Used Air Presses for Sale • Pneumatic & Air-Over-Oil Presses

Used air presses (pneumatic presses) and air-over-oil presses for assembly, staking, riveting, punching and light forming, from bench-top units under a ton to 50 ton TOX presses, in stock in Michigan and Tennessee. Filter by tonnage, bed size, daylight, stroke and features below.

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Used Air Presses and Pneumatic Presses in Stock

An air press, also called a pneumatic press, uses shop compressed air instead of a hydraulic pump to drive the ram. No pump, motor or oil tank means a compact, clean, quiet press that's quick to install anywhere you have an air line. Every press on this page is owned and warehoused by us in Jackson, Michigan or Columbia, Tennessee, so you can ask for a video or schedule an in-person inspection with your salesperson before you buy.

Stock usually runs from bench-top air presses under a ton up to 30 and 50 ton TOX air-over-oil presses, in C-frame and 4-post designs. Builders include TOX Pressotechnik, PHI, Cassco, Kensol-Olenmark, Air-Hydraulics, Dake, Joraco and Greenerd, plus custom-built air presses from production lines.

Types of Air Presses

TypeHow it works and what it's for
Pneumatic (air) pressAn air cylinder drives the ram directly. Fast and simple, usually under 2 tons. Ideal for staking, riveting, light pressing, marking and insertion.
Air-over-oil (hydro-pneumatic)Air does the fast approach, then a built-in intensifier turns air pressure into hydraulic force for the work stroke. Hydraulic-level tonnage, up to about 50 tons, from shop air. TOX presses work this way.
Bench-top air pressSmall C-frame press that sits on a workbench, with dual palm buttons. Common in assembly cells and electronics.
4-post air pressLarger beds and longer strokes on a 4-post frame. Used for trimming, assembly fixtures and heated platen work.

Air Press vs. Hydraulic Press

  • Air presses are faster, cleaner (no hydraulic oil at the work), quieter and cheaper to run, and need only a compressed air line. They're best at lower forces and short, repetitive strokes.
  • Air-over-oil presses bridge the gap: air speed on the approach, hydraulic force on the work stroke, without a separate hydraulic power unit.
  • Hydraulic presses deliver much higher tonnage, longer full-force strokes and precise pressure control, for forming, molding and heavy pressing.

How Much Force Does an Air Press Make?

A pneumatic cylinder's force = piston area (sq. in.) × air pressure (psi). An 8" bore cylinder has about 50 sq. in. of area, so at 80 psi it pushes about 4,000 lbs, or 2 tons. Check the air pressure available at your press: most ratings assume 80 to 100 psi. Air-over-oil presses multiply that force through an intensifier, which is how a TOX press reaches 30 or 50 tons on shop air.

What to Check on a Used Air Press

  • Tonnage at your air pressure, not just at the maximum rated psi.
  • Stroke, daylight and bed size to fit your parts and fixtures.
  • Controls and safety: dual palm buttons, light curtains, PLC controls, and pressure or position monitoring.
  • Air supply: regulator, filter, lubricator and the air volume (CFM) the press uses per cycle.
  • Cylinder and seals: smooth travel with no air leaks or drift.

Air Press FAQ

What is a pneumatic press?

A press that uses compressed air in a cylinder to move the ram and apply force. Air press and pneumatic press mean the same thing.

How does a pneumatic press work?

Compressed air enters a cylinder and pushes a piston, which drives the ram down onto the part. A valve, usually triggered by dual palm buttons, controls the stroke, and the air exhausts to return the ram.

What is an air-over-oil press?

A hybrid press that uses air for a fast approach and a built-in air-to-oil intensifier for a high-force work stroke, giving hydraulic tonnage from shop air. It's also called a hydro-pneumatic or pneumohydraulic press.

What are air presses used for?

Staking, riveting, crimping, punching, clinching, bearing and bushing insertion, marking, light forming and assembly work.

Can I see a press run before I buy?

Ask for a video, or schedule an in-person inspection with your salesperson at our Jackson, Michigan or Columbia, Tennessee warehouse.

Do you buy used air presses?

Yes. We buy single presses, assembly cells and complete plants. See sell your machinery or send us photos and the nameplate.

Need more force or a bigger bed? See our C-frame hydraulic presses and assembly presses. Inventory changes every week; if you don't see the press you need, contact us with your tonnage, stroke and bed size.