15 replies to this topic

[x-Ammo-Nx-x]

I was wondering if anyone has ever used a hand cranked Arbour Press for pressing things such as small fountains or rocket motors? Would a half ton/1 ton Arbour be suffice for such job?

I ask because I would like to get away from having to mallet ram compositions ( due to noise and the obvious hazards ), but I really don't have the funds to spend a few hundred if not thousands of pounds on a hydraulic press. Just trying to find a cheaper alternative.

Any suggestions or pointers would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks.

[Deano 1]

Depending how handy you are, you can make a press with a bottle jack . I did it and it works fantastic. 4 lengths of scaffold pole around 30 inch, 2 bits of box steel, a bit of flat bar, 2 springs or hatchback rams, a bottle jack ( 4 tonne minimum ) and a bit of welding, simples.
Have a look here, it also shows you how to fit a gauge to your jack which I also did, it's easier than it looks.
http://www.skylighte...ocket-press.asp

[whoof]

Have a word with Vic.
He has an impressive set of rocket tooling based on one of those.

[x-Ammo-Nx-x]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll definitely be looking into a bottlejack. A two tonne one is so cheap.

Thanks again =]

[Deano 1]

cheap as chips at machine mart, mind you if you do strip it down to fit a gauge, put new fluid in it, because they are made on the cheap and the oil that's in them looks like it's been sucked out of a puddle left by a pre-war leaky digger. I'll see if I can get you a picture or two of my press tomorrow.

[Mortartube]

I use an arbor press and it is great on small stuff. A bigger press would be better generally. For small fountains and rockets etc, this arbor is quite adequate. If you do go for an arbor press, this is the one I have and at this price it is not to be missed. It is excellent for the money. http://www.axminster...ap1-prod362981/

[Deano 1]

A few pictures of mine.









Notice I've used hatchback rams off of my old mondeo, the blast screen is made from 20mm plexiglass

[cooperman435]

Where did you get the Plexiglas screen Deano?

[Deano 1]

Where did you get the Plexiglas screen Deano?

My son worked for a company that made shop displays many moons ago and they were allowed to take home offcuts of perspex and such like. I'm not sure of the companies name.

[cooperman435]

Is plexi glass just perspex?

I though plexi was diferent as perspex can shatter?

would multi layres of it not be better if I were to start sourcing it for myself in the same style as bullet prof screens are made?

[portfire]

Plexiglass, perspex I believe is the same thing! Poly(methyl methacrylate) When I built my press I was advised to use Polycarbonate (Laxen) as plexi shatters! IIRC (haven't used it in ages) my screen is 1" thick made up of 4 1/4" think sheets.

[parabolic]

Deano 1,


I note the homebrew going on in the background.. very nice, also one of my many hobbies

Edited by parabolic, 29 October 2012 - 10:55 AM.

[x-Ammo-Nx-x]

I use an arbor press and it is great on small stuff. A bigger press would be better generally. For small fountains and rockets etc, this arbor is quite adequate. If you do go for an arbor press, this is the one I have and at this price it is not to be missed. It is excellent for the money. http://www.axminster...ap1-prod362981/

Funny I was looking at exactly the same one just before posting this thread. What is the distance between the underside of the top and the baseplate? What size tubes are you able to fit under it?

Also Deano that press is a beast. I wish I had a garage big enough to accommodate one that size. I'm hoping to get something a little smaller scale. hehe.

[Mortartube]

I will have to measure it when I get time. I have the front hanging over the edge of the bench and I have drilled it (the front bits either side of the aperture) so that I could extend the gap by putting 10mm studding in it and an adjustable pressing plate below.

[Deano 1]

Deano 1,


I note the homebrew going on in the background.. very nice, also one of my many hobbies

You have to have a tipple in stock, I'm just stocking up for crimbo, 30 gallon at the moment