Re: Do I really need an arbor press ?

"Snag"  wrote in message news:vtcn1b$3fj77$1@dont-email.me...

I almost passed on it since I have a nice 20 ton HF press with an air/hydraulic jack.

The one hobby task I know of that a C frame press is better for than an H frame is pressing these into sheet metal.
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/pem-style-nuts/
My limited experience suggests to choose a C frame press for repetitive processes in light manufacturing and an H frame hydraulic press for one-time repairs. The arbor press may benefit from a tapped hole in the ram to accept tooling holders if it fits in your lathe spindle, or a tapped U cap if it doesn't.
It's easier to make and set up custom punch and die sets for a press like this that centers both:
https://www.roperwhitney.com/our-products/no-xx-hand-punch-deep-throat/
I've used a bench punch on which the die had to be aligned with the punch by setscrews, which was tedious to set up though the dies and holder were easy to make.