To crush the ends of a 1.5-inch diameter steel tube with a wall thickness of .120 inches, a hydraulic press with a minimum capacity of 15 tons is recommended, though larger presses may be necessary for thicker walls. The length of the tube should be short enough to prevent buckling, ideally supported at one end. The yield strength of the material is critical for determining the required pressure for collapse, calculated using a specific formula. The discussion highlights the importance of consulting tubing manufacturers for precise recommendations. Overall, the pressing process involves applying axial force to effectively compress the tube ends.