Arbor press

[My Old Tools]

I went for years trying to buy an arbor press around Dallas and east Texas. They just don't show up here. Back in October a Famco #3 (3 ton) showed up on Craigslist for $75. I bought it over the phone. After I got it home, tore it down and cleaned it, got it painted, made a new arm for it, it is a really nice press. I even found a replacement daisy wheel for $27. No broken teeth, no mushroomed ends on the arbor, just a nice plain vanilla press.

Last week a Greenerd #3 3/4 showed up on eBay in Dallas at $400. It's a 5 ton ratchet press with a daisy wheel, factory stand, and all the parts. I made an offer at $300 and it ended unsold. This week it was reposted at $300 so I bought it. I'll pick it up tomorrow. If it's as nice as I think, the Famco will get sold.

 

[zkling]

Now now now, don't be quick to rid yourself of the smaller press, espcially a Famco. One thing nice over the greenerd is the Famco has an adjustable gib to take up wear in the ram, greenerd does not. You need at least 3, one baby for the precision work ~1 ton, one med size (~3ton) to seat bearings and one full size (5+ ton) for broaching and the like.

zkling....couldn't live without an arbor press or two.

BTW, Nice machines in the background, looks like you have a few winter projects.

 

[My Old Tools]

I have projects than I can shake a stick at.

 

[Bobioz1]

I have projects than I can shake a stick at.

That's funny.

 

[jakemac]

I have projects than I can shake a stick at.

Well then, stop shaking your stick and get to work on those projects. We want to see what you do to them.

 

[bczygan]

You're gonna like the Greenerd! That's the one I have.

Did you get the stand?

Bill

 

[My Old Tools]

Yep, factory stand, but its the newer one, not the old cast one.

 

[bczygan]

Photos!

We need PHOTOS!

 

[My Old Tools]

I haven't picked it up yet. Probably this weekend.

 

[Steroblan]

Keep the Famco if you have room. I love my Famco model 3-1/2R 5 ton (photo) but also keep the light duty Dake model 0 for small stuff.

 

[My Old Tools]

I finally picked up the Greenerd today. This thing could eat the Famco 3. The ram is about the size of a baseball. Weighs about 700#.

 

[My Old Tools]

 

[danstead]

Re: Famco Arbor press

Famco Guys,

Going to look at a Famco # 2 that appears to be in pretty good shape, Older Gentleman has had for quite a few years
Seller is asking 150.00 but might be able to get for $125.00

Seem like a fair price??

Thank,

Purchased Arbor Press Images now attached, anyone know what material Gib plates should be made from??

Thx!

 

[930dreamer]

Will an arbor press seat/install a hub bearing?

 

[tombell572]

danstead- I think $150 is a fair price for a Famco of that size. Its a well made press in all respects, USA made. You may get lucky at a garage sale but for the most part you'd pay more from a used machinery dealer or on Ebay.

 

[454ragtop]

Will an arbor press seat/install a hub bearing?

I too have a Greenerd 3-3/4 5 ton, and it will do the hub bearings like used on a Taurus or PT Cruiser, the type where you push the bearing in the knuckle, and then push the hub in the bearing. But I also have a 20 ton hyd. if needed. I also find it is often easier to pull the hub out of the bearing with a slide hammer before removing the knuckle from the car.
HTH, Jim

 

[danstead]

Re: Famco Arbor press

Tombell,

Thx for your input! I went and looked at the Famco #2 this afternoon. Kind of rusty and the handle is bent some, offer $125.00 and he accepted.
I'll post a few pics soon.

Not sure how old this Press is, hope there's a date stamped somewhere. I loosened the front plate and the teeth on the arbor and the main drive gear look great! The press has an adjustment plate on the left side and the front to control tension on the arbor.

 

[SweetD]

Cool FAMCO. I have it's little brother, a FAMCO Model "E", which is a 3/4 ton capacity. It's cool though for small jobs. I got it at a yard sale for $40 because I thought it was missing the plate, and I told the seller that (he wanted $50). Turns out it doesn't use a plate. Good for me I guess!

 

[454ragtop]

Possible good deal on an arbor press http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arbor-Press-3-1-2-Ton-/172051038144?hash=item280f0a7fc0:g:0JsAAOSwaA5Wiul0 in NY, seller listing as 3.5 tons, it's actually 5 tons.
Jim

 

[Outlawmws]

Possible good deal on an arbor press http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arbor-Press-3-1-2-Ton-/172051038144?hash=item280f0a7fc0:g:0JsAAOSwaA5Wiul0 in NY, seller listing as 3.5 tons, it's actually 5 tons.
Jim

That wood stand is sorta scary looking...

 

[Maui]

I bought this Greenerd No 3 armatur press for $45.00 together with the stand. It is surprisingly heavy.

 

[My Old Tools]

Armature press. No general purpose slot or daisy wheel. It may be difficult to use without modifying the base.

 

[Outlawmws]

It wouldn't be to hard to make up a drop in (offset) daisy wheel on a puck.

I like the ships wheel!

 

[Maui]

Outlaw, I like the ships wheel too. And I can fabricate a daisy wheel for it without much difficulty.

Maui

 

[Roberts210]

I thought I'd post some pictures of my Famco.
I posted about this in another forum here, but it's really a vintage tool, so.....

I picked it up in a used machinery outdoor yard. It had been sitting out for years. I got it for $100. It came with a nice, clean ram.

I fabricated an arm for it from a couple of pieces of 3/4" steel.

Made the pawl from a 1" grade 5 bolt.

A buddy gave me the daisy wheel for postage.

Used an old meat hook for an arm extension. I figured if it would hold up a 300 pound side of beef, it would hold my weight.

Here's a couple more.

Anybody here have a good suggestion on how I can replace the two broken handles on the ship's wheel?