Arbor press suggestions

[fourjeepin]

I had to disassemble my old school Craftsman table saw and decided to replace the bearings while I have everything apart, but I don't have a press and don't have much need for one, but figure that hiring this out when nearly cover the cost of buying an inexpensive one.

Any suggestions on a press or an alternative? I'm not even certain how powerful of a press I need. The saw is model 113.27520

 

[bb29510]

harbor freight or hgrinc.com

 

[Nutria]

A basic press is a pretty simple tool, and imported is an ok way to go. There are also people on the forum who tend to go used U.S. I'm one of those folks. Hard to go wrong with a used Greenerd, Dake, or Famco.

I think that, whatever you buy, you'll find lots of uses for it.

 

[Nutria]

Oh, and a three-ton press would cover your needs with ease. You could go with a two-ton and do well too.

 

[Nutria]

And there are other options if you aren't sure about the arbor press-- creative combinations of pullers, clamps, shims, washers, etc. can usually get the job done. You can even do installs with a piece of pvc and hammer, if you're careful and drive on the proper race-- that goes for any of the options for that matter.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Arbor presses are obscenely priced in my area, even for clapped out junk that's had the piss beaten out of it. I've had to resort to what Nutria mentions above, relying on pullers and the like, for the small number of times I'd have rather had an arbor press. I'm always looking for one that's priced right, but it hasn't happened yet.

 

[alfadan]

For the price a good sized arbor press would fetch, you'd be ahead to just buy a 20 ton hydraulic press IMO.
Plus, which bearings are you changing? The throat on an arbor press ain't all that big, seems like.

 

[Nutria]

There's not a lot of touch in using a hydraulic press for light stuff like shop machinery and electric motor bearings. But you're right-- not much throat on even a medium-sized arbor press; that is definitely limiting.

 

[kbuhagiar]

For the price a good sized arbor press would fetch, you'd be ahead to just buy a 20 ton hydraulic press IMO.
Plus, which bearings are you changing? The throat on an arbor press ain't all that big, seems like.

I agree with this; after reviewing all of my options, I determined that the 20-ton press was the best all-around choice; although it may seem like overkill, cost isn't prohibitive and it gives you more options. The downside is it's much larger than the arbor press, if space is a consideration.

 

[RTM]

I agree with this; after reviewing all of my options, I determined that the 20-ton press was the best all-around choice; although it may seem like overkill, cost isn't prohibitive and it gives you more options. The downside is it's much larger than the arbor press, if space is a consideration.

What little I do, I would love to have a 20 ton press, but being able to put my 1 ton arbor press under the bench when I'm not using it is much more valuable in the long run

 

[RMERR]

I've got a Dake 1 1/2B, It's got a 7" throat and 18" height opening under the ram. They're pricey though, even used maybe $500 give or take a few bucks. I do like the hand "feel" a manual press gives you. An alternative I've used (before I had a press) to press smaller bearings or steel dowels in is a decent size vise with smooth jaws or something to protect the piece from jaw serrations. If removing a part, set it on top of the jaws to tap the shaft or bearing out with appropriately sized pin. Not as nice as a press, but worked for smaller pieces.

 

[alfadan]

I've got a 20 ton shop press and the smaller HF arbor press (3/4 ton?) mounted to a bench. It's quite handy for light fits and odd stuff.
I'm on the lookout for a Dake replacement, but pickings are slim here

 

[MongoTA]

Check auctions, try Bidspotter.com, they have a fair number of machinist/metalwork auctions.

I picked up a Greenerd #3 with stand for $60, it was about $75 with fees. Some auctions are not well attended, I would have gone to about $200 to get it.

 

[Nutria]

I picked up a Greenerd #3 with stand for $60, it was about $75 with fees.

That is a screaming deal. I think that mine were more typical prices: Greenerd #1, $80; Greenerd #2, $125, Canedy-Otto ratcheting 3.5 ton, $250. The ratcheting capability is pretty handy.

 

[MongoTA]

That is a screaming deal. I think that mine were more typical prices: Greenerd #1, $80; Greenerd #2, $125, Canedy-Otto ratcheting 3.5 ton, $250. The ratcheting capability is pretty handy.

