- Joined
- Oct 9, 2008
- Messages
- 478
Like many, I have used hammers, vises and anything else I can to upset pins in my bolsters. Although I have been successful using hammers and a lot of work to get acceptable results, I always manage to dent the bolsters in areas that require more time than I like to fix before I can move on. I have seen pictures of a press that is sold for knifemakers as well as description of one made by a knifemaker. I like the one that is sold but I realized I don't have the equipment to make it. The one made by the knifemaker has some good ideas and I am sure it works but I wanted some added features so I designed my own around my capabilities and the materials I had, drawing from those designs. I wanted to share what I did in the event it can help others.
It really is pretty simple, using a 6 ton hydraulic jack to raise a movable anvil to a fixed one in such a way that the contact surfaces are always well aligned. The hardest part was maintaing that alignment during build. I used springs on the guide bars so that when I release the jack the press opens. The anvils are made from hardened round stock and just screw on so I can easily change to different configuration if needed. The main frame is welded but, knowing I am probably the worst welder alive today, I used heavy threaded rods inside the uprights to provide additional strength. I actually tried it before welding and it seem to work fine. The rods also made a nice welding jig. There is nothing magic about the materials used but you are dealing with a lot of load so strength and stiffness (to keep things moving the way you want) need to be considered in selection.
I have included a few pictures. The first is of the parts as cut and fitted. The next shows the trial assembly before welding. The third is the completed press at rest and the last shows it closed with the guide rods rising above the upper support. I have no doubt that there will be a learning curve associated with this but the couple of trials I have conducted show great promise.
Randy
It really is pretty simple, using a 6 ton hydraulic jack to raise a movable anvil to a fixed one in such a way that the contact surfaces are always well aligned. The hardest part was maintaing that alignment during build. I used springs on the guide bars so that when I release the jack the press opens. The anvils are made from hardened round stock and just screw on so I can easily change to different configuration if needed. The main frame is welded but, knowing I am probably the worst welder alive today, I used heavy threaded rods inside the uprights to provide additional strength. I actually tried it before welding and it seem to work fine. The rods also made a nice welding jig. There is nothing magic about the materials used but you are dealing with a lot of load so strength and stiffness (to keep things moving the way you want) need to be considered in selection.
I have included a few pictures. The first is of the parts as cut and fitted. The next shows the trial assembly before welding. The third is the completed press at rest and the last shows it closed with the guide rods rising above the upper support. I have no doubt that there will be a learning curve associated with this but the couple of trials I have conducted show great promise.
Randy
