A shop press is a type of power press used in metalworking. The use of the machine makes it possible to shape metal components through a process called die-forming or die-pressing. Automotive shops, small repair shops, and other places that work with sheet metal rely on this tool for making repairs.
Today, there is no shortage of shop presses on sale, but most will disappoint you because of their low quality. So, finding a high-quality one will take hours of research, and you may still even end up with a useless one.
Well, since you’ve come across this article, you have nothing to worry about. We have researched for you and compiled a list of the best 20-ton shop presses in today’s market.
Each shop press that made it to our list has been thoroughly reviewed, covering all the features and specs you need to know. We added some 10 ton, 12 ton, and 30-ton shop presses so you can have more options to choose from.
Also, we provided a buying guide below for you to know what to look out for before buying a shop press.
[wptb id=1486]Our 10 Best 20 Ton Shop Press Reviews:
1. Black Widow BD-PRESS-20A-20 Ton Mechanic Repair Shop Press
The Black Widow is a Germantown, Wisconsin-based company that started in 2003 out of the core desire to create tools for loading, transporting, and maintaining on-road and off-road vehicles. Today, their tools help a lot of home mechanics and small repair shops to make repairs on automobiles. One of their tools is the BD-PRESS-20A 20 ton shop press.
This mechanic repair shop press is a powerful press that can handle the toughest jobs. It’s made from heavy-duty powder-coated steel, and it has a massive 20-ton weight capacity. You can either connect it to a 110 to 120 psi air compressor (not included) or use the included manual hand pump. The ram of this press has a 1.890” diameter and extends horizontally, 2.75″ to 10″ from the base, giving a 7¼” stroke. Also, it retracts when pressure is released.
With the BD-PRESS-20A-20 ton shop press, you can quickly bend or straighten metal, free stuck parts, change bearings, and do a lot of mechanical repairs. It features nine height adjustments with 4.75″ spacing for positioning your work press table. There is a pressure gauge mounted at the top of the press to measure operating force.
Two heel blocks come with this shop press for user safety. Be informed that it doesn’t come assembled. There’s an instructional manual and hardware to help you put it together. Although, the manual is no help with this process. But don’t worry because it’s not hard at all!
Benefits
- It is a heavy-duty 20-ton shop press.
- The shop press is handy in metal shaping, pressing wheel bearings, ball joints, etc.
- It comes with a pressure gauge for measuring the applied force.
- You can use it manually or connect an air compressor to it.
Drawbacks
- It comes with poorly written instructions.
2. Dake B-10 Model Manual Utility Hydraulic Bench Press
Dake is a fabrication equipment manufacturer that has been existing for over 120 years. Their tools are made and assembled in Grand Haven, Michigan. Over the years, they have come up with some of the most trusted equipment in the industry, one being their model B-10 manual utility hydraulic bench press.
This Dake B-10 manual utility hydraulic bench press is a great tool for small repair shops and DIYers. It is quite small but extremely durable. It features an industrial-grade iron H-shaped frame construction that offers firm stability when pressing heavy loads. Thanks to this construction, it will provide years of service in your workshop or garage.
This bench press hydraulic pressing cylinder can be placed at the right side or left side of the center for unusual workpieces. It has a ram that travels a minimum of 4” – 16” max to the table. There is a release valve that when turned, releases the hydraulic pressure built up to return the ram to its initial position. You can also use this valve to stop the ram movement at any point.
This bench press has two interchangeable ram noses. One is a flat nose piece for normal pressing operations. And the other is a step-reduced nose piece for stabilizing, placing, or fitting into components during pressing. Each Dake B-10 model manual utility hydraulic bench press comes with dual table plates (16¾” W x 3” L) for support during pressing, a pressure gauge for pressuring reading, and a user manual. This press base frame has 7/16″-diameter holes with 3″ spacing for table mounting.
Benefits
- This shop press is very durable.
- It comes with two interchangeable ram noses, a flat nose piece, and a step-reduced nose piece.
- There is a release valve that locks the ram at any position.
- Budget-friendly option
Drawbacks
- None
3. Baileigh (HSP-30A) Shop Press
Baileigh designs and manufactures industrial metalworking and woodworking tools that deliver a lifetime of reliability. The Baileigh (HSP-30A) pneumatic shop press is a full-welded steel constructed pneumatic shop press that will last for many years. It has the same build as the HSP-20A, but with a higher force rating of 30 tons. This 30-ton rating makes the HSP-30A ideal for pressing thin materials like car panels, small engine blocks, or other similar applications.
