Press block for use with shop press?
- Thread starter quilty
- Start date
Honestly, I would just get a piece of flat steel... unless you spend money on something really good, it's going to get tweaked over time with use.
LopezBart
Well-known member
If you want something hardened and ground, a 3"x3"x1" jeweler's block would likely work, and they're available inexpensively.
Something like this?
Hardened Steel Jewelers Bench Block – Pepetools
Provides a solid base for work while flattening, straightening or designing Hardness 46-50 Rockwell Blocks are 3/4" thick Ground smooth made of high quality tool steel Sizes Available #198.00 2.5" x 2.5" #197.00 4"x4"x.75" #197.10 4"x6"x.75" #197.30 8"x10"x.75"
pepetools.com
MichaelP
Well-known member
I don't think hardened steel is a good idea for a press. Definitely not hardened through to the highest hardness. You don't want to create shrapnel.
Farmall450
Well-known member
A piece of hot rolled A36 or A572-50?
whateg01
Well-known member
My grizzly came with a couple pieces of 2"*2.5" steel long enough to span the bed but both were flame cut and arrived that way. I squared them up on the mill and made them the same size. Also removed the powder coating in the process so they no longer slide around. So nice to work with now! I've been grabbing little pieces of steel here and there to use on the press. Pipe. Tubing. Bearing races.
Doesn't sound like you need something to go across the bed. Just a small block to set something on or to put between the ram and the work. Check with fabricators for drops of 1/2 or 3/4, etc.
Doesn't sound like you need something to go across the bed. Just a small block to set something on or to put between the ram and the work. Check with fabricators for drops of 1/2 or 3/4, etc.
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LopezBart
Well-known member
I've used bearing races and similar things w/o issues. A jeweler's block is not going to be very hard; likely around 50 Rockwell C; that's about what is desirable for an axe. They're plenty tough for use in a press.
BurtEggley
Well-known member
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- Oct 8, 2024
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drop by a metals supplier near you. They usually have scrap pieces of steel and aluminum they sell by the pound. I keep old bearings, bearing races, gears, pieces of oak etc, that I can use on things. Also a good set of arbor plates is a must.
I have a selection of many pieces of 1" plate and lighter scraps as well as sets of 1" V blocks to span the table beams of my 20 T presses, as well as some specific VW plates to fit various stuff. I have a big chunk of 2" HR plate for my 100T and will make some V blocks this summer. The V blocks are all heavy/deep enough to lay on their sides and make a square hole for things round to be pressed on or off of shafts.
goldtang
Well-known member
I just use what scrap I have, keep a tin near the press and all the bit I have collected over the years end up in it for the next time,
you could use 1,2,3 blocks a Lot of over kill
you could use 1,2,3 blocks a Lot of over kill
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
That’s an interesting setup. It looks like it can roll back and forth on the large I beam pressing anywhere along its length. Or, is it a standard H style frame? How is it used?