Restoring a Greenerd #4 Arbor Press

[pb57]

I just received this Greenerd #4 Arbor Press from a neighbor. I have to admit it looks rough but I have restored much worse. The top portion of the ram has been broken off and the bottom of it was beat on as well. I think this was done after it had been sitting outside and someone tried to free it up the wrong way. The crank handle for the table is broken as is the spoked pulley on the ram return. It is missing the round anvil for the platform and everything is froze up from sitting outside for how long?
Once restored I am going to use this for broaching keyways, pressing bearings and bushings etc. I have a 50 ton electric/hydraulic press I built but this arbor press will offer much more control with plenty of power being rated at 7 tons. Should be a fun project. Thanks for looking. Paul

 

[Jagmandave]

Is that a hydraulic cylinder under the table? Is that used to raise and lower the table?

 

[pb57]

No hydraulic but an acme screw used to raise and lower the table similar to a Bridgeport mill.
Paul

 

[dr_clyde]

Man, that thing looks rough. Almost looks like it went through a fire. That will be a good transformation. These old Greenerd presses are pretty nice tools though, if you can get it operable again it will be worth it.

 

[Graham08]

Nice find! That's a big guy, would be awesome for broaching and pressing small bearings and bushings. I think Greenerd is still in business, so you might be able to source replacement parts for things that are missing or not easily duplicated.

 

[Kevin54]

Greenard still sells the #4. Give them a call and see if they have parts
https://www.greenerd.com/arborpress-detail.aspx?pressid=16

 

[pb57]

I got it home and everything freed up with some rose bud help. The ram is actually in very nice shape except for the 3 inches that somehow got broken off. I had to make some bushings for it in order to get it into the lathe running true and machined the push end first. I then got measurements from Greenerd for the original length of the ram and cut some oversize round shaft, vead the end and welded it to the broken end. Put it back in the lathe and turned it to size. Then put it in the mill and cut the flat portion that runs parallel with the ram teeth. Bead blasted it and its ready for install. The teeth didn't show any wear so no need to get a new on when this could be repaired. Greenerd wanted $413.00 for new ram. Here are some pics of the progress. thanks Paul

 

[Graham08]

Very nice work on the ram repair! Hard to tell it was ever broken.

 

[pb57]

Thanks Graham. I love bringing vintage stuff back to life. Been doing this since around 1985 and now that I'm retired can work at it every day now. Paul

 

[matt_i]

Wow, that has seen a bad day or two!

Nice repair work, excited to see the finished product!

 

[pb57]

Ok I worked on the 9" cast hand wheel that raises and lowers the ram into position. A spoke was broke out of it and the hub was broken off. (see pics) I put it in the mill and milled the hub area flat and bead blasted it. Then made a new hub with set screw and fabbed up a new spoke. Pre-heated it and welded the spoke in first then the hub. Wrapped it up in an insulated blanket and let it cool slowly. Cleaned the hub up on the lathe and I'm happy. I have finished with the worst of the parts on this machine. Actually the internal workings of this press are in excellent shape as far as very little wear. It just must have been handled as though it was headed for the scrap yard as I'm sure it was. It won't be long and I'll be sandblasting the frame and deciding on paint. Thanks for looking. Paul

 

[chrispyny]

Dang, great fab work. Excited to see it finished. In.

 

[Graham08]

That's a great looking repair on the handwheel! What's your preferred method for welding cast iron? Braze? Nickel-99?

 

[pb57]

Graham, over the years I have mostly stick welded nickel or torch brazed and also used the mig welder a lot. On this I used tig with silicon bronze but probably never again, especially if I have to do machining after. That stuff is hard.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

great job!!
looking forward to more

 

[pb57]

I got the base sandblasted and she looks good in her birthday clothes. Its coming along and will soon paint.

 

[ndnchf]

Great work - keep the pics coming.

 

[txvwnut]

Damn that spoke and hub repair is impressive, awesome job.

 

[gnpenning]

You are doing a great job bring it back to life. I love seeing old iron brought back to its Glory!!

 

[Jayman17]

Whoa, great job on those repairs! I wish I had your skills. Cant wait to see it freshly painted and all put together.

Jay

 

[tarmy]

Great fab work...keep up informed...