Improvised press

Wow! I love it. Very simple and functional.

Nice idea and solution! I've been thinking about a version of a press adapted from a hydraulic jack too. I don't have the jack yet but I think I would have done the force distribution a bit different, with the screws symmetrical to the jack to prevent the flexing. Also a different shape for the steel plates instead of square. 

The two plates on top don't flex or move when pressure is applied. It did move up a bit with one plate when pressure was applied from below. The bottom plate is rectangular, and so are the top two. The plate which sits directly on top of the jack is the one that is closest to a square shape.

Moving the jack closer to  being in line with the screws would have made it difficult to get bigger pieces stamped. The center of the jack is just over 2 1/2" from the center of the screws.

 

Nice Job Kirk. Looks fine to me.

I would definitely be interested in that DXF file.  I was just looking at modifying the harbor freight a-frame press when I saw your post.  I like the compact size of it.  

nince job. i like your press. i am interested in your dxf file of the press.

Guys, dxf available for download here:

 

thank you for the file

You're welcome. Happy to help.

Very nice, and compact !  Wish I would have seen this before I bought my HF 12 ton press- which is overkill for what I need (and super bulky for my 1 car garage/storage unit/woodworking shop/leatherworking shop :)).

Any idea what this cost you to make ?

Might want to sell these ?