deadman Posted August 13, 2012 Posted August 13, 2012 I'm throwing this into the newbie section because I'm much asking to be spoonfed some tasty info. As quick and easy as these little guys are to use it only makes sense to buy one when putting a workshop together. What I'm asking is what's the biggest project that can be done with a 1 ton arbor press. Bp picks of a smaller diameter than traditional pucks?One pound core burners? I think you see where I'm going with this....
nater Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 I have a 2 ton arbor press. I use it to pump stars and make bottle rockets. I tried to press a 1 pound rocket, but I ripped the whole press out of the stand off I built for it. It sure scared me when the bolts pulled out of the wood stand. That isn't a sound you want to hear when pressing a rocket. I know at least one other pyro who has the same arbor press I do, and has pressed 1 pound motors with it, but will not advise others to do the same. He had to use a cheater bar to get good pressure on the comp and started to bend the teeth in the press.
Mumbles Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 I've sucessfully made inserts of all types up to 1/2" and hummers up to 5/8". It's not that things failed for me in larger devices, it's just that I never really tried them. I can comfortably make 1" comets with almost no modifications. . It has the power for larger comets, but you have to do a little gerry rigging to get the tooling to fit properly. I don't have much experience with rockets, but whistle inserts and serpents work great at 1/2", and could probably go larger with a few modifications.
deadman Posted August 14, 2012 Author Posted August 14, 2012 What do you mean by almost no modification?
Mumbles Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 If you look at images of these things there is a thick metal plate with 4 different sized grooves machined into it. This plate spins around. To be able to press some comets, you have to remove this plate, which just lifts out actually, to get the appropriate height needed. You have to bolt or clamp the whole press down. I like to put a piece of metal under the press where I do the pressing to give a nice hard, flat surface.
deadman Posted August 14, 2012 Author Posted August 14, 2012 I get what you mean there. I've used arbor presses before and knew those plates come out. I worked at a small engine shop (lawn mowers, chainsaws, string trimmers, etc....) in high school. Ours was bolted down to the workbench and not used much actually. I'm gonna have to put it on the list of what to gets for sure. I got excited when I saw a 3ton unit on ebay for $120 buy it now. Unfortunately thats less than the shipping for the dang thing.
WonderBoy Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 (edited) Nater was yours secured with lag bolts? I made my wood stand so that I can press rockets with it, it is bolted all the way through with all thread, and bolted to the work bench in the back. With these mods and a cheater bar, I can get about 5000psi on the comp on 3/4" motors without trying too hard. Although, I mostly use mine for 4oz motors. WB Edited August 14, 2012 by WonderBoy
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