I've been having more occasions where a small arbor type press would be handy. Not a lot of storage space to keep one., Ideas on something space saving or would a small one be worth the trouble?
I have had a 50T hydraulic press for decades. Can't live without it! Got a 3t arbor press about 10 years ago only because it was cheap. Didn't think I really needed it because I have the 50T. Boy was I wrong! Only wish it had the rapid down hand wheel. Anything smaller than 3T for me would be toy size and not practical. I have very small ones for clock and watch work that's good enough. When I was a kid, I was using a bench wise, geez. Have you ever tried installing U joints with a bench vice, I have, or I did!
Quote from: chips and more on Oct 11, 2024, 05:07 PMI have had a 50T hydraulic press for decades. Can't live without it! Got a 3t arbor press about 10 years ago only because it was cheap. Didn't think I really needed it because I have the 50T. Boy was I wrong! Only wish it had the rapid down hand wheel. Anything smaller than 3T for me would be toy size and not practical. I have very small ones for clock and watch work that's good enough. When I was a kid, I was using a bench wise, geez. Have you ever tried installing U joints with a bench vice, I have, or I did!
Yes, and I was afraid of the vise breaking!!!!!!
Matt, I have been considering an arbor press as well. I currently have a 20T hydraulic press but it is too much for some items. Keep us posted with what you decide to do. I would like the ratcheting handwheel style also, but they get pretty spendy.
At this point, I may just keep an eye out for a smaller arbor press. I think a 1 ton might be enough for most of my needs. the New Grizzly ones aren't too bad, but something about saving older stuff is more appealing.
The amount of force that you think you need is one consideration. One other factor and for me a biggie is the throat distance. The more the tonnage the greater the throat clearance. I have had the ram up all the way many a time. And when you add tooling to the business end of the ram, that takes up some travel distance. And I have added lots of tooling to my press that I thought would never happen, so handy!
I wound up buying a Asian made one. A No. 3 size. I wanted one big enough that I could broach keyways easily. Works fine for 1/8 and 3/16 keyways but not tall enough for anything bigger. I have a 20 ton shop built press I use for broaching bigger keyways. It's a pita to use though.