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Pressing star plates


Tim1877

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What size press would I need to press 4x4 star plates 3/8 to 1/2 in stars?
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You can use a 1 ton arbor press for those but I'd recommend getting a 2 ton since they aren't much more and you can eventually press ¾" BP rockets on it as well as comet pumps.

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You can use a 1 ton arbor press for those but I'd recommend getting a 2 ton since they aren't much more and you can eventually press ¾" BP rockets on it as well as comet pumps.

Any brands of arbor press you would recommend I know you have to modify most of them to get the clearance to press rockets.

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I bought mine off Ebay but it is nearly identical to the Harbor Freight model. I haven't finished modifying mine but it's an easy job. I just haven't got around to it. I have it sitting on some metal plates and it's braced against a ceiling joist which gives me plenty of pressing power for what I've been using it for right now. Here's the thread on mine and the advice I received:

http://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/12222-2-ton-arbor-press/

One other note: Caleb sells a 1 ton with the modifications already made. Even if you decide to get the 2 ton a look at his will give you the gist of what you'll need to do.

http://www.woodysrocks.com/store/p142/1_Ton_Arbor_Press.html

Edited by OldMarine
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Now, full disclosure. I don't use, and never have, an arbor press.

 

That said... Would a 1 ton press actually be sufficient for 4x1/2"? We are looking at almost 0.8 in2. I suck at force to pressure conversion, but it "feels" low to me.

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Caleb made his small plates to be used on a 1 ton arbor press and I've actually had success pressing with the little ¾" model I got from him.
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The plate I also got from Caleb works perfectly in my 1T press. Stars come out well compacted and burn cleanly once dry.

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I would not suggest trying it with a plate the size of a sheet of letter/A4 paper, but the small 'handheld' size plates seem to work.

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