This bending press or similar machine tool comprising a top beam and a bottom beam disposed on either side of a working bed and provided with matching tools, respectively, one beam bearing with its ends on the fixed frame structure of the machine while the other is movable and actuated by driving members located at its ends; one beam comprises two sections one of which is supported or actuated at either end while the other section is connected to the first section by means of one or two common studs disposed symmetrically in relation to the transverse median place of the beam and relatively close to said plane; one section of the compound beam comprises a pair of panels disposed on either side of a panel constituting the other section.