease and dirt-resistant for easy cleanup
- High quality large diameter hydraulic steel cylinder unit results in lower oil pressure needed to raise the load, helping to reduce wear and extend service life
- Piston-ram is treated and polished to resist skiving
Why do we like it?
This also a great option for stamping, bending, straightening, and pressing metal stocks. The 12-ton capacity can handle pretty much everything.
It comes with a heavy-duty H-frame made out of high-grade steel. It is no doubt that Strongway went the extra mile to make this press a perfect choice for heavy-duty work.
The whole frame has been painted with a lead-free finish to prevent rusting. Also, it makes it easier to clean oil and grease stains off the frame. The paint is applied after a complete chemical wash to make the frame dust-resistant.
Strongway 12- ton hydraulic shop press meets the ASME ASP 2010 standards. It is not your everyday DIY shop press, but a premium one with top-notch quality; and that too at an economical price.
The inner cylinder walls are also polished and add to the longevity of the hydraulic seals by minimizing abrasion and wear.
The cylinder ram and piston are also coated with a high-quality finish. And guess what, both the components are polished as well as chromed. This helps in reducing skiving.
By using high-grade seals, wear rings, and dust seal, the manufacturer has put in lots of efforts to make this an excellent shop press.
With an opening of 3-1/8” and a stroke length of 6-7/8”, this product dazzles with all these user-friendly features. The hydraulic steel cylinder has a relatively large diameter that enables the press to raise the load even with low oil pressures.
Pro Tip
The hydraulic pump has been constructed using durable QT450 Nodular Iron to make sure that the press sticks around for years to come.
A point worth mentioning is that this manufacturer uses superior quality oil to drive the hydraulics. Why is it important? Using first-grade oil offers excellent corrosion resistance, and allows the unit to work between 40°F – 103 °F.
If you want a shop press that’s been built in ISO certified facilities, easy to assemble, and affordable, this is what you need.
Pros
A top-quality shop press that meets the ASME ASP 2010 standards.
A massive 12 ton capacity to handle heavy-duty jobs.
Comes with a corrosion resistive finish.
Budget-friendly.
Cons
Not the best option for precision work.
The 20-7/8 x 19-11/16 x 48-7/16 dimensions are too small.
Does not come with a pressure gauge.
The research
Do you need any additional accessories to work with a shop press?
Which shop press is ideal for you?
Which safety equipment should you buy for a shop press?
Who should get this?
Anyone who requires a large amount of force to compress, flatten, or bend stuff should buy a hydraulic shop press. Blacksmiths, engineers, auto mechanics, and jewelers usually deal with stuff that needs to be drawn out.
It can also be used to crush materials, shape metal stocks, and to remove gears, bearings, ball joints, and universal joints. It is indeed a versatile machine that can handle a wide range of jobs.
Why should you trust us?
With numerous professional blacksmiths on board, we are always hunting down the best products to facilitate our readers and narrow down their options. We regularly update our lists considering updated customer reviews, product specifications, and new releases.
We thrive to provide you with the best blacksmithing tips and tricks, and all of our data is backed up with solid research and expert advice.
How we picked?
Here are some of the features we considered for compiling this list:
- Tonnage: As you went through the list, you might have noticed that for each shop press, the maximum amount of force is expressed in tons. For light-duty jobs, the 6-ton shop press will work flawlessly, but if you want something that can handle big stocks, the 20-ton shop press won’t disappoint you.
- Coating: We want our readers to purchase the finest products. For that, we only went for those shop presses that have been coated with corrosion-resistant paint.
All of these products can withstand weather conditions while avoiding oxidation. - Versatility: All of these hydraulic shop presses feature a versatile working table that can handle a wide range of jobs.
The Black Widow offers eight different height adjustment options for complete flexibility and convenience.
How we tested?
Our first preference was to dig out only those shop presses that are readily available and come from a reputed brand.
We went through hundreds of customer reviews, manufacturer’s specifications & product videos, and most importantly, we consulted professional blacksmiths before releasing this list.
Care and maintenance tips
A shop press is a mighty machine and should be taken care of. When working with metal, you should always wear a pair of safety glasses. It can safeguard you against shrapnel and metal specks that might fly out due to accidental breakage.
Always use the working table and heel blocks to fasten your workpiece correctly. Do NOT hold the stock with your hand as it can be crushed.
Don’t allow debris, metal specks, or chemicals to build-up on the press. Also, keep the surroundings clean.
Do you need any additional accessories to work with a shop press?
If you’re a blacksmith who plans on using it for bending or drawing metal, you don’t really need any additional accessories.
For someone who works in the automotive industry, dies, punch & die mounting kits, punches, or bend kits might be useful.
Which shop press is ideal for you?
If you’re a professional blacksmith who regularly works with commercial projects, the Black Widow 20-ton shop press should be your first preference.
Otherwise, the 6 ton, 10 ton, and 12-ton hydraulic shop presses should be enough to handle regular-sized stocks.
Which safety equipment should you buy for a shop press?
As mentioned earlier, your hands can be crushed by a shop press. It is always preferable to buy a wire mesh screen to guard yourself against any accident.
Conclusion
Having a shop press at your blacksmith workshop can significantly improve the efficiency of your work. Hammering might be one alternative, but it takes a lot of energy and time to reach the end result.
You can use the shop press for pressing parts together, bending metals, or even smashing stuff together for scrap. The list does not stop here.
With all these product reviews, you can narrow down your options and choose the best shop press that suits your need.
