Shop press "generic" adapter kit?

[VolvoRyan]

Hi All,

I know this can't possibly be a thing, but I figured I'd ask. Is there a generic kit, or kits, of press sleeves and pucks for pressing bearings and bushings in/out with a shop press?.... or are we left using a mish-mash of sockets, pipe fittings, and scrap bits of metal?

Best I've found is using bits and pieces from push/pull and ball joint service kits with C-clamps or forcing screws. I kinda worry about putting a full load of oomph on rusty parts with these. It'd also just be nice to have an organized collection so I don't have to cobble up a new solution every time something different comes my way.

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[kbuhagiar]

Hi All,

I know this can't possibly be a thing, but I figured I'd ask. Is there a generic kit, or kits, of press sleeves and pucks for pressing bearings and bushings in/out with a shop press?.... or are we left using a mish-mash of sockets, pipe fittings, and scrap bits of metal?

Best I've found is using bits and pieces from push/pull and ball joint service kits with C-clamps or forcing screws. I kinda worry about putting a full load of oomph on rusty parts with these. It'd also just be nice to have an organized collection so I don't have to cobble up a new solution every time something different comes my way.

Thanks!

-Ryan

As the owner of 'a mish-mash of sockets, pipe fittings and scrap bits of metal', I think this is a really good question!

 

[JoshGuitar]

I bought this kit a few years ago: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01443Z21A . It's served me well, but I still occasionally have to rig something up.

 

[rmack898]

Snap On has the larger A257 and the smaller A157C
I don’t remember where I got it but I bought a knockoff of the A157C that was pretty cheap and is a good set.

 

[ThePostman]

I have found this set to be quite useful, but most of the time I use them with a shop press.

https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-78825-Installer/dp/B01JBK2OJO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ALinCarolina]

I have a smaller couple kits but the OTC ball joint press sets have many different adapters I have used for other than ball joints.

 

[RTM]

I've grabbed two different kits over the past years, have not used either yet. Once you get the universal, you will only need weird ones.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01443Z21A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010Y2I7VC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those are primarily what I use. Buying the below kit can substitute some of the jumbo press discs.

https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-78825-Installer/dp/B01JBK2OJO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those specifically say not to use in the press. I use them in the press.

https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-PCS-Pull-Press-Sleeve/dp/B0BLVT9227/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This and bearing splitters are most of what I use.

 

[bwringer]

Yeah, same as above -- I have a few kits of round things.

I do have to say that this is a missed market opportunity, though. I think a good hydraulic press tooling kit, instead of buying and improvising this and that here and there would make a lot of sense, but I sure haven't found any.

 

[Steve_P]

I have the Astro and the 8 Mile lake that 2ndGear posted. I also have one that's nearly identical to the Vevor he posted. Don't expect the threaded rods to last per the reviews, but I bought mine to use in a press. Of course, I also have a collection of pipe *******, pipe couplings, old bearings.... that I've collected over the decades before all of this generic import tooling became available. Years ago, it was only the OTC (or Snap On) kits like the 8 Mile Lake, and even the OTC was $300+ when I looked at it; for home use, I couldn't justify the $ for the OTC.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the Astro and the 8 Mile lake that 2ndGear posted. I also have one that's nearly identical to the Vevor he posted. Don't expect the threaded rods to last per the reviews, but I bought mine to use in a press. Of course, I also have a collection of pipe *******, pipe couplings, old bearings.... that I've collected over the decades before all of this generic import tooling became available. Years ago, it was only the OTC (or Snap On) kits like the 8 Mile Lake, and even the OTC was $300+ when I looked at it; for home use, I couldn't justify the $ for the OTC.

The failure point for me has been a few thrust bearings. I use a thick layer of moly grease and no power tools. Works pretty well, but I doubt I've done more than 2 dozen jobs with it. Usually I just use the cups in the press. Replacement bearings were pretty cheap on Amazon, ~$10 bucks

 

[VolvoRyan]

Thanks all!

You guys are turning up a lot of the same kinds of kits I've found on Amazon. The vote of confidence in them means I'll have to get a few of the suggestions above. They seem like they could be modified in a pinch, too. I'll have to keep my eyes out for a Snap-On kit used.

I do have to say that this is a missed market opportunity, though. I think a good hydraulic press tooling kit, instead of buying and improvising this and that here and there would make a lot of sense, but I sure haven't found any.

It'd be a nifty thing for HF to sell since they sell the presses that so many people use.

-Ryan

 

[bwringer]

It'd be a nifty thing for HF to sell since they sell the presses that so many people use.

They do have a few things, like a few basic bearing driver sets (in aluminum), ball joint press sets, and bearing separators.

But they're really missing the boat on stuff like alternate press plates, more complete bearing driver sets, etc.

I have a section of about a foot of small-gauge railroad track that was lying around my Grandpa's garage (no clue where the heck he got it) that has proven ridiculously useful for assorted pressery, where you need to fold up one end of a thing. I wish I had at least one more.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a couple of smaller bushing driver sets made by Snap-on and MAC tools. The same ones as @rmack898 posted above.

However, for bearings I purchased this master set from ATM (Arizona Transmission & Machine) about 7 years ago and love it.



Prior I would use various old bearings or machine slugs as needed on the lathe but to save time, space and have the tools readily available I purchased this bearing drivers set and use the snot out of it. It was designed to be used specifically on transmission bearings and larger bushings but I use it on about anything I need to press in or out on the hydraulic press. It can be seen in a lot of pictures of my work being used on various projects in many of my posts.