8 replies to this topic

[RegimentalPyro]

This week I received an early christmas present from my wife, and a good one to boot - A brand new two ton cast iron arbor press.



It's something I have been coveting for some time and I look forward to being able to press stuff instead of ramming. However I feel the need already to modify it somewhat.

The problem is that the maximum height of the workpiece is 8.5 inches [215mm actually]. Ideally I would like to be able to press a 1lb rocket with it, which would require at least 15 inches of height. [7.5 inches for the tube, and 7.5 inches for the drift]

The circular anvil is removeable so my initial thoughts are to take it off and somehow clamp an anvil [bit of I-beam mebbe?] underneath it. Whilst there are two holes at the back of the press, there are no holes at the front where mounting would be required.

Has anybody got any advice on drilling cast iron, or any thoughts on a more elegant solution? All advice gratefully received....

[karlfoxman]

What you could do mate is raise the press higher using eigher aluminium bars or wooden blocks. So long as you keep the hole down the center then you can get room for your tubes. If you need to raise the tube more the put blocks under the tube to get the tube closer to the press. Hope it makes sense.

Its the same idea as you have had, It will be much easier to do this rather than a more complex solution. you could make it adjustable by making 1" shims to lower and raise the press. Get some nice long bolts and bolt the entire lot down fron and rear using the holes on the press.

Edited by karlfoxman, 16 December 2006 - 10:21 AM.

[RegimentalPyro]

Alas, no holes at the front. Can cast iron be drilled? I'd heard it was really brittle.......

[phildunford]

How about fixing it upside down on a rigid framework and mounting your tooling on the top of the shaft - you then press backwards if you see what I mean...

This way you could accomodate any depth of case.


PS - there is no real problem drilling CI. Don't use a lubricant - medium speed - swarf/powder is very dirty!! Keep any holes away from the edges, as yes it is brittle, but if there is plenty of 'meat' around the hole and you keep any forces in compression when you bolt it up, you will be fine.

Edited by phildunford, 16 December 2006 - 10:39 AM.

[Phoenix]

I have what I think is probably the very same arbour press, and had just the same problem, and solved it in pretty much the way you describe. don't use it very often - just for pressing small comets/large stars, but on these occasions I've clamped it down to a piece of wood. One day I will get round to actually bolting it to a wooden base, but for light duty star pressing, G crams have done the trick.

Edited by Phoenix, 16 December 2006 - 04:38 PM.

[al93535]

I used this for several rockets, however it was not a big enough press to press 1 lb BP rockets (1/2 ton press) I was able to press 1 lb rockets that were not BP based however. The steel plate is height adjustable, I easily drilled it with no problems.

However, I have since got a 4 ton press and this sucker really does the job. compared to the old one--

Edited by al93535, 29 January 2007 - 03:56 AM.

[Gavin]

Does anyone know if a 1 ton arbor press being used at maximum is the equivalent of a 1 ton weight being placed on the object being pressed. A 2 ton arbour the equivalent of a 2 ton weight, etc or is that too simple?

Thanks

[Richard H]

Yes, in theory, provided you can obtain enough leverage on the ram.

[pyrotrev]

If anyone's after an arbor press I've just noticed that Axminster have a couple at £19....27. http://www.axminster.co.uk/

Edited by pyrotrev, 08 February 2007 - 01:41 PM.