Do you use a Tandy Pro Hand Press?

[fredk]

Like this one

Under the lever is small nylon/plastic disc that sits on the top of the ram, to take the wear of the lever on the ram. This disc wears out. Tandy does not tell you about it nor do they supply replacements

A few years ago I discovered this. The pressure pad on my press was badly worn, any more use of it and it would have been worn right through. 

I changed the pad again this morning. This is what the old one looks like;

As I discovered years ago I could not buy replacements and inquires to Tandy resulted in nil response 

The pad is 25 mm / 1 inch diameter and only about 5 mm thick. I bought a bar of Delrin 25 mm diameter and 100 mm long, the shortest I could buy, and on a borrowed band-saw I cut a few discs. As you can see in the above photo a small section on the same side but on opposite edges needs cutting away for the locating lugs

I have 6 discs, I've used 2 and there is plenty of the bar left. Should last a long time and keep my press in action for some time 

Total cost was £5.98 (about $7.50) for the Delrin bar

If you use a Tandy Pro Hand Press check out the state of the pad. You only need remove one bolt to remove the lever

 

[kgg]

2 hours ago, fredk said:

If you use a Tandy Pro Hand Press check out the state of the pad. You only need remove one bolt to remove the lever

Great Info and nice repair hack. In Canada that press is expensive $674.99 CAD plus shipping plus 13 percent tax. I would have thought replacement parts would have been easily had. Another option for those with a 3D printer those discs could be custom printed at about 2 cents each. They probably will not last as long as the Delrin.  I opted for the el cheapo Chinese presses and dies for my needs and usage costing about $100 CAD for a large one and $60 CAD for a smaller one delivered. I have one setup as a punch and the other as a setter so I'm not having to change the settings or bits and pieces.

kgg

Edited June 19, 2024 by kgg

[bruce johnson]

Nice tip. I also use Delrin discs cut from rod for the Weaver Little Wonder presses I refurbish. They are just a flat disc that doesnt have the indexing tab.  Unlike Tandy, Weaver does sell the replacement parts but I have a plastics shop close by and easier to do my own.