The HSP-30A 30-ton pneumatic shop press has a working width of 21-3/16” to accommodate large workpieces. It features a movable 4.5″ cylinder that can be placed at the left or right within the frame to suit different workpieces. The cylinder has a 5.9” stroke. You can either operate it with a 90 to 150 PSI air compressor or with its hand pump. However, it only comes with the hand pump.
This pneumatic shop press ram distance to the table is a minimum of 5.94″ to 40.59” max. There are dual safety V-blocks for user safety. Baileigh sells this shop press in parts, and so it will need some assembling. But putting it together is easy. Baileigh backs this shop press with a one-year warranty. However, it cost a lot.
Benefits
- This press cylinder can move left and right within the working frame to meet different job demands.
- It is well built and lasts for years.
- You can use an air compressor with it or use the manual hand pump that it comes with.
- The handy tool can do heavy duty work
Drawbacks
- It is expensive and doesn’t come with a pressure gauge.
4. Torin BIG RED T51201 Steel H-Frame Hydraulic Shop Floor Press
The Torin Big RedT51201 steel H-frame hydraulic shop floor press is designed to be the workhorse in every garage, and small fabrication shop. It features a heavy-duty welded steel H frame with maximum strength and rigidity. This shop floor press is specifically made for straightening, bending, pressing, and stamping operations. It will save you time and money by eliminating costly trips to the repair shop!
The Torin Big Red T51201 steel H-frame hydraulic shop floor press comes equipped with a manual stainless steel hydraulic bottle jack with a capacity of 12 tons and a working range of 10½” to 35″. There are high-quality precision springs at the left and right sides of the bottle jack for slowly and safely bouncing back the ram after pressing.
This excellent shop press also includes arbor pressing plates with V-blocks and a 180° guide mechanism. You can manually raise or lower the table surface to suit different job requirements. Torin has a one-year limited warranty on it. Plus, it is straightforward to assemble and comes with all the needed hardware. However, there have been a lot of complaints about missing hardware due to shipping.
Benefits
- This floor shop press is very sturdy.
- It comes with a one-year warranty.
- Very easy to put together.
- Made with durable steel
Drawbacks
- It has shipping issues.
5. OEMTOOLS 24810 20 Ton Bottle Jack Shop Press
The OEMTOOLS 24810 bottle jack shop press makes it easy to do your work at a fraction of the price. It is perfect for anyone with basic plumbing skills or mechanical knowledge who wants quality equipment without breaking the bank. With this shop press, you’ll be able to straighten, bend, and press bearings, gears, etc., without much stress.
The OEMTOOLS 24810 bottle jack shop press is hand-operated (hydraulic) and very easy to use. It is rated 20 Ton and comes with a 1.8” diameter ram that travels at 6”. It has a multi-position bed with a maximum height of 31.5″ for convenient work height adjustment and sturdy press plates. Also, it comes in parts, so you’ll have to assemble it, which is a straightforward process.
Benefits
- It is a solid shop press great for home garage.
- It is affordable and offers value for money.
- Easy to put together.
- Compact size yet durable frame.
Drawbacks
- None
6. Performance Tool W41062 Commercial Shop Press
The Performance Tool W41062 commercial shop press is a heavy-duty press capable of exerting 12 tons of pressure. It weighs 152lb and features a liquid-filled 4” pressure indicator gauge for real-time measurement of the pressure used. This shop press comes with a 7” stroke, which allows you to press bearings in and out without causing damage to them. It is manually operated and ideal for those looking to have a versatile press in their small repair shop or home garage.
The Performance Tool W41062 commercial shop press measures 27½” W x 19¾” D x 65” H. It features a remote pressure cylinder with a relief valve for regulating the working pressure to your desired level. Furthermore, it has a durable table with seven holes in the frame for adjusting heights to accommodate workpieces of different sizes. With a 20″ bed opening and a 35¾” working range, it will serve you well.
This shop press design is very durable and will last for years without much maintenance. So, it’s perfect if you’re looking for something that won’t need frequent repairs to work correctly. Also, it has a decent price.
Benefits
- It is ideal for pushing bearings in and out without causing damage to them.
- It is affordable.
- This shop press cylinder comes with a relief valve for regulating the working pressure.
