Non hydraulic shop press?

[dnroe]

I ran across what appears to be an old manual style shop press for sale but can find any information on it. The name plate on it listed it at 28 tons and if I am not mistaking the manufacturer was Wright. The only other thing written on it was "Hi Speed" on the press mechanism. The frame looked very similar to a traditional hydraulic press but instead it used a very large vertical screw for the pressing power. There was a lever at the top to make quick height adjustments and a wheel maybe 2' in diameter that turns to drive the threaded rod down onto the part you are pressing. Looks like you would spin the wheel down until hand tight and then use another lever that engages into the outer edge of the wheel using torque to multiply the turning force on the wheel. It sounds incredibly complicated but the action was remarkably fast and easy. I just dont know if this design is a viable alternative to a hydraulic unit, if the 28 ton rating is realistic or if this was even meant to be a shop press. The press head itself resembles something you would see on an old printing press. Just looking at it I would say it is now later than the 30's but could be a little older. Wish I had my camera to take a picture for sure. Any one have any ideas what this was and what would be a good offer to make on it?

Thanks guys!

 

[larry_g]

Search out screw press, still made with modern technology. I know what you are talking about, one of the neighbors had one in his shop years ago that I have used. They are a viable machine.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[dnroe]

Thanks Larry G you were correct with screw press. I did a google image search and found one nearly identical. I had the wrong manufacturer name, it's identical to a weaver so that must have been what was on the tag. He wouldnt take $100 for it so I might offer a little more. Seemed to be complete and working plus its old and in my opinion alot cooler than buying a cheap HF hydraulic press. The tag said 28 tons and I am sure the frame is capable of supporting that load, just didnt know if you could generate that much pressure with a manual device. Must weight 300 lbs. or more as I could barely tip it off its legs. Would $150-175 be too high a price to offer on it?

 

[scott37300]

The main thing in a press like that is it's frame, a good solid frame is hard to find these days unless you spend big dollars. So the press is worth it for just the frame. You can always adapt a hydralic setup to it down the road if you want.

 

[larry_g]

Can you post a link to the picture? Price depends on your need. In days past I might have gone a few hundred, today I can't afford it.

lg
no neat sigline

 

[dnroe]

I hope these links work.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...or-press-force-gauge-weaver-20-t-21-10-10.jpg

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...ress-force-gauge-weaver-20t-mech-21-10-10.jpg

The one pictured in the links is listed as a 20 ton. The one I looked at had 28 ton on the dataplate but looks nearly identical. Condition is very similar. The one I looked at still looks like it has some original paint under the grease but the bottom angle supports are a little rusty from sitting on the concrete. The only mention I have found of a 28 ton online had it dated at around 1918. I love having usable vintage tools but dont want to offer too much.

 

[larry_g]

I wouldn't think a couple of hundred bucks for that would be to much if it were in fair shape. I would try and test the play between the wheel and the screw to judge how much wear is there. If the slop is less than 50% of the thread pitch then I would think it would have some usable life in it. The value of a neat old tool is what you want to pay for it.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[dnroe]

Just an update on the screw press. I called the guy back and was going to make him an offer in the $175-200 range. I asked him if he had thought about a price before I mentioned what I had in mind and he said he was thinking around $500. I told him I was thinking around 200 at most and told him to keep my number if he decided to come down some. Its a really cool old piece and seems to be working correctly but I cant do that kind of money when nice hydraulic units are available for less. Maybe he will call back in a few weeks. I had my hopes up to be able to take it home for 200 or less. I scored some great stuff from this guy for a good price but oh well on that one.

 

[mneafus]

Does anybody have any material that would help me in disassembling a 28 ton weaver screw press? The hi-speed lever is rust frozen from standing in a oil field for the last 40 years. The screw is now free but I don't want to damage the cast iron housing trying to free the lever and rack.

 

[ryan_289]

If you can remove that piece you might try soaking it in a container of diesel for a few days.

There is also a thread about molassas and rust removal on here recently.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

hope you don't miss out on good buy

 

[Mountainside Repair]

I was just looking for a picture of a Weaver press and came across you discussion, I became a member just so I could share what I know.

I have a Weaver press, which has been converted to hydraulic which runs off of a flow divider from an exhaust bender and works great.

My neighbor saw it one day and he says that at one time they where the press that the Ford dealers had in their shops for pressing bearing and such on axles and whatever else. Mine is missing all the mechanical stuff but the frame is really well built, thanks for posting the picture of an original it was good to see what it once was.

 

[ndnchf]

I have an old HF 12 ton press that I converted to screw jack. I got tired of he crappy hydraulic jacks leaking and came across this house jack at a flea market. It is in the 12 ton range. It works pretty well, and seems to be just as powerful as the hydraulic jack was.

 

[fp1967]

.

 

[Steevo]

You can also find big arbor presses like this 12 ton unit:

 

[Provincial]

You can also find big arbor presses like this 12 ton unit:

Forty years ago I worked in a machine shop that had a Famco arbor press almost exactly like the yellow one. It was a great tool. We used it for broaching keyways and pressing smaller bushings and even some larger roller bearing races. It gave you a very sensitive feel and the ratchet kept the lever in a comfortable position.

Another nice thing about an arbor press like this is how fast you can work compared to a hydraulic unit.

 

[kursplat]

You can also find big arbor presses like this 12 ton unit:

that is awesome. looks like someone made a giant kids toy

 

[Steevo]

that is awesome. looks like someone made a giant kids toy

That one is for sale on C/L in the Eastern Idaho area.
Too spendy for me but I would love to have it.

 

[confederatemule]

It has been a year since the last entry here, but I just found this thread. I thought someone might be interested in this link. I would love to go through the museum. I have had a Weaver 28 ton Hi-Speed press in my Garage since 1989. When my Dad had to give up his Garage he gave the press to me. I was just a kid when he got it. It was in the remains of an "old" truck garage. He gave $10.00 for it. We loaded it in the back of his 1952 Dodge pick-up and away we went. I would not trade it for any other press I have ever used. It is maintenance free and works flawlessly. In my opinion $500.00 would be a cheap price to pay for one like mine. No amount of money could buy mine.

http://www.castleequipment.com/Museum/garage_equipment_weaver_history.htm

Mule

 

[Tim_N]

Hi Guys,

I found this thread after speaking with Castle Equipment about a Weaver 60 Ton press. Unfortunately, they could only give me the info that was on their site and could not offer any further info.
We have one in our workshop that we are currently having tested and calibrated. In principle it is the same as the one posted further up this thread, but ours was made in the UK (Where we are based) and is hydraulic. I can't find ANY info on this model at all and the company that manufactured it here have long gone.
Here are a couple of pics to show you what we have. If anyone has any further inf other that what is on the Castle website, I'd be grateful if you could share

Regards
Tim

P.S. Pics to follow when I work out how to upload them!!

P.P.S They are on the next page

 

[Tim_N]

I managed to work it out