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| small shop made hydraulic press - ideas for fitting it out |
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| jcs0001:
I was visiting an old friend today - helping him advertise some stationary tools he wants to get out of his shop. In the process I ended up buying from him a small hydraulic press with a 12 ton hydraulic jack. He made it some time ago to do a job and it's been in the corner ever since. It's approximately 29 in. high x 15 in. wide (outside dimensions). I also bought a dozen or so c clamps as some of mine were substandard. Brought home a number of pieces of steel - mostly keystock and round bar - it's always handy and he will be sending what's left (lots) to the scrap yard for about $90 a ton (I think it was about that last time I checked). I've never used a hydraulic press but figure it might be easier on my medium sized record vice if I use the press instead of the vice. It's pretty basic as you can see below. Another photo showing the jack and the plate over the two adjustable rods. It has 3 positions possible for the "table". He added reinforcement where the top of the jack hits the frame. I'm looking for ideas on fixtures to use for this - ones that can be used for a number of jobs. I imagine I'll be using it to straighten shafts and possibly bend bar stock (if it's substantial enough for this). I can also see using it to press fittings together and to press them apart (occasionally). Thanks, John. |
| jcs0001:
I'm having a bit of fun with the press. First item was to crush a pop tin (opened). Sure flattened that out with no trouble. I found that my bits and pieces of marine plywood worked good as spacers. Last night I decided to press fit a steel plug into the end of a piece of bored out heavy wall steel pipe. I left the plug about .002" over size and then applied the press. It went in like a dream. Sure beats overworking my good vice or hammering heck out of it with a big hammer. I'm in the process of putting together a steel plate to fit beneath the plate the jack sits on. In the centre of that will be the above noted 2 in. or so length of steel pipe. That way I can make various rams and punches etc that will go into the steel pipe and be held in place with a set screw. The plate will be held in place with a couple of 1/2 in. nuts and bolts - the pressure will help hold it also so it won't take much. It will be quick to remove if not needed. As needed I can make up various collars that will be needed on the top of the "anvil". I'm not finished with this but will take a couple of photos when done. Lots easier to understand then. In the meantime empty cat food tins won't take up near as much room in the recycling. :D John. |
| jcs0001:
One further thing - I painted the press with a dark green paint that has been on my shelf for years. Looks very nice now. Photos later. John. |
| vtsteam:
Nice to get a haul like that of things you can really use! I do have a question about the pipe flange that seems to be on the underside of the reinforced section over the jack piston-- is the jack loose in that? Is it just used for locating the jack piston in place, and not as a reinforcement? Because I don't think the piston should press against it (being cast iron) -- I'm guessing the piston only presses against the steel above |
| Brass_Machine:
John, There is a member here who is restoring an old motorbike. He makes a lot of the parts by using a press. All kinds of things you can do with it... I will look for the link. Eric |
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