- It has a liquid-filled 4” pressure indicator gauge.
Drawbacks
- None
7. Sunex 5720AH Fully-Welded Air/Hydraulic Shop Press
The Sunex 5720AH fully-welded air/hydraulic shop press is a great tool for those looking to save time and money with their home repair projects. It’s easy to use, has an air-operated & manual hand pump design, and can be used on larger jobs that require more force without any problem. With this shop press, you’ll be able to straighten, bend, remove/install gears, bearings, and bushings. However, it is more expensive than other 20-ton shop presses.
This Sunex 5720AH fully-welded air/hydraulic shop press with a 5.12” ram provides 20 tons of pressure. It comes equipped with a table with bed plates that can be adjusted to seven different heights to meet various jobs requirements. The throat width of this shop press is 24.5” with a vertical opening of 33”.
This Sunex 5720AH fully-welded air/hydraulic shop press has a dimension of 67.75” H × 34.5” L × 11.5” W and weighs 290 lbs. It is backed by a one-year warranty from the manufacturer. Also, it comes with three punch kits and bearing shields.
Benefits
- You can operate with an air compressor or with the included convenient handle.
- It is well-made and has seven table height adjustments to suit different workpiece sizes.
- Sunex has a one-year warranty on it.
- The hand pump handle is ergonomically designed.
Drawbacks
- It is expensive.
8. Generic 20 Ton Hydraulic Shop Press
The Generic 20-ton hydraulic shop press can be used for various purposes such as assembly work, forming metal sheets, stamping parts, and many other applications where large forces are needed. It has a capacity of 20 tons and comes with an integrated hydraulic pump for exerting pressure on workpieces. Two sturdy ram springs ensure the ram of this shop press returns to its initial position at high speed.
This Generic 20-ton hydraulic shop press has six adjustable heights for raising and lowering its table to suit various workpieces. The table has a width of 8 3/16″ and a working distance of 4”. Overall, this shop press has a dimension of 61⅝” H x 24½” L x 11½” W. Also, it is sold at a reasonable price.
Benefits
- It is a light-duty shop press.
- Very easy to use.
- It is cheap and bangs for the buck.
Drawbacks
- It is not meant for heavy-duty use.
9. Black Widow BD-PRESS-20H 20 Ton Hydraulic Shop Press
The Black Widow BD-PRESS-20H 20 Ton hydraulic shop press has the same heavy-duty construction with similar features of the BD-PRESS-20A shop press first reviewed in this article. However, they have different mechanisms. The BD-PRESS-20A shop press is both air-operated and hand-operated while this BD-PRESS-20H shop press is only hand-operated.
Also, some features of the BD-PRESS-20A are absent in this BD-PRESS-20H model. For instance, you can only make up to eight height adjustments spaced 4¾” apart with this model. Whereas, with the other one, you can make up to nine. And this model doesn’t come with a pressure gauge like the other one.
Quality-wise, the BD-PRESS-20A 20-ton hydraulic press model is superior. However, the BD-PRESS-20A air compressor is sold twice the amount of the BD-PRESS-20H shop compressor. So, if you like the Black Widow BD-PRESS-20A-20 Ton shop press but can’t afford it and can manage a hydraulic shop press, then this Black Widow BD-PRESS-20H 20 Ton hydraulic shop press is for you.
The Black Widow BD-PRESS-20H 20 Ton hydraulic shop press has the same overall dimension and ram specification as its counterpart. It weighs 183lb and comes with two heel blocks. Also, it is easy to put together.
Benefits
- It is a heavy-duty 20-ton capacity shop press.
- The shop press is very handy.
- It’s affordable and easy to put together.
Drawbacks
- None
10. Strongway Benchtop 10-Ton Hydraulic Shop Press
Suppose you are looking for a benchtop hydraulic shop press, this Strongway Benchtop 10-Ton hydraulic shop press should have your attention. It features a heavy-duty H-frame made from industrial-grade steel and painted with a lead-free paint finish for durability and resistance against corrosion. With its low price point, this benchtop hydraulic press is perfect for mechanics who occasionally need to repair auto parts like gas tanks or mufflers.
The Strongway Benchtop 10-Ton Hydraulic shop press is equipped with a high-quality large-diameter hydraulic steel cylinder unit. This cylinder requires less oil pressure which reduces wear and extends its service life. Its ram has a stroke length of 7”. To prevent skiving, Strongway coated and polished the piston and ram. However, the ram loses pressure over time as you continue to use it. So, we will recommend it for light-duty work.
