Hydraulic Press Build.....

[Myles1970]

Well folks, it's been a while....
Having knackered myself hammering a press-fit bearing and retainer onto an axle half shaft (using a metre of pipe), I've decided to build a press. I'm thinking of a fairly simple design, using a 20ton bottle jack and a length of channel. I've seen various designs on YT, some simpler than others. I want it to have the ability to press bearings onto an axle half - shaft, so probably channel set back to back as a base with some thick plate pieces to allow for adjustment.

Any thoughts? Has anyone here done it? Any advice before I order a 20 ton bottle jack and a length of channel?

..... Also, I have some 4x2 box that I used to make a jig for a car that I no longer need. Perhaps I could use it to make the uprights as they wouldn't be under lateral load so much as tensile tension (if that makes any sense)?

 

[bourbon]

TBH, by the time you have bought all of the bits, Then the time drilling, bolting, getting everything square. You might as well buy one. They are cheap enough.

 

[Myles1970]

TBH, by the time you have bought all of the bits, Then the time drilling, bolting, getting everything square. You might as well buy one. They are cheap enough.

Where would be the fun in that?

 

[tigdlo]

Check ebay, a rebuild project of a good quality press would likely result in a better press for similar effort and cost. Over the years working in various garages I found the older presses were better quality, less effort and movement under load, than the newer ones and those built from channel being the most janky.

 

[tigdlo]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335991452125?_skw=hydraulic+press&LH_ItemCondition=3000 If I had the floor space I would bet something like this, IMO that one was a steal even if it needed a full rebuild.

 

[bourbon]

Where would be the fun in that?

Good point

 

[500e]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335991452125?_skw=hydraulic+press&LH_ItemCondition=3000 If I had the floor space I would bet something like this, IMO that one was a steal even if it needed a full rebuild.

Old Epco good quality you would not get the material for anything like that price
Shame it is sold
Another one

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Myles1970]

, @500e & @tigdlo yeah, they look like they'd be fairly solid alright, but I'm in Ireland so shipping will be prohibitive.....

 

[tigdlo]

I just checked ebay.ie, nothing on there, are things like this rare in Ireland?

 

[500e]

19 hours left on the link I thought up

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Turbo]

I just checked ebay.ie, nothing on there, are things like this rare in Ireland?

Second hand tools like a press are few and far between over here, rarely come up for sale and are therefore not cheap!

 

[bricol]

Induction heater or similar for the bearing would make it easier - I quite often need to change ones on the Escort English axle in my trials car - hot bearing, and then retaining collar, drop on, needing a couple of quick tap to ensure they are seated. After count less changes over 20 odd years, I still don't have a press.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Another vote for an old Epco, even if it needs restoring

 

[gaz1]

a simple hydraulic press as i have the clark hydraualic press

as goes for your 20 ton one id use it elsewhere as it gives me 2 uses out of a mchine that would be stuck in the corner

the original one

folds and rolls as well pay attention to whats on the floor

 

[gaz1]

Induction heater or similar for the bearing would make it easier - I quite often need to change ones on the Escort English axle in my trials car - hot bearing, and then retaining collar, drop on, needing a couple of quick tap to ensure they are seated. After count less changes over 20 odd years, I still don't have a press.

weve had one on a 12 ton press and it wouldnt give had to preheat it via the blow lamp and it give after a while of heating