Arbor Press - Capacities?

[FASTdan]

I'm thinking of getting a benchtop arbor press but not sure what capacity I should be looking to get.

Two main functions:

1) pressing aluminium tube from round to oval (45mm dia, 3mm wall)

2) General Automotive use - wheel bearings etc

So, what should I look to get? There's these available on ebay varying from 1-3T:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-TON-2000kg-ARBOUR-PRESS-BEARINGS-BUSHES-JT3-33720C-/180897867595?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item2a1e5a674b

Or the usual clarke candidates at machine mart. Will they be up to the job or should I look for a golden oldie?

 

[rtbcomp]

I'm a bit confused about what they mean by "1 Ton Pressure" I assume they mean 1 ton per square inch? I can't see something like that exerting a force of 1 ton.

 

[julianthegypsy]

£15 delivery? It can't be that heavy, the one I was trying to sell is more or less the same size and must weigh forty kilos, I can't imagine any delivery service doing it for that price.

 

[Paul G]

Just the other day a mate brought a Mazda front upright round and asked me if I could press out the bearings.
I have a home made frame and a hydraulic jack.

The drive shaft came out without too much bother but the outer part of the bearing took a little more effort.
It took both hands on the jack handle and considerable weight (of which I sadly have plenty) before it moved,
firstly with a bang, followed by squeaks and groans of complaint, from the bearing that is.

It's a 12 tonne jack by the way, so I let you draw your own conclusions.

Cheers,
Paul G

 

[Pete.]

I don't think you are going to squash that 3mm wall ally tube to oval with a 1 ton press, unless you're just cutting it into rings.

 

[FASTdan]

hmmm sounds like I'd be better going for a hydraulic job with bigger capacity then. I have put a random bid on a manual press from a local liquidation sale - it looked to be quite a hefty bit of kit so if I get lucky on that one I'll see how I get on.

I've been doing the tube in a vice until now - but its far from ideal as it doesnt give a good shape and it is slowly killing the vice. I do it following tack welding though so there's some heat in it to soften.