Dave
I have made a few presses over the years ranging from 50 to 200 ton capacity. My advice is to overdesign it and then double the thickness again! Otherwise the structure will stretch when you load it up like a giant spring. Then, once the bearing (for example) moves on the shaft the energy stored in the stretched structure goes off with a bang. This sudden release of energy can lead to damage to the very parts you are trying to repair. Stiffness is what is needed for a good press if you need to have good control of the load you are applying.
Cheers Carl.
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