Famco 21 Arbor Press

[Jeff357]

Just picked up this Famco 21 arbor press. Was pretty sticky when a I brought it home, but after scraping the old grease out it nearly moved like butter now. Still needs a bit of clean up, and I want to repaint it.

How do you guys lubricate yours?

There are two tiny holes (assuming they are threaded, can’t tell yet) that I’m guessing are either for grease or oil fittings?

Should the pinion housing be packed with grease, or lightly oiled?

What type of grease?

This thing is a beast, weighing in at 250 lbs accordingo Famco literature (and my back). Anyone have tips for building a base? I really only want to move it one more time if possible!

 

[racinfarmer]

The two small holes on the front of the cover plate that holes the shaft in?

 

[isr2kba]

I have a 3R. I built a heavy duty wooden base for it. I installed gits oilers in the small holes at the top and use a few drops of 30 wt. I wipe some oil on the ram if I think of it. I bought new gibs (worn out) for it and a new handwheel (missing when I found the press) directly from Famco who were very happy to help me out.

 

[mattblast]

I use 3-in-1 oil in the holes of my arbor press.

 

[Jeff357]

No, these holes are in the main casting where the shaft of the pinion is captured.

 

[Jeff357]

Just realized my pictures didn’t post.

 

[matt_i]

Those holes are designed to be filled with wool felt plugs (see also McMaster Carr for various round sizes). This acts as a filter for shop dust and grit, so the lubricating oil of your choice can be delivered cleanly to the working surfaces.

I use either Vactra 4 or Vacuoline 1419 but really any oil is just fine for this app in my opinion.

If you build a base then it should be bolted to the floor or very very heavy. You have a lot of leverage there (some sport modified = longer) press arm shafts and something has to resist the moment you are applying.

I'd move it with a 4 wheel rolling dolly and or an engine hoist.

 

[Jeff357]

I’m gonna admit some ignorance here, and hopefully gain some knowledge. What are the gibs?

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

The gibs are adjustable wear pieces used to take up the play. They also are used on lathe and milling machine ways. BCD

 

[isr2kba]

Additional info re the gibs:

They are adjusted with the two set screws protruding from the front cover on your press (and another two on the side). The nuts you see there lock the set screws in place once adjusted. The purposes are to take up play in the ram, center the ram and apply a little friction to the ram so it doesn't free fall onto the work or body parts.

The set screws push against a plate (the actual gib) that is behind the cover which in turn applies the aforementioned forces to the ram.

 

[isr2kba]

If you build a base then it should be bolted to the floor or very very heavy. You have a lot of leverage there (some sport modified = longer) press arm shafts and something has to resist the moment you are applying.

This is an extremely good point. The base I built is counter balanced with a 400lb horizontal mill on the other end of the table.