Thanks. Auctions can be hit or miss for me. I seldom go to the site, I'm an online bidder most of the time these days. I've gone into some thinking I'm going to buy a half-dozen lots but then the prices go higher than I'd like and I simply slink away. Once in a while I'll win a lot early in the auction, and because I now have to drive to get it, I'll sometimes overpay on later lots so the drive there (often times a 1-2 hour drive) and back is more productive.

Sometimes I've won, sometimes...maybe not. But even when I've paid more than planned, at least that item is now off my shopping list.

That Greeneerd, I felt bad. Really nice man, I think he was in his late 70s or early 80s. Ran a solo shop for decades. The space was amazing. Fairly small, but stacked with tools, everything in a place and with a purpose. None of his kids or grandkids followed in his footsteps. He said he kept the shop open well past retirement age hoping that one of his great-grandkids would show an interest, but as teenagers none did. And none of them wanted any of his tools! So he closed down his shop and everything went to auction.

 

[Ricky Joe]

For the price a good sized arbor press would fetch, you'd be ahead to just buy a 20 ton hydraulic press IMO.
Plus, which bearings are you changing? The throat on an arbor press ain't all that big, seems like.

That is my complaint. I have a Dake three ton. The depth of the throat limits its utility.

 

[Ricky Joe]

That is my complaint. I have a Dake three ton. The depth of the throat limits its utility.

I suppose I overpaid for it. It was about $400 if I remember correctly.

 

[dutchgray]

This is my twin column Jones and Shipman, I think it's 19" between the columns from memory.
Technically it's called a broaching press but it's a pretty useful tool.

 

[fourjeepin]

So I appreciate all of the wisdom shared here. You guys all mentioned the same things that I was thinking and I have arrived at the same conclusion as before starting this thread.

In summary:

• An arbor press may not have sufficient stroke for this job
• A hydraulic press is probably more cost effective
• Hydraulic press is larger than I want to store
• An arbor press is much easier to store in a smaller shop
• There are alternatives for bearings than a press

Here’s the arbor that needs attention. The new pulley on the end is what started this. The PO left the key out and over time, the pulley wobbled and wallowed out the ID of the pulley until it fell off.

 

[Nutria]

A bearing splitter and puller would work well. You could use a harmonic balancer puller with bolts that could thread into the bearing splitter or you could just use a two-jaw puller against the splitter.

 

[larry4406]

Any way to safely use a wood splitter as a makeshift press?

 

[Mgdoug3]

I've got a 3 ton arbor press and a 20 ton hydraulic press. I wish I had a 40 or 50 ton press. For small jobs, I love my arbor press. For broaching keyway, it can't be beat.

 

[Firebrick43]

Any way to safely use a wood splitter as a makeshift press?

I would entirely depend on the type of splitter and how its constructed.

It of course would need to be a vertical splitter.

If the wedge attached to the cylinder and you could easily remove it and build a new carriage then yes. If the wedge is stationary then probably not.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Any way to safely use a wood splitter as a makeshift press?

With a few modifications I could see it working. The control valve on mine doesn't have enough fine control to safely press,then blocking out or removing the wedges. Then again a 20t hf press may be easier.

 

[alfadan]

With a few modifications I could see it working. The control valve on mine doesn't have enough fine control to safely press,then blocking out or removing the wedges. Then again a 20t hf press may be easier.

I could see my 25 ton splitter bending that shaft and launching it straight into my naughty bits.

 

[fourjeepin]

For anyone attempting this same project in the future, no press is necessary. Firm hits from my small dead blow hammer put it all back together. And boy does she purr now. I had no idea the bearings were that worn out.

 

[isb cornbinder]

There are situations where a relatively inexpensive "C" clamp might work for you. I am fortunate to have the option of a hydraulic press and a small arbor press. I also have an OTC "C" press for servicing bushings.
I found the arbor press on Craigslist.

 

[johninct]

There are situations where a relatively inexpensive "C" clamp might work for you. I am fortunate to have the option of a hydraulic press and a small arbor press. I also have an OTC "C" press for servicing bushings.
I found the arbor press on Craigslist.

I have used my ball joint press clamped into my vise.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have used my ball joint press clamped into my vise.

I hadn’t thought of this but I also have one of those and bet it would work well.

 

[isb cornbinder]

My Dad made this large "C" clamp in 1935. It is made from recycled steam tractor parts. I have seen Dad use this as a press.
Sadly, Dad died 35 years ago. Dad was a smart guy, He made generator welders out of airplane generators. Princess Auto was his source for everything that supported his inventions.