The Strongway Benchtop 10-Ton Hydraulic shop press measures 23 3/16” L x 17 11/16” W x 41 15/16” H. Its opening bed is 4.33″ with a working range of 0-13¾”. It comes with a pressure gauge for dual metric tons pressure readings. And will require some assembly after purchasing, which is easy.
Benefits
- It’s a benchtop shop press.
- It is well-made and comes with a pressure gauge.
- It is easy to assemble.
- The solid steel-made machine can produce intense pressure.
Drawbacks
- The ram loses pressure over time.
Best 20 Ton Shop Press Buying Guide
There are many factors to consider when buying a shop press for your garage or small repair shop. This buying guide will discuss the top factors you should think about before buying a shop press. We’ll cover everything from budget, space requirements, and even what type of press you want to buy. Have a read!
Safety First:
We want all readers to think about safety first! Make sure you have a clear, flat area to work on and that nothing will fall onto your head while the press is in use. Keep in mind that the ideal shop press for you should have safety features like V-blocks, release valves, etc., to keep everyone safe during operation.
Operational-Style:
A shop press can either be operated with a manual hand pump (hydraulic) or an air compressor (pneumatic). Manual hydraulic jack like hand pump operated shop presses are low cost but are not fast because they depend on the strength of your arms. They also require quite a bit of maintenance daily/weekly. However, they give more precise results on specific types of jobs.
On the other hand, the air-operated shop offers high productivity and excellent performance in light-duty and heavy-duty tasks. In an air-operated shop press, compressed air is pumped through valves that transfer the force to the ram. You need an air compressor for this kind of shop press to work. And they usually cost more.
Hybrid shop presses do exist that can be operated with either a hand pump (hydraulic) or an air compressor (pneumatic). However, they are way more expensive.
Space Requirements:
How much space do you have in your garage or shop? If you don’t have room for even the smallest shop press, don’t get one. You’ll want to make sure there is enough open floor space where you will place the shop press. The more clearance, the better!
Keep in mind most presses require extensive anchoring points because they’re extremely heavy and large when fully set up and operational. Ensure you have at least 18” on all sides surrounding your new machine, so everything stays sturdy during operation.
Price:
What is the price range you have to work with? There are shop presses that cost as low as $500 or less, but if you’re looking for premium quality ones, then expect to spend around $800 to $1000+. The price of shop presses usually depends on how much force they can put out, features, specifications, and brand name.
Ease of Operation:
How easy is it to use the machine? Shop presses are simple machines. They’re designed for people who aren’t engineers or mechanics, but want a reliable product that will get their job done without any issues whatsoever! Hence, the shop press you should buy must be very easy to use. Also, it should be straightforward to put together.
Maintenance:
What type of maintenance does it need? Maintenance requirements vary from press to press, but most shop presses are extremely easy on maintenance requirements for owners. They’re made with solid cast iron frames that last for a long time without needing anything replaced or repaired. The only thing that will fail is if something gets loose and causes internal damage.
This means they won’t become damaged over time like other machines might, including not getting worn down by friction while pressing heavy materials together continuously over months/years. Also, most shop presses parts are replaceable.
The thickness of bolster plate:
It’s recommended that you never press anything thicker than the machine’s bolster, but this isn’t an industry standard. Some shop presses are designed to handle thicker objects while others are not. It all depends on the machine itself and what its manufacturers recommend. So, before you buy anyone, find out how thick its bolster is and compare it with the workpiece you’ll be working on.
Maximum dimension press is capable of handling:
This is something you’ll need to check with the manufacturer or seller before making a purchase. It varies from product to product so never assume anything is standard if it’s not explained in your manual! Most 20 Ton shop presses can handle objects that are anywhere between 16″ (40.64cm) and 32″(81.28cm).
Final Thoughts
Shop Presses are great machines that last for years without any trouble whatsoever! They’re built tough to take on heavy-duty jobs while also being safe enough for anyone to use them in their garage or small shop area.
In conclusion, we have reviewed each shop press on our list thoroughly, covering all you need to know. We have also educated you on some factors to look out for before making a purchase.
If you’ve made it to this point, we know you have all you need to get the right shop press for your needs. All of the shop presses we have reviewed will never let you down because they are high-quality. Happy shopping!